The National tribune., 1898-06-16
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER Mi.
A NIGHT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FIRE.
THE FIRST NAN FALLS-ALoNE
WITH A DEAD CoMRADE-A TRYING
PERIOD.
Opposite Cairo, in Missouri, is q
steamboat landing called Birds Point.
1t is an insignificant place-not so i'm
portant as an average crossroads collec-
ton of houses in Ohio. A wharfboat
and house or two constitute Its entire
wealth of habitable structures. But
the ground rises two or three feet higher
than the tops of the Cairo levees and a
few pieces of artillery planted there
would have the camps and houses and
fine residences in excellent range. 1t
was expected from the first that the
rebels would retaliate for the occupation
of Cairo by the seizure and fertilization
of Birds Point. This would be the
strategy Of common sense. The COM
mander at Cairo was continually
harassed by reports that this was about
TO be done, and that considerable force
of rebels had already pushed their way
through the swamps to the neighborhood
of the place.
Such definite intelligence of this ma
ture reached him one evening that he
determined to intercept them by sending
force across to intercept their advance,
if there were any made.
The regiment was designated for this
duty, and at dark was in silence formed,
that any lookout across the river might
not become aware of anything unusual
being contemplated. AS they marched
quietly down to the landing place on
the Ohio levee Walter, aware that
something Of Importance was intended,
summoned all his courage mp for the
emergency, and reiterated mentally all
his resolutions TO do his duty as we'll as
weak flesh would permit him. He, as
well as his companions, was wholly
ignorant Of the design Of the movement,
but they felt that it meant sanguinary
night encounter, and all were silent.
The night was intensely dark-that
darkness of a Summer night before the
moon and stars rise.
Not a word was spoken except an
occasional order, given in low tone.
Their feet made no noise as they sank
in the dust that covered the levee, but
when they began ascending the gang
plank to the deck of the boat the CHATTER
Of the hundreds Of steps upon the hollow
planking rang out discordantly upon
the still night. There was little noise
and confusion as they found places on
the decks, and then all was quiet again.
Every detail stamped itself upon
Walters tense perception as he stood,
musket in hand, leaning with Bronson,
Karl, and O'Neil against the upright
spars of the bow of the boat.
The gang planks were drawn in by
the deck hands at the command of the
gruf- voiced mate
Cast off them head lines" ordered
the gruff voice.
An answering splash as the cables fell
In the water
All gone here, sir" said the gruff
voice to someone upon the upper deck.
"All right" came back from above
Then, to the pilot, "Go ahead, Mr..
Brown"
Then came the sharp clang Of a gong
in the engine-room, answered by an ex-
plosive puff Of steam from the escape
pipes and the paddles of the great wheel
struck the water blow that made the
boat culver. Other blows and she be-
gan to mOve-slowly at first, then
faster. Her bow swung off from shore
and the lights OF Cairo began to recede.
Walter gazed after them wistfully, ask
ing himself if he were to ever see them
again. The boat turned completely
around, and headed towards the Mis-
sissippi. All her lights were extinguish-
ed and blinds were placed in front of the
furnace doors, that the glare might not
indicate her coming to those on the
Missouri shore. In few minutes she
entered the mighty current of the Mis-
sissippi.
The dark, eddying waters swirled up
against the bows and seemed to mutter
sullenly against the invasion. Black
logs struck her savagely and then float
ed back to be beaten under her wheels.
Walter heard comrades around him
whispering directions to each other as to
what should be done in case they fell.