The National tribune., 1902-07-24

II
frogs crOaked-the insects swarmed-the
horses quietly fed. AT last Scherzer
spoke.
.0uel jour du mos avons-nous aujourd-
hui?''
THE sixteenth replied
| "T'emDcreur oui est In ~
Berwick is here. and Owen"
For a long time he was silent. feared
lest he should succeed in putting things
together and would rise and run.
'Ees dat Misscr Bairveek?'
"Ycs. Can l help You Scherzer?" I
knew from his snecch that his mind was
clear: he was fcigning
'Ees dat Misser Bairveak?" he re-
peatcd.
And we're is de Captain?"
'He is here also"
81 did you try to shoot, Misser Bair-
veck?''
"Ycs"
He muttercd something which / could
not understand, then he called, Capt.
Scranton"
Owen did not reply. / was sure that
he WAS not asleep. and supposed he feared
that Sch"rZer in first consciousness. would
bctray their real relations; he refused to
speak.
The moon was halfway down the west.
! bent over and tied Scherzer's hands.
NV head was spinning.
To have fever in this swamp would be
ruin. What conld York do? He would
have two wounded men-prisOners-to
guard and to provide for: he would have
two horses to provide for: he would have
me to provide for. He would he in hour
" dread Of discovery. To feed the horses
he must make many absences: in his ab-
scnce the prisoners would escape. knew
something about the swamp fever.t
| had seen friends in either army with the
dreadful disease: then, too, they had been
on dry ground. in tents. well cared for
Buf to have it in this swamp
I shook York. He sat up, rubbing his
eyes.
york. I'm afraid I'm going to be sick"
I said this in whisper. for I did not
want the prisoners to hear.
The negro put his damp hand on nv
forehead. .Iawd-a-mussy. honey. you is
sho got it! But don't Won mine dat:
Iawk'll nuss yOu. honey: Yawk'll TEX keer
o you. Come. lay right down heah an
be quiet. I'll keep dem slSeetehs off o
you and nuss you up. so | will. Lay right
down and 90 to sleep"
York. if I'm worse in the morning.
yon must not Let these men go"
'.Fo, what I let 'em 60. Mahs Jones?"
because you can't attend to us all.
Take your pistol and march them to
| Whit" House. Don't let them get away"
"AIahs Jones' these men ah not going to
get away f'om me-"
Promise me, York." 1 repeated i'm
ploringly.
"Well, honey, promus; I'll do wat
yon say: now go to Sleep"
But I knew what his promise meant.
1t had been given as to child. He could
not keen it.
| The night was going. 1 was very sick
| getting worse and worse. York sat by
me, brushing away the insects; his pistol
was between his knees. The prisoners
were quiet.
Day came. I could see Owen stir. He
had slept. or pretended to sleep, from II
o'clock until morning.
| made York examine the haversack and
basket. He found food-nothing else ex-
cept tin cup. York ate. and Owen, but
Scherzer refused; for me food was repul
sive.
BY a great effort nerved myself to ex-
anime ScherZer's head. The hair was
matted with blood. York washed it: then
could see that the muzze of the rifle had
cut the scalD in groove about two inches
long I did not think the skull injured.
Again lay down.
The horses must be fed They were
stretching their necks and biting the
bushes and the bark of the trees. Again
| summoned all my nerve and stood up.
York go and get more cornn'
The negro shook his head and looked at
me meaningly; knew what he was wish
ing to say; while he was gone the prison
ers might overcome my poor strength. I
repeated the order, and he went.
My head seemed afire; my temples
throbbed. / wanted nothing but to lie
down on cold linen sheets Yet my will
had not entirely gone. l could guard
these men until York returned-what is
pain? Cannot pain be conquered? This
disease must be conquered, or 1 am lost.
| stood against a tree: the tree gave me
little relief. Owen had his eyes on me.
No doubt he was thinking that I looked
weak and i'll. He must not think so: 1
stood straight. Scherzer, too, was watch
ing me. Both. men were yet in bonds. |
Scherzer was lying down; Owen was sit |
ting against a tree, his hands behind his |
back.
York was long in coming; with greatest |
effort | forced myself to remain standing. |
vet could see that they were not entirely
closed. Now Owen is on his feet; he has
the Enfield; he levels it full at my breast,
within six feet of the muzzle. 1 let him
pull, but, for fear that he may run,
cover him with my pistol. He throws
down the useless gun with curse.
ScherZer had not said word. Owens
hands We're free, and l could not venture
to tie him until York should come. 1
made Owen sit near ScherZer.
Yes, I had found that l could control
myself. l had found that my will was
good; 1 would use it. 1 would conquer
this disease.
When York returned, he said, "Fo'e
Gawd Mahs Jones, you's gittin bettehv'
l did not reply. l took the Enfield,
and, before the eyes of my prisoners,
picked powder into the nipple, and re-
capped it.
"Chickahominy fever may, in a great
measure, be prevented; but when it has
once occurred, its subjects are lost to the
army so far as this campaign is con-
cerned Report of Surg. McParlin, Med
ical Director, Army of the Potomac. Ed
(To be continued)