|
||||||||
A sufficient time before he would have allowed the problem to kick its heels at the outer portals of his mind, but now he felt compelled to give serious attention to it. A little panic-fear grew in his mind. As his imagination went forward to a fight, he saw hideous possibilities. He contemplated the lurking menaces of the future, and failed in an effort to see himself standing stoutly in the midst of them. He recalled his visions of broken-bladed glory, but in the shadow of the impending tumult he suspected them to be impossible pictures. He sprang from the bunk and began to pace nervously to and fro. Good Lord, whats th matter with me? he said aloud. He felt that in this crisis his laws of life were useless. Whatever he had learned of himself was here of no avail. He was an unknown quantity. He saw that he would again be obliged to experiment as he had in early youth. He must accumulate information of himself, and meanwhile he resolved to remain close upon his guard lest those qualities of which he knew nothing should everlastingly disgrace him. Good Lord! he repeated in dismay. After a time the tall soldier slid dexterously through the hole. The loud private followed. They were wrangling. Thats all right, said the tall soldier as he entered. He waved his hand expressively. You can believe me or not, jest as you like. All you got to do is to sit down and wait as quiet as you can. Then pretty soon youll find out I was right. His comrade grunted stubbornly. For a moment he seemed to be searching for a formidable reply. Finally he said: Well, you dont know everything in the world, do you? Didnt say I knew everything in the world, retorted the other sharply. He began to stow various articles snugly into his knapsack. The youth, pausing in his nervous walk, looked down at the busy figure. Going to be a battle, sure, is there, Jim? he asked. Of course there is, replied the tall soldier. Of course there is. You jest wait til to-morrow, and youll see one of the biggest battles ever was. You jest wait. Thunder! said the youth. Oh, youll see fighting this time, my boy, whatll be regular out-and-out fighting, added the tall soldier, with the air of a man who is about to exhibit a battle for the benefit of his friends. Huh! said the loud one from a corner. Well, remarked the youth, like as not this storyll turn out jest like them others did. Not much it wont, replied the tall soldier, exasperated. Not much it wont. Didnt the cavalry all start this morning? He glared about him. No one denied his statement. The cavalry started this morning, he continued. They say there aint hardly any cavalry left in camp. Theyre going to Richmond, or some place, while we fight all the Johnnies. Its some dodge like that. The regiments got orders, too. A feller what seen em go to headquarters told me a little while ago. And theyre raising blazes all over campanybody can see that. Shucks! said the loud one. The youth remained silent for a time. At last he spoke to the tall soldier. Jim! What? |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||