The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-11-06

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1t was late as We walked along the streets,
channels of fever and ague now frozen up for
the winter. We saw light through shop
door, and hammered stoutly for admission.
A clerk, long-haired aud frowzy, opened UNI
grsciously.
In the back shop were three men, also long,
haired and frowzy. dealing cards and drinking
dark compost from tumb,ers.
Port tcine,' whispered Brent. Fine old
London Dock Port is The favorite beverage,
when the editor, and lawyer the apothecary
and the merchant meet TO play euchre in Mis-
souri,.
We bought our files from the surly clerk and
made for the calaboose. 1t was a stout log
structure with grated windows. At one of these
by the low moonlight, we saw negro. 1t was
cold aud late. Nobody was near. We hailed
the man. @.--@
Ham
That's me- massa.'
'Youse sold to Murker to go south to-mor>
row. If you want to get free, catch !!
Brent tossed him up the files
Catch again, said Biddulph, and up went a
rafting purse. Engard's subsidy.
HAMS white teeth and gentteL manners ap-
peared at once. He grinned aud whispered
thanks
Is that all that we can do q asked the Bs
ron3t, as We walked off So
Yes" said Brent, taking a nasal tone.
Hams poplar niger handy niger, one
Ell yer rasl ambishus sort. He KIN cut har, fry
heetstake, aud play on the fiddle liks min
htil. He kin shoe mule, drive a team, do a
little jlner work, and make stompers. Yes,
Biddu phi, trust him to gnaw himself free With
that-COunecicut rat-ta,l
Ham against Japhet | hupe he'll win
Now, said Brent, that we've put in action
D,,1, -
independence, and all theSwisdom's Preamble
to the Constitution, we can sleep the sleep of
wel-doers, if we have two man-stealers-and
one the brother Of murderer-only papered OF
from u.s.
CThe following morning they resume their
Journey ......
The day, after the crisp freshness ofits be-
ginning, was a belated day of Indian summer !;
mild as the golden mornings of that calm, lux
urious time. We stopped to noon in a sunny
spot of open pasture near wide, muddy
slough of the Missouri This reservoir for the
brewage of shades tor Pixies had been refled
in some autumn rise of the river, and lay
great stagnant lake along the roadside, a mile
or so long two hundred yards broad.
We eamped by fallen cottonwood near the
slough The atmosphere was hopeful. We
picnlcked merrily, men and beasts. Three
gentlemen at once over chicken soon dissI>
pated this and its trimmings We lighted the
tranquil calumet, and lounged, watching our
horses at their corn.
Presently we began to fancy We heard, then
to think we heard, at last to be sure we heard
the baying of hounds through the mild, golden
air.
Tally -" cried Biddulph. "what day
for fox hunt! This haze will make the scent
lie almost as well as the clouds"
"Music Music !" cried he again, sprlLging
up, as the sound, increasing, rose and fell along
the peacefull air that lay on earth so lovingly.
Music, if it were in merrie England, where
the hunt are gentlemen. A cursed uproar here,
where the hunt are men-stealers, said Brent.
mo" said Biddulph. ''ThoSe are fables of
the old, bsrbarious days of the Maroons.
can't believe in dogs after men until see it. :"
"Pm afraid it s our friend Ham they are
after. This would be his line Of escape
At the word, rustiing in the bushes along
the slough hand Ham burst through. He turned
to run. We shouted. He knew US, and flung
himself, lurid with terror, and painting with
flight, on the ground at our feet-"the poplar
niger
30, massa," he gasped. "Dey's gone sot the
dogs on me. What'll do -
"Can you swim ?" said l /; for tome he was
kneeling
mo, massa or Ide bin cross this yer sloo
fore dis"
Can you ride y
'Reck n kin, massa.'
A burst of baying from the hounds
The black shook with terror.
l sprang to Fuano. Work for you, old
boy' said l to him, as flung the saddle over
his head.
Take mine !" said my two friends at a
breath.
No; Fulano understands this business.
Chase or flight all one to him, so he battles the
bruits.'
Fuano neighed and beat the ground with
eager hoofs as | bucked she bride.
Can't we show fight p said Biddulph.
There Il be dozen on he hunt 1t is one
OF the entertainments heEeabouts. Besides,
they would raise she posse on us. You forg ct
were IN slave State, an enemys country
led Fuiano to the brink. He stood motion
less, cycling ne, just as he eyed me in that
terrible pause in Luggernel AlrAy.
Here, Ham UP with you Put across the
slough lie ewlIns like an alligator. Then
make for The north star, and leave taa horse
for Mr.. Richard Wade NJ the fremont House,
Chicago. Treat him like brother, Ham,
'Lor' Dress you, mass4! / will dat
He vsuJed up, like sprightly niger one
IF the r.al ambshns sort
The haylng came nearer, nearer, ringing
sweet'y Il rough tn golden quiet OF noon.
1 launched Fulano with an urgent whisper.
Two hundred yards 10 swim, and then all clear
to Freedom!
FulauO splashed in and took deep water
mapnifceutly.
What a sighs it is to see nobIe horse nohlv
breast the hood-to see his shoulders thrust
aside the stream, his breath come Quick, his
eyes fash, his launches lift. his wake widen
after him
And thsn-Act 2-how grand it is to see him
paw and Struggle up with might and main upon
the farther bank-to see him rise all glossy and
reekins shake hims elf, and with snort 90 gal
lcp ug free and awayi Aha sight to he seen!
We stood watching-Act1 The fugitive was
halfway across. The baying came closer, clo-
ser on his trail,
Two>third> across
The oaying ceased The whole pack drew a
long wall
They see him, said Bidduph.
Almost across! A dozen more pIunras Fnlo.
no! A crowd OF armed men on horseback dashed
up to the bank two hundred yards above ms It
was open where they halted They copId NOT
see US among the bushes on the edge Of tba
slough One of them-it was Murker-spra,e
from his saddle. He pointed his rife quick and
steady, Horse and man, the fugitives were close
10 the bauk and the thicket of safety.
Ping!
Almost over, as the rife cracked, Ham had
turned at the sound of his pursuers crash1ng
h,o' the bushes. Fulsno swan high H.. bore
proud head aloft, conscious of his brave duty. |
L was bur moment since he had dashed away
and the long lines of his wake still rippled |
against the hither bank.
We heard the bullet sing II missed the man |
IS he turned. 1t struck Fulano. Blood spirited I
rom great artery He bounded toward. Ham |
iaognt The bushes on the bank, pulled himself |
is4oTe' and clutehed for the bride. |
FooF Fuisno He aung his head up and paw
ID the surface with great spasm. He scream.
80 aestn scream like that terrible cry of an.
sulsn o. ms coinrade martyred in the old heroic
'gonlzrd eye turned back in the socket se,d;n
towards us glance of farewell.