The sun., 1917-09-30

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betting the scene. In one grand
coup deil my eye took In the whols
expanse Of country a far south a.
the Gulf Of Mexico and from the A.
lantic Ocean on the east to the Mis-
sisaippi River westwardly.
Before fully fixing my attention
upon the immense scene. however. I
thought Of the mysterious visitant
whose voice I had heard but q mo-
ment previous. and I looked toward
him. An apparition stood on my left,
somewhat in front. at q distance Of
about six feet from me. I sought for
his features, hoping to recognize him.
But was disappointed. for the statue
like figure was naught but vapor. q
cloud. having only the general out
lines Of a man. This troubled me and
I was turning the matter over in my
mind when the shadowy visitor said
in the same slow. solemn tones a. be-
fore:
"'Gen. Mcclellan, your time is short.
Look to the southwark
Unable to Resist Command.
II felt unable TO resist the command.
even had I wished to do 20. and again.
therefore, my eyes were cast on tho
living map. Out on the Atlantic saw
the various vessels of tho blockading
squadron looming up with the most
perfect distinctness in the bright
moonshins that illuminated every
thing with . strong but mellow light
saw Charleston harbor and it, forts
with their pacing sentinels and their
sullen looking barbette guns. My eyes
followed the ocean line all the way
round into the Gulf to New Orleans
and thence up the Mississippi. Fort
] Pickens and In fact every fortinca-
ton along this water boundary I be-
held with as much distinctness as you.
sir. see that corporal's guard passing
there.
"The sight filled me with delightful
surprise: but It would be utterly I'm
possible for me to describe the ecstatic
amazement that followed. a. within
the limits I mentioned my eyes took
in in minute but lightninglike detail
every mountain range. every hill,
every valley. every forest. every
meadow. every river. every city. every
camp, every tent. every body Of men,
every sentinel. every earthwork, every
cannon and I may say. dispensing
with further detail. every living and
every dead thing. no matter what its
bulk or height.
MY blood seemed to stop in its
channels with Joy as I thought that
the knowledge and thereby advan-
tages thus given to me would insure
speedy and happy termination to
the war. And this one idea was en-
crossing my mind when that same
slow. solemn voice said:
"'Gcn. Mcclellan. take your map
and note what you behold. Tarry not; 4;
your time is short.
II started and, glancing at the un-
earthly speaker. saw him extend his
arm and point southwark. Still saw
no features. Smoothing out the largest
and most accurate OF my maps. !
seized a pencil and once more bent
my gaze out over the living map. As
, I looked this time a cold. chilling thrill
ran through me and the huge rough
icicle again began its saving motion
through my heart.
Compared the Map.
"For as pencil in hand l compared
the map before me with the living
map. saw the masses Of the enemy's
forces being hurried to certain points
so as to thwart movements that with
in a day or two intended to make at
those identical points; while on two
particular approaches to Washington
beheld heavy columns posted for a
concentrated attack that instantly
! speedily prevented.
'Treachery! Treachery!' cried I
in despair.
"And as before my blood seemed to
stop in it's channels for Joy. 1t now did
so for fear. Ruin and defeat seemed
to stare me in the face. At this dread
full moment that same slow solemn
voice struck once more on my ear,
saying:
"'Gen. Mcclellan, you have been he
trayed, And had not God willed other
wise. ere the sun of tomorrow had
set the Confederate flag would have
waved above the Capitol and-vour own
grave. But note what you see. Your
time is short. Tarry not!'
Ere the words had left the lips of
my vapory mentor my pencil was fly
ing with the speed of thought. trans
ferring to the map before me all that
I saw upon the living map. Some mys-
terious and unearthly influence was
upon me and noted and recorded the
minutest point beheld without the
slightest effort delay or mistake. At
last the task was done and my pencil
dropped from my fingers.
For a while previous to this, how
ever, had become conscious that there
was a shining OF light on my left that
steadily increased. until the moment
ceased my task 1t became in an instant
more intense than the MONDAY sun
Quickly I raised my eyes and never
were I to live forever. will / forget
what saw.
"The dim, shadowy figure was nc