The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-12

Say, Bill Goatsucker where is that
boat you fellows had, and what did you
have in it?' demanded ST.
How did you know my names Bill
| Goatsucker" demanded the rebel, sui
lenly.
'Oh. I know it," answered 81. Tell
us about the boat"
IF you Yankees know so much you
know all about the boat, and / amt GO
| in to tell you nothin'," answered the reb-
| ell, trying to- get into reach of the warm
blaze.
| ALI Russell who knew that it was in
the interests of his professional educa-
| ton to give attention to any rebel who
had passed through ShOrty's hands, was
| examining Bills throat, and taking out
his flask of brandy. he poured him out
spoonful or two. 1t had mellowing in
fluence on the picket.
That thar boat" he VOLUNTEERED, sis the
one that we poled our provisions up from
the Saludy in. We couldn't git no wag-
ons through the mud, an so we poled
EN- up here in boat"
Where is it, demanded 81.
That's for you to find out" returned
the rebel, surlly. ''Yo-all air so all
fired KNOWN, you Orter know whar hit
is"
Gid Mackall had providently set his
| coffee-cup down by the fire as soon as
it was started. that he might have a drink
before doing anything else or lying down,
and the fragrance began to fill the store.
That thar coffee do smell awful nice,
fer fack," shifted the rebel, apprecia-
lively. Il believe a drink of hit would
do me more good than brandy
IF you'll tell us where we can find that
boat, we'll give you all you can drink
said Gid Mackall. lifting the cup, and
passing it under the rebels nose. that he
might have full benefit of its aroma.
Th rebel made a visible struggle be-
tween his loyalty and his appetite, and
finally appetite conquered.
''Gf me the coffee, an I'll carry you
to the boat"
You can have all you want, Bill, and all
the Yankee bareback and pork, too, if you
play fair
The rebel gulped down all that Gid
would allow him. and then led the way
through the woods a few hundred yards
to where was moored small fatboat,
with n covered deck, high enough for .
convenient room. Along the gunwales ran
Il board, upon which men walked in pol.
ing the craft up stream.
81 entered and struck a match. In it
were two or three rebels who had avoided
the fight, and were snoring generously on
the boards raised above the floor.
There was good stock Of rice. meal,
meat and sweet potatoes stored in one
end of the cabin.
faint so much OF haul as had
hoped" adjudged 81, ''but the boat may
come in mighty handy in getting across
the rivers between here and Columby.
especially if it keeps on raining this way"
Say, ST." interposed Shorty. this
strikes me right where live. You know
I'm an Ancient Mariner, and my homes
on the rolling deep of the raging Missi.-
sippi. l think we might sail RICH. into
the port Of Columby on this craft, and
easier heap than wadihg through the
mud and swimming the rivers"
well, we'll hold on to it. anyway, and
think of it." decided 81. "Tom and Abe,
you stay on the boat and hold her. You
can build fire on that place there, and
make yourselves comfortable continued |
he, pointing to where some earth and |
stones spread on the planks had been /
used as fireplace.
When 81 got back to the store, he
found Wash Lambert, coming up through
the rain, putting and growing:
what in eternal blazes are you plaguey
cavalry up to out here, anyway he
grumbled. "Your old tricks, l suppose:
kicking up shindy for the infantry to
settle. Can't you get into enough trouble
during the daytime without disturbing the
rest or men who have been worn clear out
through this devilish storm?"
Hello, Old Bullfrog," 81 called, genial
ly, recognizing his voice. MY, but your
does sound natural in these
swamps. Come in and have a cup of cot
fee. and give your lungs a rest"
Hello, old Wabash" returned Lam
bert. sis that you? thought it was some
Of our raggedtailed cavalry. Coffee?
don't care if l do. About gallon. please.
and hotter than the gates of eternal sim"
Lambert drank his coffee and listened
TO Sis story Of what had happened.
We'll, I've got to so back and report"
he said, as he finished. 'Just my Internal
uck to have to wade back there through
he mud and report to the Adjutant, who's
waiting for me. Good men and Christians
have the hardest kind of time in this a
world. By the way, this is splendid
place for the Colonel and Adjutant Poor I
fellows, they've been having it harder
han apy Of the rest "a us. believe I'll o
,rinf them up here. and take possession" +
Not much you won't" said 81. 'This a