The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-19

River 40 fast a. you can, keeping . gsod
and the Fifteenth Corps, which are trying
to get across the river. You may Be able
to help. OF course. you'll look out on the
left for the rebels"
"At this stage Of water. General, We
can keep so far out in the stream that the
rebels can't reach us from the edge Of the
swamps. 'Twon't be at all Ike running
the Mussel Shoals, where they could get
on top Of US, almost"
"Well. so long. and good luck to you.
Better hoist Gag over your craft to keep
our batteries from taking q pot shot ae
you for luck. Old Reynolds, Vinegar. De
Gress and some other lively fellows arc
over there with their batteries. They're
likely to shoot at any thing that they don't
exactly understand, and ask questions af-
tcrward. And, what's worse, they are
pretty certain to hit anything within four
miles Of them. As you are not exactly an
ironclad, don't think it would be pleas.
ant to receive one of De Gress's 18-pound
shells. He might regret it afterward, but
that would hardly help matters. Orderly,
give me that little flag off your saddle"
The flag was handed them, and they
could mark the Generals progress down
the road as he galloped away by the
cheers from the marching column that ILL
ed the highway.
The boys were nearly mobbed as they
rushed through regiment with their odor-
Gus viands, to deliver them to the Maui
mees on the other side of the road. Moth
ing but an appeal that they were intended
for sick men saved them from being
snatched away.
Wash Lambert begged permission Of the
Colonel to go with the boys On the boat.
1t was reluctantly given.
I'VE shall greatly miss yOur mellow foo.
horn in camp, Lambert" said the Colonel,
and the piquancy of your profane criti-
cisms of everything past, present and to
come. But you have been doing very hard
service since the campaign opened, and IL
you think that this will give you a few
days rest and variety, and you're sure
you're needed, you may go, and rejoin the
regiment in Columbia"
The horse question was satisfactorily
settled by distributing the animals to COM
rades who had broken little under the
hard marching. They would take good
care of the horses, and deliver them up at
Columbia.
With Harry at the long sweep of the
boat to steer, 81 and Shorty took the first
turn at the poles. They set these in the
bottom of the creek, and walking along
the running-board pushed the craft along
ont to where the current took hold of her
and rushed her along into the Saluda.
Some rebels appeared at times on ths
bluffs Of the creek, but apparently did not
recognize that the familiar craft was now
in the possession of the enemy. and let her
pass without Il shot.
Now don't this just beat by a mile in
every direction fioundering along through
the mud?" remarked Shorty, as he and 81
laid by their poles and complacentIy
watched the current bear the boat along.
Nothing to do but just sit still and let the
boat do the rest, with a comfortable roof
to get under when it rains. I've often
thought that we made great mistake in
not joining the navy"
I'm studying whether, at the rate we're
going, we may not get into Columby ahead
of the army. which would be awkward"
responded 81. Il don't see any brakes
about this boat or wheel-locks or things Of
that sort to stop her. It's all right to have
her go ahead fast, but what will we do if
she makes straight for a rebel siege bat
terry at Columby?"
We'll wait till she Does" replied
Shorty. "Time enough to cross bridge
when you come TO it."
There's road coming down to the
river on the right" said 81, pointing to a
cut in the dense timber. Il expect our
folks are on it. Probably the Twentieth
Corps"
There was quick flash as they passed
the cut, and shell from a rified 12-pound-
er shrieked viciously across tho boat, not
more than foot or two above the deck,
and burst with deafening crash in the
water beyond.
Yes, you may say there they're on it.
and very much on it," remarked Shorty
"And from the way they shoot they're
mad about something"
The shot was Immediately answered By
an unsupported cannon on the left,
smooth-bore, which sent a shell hurting
back, but with wild aim and deficient
range, for it burst just beyond the middle
Of the river.
Now for an artillery duel" said
Shorty. 'Noise enough to sour all the
milk and sDoil the eggs in the whole coun-
try. They've found one another out, and
the lids kicked off the internal pot. Why
don't you hoist our flag. 81? I'll chance
the rebel cannoneers a heap sooner than
our own"
Great Scott. clear forgot it." answer
ed his partner. Harry. run that flag up
on the jackstaff. and be quick about it."