The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-11-04

az" 7u'iciiIiS lnlcnSciy All tHC tllHc.
We came to an orchard and got over
| and helped ourselves to peaches, 4
dcllcacy to us, fit to feed angels upon.
Before daylight my feet were in such
condition limpcl.
We concealed ourselves the best we
could, but had many close shavcs. as
we thought, from being detected as
the people in the country got frequent
! gllmpscs Of Us, which we thought
meant our sure pursuit.
Struggling along, my feet as raw as
'bccfstcak and |, in the greatest
agony, we marched on and on, subsist-
ing entirely upon peaches. We, to
our CONSERVATION and horror, found
| ourselves back at cross roads where
nearly 4 week before we had debated
which of these roads We should take.
! What a terrible thrust to hope. |
cried bitterly. We looked ut each
other in the darkness in spccchlcss
despair.
McCathron,' l said, we will never
succeed in doing anything without as
sistancc. We don't know where Mary
land is, and may have been there and
not had an idea of it, as we may do
again. We must have assistance.
| Assistance, McCathroa said with
snarl How can we hope for assistance
in an cncmy's country? It's shere
nonsense
We'll, Nc, you have on shoes and
clothing aud are all right, but for God
sake look at my plight and think Of it
moment
We'll, it's very sad, and no mis-
take, but then the question is are you
willing TO risk going back to Fort Del.
awarcY
God in heaven, no! l exclaimed,
I'll die before l will ever go back to
that miserable hole.
This, indeed, as brave McCathron
said, was the question 80 far as we
could know and see at that time.
There was very deep sympathy for
the Southern cause in Delaware and
many others were entirely neutral.
But, said McCathron, why do you
constantly complain and groan and
take on that way I'm tired of it and
| if you d. not cease doing it Ill leave
you
Great God, Mac, can you talk to me
like that when there are my bloody
tracks on the road?' l rose to my
feet, the tears streaming down my
facc-for boy will cry in time like
this.
AS put my feet to the ground the
intense pain almost made me shrek.
I must have assistance; l absolute
ly cannot go any further. I must
risk finding aid. will 60 up to the
first house and appeal to the humani-
ty Of the people.
Then we part, said he.
cast myself upon the ground and
gave free vent to my tears. When I
looked around there was no trace of
Mac. Never was there heavier heart
as limpcd on alone.
Walker McCathron now lives in
Wayncsboro. He was one Of the
most gallant of General Lees brave
boys.
I had only gone short distance
whon I came to large house, which
was far back in spacious growth of
trees aud flowers, aud possessed oil the
appearance Of comfort and wealth. I
halted and leaned against the gate.
When my forehead touch my hand it
burned. / could hear the voices of
men and women in gaiety at the house.
Should I venture?
I contrasted my pitiable position
with those who laughter rippled TO
me, ard it seemed far, far away when
I had laughed or known pleasure. I
listened quite long time and tried to
muster up courage. Then I turned
away and gave it up. AS I did my
foot came in contact with o stone that
drew me double with pain. l stag
gered to the gate and followed Hello
No response came and the gaiety
went on.
Hello! said with more voice.
Everything became still. Then my
courage almost failed, and I was about
to turn away, but elevating my voice,
said sHello!
Who's there?' came to me from the
yard in strong, masculine tones.
Let mo sec you at the gate.