The National tribune., 1904-03-24

stealthily, through a field Of growing corn.
There was no fence next the road; that
had long since been used by passing troops
for fuel. l crept up the en1bankment and
watched and listened for FIVE minutes or
more. Directly in front Of me in sparse
woods, across the road. were horses and
dying camp-fres; and men, lying like logs,
on the ground rolled. up in their blankets;
sound asleep. From my right the road
followed a small stream, which, nearly
opposite. took q norrherly course. Pickets
were moving back and forth between me
and the camp. / heard hoof beats on the
road. and moved back in time to avoid
yidet, who rode past leisurely. / went to
the edge Of the corn and waited for Jones
and the two negroes to join me. They
soon, came. There were troops to the left.
on both sides of the road, but none on the
right. We naturally decided to cross the
road in the latter direction, hoping to find
the stream no barrier of consequence.
Before we could set one foot in front of
the other, q most startling and unexpected
thing happened.
A kissing, shrieking mass Of sizzling fire
came like q rocket from the sky. 1t was
the most splendid and at the same time
the most awe-inspiring natural phenome-
non it has ever been my good fortune to
behold. 1t came like a gigantic bolt OF
lightning. blindingly brilliant. Not cloud
obscured the star-studded heavens, yet the
myriad suns above paled before it's daz-
zling splendor. The landscape was illumi-
mated for miles around. 1t struck the earth
SO near us that we instinctively lodged
the tremendous impact making US stag
ger. 1t was a meteor. The iron mass
was SO bright and dazzling to the eyes
that l will not hazard a guess as to its
size. 1t struck beyond the road, in the
center of the creek, and an instant later
-
hundred cannon, making the very earth
quake.
In moment the utmost confusion
reigned in the camp beyond the road.
/ must admit l was frightened; but
knew what it was, and l was not long III
| collecting my scattered wits. l looked
| around for the negroes-they were shrek
| ing like madmen, and before l could re-
strain them they went tearing through the
cornfeld. Jones lay faint and limp beside
| me.
The terror stricken horses were piteous
| to behold They broke loose from their
| fastenings, and ran in every direction
Two Of them, crazed with fright, came
| leaping over the road and into the tai
corn--tearing out great swaths of it; an
other came so near jumping upon me tina
l picked up Jones and ran into the road
where 1 would be on higher ground and
safer. 1 had no thought Of being cap
tured. The cavalrymen were not less
frightened than the horses. Some of them
were entirely ignorant Of what they were
doing. They ran past me in every diree
ton, exclaiming wildly. One big six
footer, aroused from sound sleep, hav,
no doubt, implored Of me to save him
In less time than it takes to tell IT TIT
entire camp was deserted. Some on,
started the cry: THE Yanks are upon us
The Yanks are upon u.s.! others took !
up, and away they went, running blindl!
to every point Of the compass.
him down ON a blanket Stones and debri
were scattered around. ran to tn
stream to get water to battle his face, bu
it was almost scalding hot. Arms and &C
coutrements were, with few exceptions
undisturbed in their places. In the can
teens l found water in plenty. but Jone
was already sitting up. ! told him t
lit was hot and dry. l was uneasy abou
|. him.
1 picked up q pistol in holster and
ca rtridge-box on one belt, and strapped
around me. Then I picked out . carbin
: and a long knife, in q scabbard, fror
! unfastened horse stood near me whinin
t piteously; he was trembling in every limi
z / stopped to pat his neck and smooth hi
! face-he seemed glad / was near. Tha
! was fortunate. / soon had blanket an
saddle on his back. l mounted and pulle
8 Jones up behind me. then struck on
through the woods. northward. as fast q
e we could 60 without being endorsed
the low branches.
+ In our talks as we came along Nick ha
: given me pretty good idea Of the lay Q
( the land as far as the James River, an
had no doubt but that could find al
( other conductor OF the underground raj
+ road" when I should need him.
The carbine proved bothersome; any
5 way, I had neglected getting cartridge
J for It. and threw it away before we ha