The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-06-06

I AShfAAAAae uct oNu u1uu1HSc OF Glol1cQ
blood. Our strength increased, and
with i our thirst.
There's one thing sure, Yank, said
the Johnny, 1--WE must have water"
II know it as well as you" / replied;
''but don't see how We are going to
get it,"
Re thought awhile and then pointed
to hillside about 80 yards away.
"Don'tyo see some fallen soldiers
lying over there?" be asked.
Yes; there are at least five or six, F"
replied.
The chances are that half OF them
have eanteens." he said, "and there is
another chance that of these eanteens,
half have water in them"
Maybe 1 can bring one over here, >
1 said.
Rising l walked to the hillside on
which the fallen soldiers lay, and there
L found three eanteens- was sure by
their weight against my feet that two
OF them contained water. One | could
not detaeh from the man who had own
ed it, but the other 1 managed TO push
loose Then began to kick il toward
tbs sOutherner. / carried it down the
hillside all right, bat it was necessary
TO cross little ravine, and there that
aggravating canteen lodged in cram
ny that seemed TO have been made
especially for it. l kicked again and
again, but / could not bulge il from
the Granny; only drove it deeper into
the ground. l grew hot aud angry,
and | am afraid swore. My wounds,
too, began to pain me. The southerner
was watching me, and finally he said:
'Give it up, Yank; you've done your
best. Better sit down and rest or
you'll work yourself into a fever.D
saw that his advice was good, and,
walking back, sat down besides him.
He uttered no repproaeh, bat saw his
eyes wandering more than once to the
esnteen, which showed just the least
bit through the grass, patch of tin
not larger than a silver quarter, shin
ing directly into our eyes as if H would
tantalize US The day grew hotter.
My thirst burned me, and my eyes, too
wandered to the canteen. At last they
were held by it; they could not wan
der away. How l longed for the
water! / had no doubt that the Cen
federate, too, was staring at the can
teen. Then had another of my hap
py thoughts.
"Reb," said, ''dO you think that
you could crawl upon my back ?i
II don't know Iank," he replied,
his face Frightening with eomprehen-
sich, "but can try F"
Iknelt down in front of him, and
with my back turned to him. He was
sitting on the edge Of shallow trench.
Now clasp your arms tightly
around my neck" / said; .throw your
weight forward and hold OF with all
your might when get up"
"All right" he replied, "and be
easy-because Of my legs you know"
1t was a great effort, as / had lost
strength through my wound, but at
last L managed to stsgger to my feet,
with the southerner on my back. Then
he was able TO steady my shoulders
with his sound arms.
walked slowly and painfully tow
ard the ravine where the canteen lay,
still shining in the most aggravating
way. | thought once that l would
drop with his weight, but | clinehed
my teeth aud went on. l tried 10 avoid
hurting his wounded legs, and he held
on so carefully that be never sent a
single twinge through by broken arms.
We reached the canteen, and / put
him down with the greatest caution.
Then both of US uttered deep sigh of
joy and exclaimed together: "At lastr
! We sat on either side of the santeen,
for moment or two we gloated over
it. He picked it up at length. ats
fullP' he exclaimed, exultingly. sit
must belts so heavy Then he
shook it., water, waterr' be cried
with increasing triumph. Don't you
bear it gurgle ,"
did hear it, and it was the most de-
Iicious sound that 1 ever heard in my
life.
He took out the stopper and bent his
parched lips toward the canteen.
thought he was going 10 drink, but he
raised his head again.
"Open your mouihp' be said sternly.
obeyed, and he poured the water
between my lips and down my throat.
1 shall never find any greater delight
in heaven. How delicious it was!
How COOL He must have seen the
pleasure in my eyes, because his own
in sympathy reflected it. He took the
canteen away at last. Then l shut
my teeth firmly.
s'I shall not drink another drop" l
said, until you have swallowed as
maeh as have"
He said nothing, but he drank deep
ly, heartily and with the most intense
pleasure. Then l drank again, and,
thus alternating, We divided the con-
tents of the canteen. We lay back at
last against the grass, and for while
were content
al feel like a new man." he said.
'I know that i am one" / replied.
As we lay there my eyes wandered
again to the hillside where the fallen
soldiers lay.
maybe there's knapsack with food
in it on that hill," said.
"Maybe So" he replied. "At any
rate Pm getting hungry
$50 am IT, / said. ''Get up on my
back again, Reb."
He climbed up once more, aud car
ried him to the crest Of the hill, There
luck was again with US, and we found
a knapsack with food in it. We ate it
all and felt much strengthened.
Now, | think that 1 shall go TO
sleep,n said the southerner, stretching
himself on his side. He had eaten and
drunk heartily, and in a few minutes
his eyes closed fingered longer, but
afle< a time !, too, went to sleep.