The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1906-09-04

huts ought to belt was pitch dark
until his head ached. He adhered
rigidly TO the advice given him by the
man he had relieved; refrained from
coughing; did not bulge from the tree
an inch; grasped his gun-at full cock
with both hands; thus he stood for
four mortal hours. Four hours! they
seemed weeks-months-ages The
bats fitting past struck terror to his
heart-until he remembered there was
such thing as bats. The first boot OF
an owl caused him to run--until he
realized 1t was an owl. But might ii
not be a signal? What could be easier
than for confederate to hcot like an
owl-to lull him into fancied security,
pounce on him, disarm him and cut his
throat? The owls boot was listened
to with an earnestness that would have
served brigade.
A twig swapping seemed as loud tC
the listener now as the cracking of a
saw-log Every sense was tense. The
guard on a dangerous post, resolved
not to be caught mapping, yet unused
10 midnight vigis, exhausted his fac
ulties bcftre the first hour passed
The remain ing hours were simply tor
ture. He caught himself dozing-he
on a post of danger-absolutely doz.
ing. Time and again he was within
an ace of falling-only his grasp on
his musket prevented it. His eyelids
were weighted with tons of sand-of
lead. 1t was impossible TO keep his
eyes open.
If he dare walk! If he could walk
around the tree!. II he dare sit--or
hum low tune! But he was not a
tobacco chewer-could not even rumi-
nate like a cow in the shade.
Lights cleaned here and there
through the trees. They might be
fire-flies-and they might not What
if they were not? Would the relief
never come?
1t is always the darkest before dawn
l.. thought there was darkness suffi-
cient THAI morning for half dozen
dawnings. He won cred il all war
was like his experience 1t could
make a man gray or bald-headed in
year or less time, Then he won
dered who was sleeping in his bed,
II was a mighty com ortable bed. If
he ever got home safe he'd compli-
ment that bed in way
The guard on the dangerous post
was sound asleep by this time; rs
sound as though his head was lying
on his pillow He stood with his
hands grasping his gun near the muz-
zle, his chin resting on the muzzle,
and his back against the tree. The
stiffness was profound, when sudden :
ly, and without an instant's warning,
sound like that of man falling
from a great height smote the calm
morning air The guard jumped
jumped straight up at least six inches,
and settled back in his tracks with
every sense as alert as though his
SOULS salvation depended on their in
slant and effective exercise.
A man! And lodging in tree like
that! 1t was not possible he made
that noise jumping. Could it be?
Yes, It was possible the confederate
had dropped-fell from his percn.
But why did he not cry out?
In vain the guard pricked up his
ears No sound was heard Yes, there
was something rustling in a field near
by. Would he shout? No. He would
fire his gun off. Pooh! and he laughed
out. The man on dangerous post
concluded to keep his own counsel.
He was glad he did
When the relief came along the cor
poral was laughing and talking. II
must be a great country for coon hunt
ing He saw one as big as shoat
strike into cornfield down the road
mile or two"
l.. listened and smiled. He was i'm
mensely relieved in a double sense.
The sound-the appalling sound--thaf
startled him was explained A coon
had dropped, with all the weight of 30
or 40 pounds, from the tree near him
M bro oh, 70 RI old