The National tribune., 1899-10-19

oHE
boss regiment in the Army O the Cumber-
land, and the Army o the Cumberland'S s the
boss army on earth. Hooray for Us &
Co. Les have a speech. Where's Monty
Scruggs"
yes, where's Monty?" echoed ST. with
little chill at his heart, for he had not
remembered seeing the boy since they
emerged from the abatis, just before the
final rush.
swell, les have a song, then" said
Shorty, as ST was looking around. where's
Alf Russell?'
"Yes, where's Alf Russell?" echoed Si,
with new pang clutching at his heart,
for he then recalled that he had not seen
Alf since he had helped him up the
embankment, Immediately after which
Sis thoughts had been engrossed by the
struggle for the flag. Did any of you
boys see either Alf or Monty?' he asked
nervously.
"And has anybody seen Pete Skid
more?" chimed in Shorty, his voice sud
denly changing from tone of eXultation
to one of deepest concern. Why don't
some o you speak? Are you all dumb?"
Somehow. everybody instinctively stop
ped cheering, and an awed hush followed.
"All Of Co. Q step this way" called out
the Orderly-Sergeant. All of the usual
.'rasp' had left the, strong, rough voice;
There was mournful tremor in it. Fall
in, Co. Q, over here by this pile of picks
and shovels."
Scarcely 20 of the so stalwart youths
who had lined up at the foot of the rocky
palisades of Rocky Face two evenings
before grouped themselves together In
response 10 the Orderly's call.
Capt McCiilicuddy, the Orderly, ST, and
Shorty strained their eyes to see more OF
the company disengaging themselves from
the throng around the Colonel.
The Orderlies Of the other companies
called to their men to fall in at different
places.
The Colonel looked at the muster with
sad eyes.
Didn't nobody see nothin' o. little Skid
more" savagely repeated Shorty, walk
ing back to the works and scanning the
country round. Was you all so blamed
anxious lookin' out for yourselves that
boy? Nice gang, you are"
Orderly, take the company back into
the abatis. and look for the boys" odered
Capt McGilli cIddy.
'"Tention, company" commanded the
Break ranks-March"
Hello, boys" said Monty Scruggs's
voice, weak, but Enthusiastically his, as the
company recrossed the works.
Great heavensi he's bin shot through
the bowels?" thought ST, turning toward
him with sickening apprehension of this
4,
with forced cheerfulness:
81 hope you amt hurt bad Monty"
81 was hurt bad enough, the Lord knows"
answered the boy with wan smile. 81
hain't been hurt so bad since | stubbed
nv sore toe last Summer. But Pm getting
over it pretty fast. just as | started up
the bank a rebel threw stone as big as
my fist at me- and it took me square where
live thought at first that whole battery
over there in the fort had shot at me all at
once. Goodness, but it hurt! My, but
that fellow could throw stonei Seemed
to me that it went clear into me, and bent
my backbone. I've been feeling to see
if it wasn't bent. But we got the works all
right, didn't we?"
"You bet we did, ST answered exultantly.
Licked the stuffin out of 'em. Awful
glad you're no worse hurt, Monty. Make
the Surgeon. He'll bring you around
all right. We're goin' to look for the other
boys"
"Alf Russell caught bullet" said Monty
Scruggs. Il heard him yell, and turned
to look at him, when that rebels bowlder
gave me something else to think about, so
| don't know where he is"
Gid Mackalfs lying over there, some
where" said Harry Josyln, who was all
anxiety in regard to his old partner and
Let me go and find him."
Go ahead" said ST, helping Monty to
While ST was going back the way he had
come Shorty was tearing through the
tangled brush, turning over the tree-tops
by main strength, searching for Pete
Skidmore. The rest of the company were
seeking out the fallen ones hither and
and calling to one another, as
they made discoveries, but Shorty only
looked for Pete Skidmore. ST and Harry
presently came to Gid Mackall's body, |
lying motionless in a pool of blood that
dyed crimson the brown leaves thickly
covering the ground. His cap had fallen
off, and his head had crushed down into
bunch Of slender oak twigs; his eyes We're
closed, and his callow face white as paper. |
Co. he's deadi He's stone Dead" walled |
Harry Josyln. "And just think 1k.,rcwii11
quarreled and fought with him ~ morn
ing"
aMebbe not" said ST, tp ,,, srob
sights were more familisr .rEI,ot TI,ot" hnIIet- %
i'o'' - '''H' Di'D'' low down and too