things to the men that are sick in your company."

"They are all sick," I said quickly, for I was greedy and wanted all I
could get. He pulled out a hospital shirt and tied up the neck. Having
filled it with condensed milk, tobacco, and other things, he asked me if I
could carry it. "Could I! I could carry all there's in your cart," I
replied. I found my load was a little heavier than I had expected it to
be, but I wouldn't say there was too much, but helped him to hitch up his
mules and he started off, after giving me a warm hand-shake. I watched him
until he disappeared from view, and then thought I would open up the
treasure I had buried and deposit some of the shirtful which he had so
kindly given me after I had robbed him. It would lighten the load and I
could return for the balance next day. I had just started to dig, when I
looked up and saw him driving back as hard as he could drive, "Say, young
fellow, I--I--I," in a wild, excited manner, reigning his mules up with a
jerk and a "Whoa, thar," loud enough to be heard in Petersburg, "I--I
thought I'd drive back and dig up that darned shell. It'll be a great
curiosity. When I get home I can show the folks the dangerous position I
was placed in while distributing these things."

I didn't stop to hear any more, but hurried away with my shirtful. I ran
hard and fast, and didn't dare to turn and look round. The shells began to
whiz pretty thickly just at this time, and I prayed and hoped that the old
man would get scared and not dig for that shell, for I wanted the boys to
have it.

[Illustration: _The Great Mine Explosion in Front of Petersburg._]

This was on the day fixed for the great mine explosion, every soldier on
the entire line was waiting with bated breath for the signal or prolonged
rumble of that expected explosion. It did not come, however. The suspense
was broken by the appearance nearly a half a mile away, of a soldier with
something white on his back, that made a good target for the rebel
sharpshooters. Down the railroad I came. I reached the first line of
earthworks. For a short distance I would keep on top. In this way I kept
on, on, first running one breastwork then another, till I reached the
front line. On top of this I ran the whole length, heedless and unmindful
of the rebel bullets that pelted about me. I almost flew along. The
soldiers shouted to me to keep down, but I heeded them not. Finally I
reached the place where my regiment was, j