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smelled so vilely in those scorching days that he had consulted his
feelings and probably his health； by retiring to the top of the bank；
a rod or more distant。 We watched night after night； and at last were
gratified to find that none went nearer the Creak than the top of this
bank。
Then we waited for the moon to come right； so that the first part of the
night should be dark。 This took several days； but at last we knew that
the next night she would not rise until between 9 and 10 o'clock； which
would give us nearly two hours of the dense darkness of a moonless Summer
night in the South。 We had first thought of saving up some rations for
the trip； but then reflected that these would be ruined by the filthy
water into which we must sink to go under the fence。 It was not
difficult to abandon the food idea； since it was very hard to force
ourselves to lay by even the smallest portion of our scanty rations。
As the next day wore on； our minds were wrought up into exalted tension
by the rapid approach of the supreme moment； with all its chances and
consequences。 The experience of the past few months was not such as to
mentally fit us for such a hazard。 It prepared us for sullen；
uncomplaining endurance； for calmly contemplating the worst that could
come； but it did not strengthen that fiber of mind that leads to
venturesome activity and daring exploits。 Doubtless the weakness of our
bodies reacted upon our spirits。 We contemplated all the perils that
confronted us； perils that； now looming up with impending nearness； took
a clearer and more threatening shape than they had ever done before。
We considered the desperate chances of passing the guard unseen； or； if
noticed； of escaping his fire without death or severe wounds。 But
supposing him fortunately evaded； then came the gauntlet of the hounds
and the patrols hunting deserters。 After this； a long； weary journey；
with bare feet and almost naked bodies； through an unknown country
abounding with enemies； the dangers of assassination by the embittered
populace； the risks of dying with hunger and fatigue in the gloomy depths
of a swamp； the scanty hopes that； if we reached the seashore； we could
get to our vessels。
Not one of all these contingencies failed to expand itself to all its
alarming proportions； and unite with its fellows to form a dreadful
vista； like the valleys filled with demons and genii； dragons and malign
enchantments； which confront the heros of the 〃Arabian Nights；〃 when they
set out to perform their exploits。
But behind us lay more miseries and horrors than a riotous imagination
could conceive； before us could certainly be nothing worse。 We would put
life and freedom to the hazard of a touch； and win or lose it all。
The day had been intolerably hot。 The sun's rays seemed to sear the
earth； like heated irons； and the air that lay on the burning sand was
broken by wavy lines； such as one sees indicate the radiation from a hot
stove。
Except the wretched chain…gang plodding torturously back and forward on
the hillside； not a soul nor an animal could be seen in motion outside
the Stockade。 The hounds were panting in their kennel； the Rebel
officers； half or wholly drunken with villainous sorgum whisky； were
stretched at full length in the shade at headquarters； the half…caked
gunners crouched under the shadow of the embankments of the forts； the
guards hung limply over the Stockade in front of their little perches；
the thirty thousand boys inside the Stockade； prone or supine upon the
glowing sand； gasped for breathfor one draft of sweet； cool； wholesome
air that did not bear on its wings the subtle seeds of rank corruption
and death。 Everywhere was the prostration of discomfortthe inertia of
sluggishness。
Only the sick moved； only the pain…racked cried out； only the dying
struggled； only the agonies of dissolution could make life assert itself
against the exhaustion of the heat。
Harvey and I； lying in the scanty shade of the trunk of a tall pine； and
with hearts filled with solicitude as to the outcome of what the evening
would bring us； looked out over the scene as we had done daily for long
months； and remained silent for hours； until the sun； as if weary with
torturing and slaying； began going down in the blazing West。 The groans
of the thousands of sick around us； the shrieks of the rotting ones in
the gangrene wards rang incessantly in our ears。
As the sun disappeared； and the heat abated； the suspended activity was
restored。 The Master of the Hounds came out with his yelping pack； and
started on his rounds； the Rebel officers aroused themselves from their
siesta and went lazily about their duties； the fifer produced his cracked
fife and piped forth his unvarying 〃Bonnie Blue Flag；〃 as a signal for
dress parade； and drums beaten by unskilled hands in the camps of the
different regiments； repeated the signal。 In time Stockade the mass of
humanity became full of motion as an ant hill； and resembled it very much
from our point of view； with the boys threading their way among the
burrows； tents and holes。
It was becoming dark quite rapidly。 The moments seemed galloping onward
toward the time when we must make the decisive step。 We drew from the
dirty rag in which it was wrapped the little piece of corn bread that we
had saved for our supper； carefully divided it into two equal parts；
and each took one and ate it in silence。 This done； we held a final
consultation as to our plans； and went over each detail carefully； that
we might fully understand each other under all possible circumstances；
and act in concert。 One point we laboriously impressed upon each other；
and that was； that under no circumstances were we to allow ourselves to
be tempted to leave the Creek until we reached its junction with the
Flint River。 I then picked up two pine leaves； broke them off to unequal
lengths； rolled them in my hands behind my back for a second； and
presenting them to Harney with their ends sticking out of my closed hand；
said：
〃The one that gets the longest one goes first。〃
Harvey reached forth and drew the longer one。
We made a tour of reconnaissance。 Everything seemed as usual； and
wonderfully calm compared with the tumult in our minds。 The Hospital
guards were pacing their beats lazily； those on the Stockade were
drawling listlessly the first 〃call around〃 of the evening：
〃Post numbah foah！ Half…past seven o'clock！ and a…l…l's we…l…ll！〃
Inside the Stockade was a Babel of sounds； above all of which rose the
melody of religious and patriotic songs； sung in various parts of the
camp。 From the headquarters came the shouts and laughter of the Rebel
officers having a little 〃frolic〃 in the cool of the evening。 The groans
of the sick around us were gradually hushing； as the abatement of the
terrible heat let all but the worst cases sink into a brief slumber；
from which they awoke before midnight to renew their outcries。 But those
in the Gangrene wards seemed to be denied even this scanty blessing。
Apparently they never slept； for their shrieks never ceased。 A multitude
of whip…poor…wills in the woods around us began their us