The National tribune., 1901-07-18

and fire the fuse. While they were swear
ing about this, and glowering at the terri
fed prisoners, Gen. Sherman, attracted by
the unexpected noise, rode up, and began
a cross-examination, in his nervous i'm
petuous way, of all of them. As the
truth developed he burned into towering
rage, that made even those who were ac-
customed to his fits of temper open their
eyes.
Damned scoundrelsI Damned scoun-
drels," he ragged. This is not war. This
is black, brutal murder. Every Internal
villain of them ought to be hung. If I
could lay my hands on them I'd hang
them higher than Haman. 1 would, By
Cd There was no fighting here. Moth
ing under heaven to excuse this cowardly
brutality. Here, who's got charge of those
prisonersr'
Il have, General" answered 81, salut-
ing, until L can find the Proyost-Mar-
shall"
We'll, Sergeant, send back to the wag-
ons for some picks and shovels. Give
each of those prisoners one, and see that
he goes ahead and digs up everything that
may look like torpedo. Here Ito one OF
his staff, you ride back to the first pio-
neer wagon you meet, and bring it for
ward with picks and shoyels enough for
this squad"
But, General" protested the rebel Ma
jor, as the Aid rode away, I'VE had moth
| ing to do with this. We knew nothing
of absolutely nothing"
THE h you didn't" roared Gen.
| Sherman. You're probably lying, for
man that would do such a thing wouldn't
hesitate to lie about it. At any rate,
you're no better than they that did.
You're in the same box. II you didn't
it's because you didn't have a chance"
But, General, I'm an officer and q
gentleman, and prisoner of war. You've
no right to treat prisoners that way. It's
against the laws of war;"
THE devil it is,' shouted the General,
getting still angrier. You'll talk to me
about the laws of war, in the face of such
a trick as this, you pompous, i'll begotten
little traitor, you. Here, Sergeant, when
those picks and shovels come, be sure
| that this cheeky Major-fellow has one,
and put him in the lead. Make him dig,
or shoot him. | don't care a straw which
you do
Very good, General" answered 81, sa-
luting. Hell dig or die"
General, here are the picks and shoy-
els" said the Aid, reporting.
Very well. Sergeant, you have your
orders.''
They shall be carried out, General"
said 81, saluting.
Major" said Shorty, grimly, as he
handed him a shovel, I'm very glad to
ognize me as one of the gents you tried
to burn up in that cave back there. I'll
now introduce you to this useful tool, and
you will proceed to perform the first good
piece Of work you've ever done in your
lcng and misguided life. That little stick
there in the middle of the road shows
where another of them shells has been
| buried. You'll jump right over there and
dig it up, if you don't want to lose the
top Of your head in holy jiffy. Co."
The Major looked around on the set,
merciless faces, sighed, picked up his
shovel, and walking gingerly over to
where the bit of stick stood upright be-
gan digging cautiously around it.
Come, come; you're yard away from
it, said Shorty, lingering his gun-lock.
I'VE hain't no time to waste while you're
excavating q house-cellar. Set your shovel
in Closer"
The Major groaned, for the shovel
handle was already blistering his soft
hands. But he could see as well as the
others where the soft earth was, and with
infinite care he dug it away, and rolled
out another eight-inch shell, cunningly ar
ranged for explosion.
In the meanwhile 81 with the rest was
making a careful examination of the road
bed for other signs of shells. They could
find none, but to make sure, as soon as
the Major had finished his task, he was
put at the head of the squad of prison
ers, and with 81 and his squad running
along the side, they were made to double
quick up and down the road several times
for distance of half-a-mile or more.
General" reported 81, as they came
back, Il believe the road is now clear.
I'm sorry that we couldn't find any more
torpedoes, for we wanted awfully to have
them fellows step on one. They deserve
it. We know 'em of DID,"
"Very well. Sergeant" replied the Gen.
eral. You're relieved. You can turn
your prisoners over to the Provost-Mar-
shall here, who will keep them patroling
the road tomorrow, and until we are sat
stied that the rebels have given up plant
ing torpedoes"
(To be eontinued)