the red acorn-第22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！


r。　　Imagination　painted　the　present　and　future　in　hues　of　dazzling　radiance。　　Everything　was　as　delightful　as　it　could　be　now；　and　would　become　more　charming　as　time　rolled　on。　　But　with　Abe　Bolton　drinking　tended　to　develop　moroseness　into　savagery。

〃Ah；　comfort　me　with　apple…jack；　and　stay　me　with　flagons　of　it；〃　said　Kent　Edwards；　setting　down　the　jug　with　the　circumspection　of　a　man　not　yet　too　drunk　to　suspect　that　he　is　losing　exact　control　of　his　legs　and　arms。　　〃That　gets　better　the　deeper　down　you　go。　First　it　was　like　swallowing　a　chestnut　burr；　now；　old　hand…made　Bourbon　couldn't　be　smoother。〃

〃A　man　can　get　used　to　a'most　anything；〃　said　Bolton。

〃I　get　gladder　every　day；　Abe；　that　I　came　into　the　army。　　I　wouldn't　have　missed　all　this　experience　for　the　finest　farm　in　the　Miami　Valley。


''Twere　worth　ten　years　of　peaceful　life；　　　To　soldier　have　a　day；'


Sir　Walter　Scott　saysas　I　improve　him。〃

〃'Specially　one　of　them　soaking　days　when　we　were　marching　through　the　mud　to　Wildcat。〃

〃O；　those　were　just　thrown　in　to　make　us　appreciate　good　weather　when　we　have　it。　　Otherwise　we　wouldn't。　　You　know　what　the　song　says：


'For　Spring　would　be　but　gloomy　weather；　　　If　we　had　nothing　else　but　Spring。'〃


〃Well；　for　my　part；　one　o'　them　days　was　enough　to　p'ison　six　months　o'　sunshine。　　I　declare；　I　believe　I'll　feel　mildewed　for　the　rest　of　my　life。　　I　know　if　I　pulled　off　my　clothes　you　could　scrape　the　green　mold　off　my　back。〃

〃And　I'm　sure　that　if　we'd　had　the　whole　army　to　pick　from；　we　couldn't've　got　in　with　a　better　lot　of　boys　and　officers。　　Every　one　of　them's　true　blue；　and　a　MAN　all　the　way　through。　　It's　the　best　regiment　in　the　army；　and　our　company's　the　best　company　in　the　regiment；　and　I　flatter　myself　the　company　hasn't　got　two　other　as　good　men　as　we　are。〃

〃Your　modesty'll　ruin　you　yet；　Kent；〃　said　Abe；　sardonically。　〃It's　very　painful　to　see　a　man　going　'round　unerrating　himself　as　you　do。　　If　I　could　only　get　you　to　have　a　proper　opinion　of　yourselfthat　is；　believe　that　you　are　a　bigger　man　than　General　Scott　or　George　B。　McClellan；　I'd　have　some　hopes　of　you。〃

〃We'll　have　one　grand；　big　battle　with　the　Secessionists　now；　pretty　sooneverything's　getting　ripe　for　itand　we'll　whip　them　like　Wellington　whipped　Napoleon　at　Waterloo。　　Our　regiment　will　cover　itself　with　glory；　in　which　you　and　I　will　have　a　big　share。　　Then　we'll　march　back　to　Sardis　with　flags　flying　and　drums　beating；　everybody　turning　out；　and　the　bands　playing　'See；　the　Conquering　Hero　Comes；'　when　you　and　I　come　down　the　street；　and　we'll　be　heroes　for　the　rest　of　our　natural　lives。〃

〃Go　ahead；　and　tell　the　rest　of　it　to　the　mash…tubs　and　the　still。　I've　heard　as　much　as　I　can　stand；　an　I　must　have　a　breath　of　fresh　air。　　I'm　going　into　the　other　cabin　to　see　what's　there。〃

Kent　followed　him　to　the　door；　with　the　jug　in　his　hand。

〃Kent；　there's　a　man　coming　down　the　path　there；〃　said　Abe；　pulling　himself　together；　after　the　manner　of　a　half…drunken　man　whose　attention　is　powerfully　distracted。

〃Where？〃　asked　Kent；　setting　the　jug　down　with　solicitous　gentleness；　and　reaching　back　for　his　musket。

〃There；　by　that　big　chestnut。　　Can't　you　see　him？　or　have　you　got　so　much　whisky　in　you；　that　you　can't　see　anything？　　He's　in　Rebel　clothes；　and　he's　got　a　gun。　　I'm　going　to　shoot　him。〃

〃Maybe　he's　one　of　these　loyal　Kentuckians。　　Hold　on　a　minute；　till　you　are　sure；〃　said　Kent；　half　cocking　his　own　gun。

〃The　last　words　of　General　Washington　were　'Never　trust　a　nigger　with　a　gun。'　　　A　man　with　that　kind　o'　cloze　has　no　business　carrying　weapons　around　in　this　country。　　I'm　going　to　shoot。〃

〃If　you　shoot　with　your　hands　wobbling　that　way；　you'll　make　him　aas　full　of　holes　as　a　skimmer。　　That'd　be　cruel。　　Steady　yourself　up　a　little；　while　I　talk　to　him。

〃Halt；　there！〃　commanded　Kent；　with　a　thick　tongue。　　〃Who　are　you；　and　how　many　are　with　you？〃

〃I'm　a　Union　man；〃　said　Fortner；　for　it　was　he；　〃an'　I'm　alone。〃

〃Lay　down　your　gun　and　come　up　here；　if　you　are　a　friend；〃　ordered　Kent。

The　swaggering　imperiousness　in　Edward's　tone　nettled　Fortner　as　much　as　the　order　itself。　　〃I　don't　make　a　practice　of　layin'　down　my　gun　for　no　man；〃　he　said　proudly。　　〃I'm　ez　good　Union　ez　ary　of　you'uns　dar　be；　an'　I　don't　take　no　orders　from　ye。　　I　could've　killed　ye　both；　ef　I'd　a　wanted　ter；　afore　ye　ever　seed　me。〃

Bolton's　gun　cracked；　and　the　bullet　buried　itself　in　the　thick；　soft　bark　of　the　chestnut；　just　above　Fortner's　head；　and　threw　dust　and　chips　in　his　eyes。　　He　brushed　them　away　angrily；　and　instinctively　raised　his　rifle。　　Kent　took　this　as　his　cue　to　fire；　but　his　aim　was　even　worse　than　Abe's。

〃Ruined　again　by　strong　drink；〃　he　muttered　despairingly；　as　he　saw　the　failure　of　his　shot。　　〃Nothing　but　new　apple　jack　could　make　me　miss　so　fair　a　mark。〃

〃Now；　ye　fellers；　lay　down　YORE　guns！〃　shouted　Fortner；　springing　forward　to　where　they　were；　with　his　rifle　cocked。　　〃Lay　'em　down！　I　say。　　Lay　'em　down；　or　I'll　let　daylight　through　ye！〃

〃He's　got　us；　Abe；〃　said　Kent；　laying　down　his　musket　reluctantly。　His　example　was　followed　by　Abe；　who；　however；　did　not　place　his　gun　so　far　that　he　could　not　readily　pick　it　up　again；　if　Fortner　gave　him　an　instant's　opportunity。　　Fortner　noticed　this；　and　pushed　the　musket　farther　away　with　his　foot；　still　covering　the　two　with　his　rifle。

〃Ye　see　now；〃　he　said　〃thet　I　hev　ye　at　my　marcy；　ef　I　wanted　ter　kill　or　capture　ye。　　Efi　I　gin　ye　back　yer　guns；　ye'll　admit　thet　I'm　yer　friend；　and　not　yer　inimy；　won't　ye？〃

〃It'll　certainly　look　like　an　overture　to　a　permanent　and　disinterested　friendship；〃　said　Kent；　brightening　up；　and　Abe；　who　was　gathering　himself　up　for　a　spring　to　catch　Fortner's　rifle；　let　his　muscles　relax　again。

〃Well；　ye　kin　take　up　yer　guns　agin　and　load　'em；〃　said　Fortner；　letting　down　the　hammer　of　his　rifle。　　〃I'm　Jim　Fortner；　supposed　ter　be　the　pizenest　Union　man　on　the　Rockassel！　　Come　along　ter　my　house；　an　I'll　gin　ye　a　good　meal　o'　vittels。　　Hit's　on'y　a　little　piece　off；　an'　I've　got　thar　one　of　yer　fellers。　　His　name's　Harry　Glen。





Chapter　XIV。　　In　the　Hospital。




As　the　tall　ship　whose　lofty　prore　Shall　never　stem　the　billows　more　Deserted　by　her　gallant　band；　Amid　the　breakers　lies　astrand　Soon　his　couch　lay　Rhoderick　Dhu；　And　oft　his　fevered　limbs　he　threw　In　toss　abrupt；　as　when　her　sides　Lie　rocking　in　the　advancing　tides；　That　shake　her　frame　with　ceaseless　beat；　Yet　can　not　heave　her　from　her　seat；　O；　how　unlike　her　course　on　sea！　Or　his　free　step　on　hill　and　lea！Lady　of　the　Lake。


An　Army　Hospital　is　the　vestibule　of　the　Cemeterythe　ante…room　where　the　recruiting…agents　of　DeathWounds　and　Diseaseassemble　their　conscripts　to　prepare　them　for　the　ranks　from　which　there　is　neither　desertion　nor　discharge。　　Therein　enter　those　who　are　to　lay　aside　〃this　muddy　vesture　of　decay；〃　for　the　changeless　garb　of　the　Beyond。　　Thither　troop　the　Wasted　and　Stricken　to　rest　a　little；　and　prepare　for　the　last　great　journey；　the　first　milestone　of　which　is　placed　over　their　heads。

Humanity　and　Science　have　done　much　for　the　Army　Hospital；　but　still　its　swinging　doors　wave　two　to　the　tomb　where　they　return　one　to　health　and　activity。

It　was　a　broiling　hot　day　when　Rachel　Bond　descended　from　the　ambulance　which　had　brought　her　from　the　station　to　camp。

She　shielded　her　eyes　with　a　plam…leaf　fan；　and　surveyed　the　surroundings　of　the　post　of　duty　to　which　she　had　been　assigned。　She　found　herself　in　a　little　city　of　rough　plank　barracks；　arranged　in　geometrically　correct　streets　and　angles　about　a　great　plain　of　a　parade　ground；　from　which　the　heat　radiated　as　from　a　glowing　stove。　　A　flag　drooped　as　if　wilted　from　the　top　of　a　tall　pole　standing　on　the　side　of　the　parade…ground　opposite　her。　　Languidly　pacing　in　front　of　the　Colonel's　tent　was　an　Orderly；　who　had　been　selected　in　the　morning　for　his　spruce　neatness；　but　who　now　looked　like　some　enormous　blue　vegetable；　rapidly　withering　under　the　sun's　blistering　rays。

Beyond　were　the　barracks；　baking　and　sweltering；　cracking　their　rough；　unpainted　sides　into　yawning　fissures；　and　filling　the　smothering　air　with　resinous　odors　distilled　from　the　fat　knots　in　the　refuse　planking　of　which　they　were　built。　　Beyond　these　was　the　line　of　camp…guardsbright　gun…barrels　and　bayonets　glistening　painfully；　and　those　who　bore　them　walking　with　as　weary　slowness　as　was　consistent　with　any　motion　whatever；　along　their　beats。

On　straw　in　the　oven…like　barracks；　and　under　the　few　trees　in　the　camp…ground；　lay　the　flushed　and　panting　soldiers；　waiting　wearily　for　that　relief　which　the　descending　sun　would　bring。

The　hospital　to　which　Rachel　had　been　brought　differed　from　the　rest　of　the　sheds　in　the　camp　by　being　whitewashed　within　and　without；　which　made　it　radiate　a　still　more　unendurable　heat　than　its　duller…lustered　companions。　　A　powerful　odor　of　chloride　of　lime　and　carbolic　acid　shocked　her　sensitive　nostrils　with　their　tales　of　all　the　repulsiveness　those　disinfectants　were　intended　to　destroy　or　hide。

Several　dejected；　hollow…eyed　convalescents；　whose　uniforms　hung　about　their　wasted　bodies　as　they　would　about　wooden　crosses；　sat　on　benches　in　the　scanty　shade　by　one　side　of　the　building；　and　fanned　themselves　weakly　with　fans　clumsily　fashioned　from　old　newspapers。　　They　looked　up　as　the　trim；　lady…like　figure　stepped　lightly　down　from　the　ambulance；　and　the　long…absent　luster　returned　briefly　to　their　sad　eyes。

〃That　looks　like　home；　Jim；〃　said　one　of　the　fever…wasted。

〃That　it　does。　　Lord！　she　looks　as　fresh　and　sweet　as　the　Johnny…jump…ups　down　by　our　old　spring…house。　　I　expect　she's　come　down　here　to　find　somebody　that　belongs　to　her　that's　sick。　　Don't　I　wish　it　was　me！〃

〃I　wouldn't　mind　being　a　brother；　or　a　cousin；　or　a　sweetheart　to　her　myself。　　That'd　be　better　luck　than　to　be　given　a　sutler…shop。　Just　see　her　move！　　She's　got　a　purtier　gait　than　our　thoroughbred　colt。〃

〃IT　does　one's　eyes　good　to　look　at　her。　　It　makes　me　feel　better　than　a　cart…load　of　the　stuff　that　old　Pillbags　forces　down　our　throats。〃

〃You're　a…talking。　　She's　a　ladyevery　inch　of　hergenuine；　simon…pure；　fast　colors；　all…wool；　a　yard　wide；　as　fine　as　silk；　and　bright　a　a　May　morning。〃

〃And　as　wholesome　as　Spring　sunshine。〃

All　unconscious　that　her　appearance　was　to　the　invalids　who　looked　upon　her　like　a　sweet；　health…giving　breeze　bursting　through　a　tainted　atmosphere；　Rachel　passed　wearily　along　the　burning　walks　toward　the　Surgeon's　office；　with　a　growing　heart…sickness　at　the　unwelcome　appearance　of　the　task　she　had　elected　for　herself。

The　journey　had　been　full　of　irritating　discomforts。　　Heat；　dust；　and　soiled　linen　are　only　annoyances　to　a　man；　they　are　real　miseries　to　a　woman。　　The　marvel　is　not　that　Joan　of　Arc　dared　the　perils　of　battle；　but　that　she　endured　the　continued　wretchedness　of　camp　uncleanliness；　to　the　triumphant　end。

With　her　throat　parched；　garments　〃sticky；〃　hair；　eyes；　ears　and　nostrils　filled　with　irritating　dust；　and　a　feeling　that　collar　and　cuffs　were；　as　ladies　phrase　it；　〃a　sight　to　behold；〃　Rachel's　heoric　enthusiasm　ebbed　to　the　bottom。　　Ushered　into　the　Surgeon's　office　she　was　presented　to　a　red…