The National tribune., 1901-08-22

the rebels amt our kind" almost blub-
bered Pete. He'd do lots o things that
me and you wouldn't. And we shouldn't
We told no lie to Aunt Minerva Ann, and
more especially to the Colonel. Think Of
playing off on the Colonelp'
feebly.
No; but we acted it, which is worse
| Think OF what Aunt Minerva. Ann and
the Colonel will think when they find it
out"
They may never find it out"
But they will-they will. They can't
help it, groaned Pete. "And if there
was nothing wrong about it, why did we
both sneak back to the company and say
nothing? Why didn't we bring some Of
the meat back to the boys, and tell where
we'd got it, which we would we done
| if it'd bin all right, and we'd just stole
it?"
Don't say anything more, Pete" said
the badly-disturbed Sandy. Let's lay
down and take a snooze, and think it
over"
They fell into a troubled doze, from
W hich Pete woke with yell that startled
the others into wakefulness. IIe had
dreamed that the Colonel had changed
into an immense alligator. with big, dull,
fierce green eyes, who was tearing him
limb from limb, while Aunt Minerva Ann
stood by and looked on approvingly. He
was so broken up and blubbering that 81
and Shorty had to turn to Sandy for m
explanation, which was given with the
look and accent of confessing murder.
81 and Shorty looked grave as they
listened to the story.
There's nothing to do but go right up
to headquarters and make a clean breast
of it," said 81. Come on, Shorty; come
on, Pete and Sandy"
They found the Colonel and Adjutant
just rising from a hearty. dinner, while
Aunt Minerva Ann, beaming with salts
faction, nibbled at fragments of the
feast, as she cleared away the things.
Il declare, Adjutant," said the Colonel,
producing gold toothpick, though that
meat was quite rank
'Outranks you, Colonel" said the Ad-
jutant, reproducing a usual army joke.
Yes; outranks me, or even the Major
General commanding the corps" accepted
the Colonel; yet it was fresher even than
you are land the Colonel made a poke at
the Adjutant's RIBS. Yet, 1 don't know
when I've ever enjoyed meal more"
That musky flavor was very peculiar,
1T must come from something shat the
pigs eat down here. l suppose that
there's some plant which produces Nusk
that they're fond OF. / tell you what,
Colonel, we've got the best foragers in
the 200th Ind. that there is in the whole
army. Think of their finding fresh pork,
and lots of it, In the midst of this ocean
of hungry men"
:, Its, simply wonderful" answered the
Colonel. III it was not for losing the
best scouts and fighting men from the
regiment, I'd move everything to have
Sergt' Klsgg made Commissary of Sub
sistence. for the corps, with his squad
as his assistants"
Never do in the world to lose them
from the regiment" answered the AdJu-
tant, shuddering at the thought. But
here he comes, with his partner, walking
as If they were going to a funeral. Poor
fellows, how tired they must be. That
last trip of theirs was enough TO wear out
iron men. Hello, Sergeant, what are you
doing up?- Your orders were to sleep and
rest for the next 4S hours"
Colonel" said 81, as they ali saluted
with the utmost gravity, and with the
look and accent Of delivering the boys
over to instant execution, "thcse thought
less little brats here Indicating Sandy
and Pete with a solemn wave of his
hand are the best boys in the world, but |
they will get into more trouble in 4 miu
ute than grown man will get EN- out |
Of in month"
Boys will be boys" said the Colonel |
'Recollect that you were boy once your
self, Sergeant"
They found Aunt Minerva Ann thN,e."
continued 81, determined to have the |
whole sad truth out at once, Complaining |
about not being able to get any fresh |
nleat-that you and she were starving for
lack OF II. Being moved and instigated |
by the devil, and that little imp of New |
York boy, from the fort, that we cap