The National tribune., 1902-03-13

at once, which was to cut off all the
branches on the ground on one side only.
This done, he called all to the other side
where they each got out as far as he
could, and put his shoulder under one of
the boughs there. They all raised at the
word of command, the long boughs served
as levers, their united strength rolled the
huge trunk over, the inclination of the
bank aided them, and it went crashing
down into the water, thus clearing the
road after but little over an hours steady
chopping.
The boys gave a triumphant cheer as
the trunk crashed over the bank, and
sticking the axes into the trees, where
the regiment could easily find them, when
it advanced, they jumped on their horses
and rode forward to where the bridge over
the creek was burning.
A few scattering shots from woods a
quarter of a mile to the left momentarily
drew Sis attention, but his mind imme-
diately reverted to the bridge, which was
n much more serious proposition than the
cypress had been.
The bridge had been about 40 feet long,
and having been built of dry pitch-pine,
had burned very rapidly, so that there
was nothing left with which to begin a
reconstruction. The water, which spread
out above and below the road, hundreds
strong current.
This is where we need Shad's pom
toons,' 81 said, looking wistfully back to-
ward the river. But Shad'll need all
his pontoons, and much more, for the
river. Besides, he won't be across for
several davs."
"I've bin looking around for trees to cut
down for bridge, such as we made back
there on the Tullyhomy Campaign" said
Chnrfv ssIuf thorn aipft hlamaJ
near, except that devilish cypress back
there, which was growed for the express
purpose of being cut down to stop US"
wonder if we couldn't tow that down
here, and make it serve as a crossing"
remarked 81, looking backward to where
it lay. From the way they're acting over
on the hill there they're gathering up all
the cattle and hogs in that part of the
country. to keep them out of our hands,
and feed the rebels. We ought TO get over
and stop that, if it breaks our necks."
ST was right as to what was being done.
The direction of the Union advance having
been developed, the bare plateau of Sandy
Hill was now covered with cattle and
hogs gathered up along all the roads lead
ing in from the left. and being driven over
to the right by negroes superintended by
the rebel Conmissary officers.
81 and Shorty went back and looked at
the cypress.
Its plenty long enough" 81 decided.
'If we can swing it across the creek, and
cut off the limbs on the upper side, it will
make a fOot-log, over which we can walk,
and lead our hosses, swimming alongside"
That's the ticket" said Shorty, strip
ping off his overcoat and jumping unhes-
into the cold water, to push the
trunk out.
The cypress is a very heavy wood. which
barely floats. Shorty could not bulge the
trunk, and 81 threw off his overcoat and
jumped in to help him. The tree was
still immoyable.
This limb has stuck in the mud, and
holds it. Go back and get me an ak,
Pete" said Shorty.
Go back with him. Sandy" added 81,
"an6 bring 'em ALL Wen need en-
Work more trying than standing on
slippery mud. waist-deep in cold water
and chopping with axes none too sharp,
oughly-resisting wood, can hardly be |
imagined. But 81 and the rest were ex-
cited at the thought of all that meat GO
ing away from the Union COmmissary into
that of the rebels, and they worked as if |
their lives depended upon it. The splash |
ing of the water, and frequent slips, soon
made them as wet above the waist as
they were below; but Shorty only stopped |
long enough to go ashore and put the
package of Maria's letters and other me
mentOes of her in his overcoat pocket, |
where the water would not reach them.
The rebels beyond, shivering in the cold
blast, looked with amazement at this ex-
posure of the Yankees to the bitter ele-
ments.
One limb of the tree stuck obstinately
in the mud, and ST and Shorty, in their
nagerness, climbed out on long limbs on
he opposite side, that their weight might
act on the leverage to help free it. Tom
irimstead chopped into the water Mt the
limb to cut it in two. Before any of them
realized what they were doing, the con-
.urrence of Toms repeated blows, with
81 and Shorty's throwing their full weight,
snapped the limb off sharply and sudden
Y, and the log rolled over, carrying 81
md Shorty far down under the icy water
The others gave a yell of dismay, as
hey saw their leaders disappear, but they
we're soon reassured by seeing 81 and Shor-
V. capless, and with water streaming from
heir hair and clothes, come wading out
oward the shore.
Great jumping Jehosephat, Tom,"