The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-06
CHAPTER XIV.
A FRIENDLY CANTEEN.

IhAfIEh AiN.
A FRIENDLY cANTEEN
Two Johnnies got into the boat. putting
two OF us, still bound. In the stern. and
crossed the river; then one brought the
boat back and took over the remainder
OF the party. first slowing our carbines
In the bow under the legs OF a man who
held a double bsrreled gun ready for USE
When all had crossed. the boat was haul
ed up into the bushes just as we had
found Il on the other side. Then We were
marched about half a mile from the river
TO a big log hut
Now, boys" said my old acausintance.
"we'll make you feel as much at home
as we can without bein' unsafe. We'll
onloose one OF you at time. so you can
stretch your arms an eat. an we'r send
word 10 our camp soon ez We can for
somebody TO come an take you long TO
Richmond"
We're in no hurry to get there. I'm
sure" said /.
He looked at me sharply a moment and
replied:
"Mebbe they Amt as we'll nxed thar
as you uns at Fort Monroe. where they
tuck us when we got ketched. but they'll
do the best they can for you. Besides,
you'll be exchanged fore long. Just as we
was"
II was real kind OF him to say this.
and I told him so. but my heart grew
heavier and heavier. What would father
and mother think? Who would write
them about my disappearance? What
would the writer say1 Could there be any
possible way OF getting word from Rich
mond? ! asked my old acquaintance this
question and told him i was afraid my
disappearance would Kill my parents un-
less they knew what had happened.
That's so. my friend" said he. Just
frta nf tra
in your camp, an I'll see II reaches him
in a week. Nuthin' else. though, mind,
except that you're captured.
How will you set II there?' asked.
with natural curiosity.
Ask me no questions. an Til tell you
no lies" said he. You give me coffee
one time. don't you remember? Well.
that's enough"
AS II happened that just then was my
turn TO be unbound. / got some letters
out OF my breast pocket and found
blank half sheet OF paper, on which
penciled:
Dear Hamilton-We were captured by
the enemy Tell my father not 10 worry
Our captors say well be exchanged pretty
soon. JACK FhObI.
My old acquaintance looked over my
shoulder while I wrote. When had
finished. he said:
Put In a little more. Say The man
that I gave coffee TO when he was
ketched Is the man that's got me. an he
says I'll be we'll treated or his name Amt
Clay Hiilyard' That ought TO make 'em
feel easier to home. oughtnt itT
I'm sure Il would II they knew you,"
/ said l. "r wrote them long letter
/ after that scout in which you were cap
turped about how you nxed friend bacon
and hoecake for US that night and how
you showed me how to parch corn In
bacon fat wrote how afully hungry
was on that trip too. and my mother
wrote back that she'd pray for you every
night OF her life for being kind 10 her
boy"
.'shol You git out! Is that so. though %
said my particular Johnny. with a sheep
sh look Well mothers is all alike,
I s'pose" Then he and one OF his party
began TO prepare the meal Of bacon and
hoecake. for II was now nearly dark.
The aroma OF the cooking diverted my
thoughts from the situation, for we
that we had forgotten 10 bring our
haversacks. The Joh-nies evidently in
tended 10 feed US. for they were prepar-
ing an immense quantity of food.
SAY sarge" remarked my friend to
the large, quiet man who seemed TO be
thel eader OF the party. these boys
cayn't eat with their arms tied. Spose
safe ag'in run,n away, an they'll be
more comfortable"
The sergeant muttered assent The
change was made and then, as we sat
on a long. low bench agaipt one wall
we were bountifully fed. We chatted
freely, our captors being quite willing
to converse, and the conversation ran
as entirely TO farming methods as II
there was no war or other special sup-
ject OF interest. Two or three hours
after dark the sergeant said to us
Now, gentlemen, any OF you that tries
to get away II be shot like a dog, but
IL you behave yourselves you can sleep
as comfortable as II you was At home
Just lie down on the floor where you are
and whenever you like, sit up. but keep
to this side OF the room. Well keep
to this side. II you even put you hanos
TO your feet you'll be shot, SO don't DO
IT,"
said something TO the effect that we
weren't fools. Meanwhile my friend and
the third man dropped upon the floor,