104 AN AFTERNOON BY THE BIVEB. 



peared, and his practiced ear had detected a 

 jar in the machinery. 



We left the car in company, he and I, 

 at the end of the route, and pretty soon it 

 transpired that he was an old Union soldier, 

 of Massachusetts parentage, but born in Can- 

 ada and a member of a Michigan regiment. 

 Just how these autobiographical details came 

 to be mentioned I fail now to remember, 

 but in that country, where so much history 

 had been made, it was hard to keep the past 

 out of one's conversation. He had been in 

 Sheridan's force when it stormed Missionary 

 Eidge. As they went up the heights, he 

 said, they were between two fires ; as much 

 in danger from Federal bullets as from Con- 

 federate; "but Sheridan kept right on." 

 An old woman who lived on the Ridge told 

 him that she asked General Bragg if the 

 Yankees would take the hill. "Take the 

 hill ! " said Bragg ; " they could as well fly." 

 Just then she saw the blue-coats coming, 

 and pointed them out to the General. He 

 looked at them, put spurs to his horse, 

 " and," added the woman, " I ain't seen him 

 since." All of which, for aught I know, 

 may be true. 



