The National tribune., 1901-01-03
around in this part o the country. Is

burning u Drldge amt no great shakes
of n job, remarked 81. as they got off
Mt the creek, and let the train 90 on over.
Most anybody could do that. But let's
make an extra good job OF it. None of
us own any real estate round here so we
won't be taxed to rebuild it,
Some fat pine logs were found in the
woods near by, which were cut UP and
placed IN between the timbers of the
trcstle These were supplemented by all
Tie pine knots Pete and the rest of the
smaller boys could find. In an hour they
mad made 1t certain that when the match
was applied the flames would speedily run
20 every timber, and not stop dcvouring
as long as there was anything left to feed
upon.
There. thatIl do. That's enough
Come off the bridge, boys Shad shouted,
taking out his matches. Here goes the
last link with home. GOOd-by, Gods
country. Good-by, folks. and churches,
and school-houses. and all good things.
We're going TO raise hell in Georgia"
He touched the lighted match to the
pile of fat pine shavings he had prepared
and which flashed up like turpentine. In
Il few minutes the bridge was roaring
mass of fire.
They cut down the telegraph poles, and
broke up the wire into pieces. to throw
into the creek and otherwise hide.
Before noon they had done their work
well, and were anXiously waiting that
hour and what their new orders would
bring them.
They found the old log church where
the road crossed the creek. as Sherman
had said. but there was no one there.
What does this mean:" wondered
Shad.
There's an awful sight of dust raising
over there beyond the crick. remarked
81, scanning the northern horizon anxious
Y nf.l-S fhn-
brigade of infantry or regiment of cav
airy coming. Wonder if it can be-
Wheeler trying to attack Shermans rear?
Load, boys. and deploy along the bank
there. Keep down out of sight, and don't
hre till they try to cross the crick"
They watched the advance of the cloud
of dust anxiously. They could hear yells
and loud commands. Presently n mount
ed man IN partial citizens dress appeared
on the other side of the creek and scanned
the opposite bank.
Probably scout. Keep ont o. sight.
boys, and let him come on said ST.
The man studied the opposite bank n
minute or so, and then rode through the
ford
zen's coat, Yankee saddle, Yankee boots"
said 81, studying each detail. ~. S. on
flank of horse. Guess he's Il Yankee
The man saw 81 and Shorty, and rode
directly up to them, and they were Joined
by Shad Graham and Jake Dye.
Il was ordered to meet Lieut. Graham
here at noon," explained the man.
That's EIy name" said Shad.
We'll. I'm Lieut.. Ermentraut. of the
Commissary Department. I'm ordered to
meet you here. and turn over to you 500
cattle, with the orders to take them on
to Atlanta with all reasonable speed. You
will be there with them not later than
day after tomorrow evening. The cattle
are now reaching the creek. You will go
down with me and count them as they
come over. and receipt for them. There
are just sol. You will be allowed to kill
one on your way for meat, but you must
deliver 500 even to the Chief Commits
sary Mt Atlanta"
WHAT howled Shorty, as he gathered
the purport of the strangers commuDica-
ton. I'VE drive a herd of cattle, We
soldiers become pack o cOw-punehcrs,
III see Sherman and his whole army go
without fresh beef till they're as gray as
African badgers before I'll play butchers
boy and drive cattle to the slaughter
house. It's not my business. I'm a
United States soldier, not a barefoOted
boy with n straw hat and stone-bruise.
hired for quarter day to run foot-races
WALLER herd-dog and apprentice to butch
tr-shOp."
Il guess there must be some mistake
about this" said ST, with sinking heart.
MS his vision of some noteworthy service
down to this prosaic and humble
Job. Gen. Sherman said he had some
special and very important duty for us.
lie cOuldn't've meant cattle-driying."
what more important duty could you
expect than taking care of such herd as
this?" inquired Lieut. Ermentraut. hotly.
What more important duty can there be
than in supplying the army? Now, don't
20 to putting on any airs, for l won't
have it. I've brought this herd this far,
and you're no better than | am. II 1 do
for you. Besides, the minute you get
across the Etowah River you're liable to
have all that you can tend to. Joe Wheel
ar'S down in that country, somewhere,
and would like awfully well to have 500
beeves in good condition to put his ragged
rebels on. This is the last herd TO come
through. and it must be carefully guarded
Ill the way. That's the reason that Gen.
Sherman ordered you here. There's BUSH
vhackers enough down in the country be-
rOnd the EtOwah to take the herd away
from all the guard l have. But l haven't
line to waste in argument. You'll simply
10 what Gen. Sherman orders. Here
'ome the cattle now. and I'll be obliged
o you, Lieut.. Graham, if you'll begin the
,ount at once, and hurry through with it,
Is that train you came up on is waiting
'Or me and my men, and we must get to
t as soon as possible. L have six horses
hat | and my helpers have been riding.
which I'll turn over to you, for such men
Is you want to mount"
After our good work with the pom
-Oons | never thought Gen. Sherman
would put us To cattle-driying" MUIR
nurcd Shad, reproachfully, at which
Lieut.. ErInentraut fired up again:
I'D like to know who you are. anyway.
hat are putting on all these friliS? You're
mighty glad to get fresh beef when it's
brought to you. and yet you kick when it's
our turn to bring it. Are you so much
,etter than anybody else that you can lie
II camp, and have somebody else wait
m you? l tell you I've had to do it, and
we done it because it was a necessary
luty, that somebody had to do, and I'm
Is good as you fellows, any day in the
week. I've been in the army just as long,
nd seen just as much service. Now, just
top looking down your noses. and grumb-
ing, and count these cattle, receipt for
hem, and let me go. I'm in hurry, and
ou'd better be-"
''The Lieutenant is right" said 81, his
sual cheerful acceptance of necessary
onditiOns asserting itself. I'VE amt
eally had our share of cattle-driying. and
we've no business to shirk it when it
ONES up to us. Besides, it's only for two
+ three days. Let's be glad we didn't
lille. Bring on your cattle"
TO be continued)
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