The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-26

eager artillerists struggling through the
deep mud with their prolonges straining at
the guns, now began to join in with their
hoarse voices.
mo battle today. Probably 1t will be
tomorrow, and then can Join in" said the
Colonel. III the Surgeon can only fix me
up little
The warm. bright sun was falling upon
the AdJutant's face, and suddenly he sat
upright.
Breakfast time: must hurry. or I'll
be late at the Office" he murmured.
why. Adjutant. We are SO glad to hear
you speak" said 81, laying his hand upon
the officers shoulder.
Yes, mother; I'll be down at once" the
AdJutant continued. "WhO are you, and
what are you men doing in my room?' he
but with unrecognizing eyes. Go back to
the mill, where you belong, if you belong
there
why, Adjutant. don't you know us?y
asked Col. McGillicuddy, who had hasten
ed mp.
Have you come for me, too. Mr.. Nc
Gili!' asked the Adjutant, calling the
mil IN which he had been formerly en-
pioyed: Il know I'm late, and I'm very
sorry We put you to the trouble OF COM
ing Tor me. | never did so BEFORE
:, HIS wound has deranged his mind. but
IN glad he's alive" said Col. McGillicud-
dy. turning to the boys. LET him alone.
Don't speak to him until the Surgeon
comes. 1t may make him worse
Though they might not talk, the Adm
taht could not be restrained. His voluble
words showed that he had lost all con-
seriousness OF ever having been q soldier.
lie was back in his life before the war.
Inc ciatfer Of the musketry. and the roar
ing or the cannon were the noises of .bis
old rolling-mill in full operation. and again
he was listening to the reports of the men
and giving them directions as to their
work ''i'
Here comes the Surgeon at last said
,ne CORONER, as man stained with blood
ana weary almost to exhaustion from fer
rlple aii-night work. rode slowly up. fol-
i ,: Dy MS attendants, and laboriously
dismouted. VERY glad to see Won. Doc
are the rest?' '"
some OF them hurt awfully. Too MANY
Oh them will never pull another trigger.
put IL IS not nearly so bad as it seemed
last night Then l thought the 2OOth Ind
could never send out another Sergeant's
guard for action. This morning / think
We could furnish couple of Contains With
pretty fair companies"
Thank God for that" said tho Colonial
earnestly. I'D like to command one of the
companies. I'D rather be CAPTAIN of
such men as the 200th Ind. than Colonel
of any other regiment
came to you the very moment
could, continued the Surgeon apoloceticaI-
earlier"
Il know you did, Doctor. I'm very
glad that You did not come any earlier. for
know it would have been at the expense
of others
Let me see your arm, Colonel. 1t must
be very painful"
No. Doctor; attend to the other first.
Look there at the Adjutant"
The Doctor listened a moment, and
then tried to examine the Adjutants head.
but was pushed away, with the stern ad-
monition, mot to be skylarking in bust
ness hours"
Not an uncommon form of alteration
following severe blows on the skull" the
Surgeon explained to the Colonel. "The
patient loses all knowledge of his present
position and occupation, and his mind re-
verts to something which formerly en-
crossed him. We can do nothing. but wait
for developments. If his skull is fractured
he may be brought around by trepanning.
His youth and health make strong chances
in his favor"
The Colonel pointed to Gid Mackall
and Tom Radbone, both bravely repress-
ing any Hur1llur, ana waiting their urn.
The Surgeons WEAKNESS seemed to disap-
pear at the pathetic sight, and the oppor-
tunity of bringing them relief At once
he became a man of action and skill, as
fresh and ready as when the first case had
been brought to him the day before, and
forgetful of his night-long labor with
stricken men. His touch was as tender
and sympathetic as a mothers. but as
true to the spot as a machines fingers of
steel.
While he and his assistants were ex-
tracing bullets, washing and bandaging
wounds, setting bones, and alternating
pain, Ottobein Kramer had prepared his
chicken broth, baked biscuits, and made a
kettle of coffee from some stores that the
hospital men had brought. He and Alf
went from one to another with their well
come gifts.
The Surgeon was too busy with his work
to stop and wash his hands, but he ate
biscuit and drank cup of coffee which
ALT held to his lips.
All their hearts rose as they heard the
steady advance of the noise of battle
mark the unchecked progress of the Union
army.
To be continued9