The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER XIII.
Field Hospital, sixt, Corps.


My head ached so abominably
when 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 as though
blown gently by the wind. My CROP
ing hand, the only one 1 appeared
able to move. toll me l was lying
upon a camp-cot, with soft sheets
about me, and that my head rested
upon a pillow. Then l 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 l 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 nov my head
slightly on the gratefully soft pillow,
and l 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 me, stopping
here and there to bend over some
nufferer with medicine or a CHEEKY
word. He wore a short white jacket,
and was without a cap, his head of
heavy red hair a most conspicuous
object. AS he approached 1 en-
deavored to speak, but for the moment
my throat refused response to the eff
fort. Then l managed to ask feebly:
Where am II"
The blue eyes in the freckled, boy
ish face danced spontaneously, and
he laid a 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
n.y."
Better than some others I've seen,"
managed to a%rticulate family. who
won?"
"Divil a 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 m eyes
YEARLY, content to ask no more.
I have ro way of knowing how long
1 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
to save. Once l wondered, with sud-
den start of fear, if l had lost a limb,
if l was to be crippled for life, the
one thing / dreaded above all else.
Feeling feebly beneath my bed-cloth.
ing I tested, as best l could, each
limb. All were apparently intact. al.
though my left arm seemed useless
and devoid of feeling, broken no
doubt, and l heaved a sigh of genuine
relief. Then became partially
aroused to nay 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.
ut wasn't to be given yer honor till
two o'clock"
well, it's all Of three now"
"Wan-thirty. on me sowl, sor."
That first voice sounded oddly
familiar, and ! turned my face that
way, bu. was unable to perceive the
speaker.
"It that Lieutenant Caton?" esked
doubtfully.
Most lssuredly it Is" quickly.
"And who are you?"
Captain Wayne of the Confederate
Army"
"Oh. N..yne? Glad you spoke, but
extremely sorry to have you here.
'Iedly hurt?"
mot seriously, l think. No limbs
missing. anyhow. but exceedingly
weak. Where did they get you?"
In the side. q musket ball but ex.