The National tribune., 1902-11-06

coop or smoke house, he means" whisp-
cred Shorty, nudging 81.
20, | know l shall be more comfortable
than L have been anywhere for years, "
answered the lady, glancing in, with a
voice of tiutelike, penetrating sweetness.
Il feel already nearer home on account
Of seeing your Northern faces and hear
ing your hOmelike voices. 1 know that
wagon Will be more comfortable than the
house We have been living in for a year
or more. Like everything else in the
South it was terribly run down, and could
not be bettered until the men came back.
It's Gods will that many of them never
able sadness. You have all been very
kind to me, especially You gentlemen who
have been preparing this sleeping place
for my children and myself. can't thank
you enough for it."
Don't mention it, ma'am. Only too
glad to be of service, to you,' said 81,
placing cracker-box for her to step up
on, ard enter the wagon. Hope you'll
have pleasant night. Don't be afraid of
anything. Well look out for you.''
Get right in, and lie down, for you
must be very tired said the Adjutant.
III hand your baby in to you. Corporal,
pick up this other child and hand it in
Hes a boy" softly corrected the lady,
as she climbed in. too much of woman to
let pass uncorrected, even in the midst of
such distractions, the common masculine
Indifference as to the sex of n child.
Il beg pardon" said the Adjutant, red
dening. Corporal, hand that little boy
up to his mother"
Shorty fumbled at the child as if he
were going to lift pOrcupine, but at last
got him into the wagon with his mother.
The cover was tied down, and the box
taken away. SO as to give the family the
strictest seclusiOn.
The boys spread their blankets down
around the fire and went to sleep.
A couple of hours later 81 was awaken
ed by hedring the little boy shrilly demand
ing:
Ma, want drink of water
Then he heard the mothers gentle
voice:
Keep quiet, dear, and go to sleep again.
You can't get any water now. There's s
none in here
But l must have a drink of water"
shrilly repeated the boy. Il can't go to
sleep. I'm so thirsty"
Dear, you simply cant get any water
now, and will have to so to sleep. Be
good, and try"
Il can't go to sleep, mamma. l must
have drink of water"
THAT boy III wake up the whole camp.
Isn't there any way we can get him a
drink?" 81 heard said in a low voice,
which instantly made him very much
awake. for it was that of none of his boys.
He drove his elbow into Shorty's side. but
held his partners arm, to signal that he
was to keep quiet. Shorty was instantly
awake.
The fire had died down, the moon had
sunk behind the trees, and it was very
dark all around them.
| know there are strangers in camp"
whispered 81. Hear our horses stamping
and snorting."
MA, l want drink of water"
screamed the boy.
Take your tin. Gil. and go back to the
run there, and get him a drink, quick"
said the first voice, in a stage whisper.
BE quick, or he'll raise the camp"
81 saw the two clumps of blackness that
were moving about the wagons separate,
and one pass around and out of the open
ing in the cedars.
'Go after that fellow. Shorty: I'll tend
to the one here" he whispered to Shorty.
keep quiet minute, sonny, and I'll
get you drink" said the man at the
wagon, in low tone 'Keep quiet, that's
a good boy
He seemed to be intently examining the
wagon, feeling over it here and there.
Finally he struck n match, and shielding
it with his hand from the eyes of the
sleepers behind him, took a look at the
WdSOu, WHICH, Sttiutu u ulLi
Shorty had stealthily slipped out Of his
blankets, and followed the man to the
branch, intercepting him on his return.
"Gi me the tin," he whispered. ''I'll take
it up. Stand right where you are till !
give ;. low whistle. Are the rest all
ready"
"AlI ready, right over thar" whispered
the man back.
Shorty went back to the wagon. and
handed the cup in through the opening.
Here's drink for the boy, ma 'am,"
he said in low voice.
''Thank you very much." answered the
lady, cropping around for the cup.
81 stepped up beside the first man.
'sThese air Dilber's wagons. sho'," said
the man, in q pronounced Southern dialect
81 jes' made sartin' by scratching
match. an seed the new paint. an the
marks on 'em. / thought we'd got the
right steer from what I overheard that
thar Yankee Sergeant say back thar by
the fire, but wanted to be dead sho'.
Didn't want to make no mistake cuttin'
out some wuthless forage wagons. Eff
we kin git these out our fortunes made.