The Lamar register., 1911-11-22


those people on the other side have
of us Southerners. They seem to
think we are entirely different from
themselves: yet l reckon 1t would puz-
zle any recruiting Office up yonder
to show a finer lot OF fighting men
than those fellows ahead there"
rode slowly forward to my own
position at the head of the troop As
| swung my horse into our accustomed
position | was too deeply buried m
reelection to be clearly conscious OF
much that was occurring about me-
Suddenly. however. became aware
that some one. nearly obscured by the
enveloping cloud of dust, was riding
without the column, in an independ-
ence of military discipline not to be
permitted. In the state of mind | was
then in this discovery strangely ir-
ritated me.
Sergeant" questioned sharply. OF
the raw-boned trooper at the end of
the first platoon. what fellow Is that
riding out yonder?"
Its Their pesky little cuss as come
In with We yesterday. sir" he returned
with a grin. Hes confiscated a muel
somewhat an says he's a goin' back
hum long O. we uns."
Curious to learn how Jed had
emerged from his arduous adventures.
| spurred my horse alongside OF him.
The little man. bending forward
obviously, as II fearful of accident.
was riding bareback on a gaunt, long
lAp Whtch tnhginD from all
outward appearances. must have been
some discarded asset Of the quarter
masters department
Going home, jedi" | asked, as he
glanced up and saw me.
''Jist as durn quick as l kin git
thar" he returned emphatically. by
gum. Cap. amt bin way from Marian
long as this afore in twelve year.
Reckon she thinks I've skedaddled fer
good this time. al III be a takin'
up with some other male critter lest
| git back thar mighty sudden. WON
ems odd. Cap. durn nigh as ornary
bout some things as IA muel."
He eyed his mount critically
burned II ever | thought I'd git
astraddle O. any four-legged critter
ayin," he said. rubbing himself as II
In sudden and painful recollection OF
the past. But sort picked up this
yere muel down OF Their corral. an he's
tew durn wore out a totin' things fer
you uns ter ever move often a walk.
| sorter reckon it's q heap easier a
5ittin' yere than ter take 1t afut all
Their way ter Their nountings"
1t was long after dark the second
day when. thoroughly wearied. we
turned into an old tobacco field and
made camp for the night. To right
and left Of our position giowed the
CHEEKY fires. telling where Earlys
command bivouacked in line of battle.
From the low range of hills In front
OF where we rested one could look
across an Intervening valley. and see
far off to the northward the dim
flames Which marked the position OF
the enemy. Down in the mysterious
darkness between. divided only by .
swift and narrow stream. were the
blue and gray pickets. The opposing
forces were sleeping on their arms.
making ready for the death grip on
the morrow.
A. ! lay there thinking. wondering
what might be my fate before another
nishtfall. seeing constantly in my half
dreams the fair face Of q woman.
which made me more Of q coward
than / had ever felt myself before.
I was partially aroused by the droning
tones Of a voice close ut hand. Lift
ing myself on one elbow I glanced
curiously around to see where It
originated. what was occurring Clus-
tered about 4 roaring fire Of rails
were . dozen troopers. and in the
midst Of them. occupying the post Of
honor upon an empty powder key. was
Bungay. enthusiastically reciting
Scott. caught line or two:
AT once there rose 30 wild a yell
Within that dark and narrow dell.
As all the fiends from heaven tha' fell
Had pealed the battle-cry Of hell"
and then the drowsy god pressed
down my heavy eyelids. and l fell