Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1912-01-04
CHAPTER XIII.
Field Hospital, SIKH Corps.

My head ached so abuminably
hen first opened my eyes that I
was compelled TO close them again.
merely realizing dimly that | looked
up at something white above ne.
which appeared TO sway rs though
blown iently by the wind. Ny crop.
ing hand. the only one appeared
able 10 move. toll. me was lying
upon camp.cot, with soft sheets
about me. and that my head rested
upon pillow. Then | passed once
more into Inconsistencies. but this
time 1t was asleep.
Wien ! 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 frees. A faint
moan caused me to move my head
slightly on the gratefully soft pillow.
and could perceive a long row Of
cots, exactly similar to the one
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
mfferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word He wore short white jacket.
and was without a cap his head Of
heavy red hair a most conspicuous
object AS he approached en-.
deavored to speak. but for the moment
lily throat refused response to the ef-
fort. Then managed to ask feebly:
Where am H."
The Llue eyes in the freckled. boy.
ish face danced spontaneously, and
he laid big red hand gently upon
my forehead.
Field hospital, Sixth Corps" he
said. with a strong Hibernlan &C.
cent. An how de ye loike 1t, 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 felloEs did
the retratin'."
II was an old. old story to all OF us
by that time. and ! closed my eyes
YEARLY. content to ask no more.
have /, 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 and fall upon that
stricken field we had battled so vainly
10 save. Once wondered. with sud.
den start. Of fear. II | had lost limb.
II was to be crippled for life. the
one thing | 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 heaveG'a sigh Of genuine
relief. Then became partially
aroused to my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine.
you lazy Irish marlne!" II cried
petulantly, "that beef stew was to
have been given me an hour ago"
-sure. sor." was the soothing reply.
'qt wasn't to be given yer honor till
two O'Clock"
well, it's all of three now"
"Wan-thirty, on mo sowl. sor."
That first voice sounded oddly
familiar. and | turned my face that
way, bus was unable to perceive the
speaker.
=. that Lieutenant Caton7" l esked
doubtfully.
Most Lssuredly It IS" quickly.
and who are you?"
-capfhin Wayne of the Confederate
Army
-oh, N-yne7 Glad you spoke. but
extremely sorry to have you here
sedly hurtY
Not seriously. think. No limbs
Irisslng, anyhow. but exceedingly
weak. Ehefs dld they get you7"
In ths s,ie. . musket ball, but ex,