Year: 1872

"You shall have it," said the leader,
"We'll take you before Lee, and he'll
make short work of you"


1t was not fairly dark, and they con-
suited for some time on what course to
pursue for the night. At last they de-
cided to ride into dense wood and en-
camp.


A rebel rode on each side of me and
kept a strict guard over me, until we ar
rived at the spot dedicated to our camp
ing ground. They made arrangements
for the night, leaving the youthful rebel
to guard me while the others proceeded
to discuss the contents of my brandy
flask. / remained at one side of the
camp fire bowed in painful reflection for
an hour or more, until uproarious mer-
riment aroused me, and found that all
the rebels, save my youthful guard, were
becoming very drunk. Hope-faint as
it was-sprang up in my breast. | con-
templated the scene for while and saw
the inebriate guerrillas, one by one, fall
asleep. then turned my eyes on my
youthful guard, and tender pitying
gaze met my glance.


"Have you mother?'' asked.


az have" he answered.


$50 have l." l said. "Do you love
your mother and does she love you p


"Love my dear mother | adore her,
and she loves me better than life !"


"If you should meet with a sudden
and horrible death, what would be your
mothers fate, do you suppose p


A moments pause and then he said /;
+" She would die of grief


Young man, have been bad, it is
true" l have been in your camp as a
spy, have taken plot of your army
but that is taken from me now. | have
an old mother at home who loves me as
dearly as yours loves you, and oh think
of the horror it will bring on her, if !
am condemned as spy. If am taken
to your camp, shall most assuredly be
hung, and that will bring my poor old
mother to an untimely grave. and will
your cause be benefited any by it 2 You
now have it in your power to save my
life, my mother from sorrow, and injure
your cause very slightly"


paused and gazed intently at the
young soldier, and saw the big tear roll
ing down his cheek. My words had
touched his heart. After few moments
be said


IF you are taken inside our lines you
will be hung, and God forgive me if
do wrong, but you shall be set at liberty
My companions are all asleep, steal away
and when you are at a sufficient distance
l will fire my gun and raise the alarm
then you must take care of yourself"


Selling his hand placed diamond
ring on his finger and asked his name


Earnest Bernard" he replied.


Heaven grant, Earnest, we may
meet again" l gasped then rose and
crept to where my horse was tied, cut
the halter, and vaulted in the saddle
A fash and report came from the camp
but was away before the drunken reb
els were aroused.


| travelled all night, and at early dawn
my eyes were grati6ed with the sight o.
company of blue coats. 1t proved tc
be part Of my own regiment, and they
conducted me to the Union army in
safety.


A few weeks later, our regiment was
ordered to carry strong rebel work
As we advanced, dozen cannon belcheG
forth their deadly contents among us
and whole brigade of musketry "join
ed in the chorus" but amid the thunder
ing roar, sulphurous smoke. whizzine
balls, and dying groans, we took posses
sion of the work at the point of the bay
onet.


In the fight saw youthful confed
crate fall. By flashing diamond OF
his finger, recognized him to be Ear
nest. In an instant / had him in my
arms.


The wound in his side was MORTAL
He turned his dying eyes on me, and rec
ognizing me murmured


"My mother; tell her how / saved
your life. and that | died Christian
These were his last words, for he dice
almost instantly. Oh how clasped
that lifeless clay in my arms, and rainet
my tears on the pale facel


1t was several weeks before / found
Mrs. Bernard. | gently broke to hei
the sad tidings. The good woman never
fully recovered from the shock, and in
few weeks followed her son to the bet
ter world whittier his spirit had fled.


INDIAN RECORD OF TME.-There i.
no word in the Indian language for the