Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-08-06

ard had not returned. The captain,
who felt responsible for the safe deliv-
cry of the dispatches, awoke, Joined
me and said he hoped my chum had got
through all right; then he also began to
pace to and fro. which increased my
anxiety. Toward dawn l fell asleep
through sheer exhaustion. Just after
sunrise l was aroused by being shak-
en-. When l opened my eyes. over me
Dent Brainard. very pale of face, but
wonderfully bright Of eye.
Tell me about it." demanded.
Oh" said Brainard, 81 never was SO
frightened in my life. After Looping
along few minutes it occurred to me
that had better know my way before
trying 1t, SO l dismounted and hid my
morse In the woods beside the road,
leaving my saber there also. Then
sneaked down the road, with my re-
volver in my hand and my heart in my
mouth, to find out where and what tina
cavalry was. 1t might have been some
OF our own nen, you know. Pretty
soon l heard the clanking you spoke
OF. Didn't 1t sound dreadful in the
dark, though? | crouched and sneaked
from one tree to another and the noise
grew louder. but not human voice
could hear. nor was there any odor
OF tobacco in the air. These two facts
bothered me greatly. for when soldiers
who are awake cease talking and smoK-
ing there's something serious on hand.
Pretty soon heard splash. Aha!
thought l. Somebody is watering his
horse In brook or pond l crept still
closer. The ground became lower, as
II there might be n brook there. I got
nearer still until made out bridge
at my left, but not trooper could 1
see. began to shiver and recall ghost
stories. don't believe in ghosts, you
know, but the dim light and mysterious
noises made me think of them in spite
of myself. Finally l got right on the
bank Of the brook and looked over.
Then was more surprised than scared,
for could make out three horses with
out riders and something that looked
like n tent, but all in the water. 1
made bold to challenge. but there was
no reply. Then became so excited
that thought might as well be shot
as die through bursting blood vessel,
SO got some matches out of my jack
ct. struck light and made little fire
of dry leaves and twigs, and what do
you suppose l saw? An ammunition
wagon lying on its side and three of its
four horses partly hitched. Apparently
1t had fallen from the bridge, which
was very narrow and had no rail. 1t
was the rattle of the chains of the har-
ness that made the noise you and and
the other fellow had mistaken for the
clank of saber scabbards. But wasn't
provoked with myself for having
been frightened"
mo worse, I'll bet, than am at hay
ing been scared back to camp by such
bogy."
II felt SO ashamed" continued Brain
ard, chat really wished there might
be soldiers somewhere in the neigh
borhood to give me some honest ex-
cuse for being frightened. My wish
was gratified pretty soon, for after go
ing along pretty lively for few min
utes l heard 'Haltv right in front of
me as couple of men sprang from
fence corner. Awfully hard to swal-
low ones heart sometimes, isn't It? I
soon saw, however, in spite Of the
semidarkness, that they weren't dressed
like Johnnies, so swallowed my heart
and gave them the countersign. Then!
they asked me if had seen any cayal-
~ i'm the woods. Three of the generals
orderlies IN succession had tried to,
reach the center and had been frighten-
ed into returning. So, you see, you and
and the man who started before US
are not without company"
"Ye-es," l replied. But the informa-
ton didn't comfort me much. Brain
ard had succeeded. hadn't That
reflection filed my mind to the exclu-
sion of all others. Brainard went on:
81 found the headquarters in two or
three minutes, passing through road
full of men who had been posted
to repel IN expected cavalry dash.
There was n half battery Of artillery
with them. The general, too, was
awake and nervous-all on account of
those three horses standing knee deep
in brook and shaking in their har-
ness! The general kept me until dawn
to bring back some dispatches. But
here am"
The lucky little rascal! At least men
called 1t luck.