Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-07-23

awhile we would startle a squirrel and
long to fire at him. 1t was so hard to
be bound by the rule to fire at nothing
but the enemy when outside our own
picket lines! What enemy could hear
us, anyway? There was no road with
In three miles except that which was
broken by the bridge. The temptation
to shoot became still stronger when we
saw the head Of deer on the other
side Of the stream, but Brainard re-
minded us that the deer would do us
no good unless we could CROSS the
stream to get him.
So on we tramped. 1t was rs good
rs an excursion. We continued to be
reminded of old times ut home. In one
place were the remains of toy boat
such as each OF us had whitfield from
sticks in other days. Then we came
upon path which cattle and pigs had
made in tramping to the river to drink.
A little farther along was little dock,
such MS northern farmers with water
fronts generally have. All Of these dis
coveries had no suggestion of war
about them, and we all agreed with
Brainard when he said:
II feel as II l weren't down south at
all"
Suddenly my heart bounded with Joy.
and shouted "Hurrah!" for through
screen Of bushes saw the side of
boat. 1t was only a sklff, made of
about four boards. but hadn't just such
boat often been us good as I wanted
at home? We surrounded it in an in
slant and murmured chorus of de-
light. The oars were in 1t instead of
being hidden little way off, as they
would have been had the owner been
northerner, and it seemed in US good
order as If recently used.
1.-THE captain ought to make you
sergeant for this. Frost" said one of
the boys.
Flat bottomed skifrs make up in
weight what they lack in grace. SO we
laid our carbincs in a heap and began
to lift and drag. The boat was fully
so feet from the waters edge, so we
had a great lot Of tugging and shout
ing of ''Now!" "All togetherp' "Againw
etc., before we reached the water. At
last, however, we got it where single
shove would place it afloat; then we
Strengthened our backs and took anoth-
er admiring look, while one of the boys
became ecstatic enough to spring in,
seat himself. snatch the oars and 90
through the motions of rowing.
Don't fergit to take yer guns with
ye." said a voice which none Of US
recognized. We looked around quick
ly, and there. kneeling right by our
carbines, were three Johnnies, each
with his own gun at the position of
aim. And two of those three awful
guns were double barreled!
This was something that none of us
had looked forward to. With one ac-
cord, however, we began to look for.
ward to Libby prison.
Don't ye know it's sin to steal
skifts" asked one of the Johnnies, still
keeping his piece at the aim. 1 never
saw SO unpleasant looking a weapon
In my life-two great, yawning, dismal
holes that ended in utter darkness and
behind them two hammers within an
inch or two of which glittered bright
red percussion caps. never again
wanted to contemplate any kind Of
gun from that point of view. And how
everlastingly-it seemed at least thou
sand hours-that fellow held his gun In
that one position!
"We were not stealing the skiff," said
Brainard after the silence had become
almost maddening; 1--WE were merely
appropriating 1t, according to the Gus
toms of war as recognized in all coun-
tries"
'Properatin', ehY replied the man.
relaxing his aim, though his comrades
neglected to follow his praiseworthy
example. well. 'cordin' to the Gus
toms Of nations we'll 'properate you.
Come up here-one at time"
Nobody moved.
"D'you hyah meY shouted the John.
ny.
Eyes. sir" said l politely as step.
ped forward.
Gimme yer belt" said he. l obeyed.
and he bound my arms behind my back