Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-02-16
CHAPTER XIII.
Field Hospital. sixt, Corps.

My head ached so abominably
Then first opened my eyes that I
was compelled to close them again,
merely realizing dimly that | looked
up at something white above me,
which appeared to sway rs though
blown entity by the wind My CROP
Ing hand, the only one appeared
able to move, toll me was lying
upon a camp-cot, with soft sheets
about me, and that my head rested
upon pillow. Then passed once
more int 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 a large tent. upon which the
golden sunlight now lay in checkered
masses, telling mo the canvas had
been erected among trees. 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 l
occupied. each apparently filled.
stretching away toward an opening
that looked forth into the open air.
man was moving slowly down the
narrow aisle toward ne, stopping
here and there to bend over some
rufferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word, He wore short white jacket,
and was without cap. his head of
heavy red hair most conspicuous
object AS he approached en-
deavored to speak, but for the moment
Lay throat refused response to the eff
fort. Then managed to ask feebly:
Where am IL"
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
ny?''
Better than some others rye seen"
managed to articulate family. who
won?'
"Divil wan Of us knows he adj
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 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
hao seen reel and fall upon that
stricken field we had battled so yainlv
to save. Once wondered, with sud
den start of fear, if | had lost limb
If 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 heave6 a sigh of genuine
relief. Then became partially
aroused to my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine.
you lazy irlsn maflne! 1t cried
petulantly. 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"
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. bu, was unable to perceive the
speaker
=. that Lieutenant Caton?" ssked
ooubtfully
Most assuredly 1t is" quickly
"Ard who are your"
Captain Wayne of the Confederate
Army
"Oh. \ .yne? Glad you spoke, but
extremely sorry to have you. here,
IDLY hurt?'
mot seriously, | think No limbs
missing anyhow but exceedingly
weak Where did they get your"
| In the side. musket ball. but exu