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| The camp Minstrels. |
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[70]
of an interested audience.
The usual medley of comic songs and negro melodies comprised the greater part of the entertainment, and, if the space admitted, a jig or clog dance was stepped out on a hard-tack box or other crude platform.
Sometimes a real negro was brought in to enliven the occasion by patting and dancing “Juba,” or singing his quaint music.
There were always plenty of them in or near camp ready to fill any gap, for they asked nothing better than to be with
“Massa Linkum's Sojers.”
But the men played tricks of all descriptions on them, descending at times to most shameful abuse until some one interfered.
There were a few of the soldiers who were not satisfied to play a reasonable practical joke, but must bear down with all that the good-natured Ethiopians could stand, and, having the fullest confidence in the friendship of the soldiers, these poor fellows stood much more than human nature should be called to endure without a murmur.
Of course they were on the lookout a second time.
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