The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-30

position was too deeply buried In
reflection to be clearly conscious Of
much that was occurring about me.
Suddenly. however. ! became aware
that some one, nearly obscured by the
enyeloping cloud OF dust. was riding
without the column. In an independ-
ence OF military discipline not to be
permitted. In the state OF mind / was
then in this discovery strangely ir-
ritated me.
Sergeant" / questioned sharply, OF
the raw-Doned trooper at the end OF
the first platoon, what fellow Is that
riding out yonder?"
ITS Their pesky little cuss as come
I'm with We yesterday, sir" he returned
with a grin He's confiscated muel
somewhat an says he's goin' back
hum long o We uns."
Curious 10 learn how Jed had
emerged from his arduous adventures.
l spurred my horse alongside OF him.
The little man, bending forward
obviously, as II fearful of accident,
was riding bareback on a gaunt. long
legged mule, which. Judging from all
outward appearances, must have been
some discarded asset OF the quarter
masters department
Going home. jedi" | asked. as he
glanced up and saw me.
"Jist as durn quick as | kin git
thar" he returned emphatically. by
gum, Cap, ! amt bin way from Mariar
long as this afore in twelve year.
Reckon she thinks I've skedaddled fer
good this time, al Ill be takin'
| git back thar mighty sudden. Wom-
ems odd, Cap. durn nigh as ornary
bout some things as muel"
He eyed his mount critically
burned IL ever l thought I'd git
astraddle O. any four-legged critter
agin." he said, rubbing himself as IL
in sudden and painful recollection OF
the past. But sort r picked up this
we're muel down ct Their corral, an he's
tew durn wore out a totin' things fer
you uns ter ever move often a walk.
| sorter reckon it's a heap easier n
gittin' we're than ter take IL afut all
Their way ter ther nountings.
II was long after dark the second
day when, thoroughly wearied. we
turned into an old tobacco field and
made camp for the night. To right
and left OF our position glowed the
CHEEKY fires, telling where Early's
command bivouacked in line OF battle.
ENrora tho lou, ranUa ~ hfiIo IA frOot
OF where we rested one could look
across an intervening valley, and see
far off TO the northward the dim
flames Which marked the position OF
the enemy Down in the mysterious
darkness between, divided only by a
swift and narrow stream, were the
blue and gray plckets The opposing
forces were sleeping on their arms,
making ready for the death grip on
the morrow.
As / lay there thinking, wondering
what might be my fate before another
nightfall, seeing constantly In my half.
dreams the fair face OF a woman,
which made me more or coward
than ! had ever felt myself before,
| was partially aroused by the droning
tones OF voice close at hand. Lift
ing myself on one elbow | glanced
curiously around to see where Il
originated, what was occurring. Clus-
tered about roaring fire OF rails
We're dozen troopers. and in the
midst of them, occupying the post OF
honor upon an empty powder key, was
Bungay enthusiastically recitlng
Scott. caught a line or two
At once there rose so wild yell
Within that dark and narrow dell,
As all the fiends from heaven thai fell
Had pealed the battle-cry OF hell
and then the drowsy god pressed
down my heavy eyelids. and ! fell
asleep.