Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-02-03

peiHg conuF'Ueu ny the eX piFing etuheES VI
fires. and an occasional groan, like that Of !
a restless sleeper, determined when the
moon sank, would steal away, aud trust to .
fortune for escape
At last the moment came for my attempt. /
crawIed From my place Of canceaIment, and .
rolled myself cau'inI>ly towards some high .
grass. Here lay for few moments to
listen. could observe that the fire we
had kind.ed had gone ont on account of
the greenne>s of the wood, but the boxes /
of hard bread had been broken and re
moved. and the Industry with which the /,
ransacking had heen done showed the per- /
pretrators' skill in devastation
Who goes there?' growled husky
voice
Twas motionless PRESENT. horseman
approached and answered as | thought
street" | could not exactly distinguish
the word. which was evidently their count
ersign. His orSe turned his head towards
me and SHE'D.
What is the matter with you. Jack?'
exclaimed he horseman; and kicking his
horse he p ssed on short distance, dis
mounting, tied his horse TO a stump. and
Joined the rest. could perceive that he
was quite tipsy.
Alter some conversation, which | could
partially overhear, their voices ceased and
every one seemed to be asleep.
If | could only get that horse NUT
tered to myself, i could escape, knowing
the woods and roads we'll
With the caution of an Indian | rolled
myself towards the horse. He watched
ME and seemed alarmed, but did not at
tempt to treak his hridle On nearing
him, found twig, and raising it gradually
slipped the rein off the stump Rolling
over gently. | drew the horse after me
Every few yards paused to let the horse
Craze.
jim exclaimed the sentry, your horse
is loose
A grcan was the only response.
Jim. you lazy fool
Curse the beast He won't 90 far
| continued TO let the horse feed. some
time. and then resumed his gradual ah.
straction Finally. drew him to the turn
of the road. and at once mnnnted. Riding
over the grass. kept him on fast walk,
until | thought his feet would not not hr
heard, when increased his speed to can
! ter.
| I ha! hardly reached Solomon's Gap
/ when | came suddenly on a rebel picket.
Who goes there ? challenged the senti-
/ mel
Friend answered I as gruf1y as I
/ could
Halt hah! or you are a dead man
Have You got the couutersigu?'
yes
/ Give it
The perspiration deadened on my fore
head Suddenly it occurred to me it must
! he the name Of one of their leaders, and as
my case was desperate. | exclaimed:
/ Inngstreet
Right Advance
That | did so it IS almost. unnecessary
To say | continued on up the hill until
ont of sigh. " hen | took wood road,
q lite indi,tnct, md seldom travelled
had not gone far before heard the sound
of horSemcn riding with haste. Alter the
challenge I could hear. (Which road did
he takeg The Yankee Stole a horse,
Hang him" and other rxclamations of a
similar character shouted with wrath and
the plainly indicating nv fate should fall
into the hands of these lawless men.
| dismounted and taking some salt from
my haverSack, gave some TO the horse; to
keep him amused and prevent him from
neighing.
They dashed on. again mounted. and
pursued my way BY morning l had
reached the edge of the woods and was
near Pleasant Valley. All day remained
concealed. and at night crossed fields and
woods until approached the Catoctin range
which | knew was held by our troops. |
finally rejoined my giment in safety. and
was hero for an hour. The boys admired
my horse, which wss really good one II
| had heen rebel he might have become
mine; but as it is our rule. next day re-
ceived an order to turn him to the quar-
ternaster's department and now occasion
ally see my friend in need ridden by q
wagon master.