The National tribune., 1901-09-12

Now, boys" and set the spurs into
his horses TANKS.
They all swept forward at a gallop,
with Il great clatter.
Instantly came a shot from the picket,
which went through the skirt of Shorty S
Overcoat. 1t was quickly followed by
other more random shots, as the other
pickets sprang up. seized their guns. fired
to give the alarm, and ran back toward
! the reserve, before the galloping horse
men.
Don't shoot, boys! Don't shoot!'
shouted 81, at the top of his voice. We're
| friends. HOOray for the Unionr'
20, goodness walled Pete, above the
din; I've broke my jug o molasses, and
| it's run all over me"
Hold on, Lieutenant" ST shouted to
the officer who was lining up the reserve
| to meet the rush. Don't fire on us.
We're Union. We belong to the 2O0th In
jianny Volunteer Infantry. We've bin
down helping take the fort, and are now
on our way back to the regiment. We
saw some men out there that we thought
was trying to cut us off, and we made
rush to get to the forks of the road first,
and we run into your pickets.'
70, is that itT' answered the Lieuten-
ant. "RecOver-armsi Order-arms. Pa
rade-rest! How many men are out there,
Sergeant"
Il don't know" answered 81. truthfully
we saw only two, but we didn't like
their actions, and made rush to get past
the crossroads, ahead of them
You We're in n devil of n hurry for
only two men" remarked the Lieutenant
in not very good humor over the disturb
ance. Seems to me you might have
stopped and found out who they were,
and whether there was anybody behind
them. But go on to your regiment that
you're so anxious to reach. Serg't Brown,
take these pickets back to their post, and
take good look around the front"
Great Jehosephat" muttered Shorty,
examining the bullet-hOle as they rode
away. That was an awful close call.
That picket wasn't near as sleepy as we
imagined. | believe if I'd had that demi-
john in front of me the bullet'd "a gone
through it. 1t scares me to think of it.
| guess I'll put the demijohn around in
'front.' now. 1t may come into those fell
lers' head to shoot after u.s.
80, N.Y." walled Pete '.Al of Aunt
Minerva AIMS molasses is gone, and it's
run all over my legs and Abednego. Will
it hurt him?'
IT'S probably fatal, Pete" said Shorty.
Hell probably catch cold in his NORTH
cation over its being outside his hide in
stead of inside, and never got over the
loss"
TO think how far 1 carried them mo-
lasses! whimpered Pete. and how much
Aunt Minerva Ann liked them, and would
We enjoyed themr'
shut up, Pete" said 81 sharply Keep
quiet, everybody. Listen"
Them Aids have reached the pickets"
he continued to Shorty. They've halted
EN-. They'll get inside and come after
us. Let's light out for camp. They can
never overtake us on them tired horses"
They got across the Ogeeche without
trouble, and reached their own camp lust
as revelle was sounding.
Bare-headed, and in his shirt. panta-
looms and shoes, the Adjutant was stand
ing in front of his tent, overlooking the
awakening of the regiment, when 81 and
his squad rode up.
Hello, boys he shouted cordially.
You've got back, have you? Now |
know the forts taken. We heard it was.
last evening, but it was only 4 camp ru-
NOR"
Eyes, Adjutant, the forts taken an
swered 81. 'Purtiest little fight You ever
saw. Only lasted u minutes, but il was
a scorcher, from the first note of the
bugle. Couldn't We got Iivclier work in
side OF every minute. We WIZ inside the
fort as soon as anybody"
Nhoopee! | know you were" shouted
the mercurial Adjutant.
What's that" inquired the Colonel,
sticking frowsy head out of his tent.
Fort McAllister's taken, and our boys
were with the head of the column said
the Adjutant.
Good" said the Colonel, withdrawing
his head Only l ordered Klegg to keep
out of the fight
And, Adjutant, the mailboat came
right up, and will be here today, some
time
''Whoopee- WhoopeeT shouted the Ad- |
jutant. IN get stack of letters from
her"
And, Adjutant, we couldn't bring YOU |
flag from the fort" said Shorty, ''be- |
cause there wasn't none that anybody |
could find; but we've brought you a fine |
ham. and a demijohn Of
Come back here, where the Colonel !
can't hear you," said the Adjutant
Don't mind me. I've gone to scrp 4
again." called the Colonel
We've brought you a demijohn of real, |
imported French brandy-here, you can