the red acorn-第12章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


xiously　the　tops　of　the　distant　line　of　encircling　hills；　as　if　he　expected　to　see　there　signs　of　the　Rebels　in　strong　force。　　All　the　rest　imitated　his　example；　and　studied　the　horizon　solicitously。　〃And　I　expect　we　shall　have　plenty　of　it！〃　continued　the　Colonel。

〃No　doubt　of　that；〃　answered　the　Major。　　〃They　say　the　Rebels　are　filling　Kentucky　with　troops；　and　gonig　to　fight　for　every　foot　of　the　Old　Dark　and　Bloody　Ground。　　I　think　we　will　have　to　earn　all　we　get　of　it。〃

〃To…day's　papers　report；〃　joined　in　Surgeon　Denslow；　〃that　General　sherman　says　it　will　take　two　hundred　thousand　troops　to　redeem　Kentucky。〃

〃Yes；〃　broke　in　the　Colonel　testily；　〃and　the　same　papers　agree　in　pronouncing　Sherman　crazy。　　But　no　matter　how　many　or　how　few　it　takes；　that's　none　of　our　affair。　　We've　got　eleven　hundred　good　men　in　ranks；　and　we're　going　to　do　all　that　eleven　hundred　good　men　can　do。　　God　Almighty　and　Abe　Lincoln　have　got　to　take　care　of　the　rest。〃

It　will　be　seen　that　the　Colonel　was　a　very　practical　soldier。

〃First　think　we　know；　the　Colonel　will　be　trying　to　make　us　'leven　hundred　clean　out　'leven　thousand　Rebs；〃　growled　Abe　Bolton。

〃Suppose　the　Colonel　should　imagine　himself　another　Leonidas；　and　us　his　Spartan　band；　and　want　us　to　die　around　him；　and　start　another　Thermopylae　down　her　in　the　mountains；　some　place；〃　suggested　Kent　Edwards；　〃you　would　cheerfully　pass　in　your　checks　along　with　the　rest；　so　as　to　make　the　thing　an　entire　success；　wouldn't　you？〃

〃The　day　I'm　sent　below；　I'll　take　a　pile　of　Rebs　along　to　keep　me　company；〃　answered　Abe；　surlily。

Glen；　standing　in　the　rear　of　his　company　in　his　place　as　file…closer；　listened　to　these　words；　and　saw　in　the　dim　distance　and　on　the　darkling　heights　the　throngs　of　fierce　enemies　and　avalanches　of　impeding　dangers　as　are　likely　to　oppress　the　imagination　of　a　young　soldier　at　such　unfavorable　moments。　　The　conflict　and　carnage　seemed　so　imminent　that　he　half　expected　it　to　begin　that　very　night；　and　he　stiffened　his　sinews　for　the　shock。

Lieutenant　Alspaugh　also　heard；　studied　over　the　unwelcome　possibilities　shrouded　in　the　gathering　gloom　of　the　distance；　and　regretted　that　he　had　not；　before　crossing　the　Ohio；　called　the　Surgeon's　attention　to　some　premonitory　symptoms　of　rheumatism；　which　he　felt　he　might　desire　to　develop　into　an　acute　attack　in　the　event　of　danger　assuming　an　unpleasant　proximity。

But　as　no　Rebels　appeared　on　the　sweeping　semi…circle　of　hills　that　shut　in　Convington　on　the　south；　he　concluded　to　hold　his　disability　in　abeyance；　by　a　strong　effort　of　the　will；　until　the　regiment　had　penetrated　farther　into　the　enemy's　country。

For　days　the　regiment　marched　steadily　on　through　the　wonderfully　lovely　Blue　Grass　Region；　toward　the　interior　of　the　State；　without　coming　into　the　neighborhood　of　any　organized　body　of　the　Rebels。

Glen's　first　tremors　upon　crossing　the　Ohio　subsided　so　as　to　permit　him　to　thoroughly　enjoy　the　beauties　of　the　scenery；　and　the　pleasures　of　out…door　life　in　a　region　so　attractive　at　that　season　of　the　year。

The　turnpike；　hard　and　smooth　as　a　city　pavement；　wound　over　and　around　romantic　hillshills　crowned　with　cedar　and　evergreen　laurel；　and　scarred　with　cliffs　and　caverns。　　It　passed　through　forests；　aromatic　with　ripening　nuts　and　changing　leaves；　and　glorious　in　the　colors　of　early　Autumn。　　Then　its　course　would　traverse　farms　of　gracefully　undulating　acres；　bounded　by　substantial　stone…walls；　marked　by　winding　streams　of　pure　spring　water；　centering　around　great　roomy　houses；　with　huge　outside　chimneys；　and　broad　piazzas；　and　with　a　train　of　humble　negro　cabins　in　the　rear。　　The　horses　were　proud　stepping　thoroughbreds；　the　women　comely　and　spirited；　the　men　dignified　and　athletic；　and　all　seemed　well…fed　and　comfortable。　　The　names　of　the　places　along　the　route　recalled　to　Harry's　memory　all　he　had　ever　read　of　the　desperate　battles　and　massacres　and　single…handed　encounters　of　Daniel　Boone　and　his　associates；　with　the　Indians　in　the　early　history　of　the　country。

〃This　certainly　seems　an　ideal　pastoral　landa　place　where　one　would　naturally　locate　a　charming　idyl　or　bucolic　love…story！〃　he　said　one　evening；　to　Surgeon　Paul　Denslow；　after　descanting　at　length　upon　the　beauties　of　the　country　which　they　were　〃redeeming〃　from　the　hands　of　the　Rebels。

〃Yes；　answered　Dr。　Denslow；　〃and　it's　as　dull　and　sleepy　and　non…progressive　as　all　those　places　are　where　they　locate　what　you　call　your　idyls　and　pastorals！　　These　people　haven't　got　an　idea　belonging　to　this　century；　nor　do　they　want　one。　　They　know　how　to　raise　handsome　girls；　distil　good　whisky；　and　breed　fast　horses。　This　they　esteem　the　end　of　all　human　knowledge　and　understanding。　Anything　moer　is　to　them　vanity　and　useless　vexation　of　spirit。〃

At　last　the　regiment　halted　under　the　grand　old　beeches　and　hickories　of　teh　famous　Camp　Dick　Robinson；　in　the　heart　of　the　Blue　Grass　Region。　　In　this　most　picturesque　part　of　the　lovely　Kentucky　River　Valley　they　spent　the　bright　days　of　October　very　delightfully。

Nature　is　as　kindly　and　gracious　in　Central　Kentucky　as　in　any　part　of　the　globe　upon　which　her　sun　shines；　and　she　seemed　to　be　on　her　best　behavior；　that　she　might　duly　impress　the　Northern　visitors。

The　orchards　were　loaded　with　fruit；　and　the　forest　trees　showered　nuts　upon　the　ground。　　In　every　field　were　groups　of　persimmon　trees；　their　branches　bendingunder　a　burden　of　luscious　fruit；　which　the　frost　had　coated　with　sheeny　purple　outside；　and　made　sweeter　than　fine　wine　within。　　Over　all　bent　softly　brilliant　skies；　and　the　bland；　bracing　air　was　charged　with　the　electricity　of　life　and　happiness。

It　was　the　very　poetry　of　soldiering；　and　Harry　began　to　forget　the　miseries　of　life　in　　a　Camp　of　Instruction；　and　to　believe　that　there　was　much　to　be　enjoyed；　even　in　the　life　of　an　enlisted　man。

〃This　here　air　or　the　apple…jack　seems　to　have　a　wonderfully　improving　effect　on　Jake　Alspaugh's　chronic　rheumatics；〃　sneered　Abe　Bolton。

It　was　a　sunny　afternoon。　　Bolton　and　Kent　Edwards　were　just　ouside　of　the　camp　lines；　in　the　shade　of　a　grand　old　black　walnut；　and　had　re…seated　themselves　to　finsih　devouring　a　bucketful　of　lush　persimmons；　after　having　reluctantly　risen　from　that　delightful　occupation　to　salute　Lieutenant　Alspaugh；　as　he　passed　outward　in　imposing　blue　and　gold　stalwarthood。

〃I've　been　remarking　that　myself；〃　said　Kent；　taking　out　a　handful　of　the　shining　fruit；　and　deliberately　picking　the　stems　and　dead　leaves　from　the　sticky　sides；　preparatory　to　swallowing　it。　　〃He　hasn't　had　an　attack　since　we　thought　those　negroes　and　teams　on　the　hills　beyond　Cynthiana　was　John　Morgan's　Rebel　cavalry。〃

〃Yes；〃　continued　Abe；　helping　himself　also　the　mellow　date…plums；　〃his　legs　are　so　sound　now　that　he　is　able　to　go　to　every　frolic　in　the　country　for　miles　around；　and　dance　all　night。　　He's　going　to　the　Quartermaster's　now；　to　get　a　horse　to　ride　to　a　dance　and　candy…pulling　at　that　double　log…house　four　miles　down　the　Harrodsburg　Pike。　　I　heard　him　talking　to　some　other　fellows　about　it　when　I　went　up　with　the　squad　to　bring　the　rations　down　to　the　company。〃

〃Seems　to　em；　come　to　think　of　it；　that　I　HAVE　heard　of　some　rheumatic　symptoms　recently。　　Remember　that　a　couple　of　weeks　ago　Pete　Sanford　got　a　bullet　through　his　blouse；　that　scraped　his　ribs；　don't　you？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Abe；　spitting　the　seeds　out　from　a　mouthful　of　honeyed　pulp。

〃Well；　the　boys　say　that　Jake　went　to　a　candy…pulling　frolic　down　in　the　Cranston　settlement；　and　got　into　a　killing　flirtation　with　the　prettiest　girl　there。　　She　was　taken　with　his　brass　buttons；　and　his　circus…horse　style　generally；　but　she　had　another　fellow　that　it　didn't　suit　so　well。　　He　showed　his　disapproval　in　a　way　that　seems　to　be　the　fashion　down　here；　that　is；　he　'laid　for'　Jake　behind　a　big　rock　with　a　six…foot　deer　rifle；　but　mistook　Pete　Sanford　for　him。〃

〃The　dunderhead's　as　poor　a　judge　of　men　as　he's　marksman。　　He's　a　disgrace　to　Kentucky。〃

〃At　all　events　it　served　as　a　hint；　which　Alspaugh　did　not　fail　to　take。　　Since　that　time　there　has　been　two　or　three　dances　at　Cranston's；　but　every　time　Jake　has　had　such　twinges　of　his　rheumatism　that　he　did　not　think　it　best　to　'expose　himself　to　the　night　air；'　and　go　with　the　boys。〃

〃O！…ouw！…wh…i…s…s…s…sh！〃　sputtered　Abe；　spitting　the　contents　of　his　mouth　out　explosively；　while　his　face　was　contorted　as　if　every　nerve　and　muscle　was　being　twisted　violently。

〃Why；　what　is　the　matter；　Abe？〃　asked　Kent；　in　real　alarm。　　〃Have　you　swallowed　a　centipede　or　has　the　cramp…colic　griped　you？〃

〃No！　　I　hain't　swallowed　no　centerboard；　nor　have　I　the　belly…acheblast　your　chucklehead；〃　roared　Abe；　as　he　sprang　to　his　feet；　rushed　to　the　brook；　scooped　up　some　water　in　his　hands；　and　rinsed　his　mouth　out　energetically。

〃Well；　what　can　it　be；　then？　　You　surely　ain't　doing　all　that　for　fun。〃


〃No；　I　ain't　doing　it　for　fun；〃　shouted　Abe；　angrier　still；　〃and　nobody　but　a　double…and　twisted　idiot　would　ask　such　a　fool　question。　I　was　paying　so　much　attention　to　your　dumbed　story　that　I　chewed　up　a　green　persimmonone　that　hadn't　been　touched　by　the　frost。　It's　puckered　my　mouth　so　that　I　will　never　get　it　straight　again。　It's　worse　than　a　pound　of　alum　and　a　gallon　of　tanbark　juice　mixed　together。　　O；　laugh；　if　you　want　tothat's　just　what　I'd　expect　from　you。　　That's　about　all　the　sense　you've　got。〃

…

There　was　enough　excitement　in　camp　to　prevent　any　danger　of　ennui。　The　probability　of　battle　gave　the　daily　drills　an　interest　that　they　never　could　gain　in　Ohio。　　The　native　Rebels　were　numerous　and　defiant；　and　kept　up　such　demonstrations　as　led　to　continual　apprehensions　of　an　attack。　　New　regiments　came　in　constantly；　and　were　received　with　enthusiasm。　　Kentucky　and　East　Tennessee　Loyalists；　tall；　gaunt；　long…haired　and　quaint…spoken；　but　burning　with　enthusiasm　for　the　Government　of　their　fathers；　flocked　to　the　camp；　doffed　their　butternut　garb；　assumed　the　glue；　and　enrolled　themselves　to　defend　the　Union。

At　length　it　became　evident　that　the　Rebel　〃Army　of　Liberation〃　was　really　about　crossing　the　Cumberland　Mountains　to　drive　out　the　〃Yankees〃　and　recover　possession　of　Kentucky　for　the　Southern　Confederacy。

Outposts　were　thrown　out　in　all　directions　to　gain　the　earlies　possible　intelligence　of　the　progress　of　the　movement；　and　to　make　such　resistance　to　it　as　might　be　possible。　　One　of　these　outposts　was　stationed　at　Wildcat　Gap；　an　inexpressibly　wild　and　desolate　region；　sixty　miles　from　Camp　Dick　Robinson；　where　the　road　entering　Kentucky　from　Tennessee　at　Cumberland　Gap　crosses　the　Wildcat　range　of　mountains。

One　day　the　startling　news　reached　camp　that　an　overwhelming　Rebel　force　under　Gen。　Zollicoffer　was　on　the　eve　of　attacking　the　slender　garrison　of　Wildcat　Gap。　　The　〃assembly〃　was　sounded；　and　the　regiment；　hastily　provided　with　rations　and　ammunition；　was　hurried　forward　to　aid　in　the　defense　of　the　threatened　outpost。

Nature；　as　if　in　sympathy　with　the　gathering　storm　of　war；　ceased　her　smiling。　　The　blue；　bending　skies　were　transformed　intoa　scowling；　leaden…visaged　canopy；　from　which　fell　a　chill　incessant　rain。

When　the　order　to　prepare　for　the　march　came；　Glen；　follow