The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-09-25

see the glimmer of other fires, with the
shadowY figures of pacing sentries, the
glittering bayonets angling up from their
rifles. The patter of raindrops grew less;
Burke glanced up through the branches and
saw single star
cts quit rainin', !" heannounced. "Now
the guns won't stick in the mud
us there goin' tobe fghtin' tomorrow"
the youngest soldier in the group asked
anxiously. The other men looked at
Burke and waited for him to answer. He
wiped plate carefully on a bunch of grass,
set it one side and took the pipe from be-
tween his teeth.
"In spite of my advice, he replied with
grin, I'm afraid there is"
"Well," said the tall soldier, "I'm glad of
it. We've been sittin' still long enough.
We better finish this here war an go on
home" sne
eve won't have to fight no battle" put
in the old man. Chem chaps won't wait
for us-will they7" and he turned to
Burke.
Burke finished another plate and shook
his head slowly.
eve amt ready to fight" he said.
"Half these soldiers don't know which end
of their guns goes off-an' the officers amt
much better"
"That's all right" retorted the tall SOL
dier, waving long finger; this here army
can shoot straight, an that's all there is to
it. I've got bet with teller at home that
I'll be back inside three weeks"
Don't you go spendin' that money"
T.,
is good lickin', and I'll be sore If we don't
get it."
j The circle looked at him with marked dis,
approval. Such views were scandalous,
and not balanced by the fact that he seemed
to know more than they did.
"You're nice 'Muricanp exclaimed
the tall soldier.
!. "You wait" replied Burke, unmoved.
] Again the group fell silent. Above the
splashing and clatter of Burke's dish-wash-
ing sounded the steady plodding of the raw,
tardy regiments moving along the broad
turnpikes to their bivouacs. Three miles
to the south afaint glow in the sky marked
hostile fires. Above the top of distant
ridge streaks of white light showed where
the arc-lights of town cut through the
misty air.
"What gets me-" confessed the tall sol
dier after looking around the horizon, !" is
how anybody knows where everybody is
an what's goin' to happen to EN-. How do
they figure it out2
"Why, look here" said Burke. With
fork he commenced drawing lines and
squares on the damp earth. Matches,
twigs and bits of bark were called into use
The other men peered over his shoulder
curiously, and at the end of ten minutes
Burke commenced explaining his map
The five men looked thoughtful and sucked
at their pipes.
whats to prevent them two armies
walkin' right past each other in the night
an never KNOWN it2" demanded the old
man. Patiently Burke went over his ex-
up, unconvinced.
"Maybe you're right" he admitted,
"but don't see how we know all this"
Figured it out, said Burke.
"How2" demanded the tall soldier
An hour later Burke was aroused by a
nervous hand paving at his leg. He awoke
with start to find the young soldier trying
to rouse him.
"'S matter, SOM" he asked sleepily.
whats that battle tomorrow goin' to
be ike2" whispered the boy. "I'm scairt"
"Scairt, are YEP" inquired Burke, prop
ping himself up on one elbow. "Well,
don't much wonder. What's it goin' to be
like? Why, it's goin' to be more men than
you ever saw at one time shootin' at each
other and yellin', with shells fyin' an
Dustin an people rampagin' round on
horses, and noise like boiler-fact'ry
workin' overtimep
"Gee" said the boy, shivering.
"You and lot of other chaps-an'
prob bly, me--isg oin' to run EASTERN we ever
did before" concluded Burke.
81 amt insisted the boy, though his
lip quivered.
u "Ain't YEP" inquired Burke in tone of
mild surprise; "well, I amt made up my
mind yet"
They're goin' to get me tomorrow, the
boy gasped on in a burst of confidence,
"and I've got girl home. We was goin'
to be married the twenty-sixthP'
"Shoo! Ye don't say" answered Burke
softly. Now | call that hard luck!" He
filled his pipe, frowning. This was new
element to him, and he gave up his sleep
to ease the lads anxiety.
'Ill take care of We tomorrow, son" he
said finally, patting the boys shoulder.
"Will yer" asked the lad, frightening.
Guess l can sleep them"
/ Burke watched him as he lay down in his