Part 28 (1/2)

A pouring rain came up while the four friends were at the quarters of the officer. A torrent of muddy water broke through the roof, a big lump of wet dirt fell on the bed, and mud and water covered the floor. The four guests fell to and piled bed, chairs, and table in the dryest corner and protected the clothes and blankets of their host as well as they could, but the place looked as if it could never be made fit to use again. But when Captain Dent arrived, he just laughed at the whole mess, as he called it.

”It's just one of the little accidents of war,” he added. ”My man, Harris, will put this cabin in good shape before dark. This is nothing at all. Just think of our starving boys in the rifle-pits. They often have to stand and lie in the mud all day.

”If you gentlemen will lend me a hand, we'll deepen the trench around this mansion and stop the leak in the roof.

”You must all stay for supper,” the captain insisted, when the work was done. ”I have invited three young officers. You'll enjoy the company, and if you Northerners are not too particular, you can have plenty to eat.”

Harris, the colored man, began cooking, while Captain Dent showed his visitors around and told them of many interesting incidents connected with the siege.

Then the guests came and Harris announced supper.

”Captain,” one of the young men asked, ”what's this savory dish your man is serving us?”

”That,” the captain a.s.serted, without changing a muscle on his weather-browned face, ”that's moose-tongue; moose-tongue from Minnesota.

My friend here brought it down.”

”Tied him behind your boat, I suppose?” queried the second guest.

”Oh, no; not at all,” Barker promptly entered into the spirit of the company. ”We used him as motive power. He pulled us clear into town.”

The third guest and the boys looked a little puzzled.

”You see,” the trapper quickly explained, ”he was a Chippewa moose and dreadfully scared of a Sioux. My friend, Tatanka, here, is a Sioux. Had an awful time getting the beast to stop for camp. Was bound to keep going as long as Tatanka was sitting behind him.”

A ringing laugh went around the table.

”Sir Barker,” the captain took up the conversation, ”how many tongues did he have?”

”Well, sir,” the trapper drawled out, ”from the noise he could make, I should say about six, sir. He was sure a wonderful beast. We were going to exhibit him in town, but the Quartermaster General took such a liking to him that we had to give him up.”

Again a peal of laughter went around the table.

”Harris,” said the third guest, ”you've garnished that moose-tongue with green asparagus. Looks almighty appetizing. Where did you get it?”

”Wai, ma.s.sa, I tell you. I cut it myself in de cane-brake in de nex'

ravine. De Good Lord hab started a 'sparagus plantation dere, sure 'nuf,” and a broad smile spread over Harris's face like suns.h.i.+ne. He had really done his best to prepare a feast for his master and now he was happy because his master was pleased.

”Gentlemen, fall to,” the captain urged. ”We have here the very best dinner Vicksburg has to offer. The Planters Hotel could not beat it, if President Davis himself was the guest of the city.”

By this time the boys had recovered from their embarra.s.sment because they saw the men all acting like happy boys. They had never suspected that their fatherly friend, Barker, was so much of a boy, who could laugh and cut up.

They fell to as heartily as all the older boys, although the scene of Old Harmony's team of six rolling down the bluff at Fort Ridgely flashed through their minds.

”It tastes just like beef-tongue,” Tim remarked to Bill.

For the present, both host and guests forgot the dangers, the sufferings and the horrors of war. They were all just boys at dinner.

When the company one after the other, began to sniff at the odor of coffee, Captain Dent called aloud for Harris.

”Look here, you black rascal,” he accosted the surprised cook, ”what are you making that smell of coffee with? There hasn't been any coffee in town for a week.”