飘-第62章

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y　legs　showing　through。　He　looked　as　if　he　had　not　a　care　in　the　world　and　that　in　itself　was　startling　these　days；　when　other　men　wore　such　worried；　preoccupied；　grim　looks。　His　brown　face　was　Bland　and　his　mouth；　red　lipped；　clear　cut　as　a　woman’s；　frankly　sensual；　smiled　carelessly　as　he　lifted　her　into　the　carriage。
　The　muscles　of　his　big　body　rippled　against　his　well…tailored　clothes；　as　he　got　in　beside　her；　and；　as　always；　the　sense　of　his　great　physical　power　struck　her　like　a　blow。　She　watched　the　swell　of　his　powerful　shoulders　against　the　cloth　with　a　fascination　that　was　disturbing；　a　little　frightening。　His　body　seemed　so　tough　and　hard；　as　tough　and　hard　as　his　keen　mind。　His　was　such　an　easy；　graceful　strength；　lazy　as　a　panther　stretching　in　the　sun；　alert　as　a　panther　to　spring　and　strike。
　“You　little　fraud；”　he　said；　clucking　to　the　horse。　“You　dance　all　night　with　the　soldiers　and　give　them　roses　and　ribbons　and　tell　them　how　you’d　die　for　the　Cause；　and　when　it　comes　to　bandaging　a　few　wounds　and　picking　off　a　few　lice；　you　decamp　hastily。”
　“Can’t　you　talk　about　something　else　and　drive　faster？　It　would　be　just　my　luck　for　Grandpa　Merriwether　to　come　out　of　his　store　and　see　me　and　tell　old　lady—I　mean；　Mrs。　Merriwether。”
　He　touched　up　the　mare　with　the　whip　and　she　trotted　briskly　across　Five　Points　and　across　the　railroad　tracks　that　cut　the　town　in　two。　The　train　bearing　the　wounded　had　already　come　in　and　the　litter　bearers　were　working　swiftly　in　the　hot　sun；　transferring　wounded　into　ambulances　and　covered　ordnance　wagons。　Scarlett　had　no　qualm　of　conscience　as　she　watched　them　but　only　a　feeling　of　vast　relief　that　she　had　made　her　escape。
　“I’m　just　sick　and　tired　of　that　old　hospital；”　she　said；　settling　her　billowing　skirts　and　tying　her　bonnet　bow　more　firmly　under　her　chin。　“And　every　day　more　and　more　wounded　come　in。　It’s　all　General　Johnston’s　fault。　If　he’d　just　stood　up　to　the　Yankees　at　Dalton；　they’d　have—”
　“But　he　did　stand　up　to　the　Yankees；　you　ignorant　child。　And　if　he’d　kept　on　standing　there；　Sherman　would　have　flanked　him　and　crushed　him　between　the　two　wings　of　his　army。　And　he’d　have　lost　the　railroad　and　the　railroad　is　what　Johnston　is　fighting　for。”
　“Oh；　well；”　said　Scarlett；　on　whom　military　strategy　was　utterly　lost。　“It’s　his　fault　anyway。　He　ought　to　have　done　something　about　it　and　I　think　he　ought　to　be　removed。　Why　doesn’t　he　stand　and　fight　instead　of　retreating？”
　“You　are　like　everyone　else；　screaming　‘Off　with　his　head’　because　he　can’t　do　the　impossible。　He　was　Jesus　the　Savior　at　Dalton；　and　now　he’s　Judas　the　Betrayer　at　Kennesaw　Mountain；　all　in　six　weeks。　Yet；　just　let　him　drive　the　Yankees　back　twenty　miles　and　he’ll　be　Jesus　again。　My　child；　Sherman　has　twice　as　many　men　as　Johnston；　and　he　can　afford　to　lose　two　men　for　every　one　of　our　gallant　laddies。　And　Johnston　can’t　afford　to　lose　a　single　man。　He　needs　reinforcements　badly　and　what　is　he　getting？　‘Joe　Brown’s　Pets。’　What　a　help　they’ll　be！”
　“Is　the　militia　really　going　to　be　called　out？　The　Home　Guard；　too？　I　hadn’t　heard。　How　do　you　know？”
　There’s　a　rumor　floating　about　to　that　effect　The　rumor　arrived　on　the　train　from　Milledgeville　this　morning。　Both　the　militia　and　the　Home　Guards　are　going　to　be　sent　in　to　reinforce　General　Johnston。　Yes；　Governor　Brown’s　darlings　are　likely　to　smell　powder　at　last；　and　I　imagine　most　of　them　will　be　much　surprised。　Certainly　they　never　expected　to　see　action。　The　Governor　as　good　as　promised　them　they　wouldn’t。　Well；　that’s　a　good　joke　on　them。　They　thought　they　had　bomb　proofs　because　the　Governor　stood　up　to　even　Jeff　Davis　and　refused　to　send　them　to　Virginia。　Said　they　were　needed　for　the　defense　of　their　state。　Who’d　have　ever　thought　the　war　would　come　to　their　own　back　yard　and　they’d　really　have　to　defend　their　state？”
　“Oh；　how　can　you　laugh；　you　cruel　thing！　Think　of　the　old　gentlemen　and　the　little　boys　in　the　Home　Guard！　Why；　little　Phil　Meade　will　have　to　go　and　Grandpa　Merriwether　and　Uncle　Henry　Hamilton。”
　“I’m　not　talking　about　the　little　boys　and　the　Mexican　War　veterans。　I’m　talking　about　brave　young　men　like　Willie　Guinan　who　like　to　wear　pretty　uniforms　and　wave　swords—”
　“And　yourself！”
　“My　dear；　that　didn’t　hurt　a　bit！　I　wear　no　uniform　and　wave　no　sword　and　the　fortunes　of　the　Confederacy　mean　nothing　at　all　to　me。　Moreover；　I　wouldn’t　be　caught　dead　in　the　Home　Guard　or　in　any　army；　for　that　matter。　I　had　enough　of　things　military　at　West　Point　to　do　me　the　rest　of　my　life。　。。。　Well；　I　wish　Old　Joe　luck。　General　Lee　can’t　send　him　any　help　because　the　Yankees　are　keeping　him　busy　in　Virginia。　So　the　Georgia　state　troops　are　the　only　reinforcements　Johnston　can　get。　He　deserves　better；　for　he’s　a　great　strategist　He　always　manages　to　get　places　before　the　Yankees　do。　But　he’ll　have　to　keep　falling　back　if　he　wants　to　protect　the　railroad；　and　mark　my　words；　when　they　push　him　out　of　the　mountains　and　onto　the　flatter　land　around　here；　he’s　going　to　be　butchered。”
　“Around　here？”　cried　Scarlett。　“You　know　mighty　well　the　Yankees　will　never　get　this　far！”
　“Kennesaw　is　only　twenty…two　miles　away　and　I’ll　wager　you—”
　“Rhett；　look；　down　the　street！　That　crowd　of　men！　They　aren’t　soldiers。　What　on　earth。。。　？　Why；　they’re　darkies！”
　There　was　a　great　cloud　of　red　dust　coming　up　the　street　and　from　the　cloud　came　the　sound　of　the　tramping　of　many　feet　and　a　hundred　or　more　negro　voices；　deep　throated；　careless；　singing　a　hymn。　Rhett　pulled　the　carriage　over　to　the　curb；　and　Scarlett　looked　curiously　at　the　sweating　black　men；　picks　and　shovels　over　their　shoulders；　shepherded　along　by　an　officer　and　a　squad　of　men　wearing　the　insignia　of　the　engineering　corps。
　“What　on　earth　…　？”　she　began　again。
　Then　her　eyes　lighted　on　a　singing　black　buck　in　the　front　rank。　He　stood　nearly　six　and　a　half　feet　tall；　a　giant　of　a　man；　ebony　black；　stepping　along　with　the　lithe　grace　of　a　powerful　animal；　his　white　teeth　flashing　as　he　led　the　gang　in　“Go　Down；　Moses。”　Surely　there　wasn’t　a　negro　on　earth　as　tall　and　loud　voiced　as　this　one　except　Big　Sam；　the　foreman　of　Tara。　But　what　was　Big　Sam　doing　here；　so　far　away　from　home；　especially　now　that　there　was　no　overseer　on　the　plantation　and　he　was　Gerald’s　right…hand　man？
　As　she　half　rose　from　her　seat　to　look　closer；　the　giant　caught　sight　of　her　and　his　black　face　split　in　a　grin　of　delighted　recognition。　He　halted；　dropped　his　shovel　and　started　toward　her；　calling　to　the　negroes　nearest　him：　“Gawdlmighty！　It’s　Miss　Scarlett！　You；　‘Lige！　‘Postle！　Prophet！　Dar’s　Miss　Scarlett！”
　There　was　confusion　in　the　ranks。　The　crowd　halted　uncertainly；　grinning；　and　Big　Sam；　followed　by　three　other　large　negroes；　ran　across　the　road　to　the　carriage；　closely　followed　by　the　harried；　shouting　officer。
　“Get　back　in　line；　you　fellows！　Get　back；　I　tell　you　or　I’ll—…　Why　it’s　Mrs。　Hamilton。　Good　morning；　Ma’m；　and　you；　too；　sir。　What　are　you　up　to　inciting　mutiny　and　insubordination？　God　knows；　I’ve　had　trouble　enough　with　these　boys　this　morning。”
　“Oh；　Captain　Randall；　don’t　scold　them！　They　are　our　people。　This　is　Big　Sam　our　foreman；　and　Elijah　and　Apostle　and　Prophet　from　Tara。　Of　course；　they　had　to　speak　to　me。　How　are　you；　boys？”
　She　shook　hands　all　around；　her　small　white　hand　disappearing　into　their　huge　black　paws　and　the　four　capered　with　delight　at　the　meeting　and　with　pride　at　displaying　before　their　comrades　what　a　pretty　Young　Miss　they　had。
　“What　are　you　boys　doing　so　far　from　Tara？　You’ve　run　away；　I’ll　be　bound。　Don’t　you　know　the　patterollers　will　get　you　sure？”
　They　bellowed　pleasedly　at　the　badinage。
　“Runned　away？”　answered　Big　Sam。　“No’m；　us　ain’　runned　away。　Dey　done　sont　an’　tuck　us；　kase　us　wuz　de　fo’　bigges’　an’　stronges’　han’s　at　Tara。”　His　white　teeth　showed　proudly。　“Dey　specially　sont　fer　me；　kase　Ah　could　sing　so　good。　Yas’m；　Mist’　Frank　Kennedy；　he　come　by　an’　tuck　us。”
　“But　why；　Big　Sam？”
　“Lawd；　Miss　Scarlett！　Ain’　you　heerd？　Us　is　ter　dig　de　ditches　fer　de　wite　gempmums　ter　hide　in　w’en　de　Yankees　comes。”
　Captain　Randall　and　the　occupants　of　the　carriage　smothered　smiles　at　this　naive　explanation　of　rifle　pits。
　“Cose；　Mis’　Gerald　might’　nigh　had　a　fit　w’en　dey　tuck　me；　an’　he　say　he　kain　run　de　place　widout　me。　But　Miss　Ellen　she　say；　Tek　him；　Mist’　Kennedy。　De　Confedrutsy　need　Big　Sam　mo’　dan　us　do。’　An’　she　gib　me　a　dollar　an’　tell　me　ter　do　jes’　whut　de　w’ite　gempmums　tell　me。　So　hyah　us　is。”
　“What　does　it　all　mean；　Captain　Randall？”
　“Oh；　it’s　quite　simple。　We　have　to　strengthen　the　fortifications　of　Atlanta　with　more　miles　of　rifle　pits；　and　the　General　can’t　spare　any　men　from　the　front　to　do　it。　So　we’ve　been　impressing　the　strongest　bucks　in　the　countryside　for　the　work。”
　“But—”
　A　cold　little　fear　was　beginning　to　throb　in　Scarlett’s　breast。　More　miles　of　rifle　pits！　Why　should　they　need　more？　Within　the　last　year；　a　series　of　huge　earth　redoubts　with　battery　emplacements　had　been　built　all　around　Atlanta；　one　mile　from　the　center　of　town。　These　great　earthworks　were　connected　with　rifle　pits　and　they　ran；　mile　after　mile；　completely　encircling　the　city。　More　rifle　pits！
　“But—why　should　we　be　fortified　any　more　than　we　are　already　fortified？　We　won’t　need　what　we’ve　got。　Surely；　the　General　won’t　let—”
　“Our　present　fortifications　are　only　a　mile　from　town；”　said　Captain　Randall　shortly。　“And　that’s　too　close　for　comfort—or　safety。　These　new　ones　are　going　to　be　farther　away。　You　see；　another　retreat　may　bring　our　men　into　Atlanta。”
　Immediately　he　regretted　his　last　remark；　as　her　eyes　widened　with　fear。
　“But；　of　course　there　won’t　be　another　retreat；”　he　added　hastily。　“The　lines　around　Kennesaw　Mountain　are　impregnable。　The　batteries　are　planted　all　up　the　mountain　sides　and　they　command　the　roads；　and　the　Yankees　can’t　possibly　get　by。”
　But　Scarlett　saw　him　drop　his　eyes　before　the　lazy；　penetrating　look　Rhett　gave　him；　and　she　was　frightened。　She　remembered　Rhett’s　remark：　“When　the　Yankees　push　him　out　of　the　mountains　and　onto　the　flatter　land；　he’ll　be　butchered。”
　“Oh；　Captain；　do　you　think—”
　“Why；　of　course　not！　Don’t　fret　your　mind　one　minute。　Old　Joe　just　believes　in　taking　precautions。　That’s　the　only　reason　we’re　digging　more　entrenchments。　。。。　But　I　must　be　going　now。　It’s　been　pleasant；　talking　to　you。　。。。　Say　good…by　to　your　mistress；　boys；　and　let’s　get　going。”
　“Good…by；　boys。　Now；　if　you　get　sick　or　hurt　or　in　trouble；　let　me　know。　I　live　right　down　Peachtree　Street；　down　there　in　almost　the　last　house　at　the　end　of　town。　Wait　a　minute—”　She　fumbled　in　her　reticule。　“Oh；　dear；　I　haven’t　a　cent。　Rhett；　give　me　a　few　shinplasters。　Here；　Big　Sam；　buy　some　tobacco　for　yourself　and　the　boys。　And　be　good　and　do　what　Captain　Randall　tells　you。”
　The　straggling　line　re…formed；　the　dust　arose　again　in　a　red　cloud　as　they　moved　off　and　Big　Sam　started　up　the　singing　again。
　
　“Go　do…ow；　Mos…es！　Waaa…ay；　do…own；　in　Eeejup　laa…an！
　An’　te…el　O…le　Faa…ro…o
　Ter　let　mah—peee…