The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-08

why Shorty had bothered him with these
cattle.
The prisoners eyes were wandering
along the line. noting that each man was
| fully attired in blue clothes, that the sad
| dies were all u. S." and each carried a
! Spencer carbine.
| I'VE belong to Cheatham's Division, an
| air on our way to COlumby to jine our riji-
mint" began the tall, black-haired youth,
but he suddenly stopped, as his examine
| ton was finished, and asked in plain
| United States"
Say. don't you belong to the 200th
Ind? Amt you a Corporal in Co. o."
we certainly belong to the 200th Ind,
and I'm Sergeant in Co. Q. What's that
GOT
Thank God, we're saved" yelled the
tall, black-haired youth, quietly showing
aside the muzzIe of Pete's carbine and
throwing his hat in the air.
God be praised; we're through at last"
shouted the short man, with black wills
kers, Keeling as if drunk and falling to the
ground.
Colt sci dank," murmured the chunky,
fair-haired man, tears streaming from his
eyes as he sat down on the ground and
famed himself with his hat.
Who are you and where did you come
FROM asked 81, trying to recall where he
idl lHDSt hOlttS DcIDit
Permit me to introduce myself again as
Lieut.. Robert s. Hawkins, of the LIST Osh-
kosh," said the black-haired youth, with
elaborate pOiteness. This is my
friend
Capt Jas. S. Ellis, of the Kankakees,"
said the man with black whiskers, per-
functOrily. as if answering to make up
the prison roster. His thoughts seemed
far away. He was overwhelmed by the
4 L
it meant to him.
And this is
Lieut.. Oscar Freiich. of the Maumees,
ferry much at your serhce," answered the
fair-haired man. trying to struggle to his
feet and salute.
I'VE were all captured at Chickamau-
ga" hurriedly explained Lieut.. Hawkins.
who was the youngest. strongest. and most
composed. We all escaped from Column
bia last week, and have been working
down this way. trying to get to Sherman.
Great God. have you anything to eat?
We're starving"
Instantly every one of the boys hands
sought his haversack. but 81. remember
ing. restrained them. He took out of his
own as much as he thought one man
should eat, and handed it to Lieut.. Haw
kinS. Tom" he ordered, give about the
samoa little less. if anything-to Capt.
lIliiS. ADt. uO lilt Sdllle ~ Lieut.. rel
Itch. Don't one of you give them mouth
full more"
Now, Lieutenant" he continued, I'M
strapping his muSket, and handing it with
the cartridge box to Lieut.. Hawkins,
we've got to leave you. Take this gun.
and fall back there to where you will find
our cook with his mule. You can stay
with him or make your way back to the
division, which is somewhere over there to
tl,A ptTht r,tn i, In l,nflI
keep you in a safe place in our rear, and
if anything happens to us will help you
find your way back. Take care of my
gun, and when you return turn it over to
Co. q when you find the brigade
Tom and Abe handed their guns over to
the other two. 1t was now the turn for
the tears to fill Lieut.. Hawkinss eyes. He
had maintained his compOsure throughout,
until he grasped the musket.
Thank God for the hand clasp of an
old friend" he murmured brokenly. as he
looked lovingly upon the Springfield. I've
thought far more about getting musket
in my hands again than anything else
while I've been in prison. While other
men have been talking about food and
clothing and tents and blankets, I've been
dreaming all the time about my old Spring
field, which | carried for two years before
| received my commission. and it seemed
to me that life would begin again for me
when my hands could close around the
stock of United States musket. I'm go
ing to stay as near TO you as possible until
we find the brigade"
Notwithstanding his II months of inn
priSOnment he handled the gun with an
easy deXterity which showed that he had
once been master of the drill.
Now | feel as if | was really man
once more" remarked Capt. Ellis. leaning
on his musket and studying admiringly its
contours. Heavens. what Il difference it
makes to have gun in your hands"
No vlower dat blooms in de Southland
ISIS so burty as II Springfield musket when
you haf it in your own hands," remarked
Lieut. Freilich, looking at the weapon
which lay across his lap. "Vhen l rests
leedle, | want to go pack nit you and
take shot at dose reppels we've peen
lodging"
Shorty, who had been riding ahead rap
idly in the meanwhile, was nearing the
river. when he suddenly came upon a
squad of men wearing blue overcoats.
Hold on thar; fall in heah. with lis"
commanded the man who was leading