CHAPTER XL. A NIGHT ATTACK BY PIGS—BATTLE BETWEEN FORTS AND GUN-BOATS—DISASTER TO THE MOUND CITY.
On the night of the ninth, Harry and Jack had an adventure of a new sort, which happily turned out to be bloodless.
The greater part of the baggage-wagons failed to come up until late in the evening, and it became necessary for the soldiers to bivouac without shelter, as the little town was not equal to their accommodation. Our young friends picketed their horses, having first cut a quantity of green oats from a field near by, with which they fed the faithful animals.
Then they took two or three bundles of the oats to lie upon and flattered themselves that they would make a comfortable bed, or one which would certainly be an improvement upon the bare ground. With a thin layer on the ground and a good-sized bundle for their pillows, they went to sleep in very short order.
They were sleeping soundly, and possibly dreaming of home and friends, when they were suddenly and rudely awakened. The night was dark and their first thought was that they had been surprised by the enemy.
There was a long and very dark form standing over Harry and another over Jack, and each of the assailants seemed to be looking for the throat of his victim.
Harry gave his disturber a heavy blow with his fist, which sent him reeling over upon the soldier who was lying close by and snoring loudly. The snoring stopped at once, as the fall of the heavy body waked the soldier, who sprang to his feet and reached for his gun. He had the impulse to shoot, but did not know in what direction to fire.
Jack grappled with his enemy, and there was a struggle which may be said to have resulted in victory for both. Jack did not succeed in holding down his assailant, as the latter slipped through his grasp and made his escape. But the youth saved his life and was not, in fact, injured further than a few slight contusions and abrasions.
Another soldier who had been awakened drew his bayonet, and as one of the attacking force rushed past him the man gave a well-directed prod with the weapon, which stretched the intruder on the ground. It also roused a deafening squeal, that indicated the character of the creators of the disturbance.