The National tribune., 1899-03-23

linger. He wanted to know who I was
| frankly told him. He stood up, and tax
ing me by the hand aud looking me in the
face he conld only utter, THANK God'
well, from this time on, if you wish, We
will be companions, and we will go on ovel
into Kentucky and see what fate has further
in store for u.s. l said. So we made a COM
pact 10 20 together.
We, having still time, made the ascent
near the summit of the mountain. 1t was
a perilons climb. The Cumberland range OF
mountains is very precipitous and high all
along on the east, but slopes gradually back
to the west for some 80 miles, which is one
vast waste broken up into gorges, covered
with laurel and other thick brush. AS
said, Bill and had nearly reached the sum-
init; by that time we were very hungry and
apparently dying of thirst. l found little
stream of pure, cold water trickling down a
crevice in the rocks. We drank to our fill,
but having nothing to eat, we selected nice,
cozy place under a shelving rock, and, dark
ness coming on, We wrapped ourselves up in
my big, heavy blanket and lay down to sleep
1t was not long till Bill was fast asleep
oblivious to all earthly cares. slept but
little.
keenly felt the great humiliation of my
defeat, well, knowing the rebels would gloat
over it, which they did, publishing FAM
ing account of the great victory in the news
papers at Knoxville, claiming that they had
killed me, the Lincolnite When the facts
came out, it was found that the rebels lost
as many men killed Oh the field as we did,
and that Col. Ashby was seriously wounded,
which disabled him for lite.
Early in the Dornirg We broke camp. 1t
did mot take Iopu n do I nnIu bol 70
put on my sombrerO and blanket. We then
started over the summit OF the mountain.
Soon we reached the top and made our way
over the rough country and through the
brush, until, about nine O'Clock, we saw
smoke curling up from cabin far down in q
gorge.
We had become very hungry, and we here
sat down to think the matter over If We
could just get something to eat, and keep
out of the clutches of the rebels, life would
be better. For the first time I thought of
my money. 1t was safe in its place, and
was happy. No one need tell ME about
money being the root OF all evil. 1t would
feed a hungry refugee, and that was good
enough.
Wewere careful and fearful In approaching
the house. We wandered about until a
woman saw and called to US, telling US there
was no danger; no rebels ever came over to
their place.
We went to the house. The first thing she
asked Us was If we belonged to Capps's
army. We told her we did. She told us
tina, large party had passed that morning,
and gone into camp few miles west, to rest
for day or SO. They had told her they had
had a desperate battle, and there had been n
great many killed on both sides; that Capps
had been killed and left ON the field
She set about getting US something to eat,
but kept right on wondering what kind of
looking man Capps was, and that she was
truly sorry that he had lost his life. Bill
looked at me and smiled l said:
Madam, am Capps."
She turned and gave me look Of wither-
ing scorn, and said:
You look much like it, don't your"
1 Irejoined: ''Very well; but be pleased to
hurry up our meals, as We are very hungry"
She showed us into the other room, and
told us to sit upon pile Of bean hulls, and
rest till it was ready. Every once and awhile
she would come to the door, give us a look.
turn up her nose. aDd GO back to cooking
You may DC sure felt small in my blanket
and slouched hat.
She told Us to get up and wash ourselves,
and by that time we could have our break
fast put aside my hat and blanket, and
gave myself good washing, which improved