the red acorn-第16章
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rse； drew his sword； placed himself at the head of the regiment； and gave the command 〃Forward。〃 Eleven hundred superb young fellows； marching four abrest； with bayonets fixed； and muskets at 〃right shoulder shift；〃 strode up the bank after him and went into line of battle at the top； where he made a short soldierly speech； the drums rolled； the colors dipped； the men cheered； and the band played 〃Star…spangled Banner〃 and 〃Dixie。〃
Three years later the two hundred survivors of this number returning from their 〃Veteran furlough；〃 without a band and with their tattered colors carefully cased； came off a transport at the same place； without uttering a word other than a little grumbling at the trouble of disposing of some baggage； marched swiftly and silently up the bank； and disappeared before any one fairly realized that they were there。 So much had Time and War taught them。
〃Now our work may be said to be fairly begun。〃 said the Colonel； turning from the contemplation of his regiment； and scanning anxiously 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；
