Madera Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Madera, CA)

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to retain his seat but in vain. He could not. He opened his mouth to speak again but fell from the saddle. Lee sprang to him, felt his heart, his pulse, then his eyes filled with tears and he turned to the surrounding soldiers. “It’s no use, lads. He’s gone to a land where all is peace. Get a stretcher and we'll carry him to my headquarters. Left alone, he gazed at the silent form of the tall manly lad, the soft brown hair. that a mother’s lips had so often kissed, clung in soft tendrils to his forehead. On the face was a look of sublime peace and the eyes were closed for the sleep that knows no waking. “Oh God, God! What a price. What a price to pay for only a few black slaves.” Lee’s shoulders shook with sobs as he gazed at the lad, once the pride of a mother’s heart, lying so silent and still. That night the moon shone on a new made grave and hundreds of miles away, on a bowed and bent old widow who knelt by the window praying to God to bless her son.

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be done and, as it was already dark. he might as well avail himself of the opportunity to get some sleep. So he lay down on the ground, for there was neither bed nor floor in the room, and tried to forget his troubles in rest. But he could not! Foolish idea for escape kept crowding into hi. head and he moved restlessly. Suddenly, the dirt beneath him fell in and, jumping up, he began to dig rapidly, for he had heard of under- ground tunnels and this mieht be one. Sure enough, it was a tunnel. The Boy stood up, his eyes shining—for surely he would be able to escape now! Lying flat on the ground, he began to wiggle along through the hole. It was barely large enough and the air almost stifled him. But still he kept on. Farther and farther he went and then—a glim- mer of light ahead! Slowly, fearfully, he poked his head out of the hole and glanced around. All was quiet! Quickly he dragged him- self out and looked around. He could see no one; but hark a footstep! Nearer and nearer it came and soon the Boy could discern the form of a soldier in the Federal uni- His heart almost stopped beating and he lay flat on the ground. The soldier was almost there, a moment more and he would be discovered. But no! the fellow passed on, so near the Boy could easily have reached out and touched him. At last—he was gone! Fainter and fainter grew the footsteps, finally dying away in the distance. The Boy heaved a great sigh of relief. Jumping up, he crept on all fours to some nearby horses, took hold of one and carefully led it to the open road. There he mounted and rode for dear life. Faster and fast- er he went. for it was only forty miles to Lee’s camp. But what was that sound? Louder and louder it grew the sound of a horse’s hoof! His escape had been discov- ered and he was being pursued! He leaned far over his horse and whispered to her, “Go it, girlie, go it! They'll form. 4a suah kill us if they get us. On and on he went but h is pursuers sounds were ever erowing louder. Looking back, he could see the faint fieure coming up the dark, lonely road. He spurred his horse, he must escape, he must, he must! Then he saw the Federal draw out a gum and “Bang! The Boy felt a sting go through his shoulder! “Bang!” Another went through his side! A strange warmth seemed to spread over his body. He drew out his revolver, his pur- suer was now almost upon him, and, with a desperate ef- fort, he took aim and fired. His mark went home! The man fell from his saddle—dead ! The Boy spurred his horse, he must go faster, he must vet his message to Lee! On and on he went, only thirty miles more. How weak he felt! He could hardly sit up. But only twenty miles more now. What made his saddle feel so wet and slippery? He put his hand on it, then quickly drew it back, red with blood in the waning light of the moon. It was almost morning but only five miles more! At last! Before him lay the Rebel camp. “Fastah! Oh fastah! my Beauty!” he whispered to the horse for he felt so faint and weak. Everything seemed to be going around. He could not even sit up, it seemed as though he were going to fall-off his horse. last, and surely, ves, that was Lee. Ah! he was there at i icure that he could distinguish any- that tall commanding where. He ureed his horse on through — the soldiers, who gazed at him as a specter from the eraye. and, reaching Lee, he tried to give him the message. But he could not speak. What was the matter? His voice seemed faint and far- away as he gasped, “The Feds—are go—ing to take Charleston—on the—fifteenth !” He made one last effort

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The weary world in ‘T'wilight’s arms is Gently lulled to rest, The dying sun goes down beyond the Snow-clad mountain crest ; The silv’ry wavelets on the lake all Sparkle neath her glow; The mountain crests all glisten in Their garments white of snow. The little birds have hushed their songs, The pines and fires make sillouettes The flowers close their eyes; The universe thinks not of wrongs. In Slumber’s realm she lies. And in the azure vault alone, the Twinkling stars burst thin; And now, the majestic moon appears, Clad in silvery hue. And as she pauses in the sky, A sentinel she seems; And the reposing universe, she Bathes in soft moonbeams. Again st the bright hillside; And not a thing the moon forgets, for Thev are all her pride. And all night long the moon will watch Until relieved by Dawn; all The twinkling stars with her will croon The little slumber song: And Earth will dwell, and dream, and rest. In Nodland’s mystic glade, ‘Till Wakened by Dawn’s light caress, And then, the moon will fade. And like the earth. we slumber too, Forget our cares and woes, While God, his watch doth ever keep, Upon us all below. And with the Dawn we, too, awake, To greet the newborn dav! The moon and God will watch o’er us. Forever, and for aye.