The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1901-08-24

my body, thrilling every nerve. 1t was
so sharp that | cried out.
Forgive me, Yank," said the Confed-
crate. 81 forgot that you couldn't use
your arms"
II forgot it. too" | said ruefully.
Then we sat still and looked at each
other sympathetcally
perhaps both of US will soon fall in
to the hands of somebody else" he said
presently.
NO" replied; the battle has pass
I'd on and left us
1t was true We heard only the sound
of few distant shots like faint echoes.
He said nothing, but looked ut me in
the manner of one both puzzled and
troubled Then ! noticed again how
young he was. | gnawcd my mustache,
which had begun to develop the year
before
'ThcSC wounds make one very thirS-
ty" he said Il minute or two later, look
ing longinGly ut the cantccn which lay
in the short grass. its polished tin sides
shining in the sun like silver. | knew
the truth of his words. My own throat
was growing hot and dry. Then a hap
by thought occurred to me.
"If can't move my arms, | at least
have legs to walk with and kick with"
! said.
/ rose, walked over to the canteen,
anu, with three judiciouS kicks, drove
it to the side of the Johnny.
Good for you, Yank," he said, his
face lighting with anticipation. you
shall have half, and yours shall be the
first to drink too. knccl down here and
I'll raise ii to your lips"
"You go first" protested.
"Do as tell YOU" he said sternly.
saw that he would take no non
sense. and 50 I oheyod. When l knclt
| down. he raised the cantecn to my lips
and turned it up Then both of us ut
| tered Il cry Of disgust. Not drop came
out. 1t was empty. He threw it as far
| as he could.
"If there's anything | hate" he said
cts an empty cantocn on hot day
We sat still again. looking at each
| other gloomily for awhile. Our wounds
had ceased to bleed, provident nature
| forming her own bandagcs of clottcd
| blood. our strength increased, and with
| it our thirst.
"Thcrc's one thing sure, Yank," said
the johnny, eve must have water"
81 know it rs we'll us YOU replied
but l don't see how we are going Ia
get it."
He thought awhile and then pointed
| to n hillside about 30 yards away.
| Don't you see some fallen soldiers
| lying over there" he asked
| yes. There are ut least five or six,
| replied
| The chances are that half of them
have cantecns," he said, "and there is
| another chance that OF these cantecns
| half h;rVC water in them"
| Maybe can bring one over here
| said.
| Rising, walked to the hillside on
| which the fallen soldiers lay, and there
| | found three cant"cnS. | was sure by
! their weight against my feet that two
| Ol liltIl thHldIlltt WATER. Out 1 CbhIt
| not actaCli from tho man who had own
| ed it, but the other | managed to push
| loose. Then | began to kick it toward
| the SOuthCrncr. | carried it down the
| hillside all right but It was necessary
| to cross the little ruvinc, and there that
| aggraVating cantccn lodged in Granny
J that seemed to have been made cspc
| cially for 1t. | kicked again and again
| but | could not bulge it from the Gran
ny. | only drove it deeper into the
| ground. | grew hot and angry, and
am afraid | swore. My wounds, too, be
| gan to pain me. The southrrnor was
watching me, ana presently he said:
Give it up Yank. You've done your
best. Better sit down ana rest, or
you'll work yourself into n fever"
| saw that his advice was good and
| walking back. | sat down beside him
| He uttered no rcproach, but l saw his
eyes wandering more than once to the
| cantccn. which showed just the least
| bit through the grass, a patch of tin
not larger than silver quarter, shin.
| ING directly into our eyes as if it would
| tantaliIC US iHc NHV crew hotter Nv