The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-16
Disappointment Involved in
the Strange Adventure of
the Gallant Steed

blast. and the hasty tread of startled
men. was aware that 1t had become
known that some prowler was within
the sanetity OF the enemy's lines, and
started forth. My horse, at the touch
of the spur. leaped forward. and I
smiled in satisfaction although from
the rear I could hear the thunderous
gallop of a score of steeds. Every
now and then someone took a crack
shot at my head. and I heard the bullet
whistling by As I passed through the
line of pickets. several men emptied
their carbines into my face, but on I
ride, smiling all the while.
And 1t was then a race, a race in
which human flesh was TO play a puny
part. The issue depended on the speed
and the stamina and the steadiness
of foot of the horses. My animal was
doing nobly. 1 reached over and patted
his neck and he urged himself forward
with renewed energy.
"onward we rode. It was the dark
est night had seen. The country was
exceedingly rough with little gulleys
and larger bitches. Occasionally the
horse sprang forward In such manner
that i knew he had jumped fallen tree,
or a fence of rails, or babbling brook.
In and out of the woods he wound
almost at will, for 1 did not attempt
to guide him. From behind on came
the Yankees. firing and shouting. On
ward l speed on the finest animal I
had ever ridden. I felt entirely safe,
and my blood tingled In the hilarious
sport Of deadly adventure.
And at the end of an hour, I should
think, I saw ahead the light of our camp
fires. The pursuing Yankees also saw
and halted. / dashed between our pick
cts and was complimented by the firing
of rifles and cries for the guard. Very
soon. naturally, was under arrest
after everything was explained I was
permitted 10 depart Win io iiiOt . S~''N'-s
punishment than a reprimand from the
colonel. I went to my company, rubbed
down the gallant steed, and was soon
wrapped securely in slumber.
After reveille the following morning l
told the story of the night before the
story the outcome of which was the re-
suit of the gameness Of the horse. All of
the boys wanted to see the animal. And
we found him where he was left the night
before. From distance he was magnifi-
cent and the boys were offering me boot
to trade for theirs. But nothing could
have bought my gallant steed-nothing at
that moment could have bought him.
! I'VE Inspected the animal from head to
foot. and the verdict would have been
perfection. but for the discovery OF an or
derly. This individual had strolled by
and stopped to watch. And finally he
raised his voice;
"'where did you find that old blind
nag?' he cried.
Blind, the DEVIL I returned. remem-
bering how he had brought me out Of the
woods in the darkness without bobble
or a moments halt to find mis- way.
Blind. all right enough returned the
orderly.
And he was right.
eFor we hastily examined, and the good
old steed failed to move a lid as we waved
our hands before his face or shook a
stick with violent threat.
"But I kept the animal" continued
Uncle Billy, "and he served CALAMITY for
month. He was so powerful and SO
game and so intelligent that sight
would have been superfuous. He fell un-
der me, shot through and through, in
Pickett's charse at Gettysburg"