The National tribune., 1902-09-25

and galloped across the ford to the hill OF
the other side, where they took goot
sklrmishing positions behind the trees
within yelling distance.
Pete, Sandy, Harry, Alf, Gid, Monty
and Abe began skirmishing across the
creek, while 81 and Shorty took a look
over the mill.
| Got pretty fair lot of meal, such as
it is" said 81, lingering the coarse grit in
the trough. About the quality Pap used
to get from his Little Giant corn and cob
crusher for stock feeding. But it'll beat
hominy way out of sight, all the same
We ought to have three or four times as
much, though, to give all of the boys a
pOne tonight"
Il believe we can get it." remarked
Shorty, IF we run the mill all afternoon.
Tain't but much past noon now, and we
can run her till sundOwn, apd then make
camp in good time. Call Sandy in. He'll
know how to fix up this old rattle-trap to
get more work out of her."
Several shots struck around the mill,
and Shorty picked up his carbine, and
went down little ways to investigate.
Its that Sergeant, 81" he called back
to his partner, presently, after several
shots had been exchanged. Hes got a
good place behind an oak, and this blasted
carbine won't shoot like our old Spring
fields. It's good for quantity, but hain't
the reach and sureness Of the old musket.
If l had my old gun l could've fetched
him."
Keep him as quiet as you can," an
swered 81, while we're fixing up things
here"
Sandy was inspecting and putting in
some effective touches here and there to
increase the mills efficiency. IF those
powders were only back in thir Places
he commented, surveying the dam, ''it
would give nearly twice as much water,
and make her grind ever so much faster"
For 81 to see anything needed was to
do it.
iii wade out there and roll 'em back" :"
he said at once, and called to the other
boys as to what he intended, and that
they must cover him.
Fortunately, the bluffs and rocks on the
other side sheltered the dam from the
rebels direct fire. They were amazed at
erately waded into the ice-cold water and
began manual labor right under their eyes.
The Sergeant made a rush with several
of his men to gain a point where they
could fire on 81, but the boys We're watch
ing for this manuver, and poured such q
volley from their repeaters that the rebels
were glad to drop down behind the rocks.
81 went on calmly with his work. until he
had restored the powders to their places.
and, as Sandy had predicted, the mill was
grinding twice as fast.
Say, Yank" called out the rebel Ser
geant from the shelter of a rock, as 81
rolled the last bowlder back, and stood
for moment studying the job to see if
there was anything more he could do.
What is it, Johhny?'
You're cool one, and no mistake"
We'll, this water amt particularly
warm"
THAT amt what I mean, Yank What
do you say to Kings ex for little spell?'
20, I'm agreeable to anything Call off
your dogs, and we'll stop firing"
"'Nuff said. Wen STOP
the skirmishers stepped out from their !
coverts. 81 waded back to his side Of the |
creek, and pulling off his boots, emptied |
but the water, and put them on again. He
over and pulled n log out of the
ace, which retarded the flow of water.
Ihe rebel Sergeant came out on a rock,
md opened up the conversation:
Say, Yank, that was rale cute slip-up
IN to us, and we deserved to lose our
neal, but 1 think hit was rather rubbin'
lit in to take our clothes"
=. We don't want your old Clothes" said
u. You're welcome to them. We did
want your meal. We're awful tired of
'oing without bread"
"So's we'ns. declar, I've ct hominy
nnards into leather"
Same here" said 81. what regiment
10 You belong top
'aThe Sd Confedrit Cavalry-KunnelI
'addy Rice's rijimint, Anderson's Bri-
ade. Aliens Division, Wheeler's Corps"
Hello, the old Sd Confederate Cavalry.
We got some Of your fellows down there ;
y Sheibyville, on the Tullahomy Cam
"Yes, was taken there myself"
The nation you were! Say. you seem
|, be pretty decent fellow. I'll tell you
hat ven do We don't want you to have '
80 back to your regiment without your !