The National tribune., 1900-04-19

took it for granted it was n Confedera tie
cavalryman- The rear man had n canteen
to which the stopper was held by q small
chain. This little chain striking the can
| teen sounded to the front man as if it was the
snap 10 n rebel saber; and the noise ac-
celerated his movements to lively run.
The rear man was determi ned that his
friend in front of him should not get away
from him; he quickened his speed to the
utmost limits. This continued until the
front man from sheer exhaustion fell TO the
ground and the rear one tumbled down by
him. They had safely made their escape,
however, and so far from the rebel guards
that there was no further danger from
them.
The most varied experience and, when all
told, the most entertaining, was that of
Eorkner and Henry. In their nature,
desires, tastes, and everything about them
they were oppoSiteS. Lon Forkner was
very pious man: he carried his religion
wherever he went, and never WAS thought
less about his religious duties. Sam Henry
Swho was designated from the other Sam
HenryS in his neighborhood as Devil Sam
HeHry'D was very profane and had no pie:y
abonthim. In his Younger days he embraced
religion u imc on two. but his nature was
such that it would not stick and he was soon
ut his old sinful ways. just as often
occurs in the meeting Of extremes, in their
reverscS these two men became cronics and
sought each other to plan and work out
their escape. 1t appeared as if ForkncI
wanted Henry to do the cursng and Henry
wanted Forkncr to do the praying.
After crossing the river at Florence their
opportunity, came and they did get away
together. Then they We're there. 60 miles
away from the Union lines, in the country
of the enemy, and the way was dark for
reaching camp. They were equal to al
most any emergency; at any rate, they had
the courage to try ANYTHING. to get away
Travelled by night and lay by in the day
time. Anxious to make rs much distance
as possible, one morning they Travelled until
day was beginning TO break.
Everything was quiet, and they We're not
dreaming of danger. Suddenly, coming
to the side of a large pond Of water, to their
surprise rebel soldier camC down to the
waters edge on the other side with bride
in his hand. He called to the boys and
asked them if they had seen anything of mis-
horse Henry's quick wit came at once to
the rescue; taking i'll the situation, he r2-
piled that he had, that he hal seen the
horse grazing along down the road. point
ing in the direction that would take thercbcl
soldier out OF sight in the shortest time. and
leave him fartheSt away from the route
they wanted to go. He went on after the
horse, as he supposed, while Forknar and
Henry went on in the way that would give
them shelter from observation n the short
est time.
On another occasion they were walking
along in the night, hungry md tired
They saw q small fire out III front of them
at the side Of the road. 1t appeared to be a
smoldering bed of Goals. They stopped to
take i'll the situation, and diSagrneiug in
their judgment, entered into a discussion
as to what it meant. Forkuer contenIe
that it 1TaS negroes making sorghum, an
that they could get something to eat and
directions as to the country and the roads
from them. Henry was Of opinion that
1t was II station OF plctet5. aud that videtS
would soon BE- found if they advanced.
The discussion WaXcd warm, when torkner
intmated that Henry was afraid to go
This nettle1 Henry, who replied that if that
was what he thought about it he would !
show him that he would go as far as Fork |
ncr dared to 60
They had advanced only n few steps
when they heard the guns cooking and the |
order TO halt. Their only hope was now
in flight. They started with the best speed |
they could make, and the rebels took after |
them. 1t was long and hard chase, but |
finally our boys eluded them, and becom- |
ing satisfied that they were not followed |
farther, they sat down to rest. When they |
had rested awhile Forkner said
We'll, Sam, we have had a wonderful |
e3capel Providence has come to our rescue |
and brought US out Of this danger, God |
has been very good to us, and now we |
ought to remember HIM We ought to |
return thanks for this wonderful deliver |
ance and, so. let us prayw
Henry replied: .'All right, Lon. My |
Bible, however, always taught me that |
it is our duty 10 watch rs well as pray. !
Now, you do the praying while L do the |
When their devotions We're over, the |
journey was resumed, and in course of |
time they got to camp, and served until the |
end Of the war.-WiLL A. MCTEER, Ad :
utant. Sd Tenn. Cav, MaryviIle, Tenn.