Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-08-28


of delirium. Oh, for draught of wa
teri lie looked at Barlow. The mans
eyes were burning. but they had
courage in them, and something else
in their depths which Tracy never be-
fore had seen there. On and on and
on. They could not go farther. Sud
denly Barlow turned to Tracy and said
in voice that was choked from the
clutching of thirst's hand at his
throat. Lieutenant, was afraid that
we might be tempted to drink this long
ago, so l saved it for the last extremi-
ty. Lieutenant, have one good drink
of water apiece left in my canteen."
Barlow shook the canteen, and Tracy
heard the plash of the water within.
Drink, Barlow" said Tracy, drink
You saved it, and it should be yours.
Drink, drink it, l say. 1t may give
you strength to go on. If you get
back, boy, and the men strike water
ask them to come after my body"
Tracy was reeling. His brain was
awhirl and his whole system on fire.
Lieutenant" said Barlow, 81 had
more in my canteen than you had in
yours when we started. Men in an
extremity like this should share and
share alike. I'll take my cup and
We'll divide the water"
as there enough for the two and to
do any good?" asked Tracy.
Eyes" said Barlow, zone good drink
for each"
Drink first" said Tracy. "I'll not
touch a drop till my command is
served"
"All right, sir" said Barlow.
Tracy turned away for moment.
He heard the gurgle of water. Would
it never come his turn to drink? Bar
low spoke. Lieutenant, I'm afraid
I took more than half: Here is what's
left"
He poured the water gurgling from
the canteen into the cup. There was
good round drink. Take it, lieu
tenant" said Barlow, 81 had more
than that"
Tracy seized the cup and drained it.
Oh, the JOY of it. New life went surg
ing through him. His eyes cleared.
He looked at Barlow. There was no
new life in the mans eyes. His lip was
dropping.
Barlow" said Tracy, almost fierce
ly, "you deceived me. You never drank
a drop"
Something like smile came into
Barlow's face.
Forgive me, lieutenant" he SAID,
"but there was only enough for one
and then he staggered and fell for
ward. Tracy caught him in his arms
and, weak though he was, managed to
support the burden.
Lieutenant" whispered Barlow,
ego on. You are strong enough and
NAV reach the camp. If you do just
come back and bury me here"
Then the man drew his officers head
close to him and whispered something.
Barlow almost let fail his burden.
eyes, it's true. was the guilty one
and your brother was innocent and a
sacrifice. Take this" and he drew a
paper from his blouse and put it in
Tracv's hand. Forgive me, lieuten-
ant" he said, and as he spoke his
empty canteen swung from his side
and struck against Tracy's knee.
Forgive you? Yes, Barlow" he
said.
The enlisted man looked up smiled,
and then there was but one living soul
in the desert.
Tracy let his burden gently to the
earth, and then he pressed on, for now
there was an added life in his veins
and an added interest in living. He
reached the top of the ridge and
looked down. The camp was below
him. Not the old camp, but the old
troop and a new camp and by the bank
of a stream.
Refreshed with food, sleep and the
vet more precious water, Tracy recov-
cred. The paper which Barlow had
given him contained proof Of his broth
er's innocence. Tracy led squad back
TO the point where he had left Bar
low. They found his body. There was
neace in the mans face. He was given
a soldiers burial, and on the little
wilderness grave Lieut. Tracy planted |
a cross and a little, huttering flag
Chicapo Record-Herald.