The National tribune., 1902-10-23

| 'sI GAVE HIM A KICE IN THE BRE
horses up behind the brush there and
mount. Well wait until that squad gets
over the bridge, when we'll charge and
scatter them. Then we'll dismount behind
that fence along the crick and keep
any more from coming over. See that
your magazines are full, but don't any
body shoot until he has to. Knock them
| over with your gun-barrels.'
| Everybody sprang into mis- saddle, and
\ waited with nervous lmpatience.
The yelling, drunken squad swarmed
along the road. Many of their cOmpan-
| ions came to the edge of the woods and
follow.
"WhoOpee! we're going out to kill every
blasted Yankee in the country!' shouted
the leader of the first squad, u tall young
fellow in a new and neatly-ftting suit of
Confederate gray He brandished his
gun, threw it up and caught it again.
We amt afraid of the blue-bellies. We're
from Charleston, we are. Hooray for
Charleston. Greatest city in the world.
We've licked the Yankees every time
they've dared come out of their dirty sand
holes. We can do it again. We licked 'em,
niggers and all, at Fort Wagner. You
fellers, Just stay back there and watch
us do it,
His companions yelled in approving ap-
plause.
Come back, you blamed FOOLS" shouted
| some of those who had remained. Come
back and wait for orders. You've no bust
ness leaving camp without orders. The
Yankees'll tear you limb from limb, first
thing you know"
Go back there, if you're afraid to come,
and stay with that drunken old Colonel
| the leader shouted. I'VE amt afraid of
all the Yankees in Massachusetts. We've
licked all we've ever seen, and can do it
again. We're from Charleston! HOoray
for Charleston! Hooray for South Caro-
ray for John G. Calhoun! Come on, fel-
lows! Show us the Yankees!"
| The whole squad was this side the
creek. when Shorty woke the echoes with
a yell and he and 81 dashed out from be-
hind the cedars, followed by the rest.
The leading rebel seemed sobered by the
apparitiOn. He stiffened up, leveled his
gun and took good aim, but the bullet
whistled between ST and Shorty.
The next instant Shorty was alongside
of him. and struck at him with his car
bine. which he deftly warded with his own
gun-barrel. while 81 passed on to tackle
a burly. black bearded giant who was fol
lowing close after. Abe Grimstead crush
ed the head of the next man with n mighty
blow with his carbine barrel, and the rest
of the boys felled in quick time one after
another all those who did not jump out of
the road and take refuge in the swamp
on either side.
Sis blow landed on the giants shoulder,
who dropped his gun, and caught at Sis
leg, to drag him from his saddle. He fun
bled at the stirrup-leather, which allowed
| ST to get his foot loose and give him n
kick in the breast. which made him reel
back a little. 81 jumped to the ground,
and at him with his carbine in the position
of charge bayonets. The muzzle caught
the rebel at the base of the throat. and
sent him on his back, when 81 strobe over
him. and he surrendered.
! Shorty gave quick glance at his antag-
onist, who was standing erect in the road,
brandishing his empty musket as a club.
and challenging him to come on. He was
reused Shorty's appetite always on edge
when he ran up against first-class man
to have a trial of strength with him.
Other business. however, was rather press
| ing for such fooleries, so he leveled his
carbne and commanded:
Surrender, you sand-hill Secesh."
"South CarOlnians never surrender"
his nuIsket-barrel.
Shorty sprang from his saddle, threw
his carbine down, and said: .
Il won't shoot an unarmed man, even
| though he deserves II. Drop that gun. and
I'll knock your head off in holy second.
There's nothing I'd like so well as to lick
a South Carolnian."
| "Well. here's your chance" said the
man, throwing down his gun. "My names
Bob Graybill, and l can lick any man in
Charleston, and l can lick you in three
shakes of sleeps tail"
SIS that so, Bob?" replied Shorty.
sparring up to him. 'Thats a pretty
good guard you put up. It's the old John
G. Heenan guard, though, that's now out
of date. I'll show you some later i'm
prOvements."
you're a very fair boxer. Bob" contin-
ued Shorty, after they had made a few
passes to test each other. "But we have
lots in our army a heap better. If
wasn't in such hurry, I'd like to show
you few points that you're not up TO.
But business presses, and so take that"
| Shorty had feinted sharply with his left
toward the rebels ribs, and when the lat
ter attempted to guard and counter at the
81 me time. Shorty's mighty right caught
him Mt the butt of the ear, and he went
down as if shot.
"YOu may be boss boxer down in
Charleston. where almost anything goes.
Bob" said Shorty. standing over him.
but you'd be graded only 3 to middling
up with MS. Got enoughT'
"A-plenty," answered Bob. sitting up