The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-07-21

Mississippi and my time l. cut IN q day
or two replied the prisoner
Do yoa know where any Of Pow
err men are 97 questioned the cor
poral
Yes; on the other side Of the river,
and am hunting them up replied the
prisoner. with increasing agitation. Con-
Iinuinr, he said hurriedly:
You all appear 10 have good faces and
Vii answer the purPo-e a. we'll Ny
mothers home l. noE being robbed by
1T Of ruffians who call themselves Con
feslerates. but who are nothing but high
waymen- They are your enemies a. well
Is ours. Come with me and We viii drive
them OF 30 that they viii remember it -
The corporal, who was easily impress
ed by real trouble, said
Look me square in the eve. 1t l. true
no ambush ?'
The prisoners ewes lid not waver. and
the corporal, feeling for the prisoners az
itation, said:
we viii %. but at q sign Of treachery
you die.
~ IL l. about five mites To my home, and
it viii require great haste OF prevent ie-
struction-p,.rhaps murler and outrage
20 my sisters. Hasten my anxiety makes
me nearly crazy.
e. Go and bring everything here A. qtri-
city a. possible" said the corporal 10 the
guard Make haste 1t viii not do 10
delay if this report strue We have had
little experience with them already,
which nothing bui our carbines OF ,ibrss
can settle
In les than ten minutes the entire
squad of twelve picked scouts and the ne
gro we've ready to start BY going back
from the camp a short distance there were
road- leading down. the nearest Of which
the party followed, urging their horses
into fast and steady glllop. After cross
ing the Bentou'> ferry road they began 70
slacken speed. and finally, 81 the motion
Of the prisoner. stopped entirely.
A. SOON a. all had closed up, the pris-
oner said
Corporal. We are near enough IT, keep
close watch. and whateter We do- must
be done with the speed Of the thunder
bolt
Well" said Earle. I vii take Bob.
Black aRd you with nie, the others 20 fol
how near enough 10 see m. signal, at
which they must rush forward al full
speed. with carbineS and pistols ready for
execution.
They have probably picket out on
the road, which ae ctn avoid by taking
thi. riad to the left down into tbe swamp
back Of the fields,
Lead on, said Earle, ami a. fast as
the nature Of the ground would permit
they pushed forward. BY taking this
roundabout way they avoided the out
post and c-lnic up to the back Of she
field
Ny God ~ exclaimed the prisoner,
they have set IRE 10 the stable
At the sight of the enemy and excite
uleut the corporal. without waiting To
count numbers, gave the signal To rush
forward The negro had. during the feg
wor,is spoken. taken oHJ Iarge gap in
the fence, 50 that there was no delay.
The leading horsemen hesitated little
until the rear had closed up. and then
with Wild rush AMI yen that echoed
again and again through the thick woods,
they rushed for the house. The Confed-
crate took the lead, his eyes staring with
dread and excitement They were half
way across the field before the party of
plunder realized from what Source the
danger WAS coming. and then make q
rush for their horses. making every effort
10 hold on 10 their plumber. An old lady
pleading for some ,i.verware, and being
struck into a sitting posture 10y the rufiian
stimulated the party Of Earle into greater
speed The prisoner fairly flew after the
Inan who had - abused hi- mother, but
who was now trying to reach hi pony.
A. Earle came opposite the door a Young
lady ru-hel out, pursued by another Of
the ruifiaus. IL took but the turn of his
arm 10 point his pistol At the pursuer
and drop him .alno-t at the door
Step.
BY this time the so-called IrreguIarS
were most Of them mounted. showing up
nearly double the number IF the attack
ing party The horses of Earle and hi>
men were under such heaiway that they
were right among their enemies before
they were prepared for resistance. shoot
ing right and left with deadly effect. they
stampe,IeI the whole gang quicker than
it takes 10 write IT, several were killed
outright, while only few Of Earle's men
were severely wounded The -ITegulars'
were 50 near surprised that their FIRE was
wild
At tile gateway Of the field Fare
spoke 10 the Young Confederate, saying
s. You had better return To your mother
and sisters. and we viii recover what
property We can find. Keep the negro
with you, if you can tind him, and save
what you can Of the stable from fire.
The several prisoners taken were ques-
toned, but proved sulky and prevarie.it-
ing Earle, enutsc,l At the delay, put hi>
pistol to the head Of the most Intelligent
looking one. saving:
Tell nae which way the wagons have
gone, quick, or lie right here. You I'D
thief
The prisoner booked 1t Earle, bat see
ing determination, answered; Down
this yer way" pointing in the direction
of Manchac Bayon.
Bill, you and Fred tie up these d--d
ra,eals. ahd one of yau stay and watch
them until W. return. BOYS. the rest of
you follow Tae"
And away they went after the flying
- Irregulars.7 At distance of two OF
three miles they caught sight Of the wag-
on, loaded with cotton. corn, bacon, and