The National tribune., 1898-12-08

boy, becomes an artilleryman, whose
Qa shnIs work SecuTcS him speedy pro-
motion. Dick Morgan, compositor, who
entered the rebel army, is met by the
comrades at various times, and iii the
preceding chapter was captured among a
number of others while caTyln on com
munication with Hebrew spy. The File
soon get promotion, O'Neil becoming "A
Lieutenant. Kari falls madly in love with
q beWitching fiery. contrary rebel girl
and has many amusing passages with
her. once rescuing her from serious danger.
The following chapter begins a new period
in their experiences. They are with the
army operating against Nicksburg, and
participate in the events OF that remark
able campaign.
What a glorious pageant ii was when
Gen. Sherman, with more than three
score and 10 great steamboats,, exclusive
of the dark-visaged, grim gunboats, carry
ing more than 30, eco veteran soldiers,
swept magnifcently down the nit hty
Father Of Waters for the assault upon the
rebel stronghold of VioksbuTg. From
every boat bright flags flew out bravely in
the bright December sun, bands made the
wooded shores ring with patriotic airs, and
The sanguine-heartedy young soidieTy burst
INTO thunders Of acclamations on the least
oro.ocation. They felt that they were
gwe eDilg Oh 10 victory with the TeSiStleSs
orce Of the swirling, tuTbid current that
bore their vessels, and that the New Year
would see them as securely III possession
Of kicksburg as they had been for months
in that Of her rival and competitor, Mem
phis.
The File secured a good position on the
hurricane deck, Just IN front OF the tower
ing smokestacks, and during the day they
lay or sat on their blankets, surveyed
with proud hearts the imposing spectacle,
noted the manuvering Of the great boats
by brigades and divisions, cheeTed the
playing OF the bands, the approach or
passage Of some regiment or General that
they knew and liked, or anything else
hat would give an excuse for yelling, ard
studied with growing respect and awe the
mighty river.
The more one sees of the Mississippi
the more impressive ii becomes. Al first
sight there is a feeling OF disappointment
that that clay-colored tide, rushing ard
winding between low banks, covered with
lntermInable stretches Of worthless Gotten
wood trees, should be the greatest river
in the world. But every DAY Of com
panIonShIp oeepens the feeling with re-
gard Ia IL. First ii seems ugly and com
monplace, then massive hut homeiy;
next, ma ieStic in its infinite 40 ume al n
force as resist ess as that q the orbs in
their courses around the sun; then fiend
ish in ITS ruthless sweep and merciiess
destruction.
Forever and forever, unrestinG, untring
Unsuitable, the taTny food rolls on W iGe
as II take, deep as the ocean swir.inp
circling, boiling and moaning drapring
down 10 death the victim who falls in
tearing away the banks, telling great
trees, sweeping at times as If in wanton
malice across a great stretch Of country
which was yesterday drys ground and
carrying off to destruction men. and
houses, and animals.
Wrecks Of proud vessels lie along lis
banks, monuments Of frightful disasters
and the loss OF hecatombs of lives.
Ghastiy skeletons OF trees White as bones
fash up from the Opaque water with
threats OF similar shuddering horrors to
the passing boat. Every bend has its
story OF fiery destruction or exploded
boilers, every shoaiing towhead its tale al
cruel snagS that have sent some brave
craft To the fathomIess bottom, with all
on board.
Dom the uncanny ould milrace. said
O'Neii in response To some remark of
Bronson's about the scmber even terrible.
majesty Of the stream. 1T always makes
me uncomfortable To think about il. Ii
don't seem Ia be a river at ali nj all
but a great big dragon like Thin the
bilssId 81; Patrick banished from Dire
land, wld his eternal curse on Thin If thew
lvYer came up again from the bottom Nv
the say Fwhy, they'd ate up whole
Viiiages-men, women chi der houses
hay-rickS. horses, cattle, pigs and ali
iist as a man would a male az rraties SO
they would. o. only wish that JEFF Davis
and AL la murtherin' crew was at the
bottom ~ this sullcn wather am il was
piiing mud on thin at the rate ay 40 fate
d day.
We'll put them there or in some place
lust as good before were through" said
Bronson; and then wen tame the river
pull the Old snags out and straighten il
up generally"
All 81 Christmas Day, 1862, the feet Law
ct Miiliken's Bend. 10 miles above VicI<s-
burg, Win everybody in a state OF tense
expectancy as 10 the next move. The
commanding nights OF Walnut Hills, on