The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-04-05

ders; however, l kept my gun dry.
When reached the other bank, to
my great delight, I found it and rs
hills free from uuderbrush, for the
breaking of dead branch would have
ruined all. crept along so quietly
that could hear as well as feel my
heart, or something very like it, beat
ing in my throat"
Scared, maybe?" said one of the
boys.
Eyes, scared, and badly, to-" re-
piled Pratt. "You try this creeping
along in front Of that line Of sharp
shooters, no one of them ever misses
his man, and let NE know your SEN
satioDs at the tiuc. Well, boys, as |
rose up the hill crouched more and
more, stopping every now and then to
listen. could hear you fellows talk
ing, but [ couldn't make out what
you said. Once while trying to catch
what you said the thought struck me:
Suppose the boys were to open fire;
between that and the Yankees re-
turn fire it would be goodby, Bill
Pratt.
Il crept along little further, and
at last arrived OF the rife pit which
had given US so much trouble,
l lay on the ground listening. 1 dare
not rise up and look over, for that
might be exactly what the fellow was
looking for, and would but get bull
let through my head for my pains. l
tossed over clod of dirt had my
gun all ready to let him have it as
he got up to see who threw the clod.
'The clod, falling on the wooden
bottom of the chair with noise which
seemed 10 me to be sufficient TO rouse
the whole Yankee camp, plainly told
me hc was not in the chair Perhaps
he had left the chair empty to deceive
me and was crouching there waiting.
Cautiously and slowly raised my cap
on my gun to the edge of the embank-
ment and moved it to and fro as
though its owner were cautiously
peeriGg over the works; still all was
silent in the pit, not sound could
I hear but my own thick and hur-
ried breathing, even louder than the
beatings Of my heart. Was I scared2
Yes-some. I don't think 1 banker
after that sort Of thing for q con-
stsncy.
"Wben found that the cap dodge
was Of no avail I said to myself:
How stands the case, Bill Pratt2
He's not in the ohair-fact number
one. He ain't asleep or he'd be in
the ohair-faot number two. He
didn't take any notice OF the cap,
when he could have slashed it to
pieces with his sword bayonet, never
once exposing himself, and reserving
dis loaded gun for emergencies, that 8
we'll, must acknowledge that's
fiehy: and it resolves itself into this:
he's there and waiting 60 put bullet
through you, or ne ain't there and you
ere getting scared at nothing. Come,
Bill, be man and end this thing.
Jumping to my feet, ms gun ready &c
fire, looked over and found the pit
empty, empty as far as any occupant
was concerned, but provisions in
plenty. I took good pull at my
hosts's canteen-ythe Yanks drink bet.
ter whiskey than we--and singing the
strap over my shoulder got out of the
pit to return to our works, with the
canteen for memento of my visit.
l was arrested by the sound of voices
approaching in my direction. Throw
ing myself on the ground, lay quiet,
hoping that the parties might pass
on without observing me. Instead of
passing they came directly toward the
pit.
"'I can go no further with you,'
said one.
"'Oh, come on, replied the second
voice, "'the rebs oao't hurt you
"'Well, you see, fighting amt my
business, and if I should be incapa-
citated, and fail 60 write my regu.
lar letter, Greeley would be real
angry
"'Well. good night, since you won't
como any further. Remember to save
me copy Of the Tribune
"'All right-howmany rebs do you
expect to bagto.day?'
/" well, I can't say; the game is
getting very shy;if / killed one and
winged two or three Of them I'd count
it good days work. replied the
sharpshooter, getting down into his
pit. Then as his companion retired,