The National tribune., 1898-10-20
.A,(oRFo:RAL< x
&SA dSs s& S5ss1' ess1 '7PIKE

"Ah, he's n Tartar" said another.
Hes too old for the Yanks," remarked
| third.
Seeing that now l had completely dis
armed them of suspicion, l urged m.
| anxiety to rejoin my regiment, and o
hearing from home, and p7litely wishe d
| them a good day and successful trip
| and galloped away, followed by their con
gratulations.
ANOTHEB ADVENTURE.
As soon as / was well out of their sight
| road, and took my way to the Widow S
Bridge. " About two miles from this
bridge / stopped to get my supper at a
house occupied by widow named Cheat
ham, who was a relative of Gen. Cheat
ham, and of Cheatham the Mayor of Nash
vile. She received me with generous
hospitality, and soon provided bounti.ul
supper for me.
Giving my horse time to rest after eat
ing, for had to ride all night, / sat and
talked to the lady after supper for some
time. She had much to say about Gen.
near her house a few days before, and
who had paid her visit. She was very
much fattered at this, and told me that
part of the Generals command were
camped near, and that there was picket
post at the far end of the bridge.
L
and told the lady that l believed would
ride. 1t was in the latter part of March,
and when went out to my horse the wind
was blowing almost gale and snow was
drifting in the air profusely. Bidding
this hospitable lady good-by, l was
soon prowling around the picket-post at
the bridge. discovered that the structure
was in good repair, and that it could be
crossed with safety; then turning up the
river, inspected, in turn, two others
across the stream.
While prowling about the second one,
which was only a mile from town. | un-
expectedly ran into a company of rebels,
who were returning to their camp. l was
Just riding out from the bridge when the
sound of horses feet approaching attract
ed my attention. How to escape meeting
them l could not tell; so posting myself
by the side OF the fence under the shadow
of a large tree, when they had approach
ed within a short distance | sang out
Halt in a loud and reSOlute tone, and
in the next breath demanded, "Who comes
there?'
Friends" was the prompt reply
"Dismount one and advance with the
Eve haven't got the countersign," said
the commander.
What do you belong to-. asked.
"Morgan's battalion, +" he replied.
Then break from the right" said /,
dliu pass uo ny HE uiitil we see Wfldt
you look like, and if you prove to be Con
federates you NAV pass in without delay"
Breaking by file, as ordered, they
marched by me so close that | could have
touched them with 10-foot pole. Keep
ing myself under the shadow of the tree,
pretended to inspect them as they rode
by. When a few flies had passed l sang
out
"All right, Captain; you can reform
your men,.
Form fours; forward-march.' he shout
ed, and / soon heard his men clatterng
over the bridge and cursing it as an old
basket that was unsafe to cross, and
must soon fall down. They had not gone
more than a few steps before the officer
ordered his men TO dismount and lead
over by file, swearing that he believed
The bridge would break if they did not do
so. OF course this was information to me.
well knew that | must now ride for my
life, for the trick would be discovered as
soon as they reached the picket on the
other side of the bridge
Turning up the road, and keeping on