The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-07-08
CHAPTER XIII.
Field Hospital. sixt, Corps.

Field Hospital, sixt, Corps.
MY head ached so abominably
"nen first opened my eyes that l
was compelled to close them again.
merely realizing dimly that | looked
up at something white above me.
Which appeared to sway as though
blown tently by the wind. My Crop
ing hand. the only one I appeared
able to move. toll. me was lying
upon a camp-cot, with soft sheets
about me, and that my head rested
upon a pillow. Then passed once
more into Inconsistencies. but this
time it was asleep.
When ! once more awakened the
throbbing pain had largely left my
hot temples, and / saw that the sway-
ing white canopy composed the roof
OF large tent, upon which the
golden sunlight now lay in checkered
masses. telling m, the canvas had
been erected among trees. A faint
moan caused me to move my head
slightly on the gratefully soft pillow
and l could perceive a long row of
cots. exactly similar to the one I
occupied. each apparently filled,
stretching away toward an opening
that looked forth into the open air.
A man was moving slowly down the
narrow aisle toward ne, stopping
here and there to bend over some
sufferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word. He wore short white Jacket.
and was without cap, his head of
heavy red hair a most conspicuous
object AS he approached l en-.
deavored to speak, but for the moment
Lay throat refused response to the ef-
fort. Then ! managed to ask feebly:
Where am II"
The Llue eyes in the freckled. boy.
ish face danced good-humoredly. and
he laid big red hand gently upon
my forehead.
Field hospital. Sixth Corps" he
said. with a strong Hibernian ac-
cent. An how de We loike it. John.
N.Y."
Better than some others I've SEEN"
managed to articulate family. who
won?"
"Divil wan of us knows" he ad-
mitted frankly. but your fellows did
the retratin'."
1t was an old, old story to all of us
by that time. and closed my eyes
YEARLY, content to ask no more.
have L, way of knowing how long
| rested there motionless although
awake. my eyes closed to keep out the
painful glare. my sad thoughts busted
with memory of those men whom
had seen reel :nd fall upon thar
field we had battled so yainlv |
to save. Once | wondered, with sud. |
den start Of fear, If l had lost a limb
If ! was to be crippled for life. the
one thing I dreaded above all else
Feeling feebly beneath my bed-cloth.
ing tested. as best could. each
limb. All were apparently intact. al
though my left arm seemed useless
and devoid of feeling. broken no
doubt. and l heavec a sigh of genuine
relief. Then became partially
aroused to my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine. so
you lazy Irish marinc!" 1t cried
that beef stew was to
have been given me an hour ago."
Sure, sor." was the soothing reply,
1t wasn't to be given yer honor till
two o'clock"
We'll. it's all of three now"
"Wan-thirty. on me sowl. sor."
That first voice sounded oddly
familiar. and l turned my face that
way. Blu. was unable to perceive the
speaker.
"a. that Lieutenant Caton?" l esked
ioubtfully.
Most Issuredly 1t u.s." quickly.
And who are your"
Captain Wayne Of the Confederate
Army"
"Oh. "--vne? Glad you spoke, but
extremely sUrry to have you here.
IDLY hurrr
mot seriously. | think No limbs
anyhow. but exceedingly
weak. Nhare did they get your"
I'm the eide. a musket ball, but ex-