The National tribune., 1903-07-09

patroling the stream, and had destroyed
the boats, and, as they thought, all means
of passage. Approaching the river the
guide followed down in the track of deep
and dark ravine. The bottom was covered
with quantity of small gravel that scin-
tillated and threw out sparks when stepped
on. This proved to be n considerable help
as the guide could be easily followed, while
the depth of the ravine prevented our be-
ing seen by any chance patrol that might
be passing.
| A small hut was standing on the bank
of the river, and family lived there. He
was a Union man, and from what was
afterward learned his business was prin-
cipaliy that of providing ways for cross
ing the river by the Union refugees. When
asked by the guide for passage, he replied
that the soldiers had destroyed all the
boats, his own with the others, and that
there was no way to cross. The guide
soon made himself known, when long
wooden box was brought out from the
feed lot, where it was kept as a feed
trough for stock, and was partly covered
with hay. 1t was am improvised boat and
kept in that way to deceive the prowling
patrols.
Only four persons could cross at time,
but the passage was safely made, and the
party also warned as to danger ON the
north side Of the river, by which trouble
was averted. .-..
Travelling at the dead hours of the night,
the party approached house standing at
the roadside. There was dim light in
one room. The guide halted the company,
gave strict orders for silence, while he
went alone to the house without any furth-
er explanation. A dog made some noise.
and in the house there was noise as if
a chair had fallen over. The boys feared
that the guide had fallen into a trap and
that their own safety was endangered.
Each seized such weapons as he had, and
waited for further developments. A man
came to the door, then out to the fence and
there met the guide. A short conference
was held between them, when the guide,
in stage whispers, told the boys to come
up.
This was one of the posts for informa-
ton which had been arranged by the
guide before, and the dim light in the room
was a signal for him to stop. The danger
had just been passed as if by miracle. A
command of Confederate cavalry had been
stationed in the locality and was camped
nearby, watching, patrolling and picketing
for the Union refugees. That very af
ternoon they had changed and placed a
picket post so as TO more carefully guard
the road on which the party had come.
The information man" was astonished
that our passage along the road had not
been discovered by the pickets, for we had
come by their post.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
We came to high point on a ridge
about daybreak, and being very tired, Law
down and slept till along in the afternoon.
1t was thought that danger was now over.
One of the party went to a house near the
foot of the ridge on the north side and
arranged for a supper. He was informed
that there were none of the enemy north
of that point, and that nothing further was
to be feared. The community was soldIy
for the Union, and it was soon known that
a number of Union refugees were on the
hill. 1t was but a short time until num-
ber Of other Unionsts of the neighborhood
came 1t was n great relief to feel that
our dangers were passed. 1t was a time
of, but not the time for rejoicing. Going
down pathway along the side of the hill,
the boys made more noise than all that
had been made put together from the time
we left home. Fortunately, the writer and
another were naturally quiet, and now, al
though hilarious, made no demonstrations.
We fell back several PAGES in rear of the
others and were following along without
saying anything. A noise at the foot of
the hill attracted our attention, when look
ing through an opening into the public
road in the direction the path was leading,
we saw n body of Confederate cavalry.
The cavalrymen were making consider
able noise, which saved us from being
heard and discovered. 1t was with difficulty
that the foremost of the party could be
silenced or made to understand that trouble
was pending. We then had the privilege
of standing and watching the enemy pass
along the road. Part of our party pre-
tended desire to give battle, but there
was only one double-barrelled shotgun, two
revolvers and one single-barrelled brass
horse-pistol in the crowd, and the last
named weapon had only one load, which
was in it, and no ammunition with which
to reload.
The Confederates having passed, we
proceeded to the supper prepared for US,
and it was abundant and abundantIy par
taken of. This over, the journey was re-
sumed. The rest during the afternoon and
the full meal were 20 refreshing that we