The National tribune., 1901-05-30
&:,S'i! !Kleqq
kAAnd ~
O:s'Shorty
n u2
On the March TO the Sea
Destruction of an Ammunition Train.
1899, by the publishers of THE NATIosA
~ TRIBUNE.

|
Sophronia's startling appearance, and re-
Suming his usual grave, professional man
ner. If you will kindly retire to the
Colonel's quarters, which is probably the
least verminiferous spot about this pesti-
lential place, | shall endeavor to make my
self little more presentable, and then
do myself the honor to visit YOU"
'Nerminiferous," murmured kankakee.
| That's bully word. that | must remem-
Der. That's doctor Latin for graybacks,
Salamander. But it don't seem bit big
germ they do at night.
30, Augustus, | don't care for any
thing. so longs you're alive and well,
feeingly spoke Miss Sophronia. Those
men who came past told such awful stor-
les of the fighting. and the number Of Yam
KEGS killed. | inquired of each one If he
had noticed handsome young officer,
rather smallish, but of elegant form, and
each one said he had and had shot him
himself. AT least dozen different ones
remembered distinctly killing him."
| The cowardly rascalS, they didn't stop
to kill anybody. They were too anxious
to escape being killed themselves. But
retire to the Colonel's quarters, Miss Sut-
ton, and | shall join you there as soon as
| cam
Say, Doc, that old maid seems con-
sidcrably stuck on you ventured Shorty,
as they were standing by the fire, care
| fully brushing the swarming insects off
| themselves and each other, into the flames,
preparatory to washing up and making
ready for the night.
| Miss SOphronia Sutton" returned the
| Surgeon, i'll his severest manner. lis a lady
of most remarkable abilities and strength
| of character. She has shown an interest
III my welfare which | never can forget
'Whew. Hes a-goner." Shorty whis-
percd TO 81. Who'd "a thought it? Pickle
and cucumber. Whey and cream. Lion
| and tho Iuu,h lyinp down hpT ~
Wouldn't We dreamed it, answered 81
| phlosophically. But there's no telling
how some porkll bile. Let's get n bite
TO eat and lay down. | don't feel much
Ike eating. after all we've seen today,
but | suppose it's better to hoist in some
| thing and get some sleep. Don't know
what's before us tomorrow"
Cant say that I'm slumberiferous.'
| remarked Kankakce. Feels 50 good to
be free that think I'll set up all night
to enjoy it. Can't bear to waste none of
| it"
Sergeant said Surgeon Brooks, COM
| ing out of the Colvnefs quarters, I'm
going to ride back home with Miss Sut
ton. I've done all | can here for those
| poor fellows for the present. and should
| go back and see how the others are get
ting along at the house. | shall prob
ably come back in the morning.
| Don't you want some of us to 20
|
back there. Some of those guards may
| be hanging around. and buShwhack you"
''No, | think I'll chance il. Miss SUIT
ton is familiar with the country, and I'll
trust her to pull me through
Better take Pete and Sandy with you.
at least" urged ST.
NO said the Surgeon softly. 81 don't
think I'll need anybody. I'd rather be
alone. ! think
| And his checks grew so red that it was
| visible by the light of the fire.
The ColQners quarters were given up
| to Angus Mclean, and all kept away
| from it. cXceut Foster Walsh. who Iay on
| his blanket on the floor, sleeping little,
aud watchfu for the least sound from the
| bed lie was wild with anguish in the
| early morning watches, when the feeble
| light of life seemed Aickering out and he
| prayed as he never had before. But the
| rising sun seemed to bring animation
with it. and presently the light of recoe
milton shown in Ancus's eyes. and his lips
moved with Fosters name. Then Walsh's
| heart went out in gratitude to God for
| answering his prayers.
While they were getting breakfast Kan
kakne came M to ST and remarked:
''I've just bin fabricating with mig
| ger cut here who heard that the Yankees
was here. and come in. He adumbrates
| that there's n train load of grub and am
munition out here eight or 10 miles on the
Augusty Railroad stalled or broke down.
! supplicate that mebbe you'd like to
| know it,
Whats that. Kankakee? What's
that" said 81. arrestng his cup of cof
fee on its way to his mouth. Drop your
| Internal hgbfalUtn. and talk plain
United States--First Reader words
"Nig-ger says railroad train with grub.
powder and shot. stalled ont here
aways," answered Kankakee. initiating
I.
Where? How far away
About 10 miles. On the August -ty
rail-road"
Bring the darky here at once"
"Dey was a-rushin' a train froo t
Wayncsboro.' explained the negro. like,
~ young fellow. who had apparently been
taken from the field to wait on his young
master in the army. Hit was de las
train dcy expcctcd t. git froo from Sa-
vannah. an had lot oh t'ings dat dey
wanted de cavalry at WaynesborO t hab,
an dey wuZ jes' a-crackin on all de steam
dey could bile. t git froo. Dcy WIZ jes'
a-gwine up dat steep hill afo' yo' git t
Hoss Crick. along in de middle oh de
night, when sumin done bust bout de in
line, an she stopped deader'n a nit. Dey
had t send man on hossback on t de
next station AK fer help by de wire or
sumfn | done heared de Yankees wuz
ober hyah an ! sneaked off while de rest
was fussin' 'roTnd de injine.
"When did this happen?'
''Some time jes' afore daylight. Hit
come day jes' as | come up on de hill
back dar"
How many are with the train?'
20. a hull heap"
What do you mean by u whole heap?
A dOzen?'
30, yes, sab. More'n dat. A right
smart passed."
ST knew the negroes too well to waste
time trying TO get the man down to any
thing like exact figures. Negroes and the
mass of the poor whites had only the
vagliest IDEAS as to what 80" or 100"
meant When they tried hard they could
count up to dozen, but beyond that their
minds wandered and became utterly unre-
liable.
'Who is in command of the train?'' he
asked.
"Who dat in whatF'
"Whos the master-the boss? Who
gives the orders?'
"'Most ebberybody glib orders But
my mas'r-he jinerully had de las say"
''Your master? Who's hep
"Mas'r Ralph Sloan. He's Fus' Loo
tenant"
80. First Lieutenant's in command"
said ST. with the feeling that he had ar
rived at something. "Then it's likely |
there amt a company on with the train |
Probably not more than % or 80 men," |
Unless he should happen to be in COM |
mand of the company" suggested Shorty. |