The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-30
CHAPTER XXI.
HUNTING BIG GAME.

HUNTING BIO GAME.
II was the morning of the 18th of April,
1867. / was nearing the spot / occupied at
the opening OF my story. where the bush
whacker had sought to kill me, though
then was alone. while now l was with
an advancing army. Five hundred caval-
~, a division OF infantry and several
batteries OF artillery were hurrying down
the road toward the beautiful city OF
Huntsville, lying. tranquil and unsuspect-
ing, a few miles below. The upper edge
Of the sun was peering above the horizon,
gliding the crest of the foothills OF the
plateau on the east. the tree tops and
the roofs OF the neighboring houses. The
flowers. which a fortnight before We're
opening, were now in full bloom. They
looked innocently from the gardens be-
aide the road they leaned lovingly against
the pillars OF the verandas, and from
vines trailing over easements they smil-
ed at the rising sun, while the breath or
morning was laden with their perfume.
Ii was the generals purpose TO surprise
the city. capture the railroad machine
shops and the rolling stock concentrated
there. then make up trains laden with
troops, seize a hundred miles or the Mem
phis and Charleston railroad on either
hand. thus opening communication with
the army at Pittsburg Landing on the
West anu DdNlUk the way loI luAuAC
ations In east Tennessee on the east The
enemy must not be given time 10 move
troops TO protect the city. for even should
We defeat them they would destroy the
shops and run of the rolling stock. All
depended on celebrity and secrecy.
The evening before we had bivouacked
ten miles north OF the city. Our scouts
permitted no one to go south OF US, en-
folding all they met In order that no news
OF our approach could reach the place we
hoped 10 surprise. Two hours before dawn
the command was aroused--not by the
fife or the bugle. but by whispering offi-
cers-and the march was resumed with no
sound save the tread OF men and horses
and the rumble of artillery. Within few
miles OF the city detachments OF mounted
men, armed with telegraph cutting and
track tearing implements. dashed TO the
left and TO the right to prevent the enemy
from sending for troops or running off
the rolling stock. To another detachment
which rode among the advance columns
was assigned the duty OF SELLING the tele-
graph office.
Boom!
Hark. a gun. II comes from the east
ward. not half a mile distant. where the
railroad runs parallel with the pike. Ar
tllery is driving back a locomotive The
iron monster shrieks like some wild
beast that has met it's death wound.
Boom!
More whistles all along the track far
down TO the south. varying In distinct
ness from a near, loud cry TO a distant,
faint moan. This Is fine NOTWITHSTANDING
locomotives with cannon. Did any South
African sportsman ever strike such game
or hunt with such guns7
Boom, boom. boom Far and near the
shotted gu 3 speak: far and near the
metal monsters cry out In terror.
Boomi
All are bagged, except one more daring
than the rest, which runs the gauntlet
OF artillery and with round shot flying
through Its cab speeds out OF range.
Meanwhile sashes i'm the houses along
the road are being raised. shutters flung
open and heads put out to learn the cause
or the commotion. AS guns boom, whistles
Shrek and cavalry clatter along the road.
followed by men rapidly marching and
artillery horses brislsly dragging the guns,
many a citizen who the night before had
gone TO sleep not dreaming OF a foe looks
upon the passing armed throng. listens TO
the sound of the cannon and the shrieks
OF the engines and wonders IL pandemo-
mum has come.
/ am drawing near the Stanforths.'
There is the house. with It's broad veran-
das and It's peak roof A knot OF people
are at the front gate. but l am yet too
far TO see who they are. Now l can dis
tinguish the turbaned Lib. There is boy
perched on one OF the gate posts. 1t Is
Buck. That girl. tall and slender. is surely
Helen. As / draw nearer I can see Gin
ger. his broad mouth stretched In a grin
OF pleasure at sight OF Yankee troops. A
figure is sitting In a wicker chair on the
verandah. dark eyes flashing I'm a pale
face. II Is Jauqeline.
Riding UP TO the gate. am out OF my
saddle almost before my horse has stop
ped. Buck gives cry and jumps into my
arms. Ginger grasps my hand
by lingo. Mr. Brandystone." cried
Buck. I'm mighty glad TO see youl Since
I got back after hghtin g'rillas like
Mars, It's good 70 dc eyes { see yo',"
interrupted Ginger enthusiastically.
After fightin g'rillas like a man
what! Mr.. Branderstane, and IN the
uniform OF Federal offcerv'
1t was Mr.. Stanforth. He looked at