The National tribune., 1901-09-12

Lets get back to the horses, boys,
said 81. after they had satisfied their hun
ger. The smell of that sausage may
bring old Hazen himself out here, ana
we won't get off so easy as we did with
Sherman. By the greatest luck In the
world we caught the Old Man just right.
He's tickled to death over getting the
fort and opening up communications with
the fleet. IL we'd happened to strike him
in one of his sour moods thered a been
thunder and lightning round here tbat
wouldn't we left grease spot OF us. But
we mustn't let old Hazen catch us. He
shoot us, just to clear the reputation oil
his divison-the thieying guerrlllas.
What them Fifteenth Corps fellers
wouldn't steal" remarked Shorty, win an
air of severe morality, as he picked up
his ham and his demijohn, would nave
to be chained DOWN
They found their horses all right, but
had much trouble arranging their spoils
so as to carry well.
Shorty was particularly anxious about
the big twO-handled demiJohn, when Il
cursory examination showed to contain
fine French brandy, probably imported d.
rect by the Majors father. and equally
probably was much the choicest thing Ill
! the Majors stores Very likely, 1t was
-
| General commanding the district came
down to inspect the Notifications. At
least, it was very nearly full, and Shorty
reveled in the anticipation of how the
Colonel and AdjUtant would prize it.
Won't the Old Man just cackle to the
rest about his demijohn of fine imported
| French brandy, brought right from the prI-
vate cellar Of the commandment of Fort
| McAIlistery' he chuckled to 81. Nobody
else in all the armyIl have anything half
50 good. It'll make the Commissary and
pine-top that they've bin drinking taste
like camphene and turpcntIne Inc
| CClonelll send for the Brlgadier- General,
and mebbe the Major General. And when
| he has to 90 to their tents, and they of
fer him nothing but plain Commissary, or
this Georgia sorghum, he'll say, Scu5e
me: my fOragers keep me supplied with
| imported liquors, and I've got so used 10
them that | really can't make up my
mouth to home made sod-corn, that makes
me feel like as if | was swallowing
| tOrchlight procession. Come over TO my
! tent and I'll give you something thatli
make YOU dream you're French Dock,
with ostrich feathers in your hat SIX feet
| long and flirting with the Empress Eu-
geny.' That's what he'll say. But how
in Gcorgy which is the other name for the
Internal place, am | going to rig this
thing on the horses back SOS it'll carry
For further precaution he wrapped it up
in his blanket, but this did not solve the
problem of transportation.
He gave his ham to 81, that he might
devote his entire attention to the deml-
John. He threw his gun over his shout
der in its sling. and took the demlJOhn
in his right hand to carry it by his side,
while he managed his reins, cavalry fash
ion. with his left. He had scarcely start
ed this way, when he became alarmed
To- OIL bnrsa Xynuln hmm gRuIngt
it. or his own side up against tree. lie
dismOunted again. borrowed Sis blanket,
and made q cushion in front of him, on
which he could set the precious vessel,
and hold it close 20 him.
Pete was having even more trouble
with his jug of mOlasses. jug is mis-
cradle thing to carry at best and on horse
back it becomes deyilish. BESIDES, he was
heavily weighted down with his other
load His strings Of sausage and red pep
per thrown over his shoulder like an Of
ficer of the Days scarf; his chunk of dried
beef. and fitch of side-meat, made Il big
load in themselves. Sandy could not help
him. for Sandy had very much more than
he would have loaded himself with on IA
tigue duty.
The boys slung their guns over their
shoulders, and with the assistance of their
comrades managed to mount. Pete held
his jug on his pommel in front of him.
1t was Il clear, frosty, star-iit night,
and they started back to camp in high
spirits. They made good progress for
time, and as the road was smooth Shorty
and Pete did not have any serious trouble
with their tender vessels.
Presently they heard horses hoOfs com
ing at rapid rate over the bit of shell
road nearly mile behind.
sounds as if it might be officers,
Shorty" said 81. MAY be even Gen.
Hazcn himself. If they're officers they're
likely to be too condemned curious about
what enlisted men have and where they
get il. II it should be Gen. Hazen he
wouldn't be curious; he'd be furious"
We're combining our official acquaint-
ance now to them that's in the 20Oth In
jianny," answered Shorty. NO others
need apply till this cruel ride is over.
Let's cut off into the brush there to the
left, and let 'em go by"
Il was sure / saw them just ahead, a
little while ago." said one of the Aids,
as the horsemen passed Il guess they're
not far off now, and we'll catch up with
them after we pass this swamp. | won
der why the General didn't keep those
Indiana fellows while he had them. It'd
saved us all this ride after them. I'm
not in the humor for riding tonight. I've
been in the saddle since before day
break"
so have l." responded the other.
Il wonder what he wants those In
diana men so bad for, any wayY' persist
ed the first. HE didn't think he needed
them when he dismissed them, and moth
ing's come up since
Il believe he's an idea that they got
away with some particularly fine stuff
from those stores Of Mai Anderson's"
And does he think he can find any of
that stuff on them?" asked the first with
fine scorn. They're no recruits. They're
old hands. If they stole "A haystack you
couldn't find so much as a head of clover
or them when you came to search them
He ought to know that; he's tried it often
enough, the Lord knows"
Il should think so. l heard that they
played some trick on the guard-the old
relief trick--tO get at the stuff. That's
a breach of discipline that makes the
General hot under the collar. 1t riles
him to have outsiders come in from an
other division and eucher his men. 1t
grinds." ~
'All the same, I'll bet we're being pun
ished worse than they'll be-" remarked the
Aid, disconsolately, as they passed out Of
hearing.
so the Old Mans after us?' remarked
81. well, let him catch us. He's mad
because we've outwitted his division. Let's
see if he's any smarter'n the rest of EN-
Well follow right along after them Ads
But they'll get to the pickets first, and
order them to stop u.s." suggested Shorty
well, We'll have to try to get to the
pickets somewhere else. This roads too
good to leave just now. Forward