The National tribune., 1902-03-06

to give the alarm and make trouble, un-
til more come uD."
Some vessels flying the United States
Flag appeared, coming up the river.
'Commissary boats" explained Shad.
They've been supplying the regiments
along the river that have been cut off by
the rise in the creeks"
THAT reminds me-" said ST, ''that we're
out of rations and must draw some"
Il had expected as much, answered
Shad, 'and was thinking of offering you
some"
IF you will. we'll cross the river at
once, and investigate those fellows on that
bluff"
"Wfll you?" asked Shad. eagerly.
That's the thing of all others to do, with
out loss of time. Every minute is precious
now. because those boats coming up are
signals to the rebels. They'll be piling in
there from everywhere, as far as they can
see that smoke. i was afraid. n minute
ago. that l saw artillery. It's a desperate
chance for you, and l hardly dared sug-
gest it. There's no telling how many are
over there, but I'll go with you"
mo, you won't, Shad. You must stay
right here. where your place is. The army
can't afford to lose you. We're another
matter. Give us the ratiOns, and signal
the boats to set us over
Every minute is precious. and there's
no time for discussion" replied Shad, turn
ing to give one of his men orders to issue
.the rations, and TO another to signal the
boats.
Il don't know just what I'm going to
do" Shad explained. while this was going
on. Il only know that the orders are to
cross here, and that it must be done some
how, and that those rebels on the opposite
side will he a great interference. unless
they can be driven off | wouldn't let you
Vh,
great
Don't you worry about the risk, Shad,"
answered ST. That's our business. You
go ahead with your plans and prepara
tions. and We'll discuss matters with those
rebels.''
We're getting SIC month for taking
risks" said Shorty, land have been idling
around not earning our money for about
two months now. We ought to have been
in South Caroliny before this. We're
aching to set our feet on her soil. Bring
on your ferry"
There's your rations, and there comes
your boat" said Shad. Ride down to
that point. and she'll take you aboard. |
think I'd land a little below. just about
where you see those double Sycamores. |
think that there you can reach the other
bluff with your rifles, while that stretch
of water in front, which probably reaches
around behind, will keep them from rush
ing you with Il big squad, if they should
have one over there, and capturing you.
I've sent back for Lieut.. Belyille TO rush
a gun up here, if he browns every horse
he has, and help you out
might as well be hung for an old sheep |
as lamb, ST." said Shorty, as the boat
started across. Lets land on the same
bluff with those rebels, and settle things |
at once, who holds the real estate"
MY idea exactly. Wen not start in by |
avoiding anything South Caroliny shows
up" said ST.
The transport Captain thought other |
WISE however. and fell back ON Shad's or
lers. He was confirmed in his view by |
seeing 10 or 20 rebels appearing on the |
bluff, and firing lOng-taw shots at him, one |
Of which went through the smOkestack /
with vicious ping, convincing him that |
the water was too shallow TO venture
nearer the bluff He selected a bluff
through his glass and finding no
signs of rebels landed them there.
81 and the rest mounted, as soon as they
sOt their horses ashore, and rode forward
through the woods. The ground was
higher there than on the Georgia side, and
he woods more open, so that they made
'apid progress,
They found themselves on n high island,
lpon which there were no rebels, but
which was surrounded on all sides by a
Ieep, narrow bayou.
''As Shad guessed" said 81, "we're safe
rom being fianked and rushed. We can
lold this island against the whole South
rn COnfederacy. So far so good. The
lext question is whether we can do any
,Ood stopping those that may want to in
erfere with Shad's operations. Let's see
where those other fellows are, and if there
sn't some way to get at them
They dismounted, tied their horses and
worked their way through the
hick bushes on the northern end of their I
sland. As they approached the brow of
he bluff 81 and Shorty halted the rest
With a wave of the hand. and crawled for 5
Tard to large pine tree which had been {
ecently blown down, and lay parallel with 5
he bluff, at its edge. The force of the |
lind and its noise were in their favor, '
nd when they arrived there they looked t
cross the stretch of 300 or 400 yards of
rater in front, to see the squad Of rebels I
olding on their hats and scanning the =
ver to see what had become of the boat '
hey had been firing at. They were sure