The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER XIII.
Field HOSPITAL. sixtn corps

Field Hospital. Sixta Corps.
MY head ached so abominably
when | first opened my eyes that
WIS compelled to close them again,
merely realizing dimly that looked
UP at something white above me.
which appeared to sway rs though
blown sently by the wind. My CROP
ing hand, the only one appeared
able 10 move, toll me was lying
upon camp-cot, with soft sheets
abOlt me, and that my head rested
upon pillow. Then / passed once
more init Inconsistencies, but this
time q was asleep.
WAen once more awakened the
throbbing pain had largely left my
hot hesnples. 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 me- the canvas had
been erected among trees. A faint
raeSR caused me to move my head
slightly on the gratefully soft pillow,
and 5 could perc I've long row of
cots. exactly similar to the one /
Occnpied. each apparently filled,
stretphing away toward an opening
that looked forth into the open air.
A man was moving slowly down the
narrow aisle toward me. stopping
here and there to bend over some
sufferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word. He wore a short white jacket,
and was without cap, his head of
heaEy red hair most conspicuous
object AS he approached en-.
deapOred to speak. but for the moment
nsy throat refused response to the eff
fort Then | managed to ask feebly:
.Whe1e am I?'
The blue eyes in the freckled, boy
ish face danced good-humoredly, and
he lRSd a big red hand gently upon
my forehead.
F4eld hospital. Sixth Corps" he
said. with strong Hibernian ac-
cent An how de We loike it. John.
nya''
Better than some others I've SEEM
managed to articulate family. Who
WONT"
''Bisn a wan of US knows" he adj
mitted frankly. but your fellows did
the Fetratin.'
Ie was an old, cid story to all of us
by shat time. and I closed my eyes
weaRsay. content to ask no more.
have no way OF knowing how long
I rested there motionless although
awake, my eyes closed to keep out the
9ainfua glare. my sad thoughts busted
With memory of those men whom /
baA seen reel and fall upon that
stricken field we had battled so vainly
to save. Once wondered, with sud-
den sta1t of fear. il had lost limb,
II vas to be crippled for life. the
one thinS dreaded above all else.
Feeling feebly beneath my bed-cloth.
ing eested, 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 I became partially
aroused to my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine
You iazy irish mariner it 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
teKKny ON mo COwl oC,.
That first voice sounded oddly
ZANZIBAR, and / turned my face that
way. ou.. was unable to perceive the
speaker.
i that Lieutenant Caton?" asked
dodbtfully.
Most zssuredly it is" quickly.
And who are your.
Captain Wayne of the Confederate
Army"
"oh. Wayne? Glad you spoke, but
extremely sorry to have you here.
Badly hurt?"
'Nots seriously. ] think No limbs
missing anyhow, but exceedingly
weak. Where did they get your
In the side. musket ball. but ex-
fracted. ! would De all right if that
lazy Irish scamp would only give me
fs.f enough to eat By the way.
Wayne. OF course never got the
straight of it. for there are half-a-
dozen stories about the affair flying
around. and those most interested will
not talk. but one of your special
friends. md. to my notion most
charming young woman, win be in
here to see me sometime this after
noon Size will be delighted to meet
you again. I'm sure
One, u M 'friends2' questioned
ircredulelsiy yet Instantly thinking
# Edith IN ennan. a Young wcG-