The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-12
The barbecue : was

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precipitous road leading to the high.
way at the foot. / soon gained the
brow of the eminence, and, looking
down into the valley, beheld party
of at least fifty cayalrymen coming
down the main road. They were near
the wagon track leading up to us. and
| watched them to see if they would
pass on or turn. They halted when
they came opposite this track, and an
peared to be in consultation. Present.
ly'the leader beck0ned to some one.
and soon 4 boy. appeared from the field
close by, and of him they proceeded to
make inquiries They had not asked
many questions before they seemed to
decide upon joining our barbecue, and
| saw them start slowly up the hill.
The way the road ran they must trav-
erse at least half mile before thew
reached us, and knew there was time
for escape-if another road could be
found out of the woods. returned to
the bower in search Of the General.
and found to my a1nazement that he
was actua ~ dancing a polka with the
lady who wore the ancient face. I
knew the figure must be about through,
and with a wild sort of bravado I Sc.
lected the tall girl with the slender
waist and joined in. Every moment
was an hour, however, and l was lust
about to stop and call the General
away, when the music ceased and the
ladies were escorted to their seats.
During the latter ceremony I caught
the Generals eye, and communicated
by a look my desire to speak to him.
He came easily and leisurely over to
where [ stood, and l said in Il very
quiet tone: ''Follow me as quick as
you can. Danger!'' and immediately
stepped out and walked toward the
spot where our horses were picketed.
Gaining the place, turned and beheld
the General coming. While he was on
his way had bridled both our horses
frightened the girths, and had them
ready to mount. l told him Of the
danger, and in another instant we
| were in the saddle. SIT will not do to
go without seeing our hosts" said he,
''and making our excuses and saving
this he rode toward the pavilion, |
following.
AS he reached it a Mr.. Linders who
had made himself quite prominent,
useful, and agreeable throughout the
entire affair came running forth pale
and trembling, and informed the
General that the Confederate cavalry
were approaching. He begged us to
fly without delay, and assured US that
he was entirely innocent of any
thought of placing us in such danger
when the invitation was extended.
which we could readily believe. That
there was treason somewhere, how
ever, was pretty apparent. The Gen.
eral assured him and number of
others who had gathered around by
this time, that he absolved them from
any attempt at betrayal, thanked them
for the pleasure given him, waved an
adieu the lady with the ancient lace,
and lifted his hat all example which [
followed, and then turning we trotted
up a path that led into the woods Just
as the heads of the first file OF cavalry
men appeared above the hilltop. We
saw by looking back that they soon
took in the situation, and it was but a
minute or so before with a yell they
dashed after us. We did not know
! where the faint track we were follow
ing led, but we hoped it finally opened
into the country beyond the wood,
where we would find good road and
plain sailing. But we were rushing
on blindly, and not without fears that
we might end it all by being captured,
a result so disgraceful under the cir
| cumstances, as to make death almost
as welcome.
''To be captured away from my post
on a pleasure junketing,'' said the
General, pressing his lips. together.
at would be shameful would de-
serve to be cashiered and discharged."
This while going at a round gallon
through the wood and peering in vain
for an opening beyond.
We had been going at this gait for q
half-hour, perhaps, when we came into
an open field. About eighty rods
across it lay rough road that we could
see winding up a hill far to the right.
Making straight across the field we
leaped the low fence and reached this
road and went Gathering on. We
were a good half-mile ahead of our
pursuers, and were we'll up the hill be-
fore we saw them emerging from the
wood. They halted a moment and
then perceiving us came on. Think.
ing perhaps few only had Joined in
the chase, the General halted with an
idea of showing fight; but when thew
reached the open field we counted at
least twenty-five of them, and conclud-
ed that discretion was still the better
part OF valor. So'away we went again.
The country was very rough and noun
famous, but our horses did not lag, and
we made excellent. speed. Finally, in
ascending a hill we came to fork in
| the road which puzzled us. The hot.