The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-19

The pontoniers came back with the
water which was set by the fire, Kramer
produced enough bareback to give each
one a little piece, mixed up some corn
dough, and set it to baking.
They were all so tired that they would
, have fallen asleep despite the pain of
their wounds, had they not been so exceed
ingly hungry. They watched the camp
kettles impatiently, for it seemed that
the pontoniers must have brought pieces
of glaciers, since the water was so long
in even getting warm. At last few bub-
bles rose to the surface, and were greeted
with a little shout of gladness. Kramer
threw handful Of the ground coffee into
the kettles, and the stimulating fragrance
| rose upon the damp air. Shad Graham's
| eyes frightened. and it seemed that there
| was movement in the Adjutant's face.
Every one of them felt less hopelessly
exhausted than he had before.
Kramer set some meat to frying, and
presently the sweet steam began rising
| from the baking bread. Life was begin
ming to take a more cheerful hue for all
of them.
Kramer ladled out some of the coffee,
and waiting for moment for it to cool,
went around with ALT to give each of the
wounded good draft of the warm and in
MIGRATING fluid. Then the rest had their
turn.
They watched the Adjutant closely, and
thought that they saw a motion of his eye
lids. but it might have been merely the
Pickering of the freight across his face.
The bread. scarcely well-browned. was
taken out. cut up, and distributed with a
piece of meat to each. The rebel Colonel
wanted double rations. on account of his
rank. but 81 denied the claim, at least I'M
til the rest had had something. The rest
of the rebels were given quite as much as
the Union soldiers. and when Kramer and
ALT passed around the second time with
a morsel for each the supply was ex-
hausted.
Shad Graham drank nearly two cups of
the strong coffee, and revived greatly.
He sat up, with his back against a stump.
near the fire. and his great eyes, with a
bright light in them. fixed on the woods
beyond which shrouded the line of rebel
works, Us if striving to penetrate the OBJ
security, and detect what Johnston's army
was doing. Away to the eastward new
fires were springing up. as the Army of the
Tennessee, hurrying across the country
from the right, came into position.
81 can't go to Sleep" he said, as the
others We're sinking down under sheer
fatigue. Il must stay awake and see it
all. Every fire starting over there is n
baleful light TO Joe Johnston. If he
stays till morning they will surround and
capture him. If he attempts to retreat
they will he on his flank. o, God, wish
| were able to be over there. to make n
way for them. l want to do just a little
more for the country before I die"
Come, Shad. lie down here by the
fire. begged 81, pityinsly, land let me lay
my overcoat over you, l feel so sorry for
You"
Keep your overcoat and your pity for
yourself, ST." responded Shad rather |
sharply. You need both much more than |
| do. I've had much better luck than
lots of the poor fellows who started out |
on the march this morning. | shall see
the end for which we have been fighting
all these years. I'm going to miss moth
ing. See there: there goes Il regular line
of torches across the field. like skirmish
line. What can it mean?'
Il declare l can't imagine" said 81
rather sleepily, for in spite of his pain
he felt that he could not keep his eyes
fight a battle by torch-light. are they?"
Isl. amt that Col. McGillicuddy's
voice" asked Shorty. pricking up his
ears. as the faint sound of command came
floating on the night air.
Men who have followed and obeyed for
years a trusted commanders voice on the
battle-ground. the march, and in the tumult
VI pittie, iedih W hedi anu TecoSiiZe Will
4 quick sense that seems at times to ap-
proach clairvoyance. They can hear and
understand it when others recognize moth
ing. 1t is like mesmerism.
Not only 81 and Shorty but all the rest
Of the boys had now forgotten their pains
and fatigue, and were standing, OPEN |
eyed, Open-eared and attentive. for some {
how the faint but unmistakable modula- ,
lions of Col. McGillicuddy's SOFT musical
but penetrating voice had awakened re- l
sponsive vibrations in their brains.
ut is Col McGillicuddy," said ST, going !
tut to the point of the knoll and holding 6
his hand to his ear.
''They are going out to hunt for The
4 djutant," said Shorty, with a glance at
hem. t