The National tribune., 1901-01-31

age. They Grati6ed their boyish curiosity
during the day by riding around seeing
all the strange sights OF the great army.
They kept in long range of the detach-
ment, so as to rejoin il at any time that
it might look as il they were needed. and
when it dropped its cattle and went into
| camp for the night they came boldly up,
| fastened their steeds nearby. provided
them abundant forage from the Commits
sary- Generals piles, got their suppers, and
! soon had circle around them. listening
| to their accounts of all the wonderful
| things they had seen during the day.
Look here said Shorty TO the rest, as
| they sat around and smoked. after supper.
Il move that we shah out of here pretty
soon. 1t won't do to stay here tonight
| That Commissary- General has his eye on
/ us, and he'll detail us tomorrow morning.
sure as little apples. Then wen have to
| drive cattle and help wagon trains all the
rest of our natural lives. l want some
comfort of life l want TO get back to the
2OOth Injianny."
| There's something in that" said 81,
struck with sudden fear, and taking his
| pipe from his mouth to consider. "If [
knowed where the regiment was I'd get
right up and start for it this minute. But
it'd be worse than hunting for a needle
in haystack to look for the regiment in
this ruck tonight. But we'll get up bright
| and early tomorrow morning, as we in
| tended to do anyway, and we'll be out
of reach before they are stirring at head
quarters"
Il don't like staying here tonight" said
| Shorty. uneasiiy. I'VE amt safe. That
| COmmiSsary- Generals a mighty nice fell
Ter. but l don't want any more details
from him or anybody else but Col. Nc
| Gillicuddy."
The boys are now pretty welI-fxed for
the night" said 81, after Il moments con-
| sideration. Il don't want to disturb them.
Ana don't want to march EN- away from
| all this good grub, without one more hack
| at 1t. 1t would look like a sin. Wen
turn out at the first notes of reveille, fill
ourselves plum full of this grub, and be
we'll on our way before the suns fairly
up.
The sound of horses hoofs came out
Of the darkness.
IN bet that's detail now" said Shor-
ty, apprehensively. The rest clutched
| their blankets and began rolling them up.
| Col. Dayton appeared in the circle OF
| light.
Hello. Graham he said: I've been
| looking for you. I've got some good news
| for you. I've been at the General about
you. I've told him what kind of men you
| are, and got him TO order you permanently
detailed for service at headquarters
He was interrupted by the sound of a
general rush. Let by 81 and Shorty, every
one had snatched up his belongings and
bolted into the darkness, out of sight.
well, I'm blessed" said the Colonel,
in Amusement, as he comprehended what
had happened. That's the first time [
ever knew of men running away from soft
duty at headquarters. Most of them you
| have to club to make them let CO.
The boys have had all they want of
details" laughed Shad. THE varied ex-
periences of the last two weeks have filled
them up to their chins. They prefer the
quiet and seclusiOn of domestic life with
| their regiments"
81 and Shorty did not halt until they
had reached the covert of a cedar thicket,
where they felt they could not be found
during the night. They did not sleep
much, for early in the morning of tho
eventful 18th of November, 1854. they
were awakened by the thunder of the ex-
plosions in Atlanta. The sky was rudy
with the flames of burning buildings, for
! the city was q seething confagration.
They cooked a hasty breakfast, and
marched out on high point which COM
manded a good view OF the devouring
ocean Of fame. The spectacle was grand
ly awful, and they stood and watched,
wrapped in the wonder of it. Presently
the sun rose bright and clear, and re-
vealed another panorama still more fas-
cinating to their soldierly eyes. As far as
they could see the roads and fields were
filled with white-topped wagons, with
droves Of cattle, with batteries Of artil.
y,
whose bright gun-barrels sent back sheen
of brilliant light from the suns rays. A
brigade band started up John Browns
Body" and from the Threats Of tens OF
thousands of the stalwart, enthusiastic
marchers rolled the song in mighty chorus.
The boys joined in the wave of tumultu-
GUS cheering, which was echoed back even
from the towering, granite sides Of Stone
Mountain.
The great March to the Sea had begun.
There's the Fourteenth Corps flag
now" said 81, more excited than won't.
see? l can make it out plainly. Let's
start at once. We get to it once, and there
won't be no trouble finding the regiment"
where's those blasted boys?r said
Shorty, looking around for Sandy and
Pete. 1--WE mustn't start without them.
afraid they're lost. Anybody seen them"
Nobody had, but everybody began look
Come on, Shorty" said 81. impatient to
join in the march. They're hanging
around somewhere, as usual. They'll
watch US, and follow US up. Come on"
Never do in the world" answered
Shorty. 81 won't stir step until I've
found them. They'll never find US if We
leave them. I'll skin them both when I
catch 'em, the brats."
Everybody started anew in an excited
quest OF TIE tfuantS, out tney were no.
where in sight.
A more terrific explosion than ever
shook the ground and the air. 1t was
that of a large brick building on the out
skirts of Atlanta nearest to them. The
air was filed with powder-smoke, flying
bricks, beams, planks, doors, rafters and
windows. Shells burst like from a can
nonade, and there was Il venOmOus hiss
of bullets through the air.
Out OF the powdersmoke das he'd 4
white mule, going at such Il rat that he
only seemed to touch the ground where it
rose in hillocks. On his back, with his
arms around his neck; holding on for dear
life, was a boy, with a face like a sheet
popping eyes, and no cap. Behind came a
horse, with another boy, in a similar frame
of mind.
That's Pete and Sandy. sure's you're
alive, on that cussed mule said 81, rush.
ing down to the road.
Abednego stopped from sheer eXhaus-
ton, about halfway up the hill, and Pete
slipped from his back. 4 piece of she'll
had scraped his cheek, and Abednego's
flank had been creased by q bullet.
Sandy had something like the same hurts.
where in the world have you brats
been?' 81 angrily inquired, rs Pete slowly
recovered his breath.
'Why," gasped Pete, "me and Sandy
thought we'd ride down and take Il look
at the fire while the rest of you was GET