The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-12-26

ing and surmising-but all, as if by
common consent, held themselves in
readiness for some new commands.
And so, Clark, this detachment is
led by Tarlton, is it not ?"
eyes"
"And consists of eleven hundred
men ?"
eyes"
"Of what are they composed, and
how armed ?"
principally of infantry and cavalry,
and they have two field pieces"
And the braggart thinks he will
have my raw militia to swell his army,
or hang them all up like dogs, does he?''
$50 he says, your honor"
And you was to act as his guide
You are fine fellow ?'
$50 told him. But / guess he will
fnd he engaged slippery guide.
"You have done well, Clarke, and
shall be remembered"
1t had been busy day for that band
OF patriots but now, as evening ap-
preached, everything around the camp
began to assume an orderly quietness.
A keen observer might have read legi-
bly, In the countenances of each, Vic.
tory or Death, though no word was
spoken, save in quiet undertone
Even the tread of the sentinel was
noiseless, as he pursued his round
while his keen eye penetrated far into
the gathering darkness, and his ear
caught the slightest sound that broke
on the air. For full fifteen minutes
he had been completely obsorbed in
applying his ear close to the ground.
then gazing long wistfully into the sur.
rounding gloom, to see if there could
aught be discerned-for his quick ear
had told him plainly, that, though far
in the distance, there were steps ap-
preaching. 81 was never yet deceived
in that sound, and / have some prac-
tics in it." muttereds he, as he raised
himself from his STOPPING posture,
"and that road will show that l am
not now! Ho !! there is single horse
man, by Jove! He rides his noble
steed right gallantly, which bounds be-
meath him as though he carried no
weight; and he is riding in my way
that is well, for feel considerably cur
ious about this newcomer. l will see
if you can give the password. Who
goes there?"
GA friend"
"That will not do-giye the counter.
sign"
Suddenly he checked his charger,
and taking a white kerchief from his
pocket, fastened it to his riding whip,
raised it over his head, and dashed bis
spurs into his chargers side, in a mo-
ment he was beside the sentinel.
81 must see General Morgan"
"Who and what are you ?''s3 =.
"Walte Lyons, and a whig."
"Well, I will see what the Generals
pleasure is"
cit is WELL"
"Walter Lyons, General Morgan
sends me to conduct you to him."
"Your business with me, sir ?" SAID
the General.
"I came to offer my services to my
country"
"Did you know that we are on the
eve of battle with superior force
and sh ould we be beaten, an ignomini
Gus death awaits us ?"
81 knew of this before came, Gen
eral, but / fear it not as much as that
the wrongs already inflicted by these
savages should 60 unreveuged."
"Nobly spoken for one SO young, ::and
with SO delicate hand"
The hot blood mounted to the tenn
Piles of the youth for moment, his lip:
were compressed, and the hand thus
alluded to intuitively sought the bilt o.
a small sword that was buried in the
folds of a girdle.
81 mean no offence, sir, but are yor
not young for camp ?"
81 am eighteen, and if report speaks
true, you have those with you still
younger"
"True, but they are Injured to hard
ships"
81 can become Injured"
"Well, since you desire it, will
give you a chance. We need every
blow that can be struck for our coun
try, though it be but feeble. Where
are you from ?''
"Twenty miles south of this place.
"Have you travelled from there, to-
day ?" '''
ayes, since noon"
"Have you news Of the whereabouts
4 of the enemv ST s" r
"They are in pursuit of you, General
and will be up with you before to-mor
row noon, if you remain where you
are."
"What is their force 2"
"Between eleven and twelve hun
dred men, with two field pieces"
"How learnt you this ?"
'Of soldier from the British camp
''Did he know of your intention tt
Join us ?" 81 ..'y
"No; he thought me tory"
! "You have done nobly, and shall b,
cared for"
'I have a favor to ask"
"Speak; what is it %
"That / may be placed in Col. How
ards regiment :.
| s'It shall be so. Meanwhile, l vii
, see that you have good accommodation
as our camp affords tonight, tor W.