White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-11-19

are quick on the trigger; and they make no hes
itation in putting ball through any ones head
If they only imagine him to be spy or foe. To
think is to do with them-it Is second nature. -
"Never fear for me. Jack CastIeton viii be
fayorite with Marion's men before three hours
are passed, and drinking Germ Whiskey, and sup
ping on q slice Of venison with them on right
jolly terms"
"Ah! Major, you win be Mad Jack as your
men call you, forever. Itpuzzles me that such
warm-heartsd man ever drew his breath in
New England. instead of old South Carolina. {"
why, Bill, we eastern Yankees are not all
icicles, as you sometimes suppose. But see, the
sun is sinking, so good bye, Bill. Tell the Gen
eral where you left me, and thus far things come
right" He threw down quarter joe, put spurs
to his horse, and rode furiously into the woods,
without waiting for reply.
"Thers goes noble-hearted officer" NUT.
tered Bill to himself, as he picked up the mon.
ey. "He needs this piece of gold more than l
do, yet his generosity would not let him keep
IT,"
He reached the bend Of the river, was fsried
over by the boatman, and was soon on his return
to the camp of Greene. In the meanwhile Ma
jor Jack made his way along the swamp as fast
as he could; but the vinep and overhanginE
branches of trees and underbrush impeded the
movements of his horse very much. He was
near half an hour getting to the pond described
by his guide. At short distance he observed
the blasted pine standing out in lofty perspective
as the sinking sunbeams fell upon its desolate
top, and he soon came abreast We grape-vines
which overhid the path, as described by Bill
Simmons.
Dsmounting, he pulled them aside, and saw
before him narrow passage just wide enough
for him to ride alone. Replacing the grape-vines
carefully, so to leave no sign of his entrance,
he again mounted his steed. The path was
thicky skirted with saIsafras, ivy, laurel, and
wild sumach bushes. with here and there thick
scrub oak, chestnut and hickory trees. Thou
sands of forest flowers of every hue and perfume
scented the air, and mingled with the ebnoxious
vapors of the surrounding swamps. It was ma
ture in her widest scale, blending health and
death together. Now and then huge black
snake or moccasin would cross his path with
erected head and cleaning fiery eyes, as they
disappeared amid the Shiny passages. Wood
pigeons and birds of various plumage few over,
uttering their various notes as they sought the
deep recesses Of the forest for the nights roost.
The officer fell into a reverie as he slowly pro-
ceeded on, for he was thinking of his New Eng
! land home, and the contrast in the climate and
cultivation of the two portions of his native
land. Suddenly he reused himself from his day
dreams. He heard the sharp click of rife
trigger. ...
"Who goes there, and what do you want7'
said deep stern voice.
The young officer looked round. He could
not tell from whence it proceeded-Whetherf from
the air or under the ground-it became sudden
and startling upon his ear.
"The wolves are out''
"Well. and what do you want hereP'
Protection from the wolves"
"Remain where you are, and do not move.
Stir not, or it may be the worse for you. You
will see me soon."
The officer observed the branches Of thick
scrub oak on the right of the path to be some
what agitated, as if q person was descending,
but be could see no one. He remained quiet,
as ordered, for the space Of five minutes, when
he heard the neigh Of horse, and the near
sound of his hoofs. In a few seconds there rode
through the thicket into the cleared path sin
gle horseman. He was young man, not more
than FIVE and twenty years old in appearance.
with frank, handsome, bold countenance, his
complexion deeply embrowned with the heat Of
a vertical Carolina sun. He wore fox skin cap,
the tail Of which hung down behind, and on the
side was large buff and blue cockade. His
dress was fringed buckskin hunting skirt, ex-
tending half way down the thighs, with leggins
of the same material. On his left shoulder was
q furnished silver epaulette, and silver sash
was tied in a bow-knot around his waist, from
which hung sabre in leathern scabbard--
SIung across his saddle-bow, his finger on the
trigger, lay long rife, that had often brought
down noble buck at Eve hundred yards. His
whole appearance denoted that he was an officer
of Marion's legion. He glanced at the Major
and, raising his left hand, gracefully touched his
cap. r
From whence came you, sirl' he asked.
Gam addressing one of Marion's oficersf'
aYou are"
al belong to Gen. Greene's staff, whose camp
left yesterday, and bear both written and YER
bal messages from the COmmander-in-chief Of
the sourthsrn army to Marion"
Excuse me, sir; bat cannot pass yen until
have some evidence that you are what you say
Do not" he added in tone Of suavity, " think
that 1 doubt your word; but in war, and the way
il il now carried on in this unfortunate South
brothers can hardly trust each other. Let me
see the address of yeur dispatches. l am vel
acquainted with Gen. Greene's handwriting
for when in camp, among my many duties
act as Marion's secretary"
Major Castieton opened his vAlise, and drew
forth bundle of dispatches.
"They are certainly the handwriting o
. Greene" said the officer, As he glanced oyertht
direction of the letters. "AIl is right. Follow
me-"
They rode short distance, convSrsing on al
fairs relating to the movements Of the army IN
til they reached little open glade, where thret
or four men were on picket duty.
, "I am Sorry" said the officer, hating, TIA