The National tribune., 1902-08-14

stuck that Shorty and Abe had to pull
| them out and help them to a place of ref,
| uge on the roof of the coach.
While this was going on brigade came
slOshing down the crOssroad, through the
rain and mud. The General and his staff
crouching down on their horses, We're rid
ing at the head of the brigade, with their
steeds laboring through the deep mire.
The Colonies and field officers looking as
| If they had not a friend on earth, and did
not want any, splashed and spattered
along the heads of the regiments, and the
Captains and Lieutenants, with their
heads down and their backs bumped be-
fore the dismal downpour, plodded along
with their companies. Everybody was as
miserable as surroundings could make him,
and the men did not even laugh when an
officer slipped and fell headlong in the
mud.
Finally some one noticed the coach and
the men struggling in the fathomless ooze
around it. Here were others worse off
than they were, and their own wretched-
ness and anger at everything about them
found tongue in a volley of yells and jeers
at the unfortunates.
Grab a root, there, you fellers."
'What're you fishing for in there-big-
ger roots?'
Amt there mud enough here for you?
Got out there for more?"
Trying to make mud-sled out of that
old coach?"
Tie canoe to each o. them horses
hoofs and they'll skeet right out"
Let 'em alone, boys; they're hunting
for their land warrants"
"When'll that bus start for Richmond? {?
We want inside seats"
"HoOray for life on the rolling mud,
and home in the Shiny swamp"
The undismayed Shorty replied with
ringing stage-horn footing, ut which ex-
hibition of spirit the tide at once changed
and they gave him cheers anA encourage
ment:
Bully boy with a glass eye. You're
all right"
you're the right stuff. You're soldiers
for good and fair"
Say, boys. can we help you any?'
Wish to goodness you would" an
swered 81, reduced for once to the misery
Of asking assistance. I'VE seem hopeless
ly stuck. Can you find some rails and
stuff out there to corduroy the road?'
Something familiar in the tones of Sis
voice struck Col. McGillicuddy's ear as
he rode at the head of the 20Oth Ind He
turned in his saddle and commanded:
Say, you men, drop that old omnibus.
and come ashore. Unhitch those horses
and drive them ahead of you You have
no business with that old rattletrap. Leave
it where it is"
Col. McGillicuddy," shouted ST. recog-
nizing his commanding officers voice, I'VE
can't do it. We've got a wounded man
in there"
.'Is that you. Serg't Klegg?" asked the
Colonel in amaZement.
I'm sorry to say it is, Colonel We are
all here, and all right, except for a trifle
too much water and clay; all except Tom
Brairard. who's inside, with a bullet |
through his shoulder"
AT once sullen discomfort vanished from |
the regiment. Everybody was alert and |
eager to help. The regiment was halted |
the muskets stacked at the side of the |
road and haversacks and other impedi- |
ments hung upon them
Capt. Mills" commanded Col. McGil- |
icuddy to the Captain of the left com
pany. send back n squad to the wagon
FOR that picket rope. Serg't Klegg. un-
hitch ltc your horses and bring them ashore.
Wen pull the wagon in
Better shoot the horses where they
lre,' suggested Captain. with n look at
he fathomless morass. It'll be less
rOuble."
'No. no." protested Shorty. "They've
lone their work well, and we won't have
hem killed.
The long, muddy. much-used picket rope
vas brought up, and the spruce. dandifed
laimed the right of wading in with the
nd to fasten it to the coach-tonsue.
I'm getting to be really fond of South
IarOlina mud" he said "Its got to be
ny native soil. No matter what kind Of
lay l was made of originally. it has all
,ng ago disappeared in this ocean of
'outh Carolina mud, and the other has
AIKEN its place." I
The horses were gotten ashore without
luch difficulty. the whole regiment caught {
old Of the picket rope. and with strong.
pull. such as theY could never be {