Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-01

howitzers which fell among their ranks There
was nothing for it but retreat, and the beaten
and scattered forces huddled together in the
rear Of the camp, where a new danger met
them.
Hardy and his men came upon the field with
a ringing cheer, and dashed into the fight.
The scouts duty was done, and as he neither
knew nor cared anything for military move
ments, he fought mainly by himself A frenzy
possessed him; his eyes glared like a demons,
and his whole frame was animated with super
natural energy. Clubbing his rife, he rushed
| along the marrow alleys Of the camp, needless
of the knot of soldiers who skunk away at his
coming, or vainly attempted to stop his pro-
gress. till he reached the eneampment of the
Arkansas men.
A fierce struggle was in progress. and Bur-
ton, at the head of the backwoodsmen, was
| making q desperate stand. A shout broke
| from the lips Of the scout, and in moment he
was in the middle Of it. His long rife, swung
by his powerful arm moved o lane for him,
and he pressed on till he stood in the presence
Of Burton himself. ..' ..- ..
The Arkansas leader was no coward, and the
defence had been desperate one; but he trem-
bled when he saw Hardy facing him. He had
seen him onoe before, when the white head
and stern face was lit up by the burning dwell
ling. Even Burton, the gambler, the duelist,
| the bully, could not shut his soul up from
dreams, and the face of the avenger had grown
familiar even in his slumbers. Instinctively
| he drew his bowie-knife from its sheath, and
| the scout, feeling for the keen weapon he car
| ried in his belt, dropped his rihe and stood
| face to face with his great enemy.
There was no cry for quarter, and both were
| soon locked in fearful strife A few rapid
passes of their bright blades, and the Arkansas
colonel threw up his arms with a sullen moan
and muttering curse, fell corpse at the feet
/ of the scout
When the battle was over, Hardy was found
| leaning against the ruined chimney; the palIor
Of death spread over his face, while the body
| Of the rebel chief lay a few feet from him
you are not badly hurt, hope" said the
| colonel, kindly; "what can do for you?"
Water" he gasped; and on taking some
from canteen, he revived a little. my
works done, kurnel," he said, family " and
| it's about time. There amt no use in dead
/ stick, and the green branches are all gone.
Eff you will, kurnel, tell the gineral l died
| under the old chimney, and that sent the
Arkansaw chief to say was comm"
grim smile passed over his face, which
faded as his listeners stood by.
L Take some more water, Hardy" said one,
but ne did not answer. The colonel took his
hand, but ne pressure came from the sinewy
/ fingers. A slight shiver passed through his
frame, and the scout was dead
The victory was complete. A short time was
/ spent burying the slain, and laden with spoils,
the conquerors returned to their camp When
they reached it, they learned that D'ArbIay
had been shot by the accidental discharge of a
musket the night before. Only the general
knew the truth
The dispatches that found their way to the
papers were very brief. There had been a
L night reconnaissance, and rebel camp broken
up, with great loss to the enemy. Hardy's
name was not mentioned; but few who were
in the expedition will forget the tall form or
underestimate the services of the scout-tSun-
day Times.