The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-11-28
CHAPTER XXI.
HUNTING BIO GAME.

my story, where the DuShWlackcr
had sought to kill me. though then |
was alone, while now was with an
advancing army. Five hundred cnval-
ry, division OF infantry and several
batteries Of artillery were hurrying
down the road toward the beautiful
city Of Huntsville, lying, tranquil and
unSuspccting, q few miles below. The
upper edge Of the sun was pccrinB
above the horizon. gliding the crest OF
the foothills OF the plateau on the cast,
tho tree tops and the roofs Of the neigh.
boring houses. The flowers. which
fortnight before were opening, were
now In full bloom. They looked inno-
Gently from the gardens beside the
road. they leaned lovingly against the
pillars Of the verandas, and from vines
trailing over easements they smiled ut
the rising sun, while tho breath Of
morning was laden with their perfume
IT was the generals purpose to sur
prise the city, capture the railroad ma
chine shops and the rolling stock con.
crntrntcd there. then make up trains
laden with troops, seize hundred
miles Of the Memphis and Charleston
railroad on either hand, thus opening
communication with tho army at Pitts
burg Landing oras the west ,.a,ld paving
the way for future opcrat rs In cast
Tennessee on the enst. The enemy
must not be given time to move troops
to protect tho city, for even should we
defeat them they would destroy the
shops and run Off the rolling stock. All
depended on cclcrtty and secrecy.
The evening before we had bivouack-
cd ten miles north Of the city. Our
scouts permitted no one to go south "r
ps. cnfolding oil they met In order thHt
no news Of our approach could react
the place We hoped to surprise Two
hours before dawn the command was
arouscd-not by the fife or the buglc,
but by Whispering officers - and the
march was resumed with no sound
savo the tread OF men and horses anu
the rumble Of artillery. Within few
miles OF the city dctnchmcnts Of mount
cd men. armed with telegraph cutting
and track tearing Implements. dashed
to the left md to the right to prevent
thc enemy from sending for troops or
running Off the rolling stock. TO an
other detachment which rode among
the advance columns was assigned tho
duty Of Scizing the telegraph Office
Boom!
IIark, n gun! 1t comes from the cast
ward, not half Il mile distant where
tho railroad runs parallel with the
pike. Artillery is driving back loco.
motive. The iron monster shrickS like
some wild beast that has met It's death
wound.
Boom!
More whistles all along the track far
down to tho south, varying in DIST ct
ness from near, loud cry to q distant.
faint moan. This Is fine hunting
stalking locomotives with cannon Did
any South African sportsman over
strike such game or hunt with such
guns7
Boom, boom. boom! Far and near
the shottcd guns speak; far ana near
the metal monsters cry out In terror.
Boom!
All are baggcd, except one moro dar-
Ing than tho rest, which runs Che CANT
let OF artillery and with n round shot
flying through It's cab speeds out OF
range.
Meanwhile snshcs I'm the houses along
lhC kotttl tlC DclItt EIlStu, shutters
flung open and heads put out to learn
tho cause Of the commotion. AS guns
boom, whistles shrlclt and cavalry clat-
ter along the road, followed by mon
rapidly marching and artillery horses
brisltly dragging the guns. many n
citizen who tho night before had gone
to sleep not dreaming Of foe looks
upon the passing armed throng, lis
tens to the sound Of the cannon and
the shrleks Of the engines and wonders
If pnndemontum has come.
l nm drawing near the StanfOrths'.
There Is tho house. with it's broad vc-
randns md Its peak roof. A knot Of pco-
pie are Mt tho front gate, but I am yet
100 faf to sec who they arc. Now
can distinguish the turbancd Lib.
There Is boy pcrchcd on one OF tho
gate posts. 1t is Buck. That girl, tall
md slender. Is surely Helen. AS
draw nearer can sec Ginger his broad
mouth stretched In grin Of pleasure
Mt sight Of Yankee troops. A figure IS
sitting in wicker chair on the vcran-
da, dark eyes flashing in a pale face.
1t Is Jaqucllnc.
Riding up to the gate, l am out Of
my saddle almost before my horse has
stopped. Buck gives cry and jumps
Into my arms. Ginger grasps my hand.
"By lingo, Mr.. Brandystonc," cried
Buck. "Pm mighty glad to see you!
Since l got back after flghtIn g'rlllna
like"-
Mars, rs good TO- dc eyes t. see
yo'," interrupted Ginger cnthusiastical.
ly.
After flghtin g'rillns like Il NAM
what! Mr.. Brnndcrstanc, and In the
uniform Of Federal oflccrr
1t was Mr.. Stnnforth. lie looked at
me, surprised. then put out his hand.
But always suspected tho old man to
be Mt heart n Unlonist
Buck kept on. "After nghtin g'rillas
like man | come back"-~
upon my word"
Another of tho family was express