The National tribune., 1901-07-18
that your guns II go off. Better put on

that your guns II go off. Better put on
fresh caps"
Though the rebels could not be seen, they
were now quite near, and pushing down u
faint, vine-entansled trace, which 81 had
noticed, before he stepped back behind the
cover of a densely growing orange tree.
There's a lot of Yanks working their
way through the swamps over there" said
the commander, aiming to get around our
hanks and take US in the rear. l want to
lay for them and surprise them There's
Il big cyprus laying out there that we II
get behind, and lay for 'em, as they come
out o. the swamp, into the clear ground.
Every man keep down, and be careful not
to show himself until l give the order.
Then every man raise his head above the
log, pick out his man, aim below the belt,
and let him have it. Don't let shot be
wasted; take plenty of time aiming, but
make sure you get your man. Then Wen
jump up and finish the rest with our re-
voIvers. We mustn't let NANCY hound
of them get away"
'.NNho is that pleasant, amiable gentle
man? He's an old acquaintance. Where
have | heard his kind, gentle voice be-
fore?" whispered Shorty.
''So've | heard it before, and not long
ago." answered 81. who can he be?
The rebels had passed on by this time,
leaving a pretty broad trail, into which
81 entered and followed. Presently he
came to where the brush was not so thick,
and looking cautiously out he could see the
rebel officer lining his men behind the
fallen cyprus.
Away in front of a cleared space before
the PROSTATE trunk, the shaking bushes
in the swamp, and the sound of Col. Nc
Gillicuddy's sweet, penetrating voice, en-
couraging, urging and commanding,
showed where the 200th Ind. was working
its laborious way through the morass.
STEADY, men," said the rebel officer.
"Deploy more there to the left. Don't
make so much noise. Every man keep
bines on top of the log, and take careful
aim. Steady, now."
81 looked around to see that all of his
boys were up and cooked his gun. Come
forward a little more into line, there,
boys" he said in a loud whisper. Pick
out your man, each OF you. I'll take the
fellow in command. Don't FIRE till L give
the word. or till do"
Lets belt into 'em at once" said
Shorty. 'I'll bust that Sergeant there. "
NO" answered 81. "I'Il not fire into
their backs, without giving 'em a chance. "
''Ahem," he continued, in loud, pen
etrating voice.
The startled rebel officer whirled
around.
Sorry to disturb your arrangements,
just as they're finished" said 81. But
If you don't surrender at once off goes
your head"
The rebel glanced along the line, and
it seemed as if the brush was filed with
Yankees with leveled guns.
whats your rank?" he shouted. 'I'm
a Major''-
mo back talk" said 81 sternly. Eve
got rank enough for you. Drop that
sword, or I'll drop you"
Lay down your guns, men," said the
rebel. ''The woods are plum full of Yam
KEGS"
Leave them guns where they are"
commanded Si. land move over toward
that oak on the right. Pete, rush through
that clear space, and yell to Col. McGilli-
cuddy to come on; we're here"
The firing away toward the center sud
denly stopped, and was followed by the
deep-throated Union cheer, as the men
rushed over the line lately held by the
rebels.
For de Lawds sake" calculated Uncle
Ephraim, scanning the rebel prisoners, ''it
dey'uns amt dat jeff Davis Cavalry. dat
tried O. roast we'uns alibe in de cave"
"That's So" said Shorty with an oath.
"Why didn't we shoot 'em down as soon
as we saw 'em? Let's kill 'em now
mo, we can't now," said ST. pressing
down Shorty's gun. They've surren-
dered. Too bad we didn't know it be-
fore"
"Hello, Sergeant" said Col. McGilli-
cuddy, coming up, badly draggled with
the mud and slime of the swamp. "You
got in ahead, as usual. Picked up nice
bunch of prisoners, too. Well, take them
back down that way to the main road
and turn them over TO the Provost Mar
shal. 1 think you'll find him over there
only n little ways-a mile or so. The
fight seems to be over, and we've got the
works. / guess we'd better go into camp
right here. and rest until we get orders.
Come back here, Sergeant, after you are
relieved of your prisoners"
81 marched his prisoners over toward
the main road as ordered. He had to go
farther back to reach this than the
Colonel supposed, and as it came in sight