The National tribune., 1901-04-25

Strengthened as far as possible, while a
grave was dug on the top Of the hill, near
where the Elder had been found.
Il might go back to the wagons and get
some boards, and make him coffin" sug-
gested one of Shadis men.
NO" answered Shad; here's my now
q. s. blanket. No soldier would wish
better coffin. Ten thousand of the best
men that ever breathed have been buried
in u. S. blankets. 1t Ia the noblest sar-
cophagus that soldier can have. 1t is
all that shall want around me in my
grave"
I'm reggerly- ordained minister of the
Gospel" said the Elder, in a propitietory
way, as he sat on rock and watched the
arrangements for the burial. Nobody had
been paying any attention to him, and he
was getting more and more anxious as to
his fate. Perhaps he might soften their
hearts by ministerial act. "As you have
no Clergyman present" he continued, Il
will, if you wish, conduct the services at
"No, you canting old rebel hypocrite,"
said 81 savageIy. It'd be rank blasphsmy
to have any of your secesh pow-wowing
over the grave of a man you have starved
to death. We won't have poor Jim's mem
ory insuIted by such prating. Uncle Eph-
rain"
"Yes, sab"
"You say that man over there Is leader
In the prayermeetings"
"Yes, sab, de powerfullest prayer an
exhorter in de whole county"
well, go and bring him around across
the creek, and let him offer UP prayer be-
side this grave"
The other negroes followed their leader.
and as Jim Babbington was laid away for
his eternal rest the soldiers uncovered
their heads, and stood at parade rest,
while the woods rang with the rude but
Nd annual N tho Throne of
Grace from the lips of the poor field
who. no matter how inept his words, felt
in his soul all that the most eloquent d.
vine could have said at the graveside OF
one who had died that an enslaved race
might be free, and justice and rlght not de-
part from the earth.
Willing black hands filed the grave and
heaped above 1t great pile of stones, as
q monument to one of Freedoms mar
tyrs, while Shad hewed fat and smooth
q space on the trunk Of pine growing at
the graves head, and wrote there James
Babbington's name, company; regiment,
and approximate date Of death, and be-
low it
"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was
born across the sea,
With the glory in His bosom that trans
figures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let US die
to make men free,
w nlle JOu IL UIdECHluS Ou.
Then 81 ordered volley fred over the
grave and they went back to the cave.
What in the world are you going to do
with your prisoners, Shad?" asked 81
INV prisoners?" retorted Shad. 81 have
no prisoners. They're yours. You took
them. I've nothing to do with them."
Indeed you have. You're my com
manding officer. You ranked me the MN
ute you came on the ground. I'm mighty
glad you came, for that reason alone, for
I was racking my brain what to do with
them, and now the responsibility on your
shoulders. | don't want to be bothered
with them. The Provo Marshal grumbled
at the others i brung in. He's worried
enough over what he's already obliged to
and it wouldn't be right to shoot them"
''Might shoot the Elder, to show your
goodwill" suggested Shad. He richly
deserves it"
s'No; we've monkeyed with him all we
care to. His Disappointment be punish
ment for him. 1t nearly broke his heart
to lose one boss. Think how he must feel
over losing II at once"
Shad, 81 and Shorty looked over the reb-
els thoughtfkully.
, Jim Hobcaw and Wills. Dunnell." asked
81, ''if we let you go do you think that
you can keep out OF the hands Of the rebels |
in future"
'Sartin. Sho'." they answered at once. |
''They'uns'n never lay hands on US agin. |
Shoot we'uns if they do"
"We'uns, too said the three of Serg't |
Glasscock's squad. "We'uns s plum tired |
O. the war, an want t git back home. If |
you'll let us so thar we'uns'll swar We
'uns'll stay thar forever. We'uns know |
whar we'uns kin lay out an they 'uns'll |
never find us asin In God A'mighty's |
world"
IL reckin mout as well jine the mourn
ers' bench, too" remarked Serg't Glass
cock. I'm gettin' dogs o. bein' licked,
an gittin' hit wuss every day. Hits bin
maugy, an I'm no hog. 1 know when
I've got enough.
"That shows common sense remarked
81. What we've given you already is
only q beginning Of what we've got laid