The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-01-05
CHAPTER XIII.
Field Hospital, Sixth Corps.

My head ached so abominably
when / first opened my eyes that
was compelled to close them again,
merely realizing dimly that | looked
up at something white above me,
wStch appeared to sway rs though
blown gently by the wind My crop.
ing hand, the only one | appeared
able to move, tolt me l was lying
upon camp-cot, with soft sheets
about me, and that my head rested
upon a pillow. Then / passed once
more into 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 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 l could perceive 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 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
heavy red hair a most conspicuous
object AS he approached l en-
deavored to speak, but for the moment
Lly throat refused response to the eff
fort. Then / managed to ask feebly:
Where am II"
The blue eyes In the freckled, boy
fish 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 ye loike it, John
N.Y."
Better than some others I've seen,
j managed to articulate family. "Who
won?"
/ ''Divil wan of us knows" he ad
mitted frankly. "but your fellows did
the retratin'."
1t was an old, old story to all of us
by that time, and l closed my eyes
wearily. content to ask no more.
4 have L, way Of knowing how lone
i rested there motionless although
Ha yvnu rIncnd tn \. -
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
TO save. Once l wondered. with sud
den start of fear, If had lost limb
IL ! 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 l heaved sigh Of genuine
relief. Then / became partially
aroused to my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine.
You lazy Irish marine!" 1t cried
petulantly. that beef stew was to
have been given me an hour ago."
,, Sure. sor." was the soothing reply,
''it wasn't to be given yer honor till
two o'clock"
We'll. it's all of three now"
!. "Wan-thirty. on me sowl. sor."
/ That first voice sounded oddly
familiar. and ! turned my face that
, way, bul was unable to perceive the
speaker.
rs that Lieutenant Caton?" l asked
doubtfuliy.
Most assuredly It is" quickly.
And who are your"
Captain Wayne of the Confederate
Army"
~Oh, W.yne? Glad you spoke, but
extremely sorry to have you hero.
1'sdly hurt?"& n rass n. s<
Z mot seriously. think No limbs
missing. anyhow. but exceedingly
Eeak. Where did they set your
'Gp he sids. musket ball. but *