. Strange stories of the Civil War . e to the soldiers, and it came tobe ascribed to a sort of blundering heedless-ness—not bravery, of course, for he was onlya camp-follower. And one day, when the command failedin its attack upon a fort, Zebedee found him-self with the handful who fled for safety closeup against the hostile works. There theywere protected from shots from above; andthe enemy dared not, on account of a cover-ing fire, come out into the open to attackthem; and there they hoped to stay till dark-ness should permit retreat. But the day was blisteringly hot, and thirstbegan to madd
. Strange stories of the Civil War . e to the soldiers, and it came tobe ascribed to a sort of blundering heedless-ness—not bravery, of course, for he was onlya camp-follower. And one day, when the command failedin its attack upon a fort, Zebedee found him-self with the handful who fled for safety closeup against the hostile works. There theywere protected from shots from above; andthe enemy dared not, on account of a cover-ing fire, come out into the open to attackthem; and there they hoped to stay till dark-ness should permit retreat. But the day was blisteringly hot, and thirstbegan to madden them. Then Zebedeeslung about him a score of canteens, anddashed out across the plain, and lead rainedpitilessly about him as he jingled on, buthe was not hit. His canteens were swiftlyfilled by friendly hands, and he turned to goback across that deadly space. He knew that fire would flash along the hostile works; that lead again would rain; but he did not waver. He saw the dark line of his comrades, he knew their misery, he 20. THEN ZEBEDEE DASHED OUT ACROSS THE PLAIN THE CAPTAIN OF COMPANY Q could at least give one life for his country—and the men watched him with awe as,with a curious gravity, he, about to die, sa-luted them in farewell and ran unhesitating-ly out. A sort of glory was upon his coun-tenance. There was a hush. Friend andenemy alike were awed and still. No soundwas heard but the rapid patter of his came no flash and smoke, no splinter-ing sound of musketry. But there arose amighty shout — friends and enemies alikewere cheering him!—and he sank, hysterical-ly sobbing, among his comrades. This, of course, brought about importantrecognition. The General heard of it; heard,too, that the Captain of Company Q did not,from some crotchet, some whimsy, wish tobe a regular soldier. Zebedee, he said, you are a braveman. Zebedees heart beat high with hope, andthe look of exaltation shone in his knowing whether or not to use words,or what word
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