The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-29

his eyes.
Burton and Angus had followed Georges
example and all three of the enemy stood
speeches. and paralyzed. George resum
ed in the same penetrating whisper, III
you want to save your lives, all three do a:
order. First drop your muskets." They
obey.
"Fow hold up your hands and range
yourselves close facing me. Angus you
take the horses" The prisoners comply
ing. George continued, Burton, yor
search them for concealed weapons and
anything useful to us. l meanwhile, will
cover them with my rifle and shoot the
first man that moves" Burton was expe
ditious and then George gave his final or
der, "Angus, mount and lead as rapidly al
possible. The prisoners will follow al
your horses heels, and l will tread upor
theirs, pistol in hand. Mark you, fellows
if you try to get away or to attract YOU
friends you get a bullet instantly. Bur
toL, you bring up the rear with the spoils
which you can drop if we have to fight
Forward marchr'
AS rapidly as the broken, wooded region
permitted they made their way to the brow
of the next hill, keeping wide interval
between themselves and the high road. As
they approached the hilltop there was a
loud crash of musketry, which can readily
be explained. Major Graham knew of the
natural facilities afforded by the place for
ambuscade, also of a woodroad near
which led to distant plantation. He had
resolved to make sharp fight at this spot
and then gallop away to the farm, which
was owned by friend to the cause, and
there give his men and horses food and a
little rest. The British. after their last
punishment, had followed slowly and wear.
lily, fearing like experience again. When
they had marched almost mile without be-
ing molested, they had about concluded
that their enemy had retired, finally,in Or
der to reach some place of concealment
before daylight, which now was near. 1t
was argued that the small squad which had
fired upon them last had been left to check
their advance and give the rest of the par.
tisans time to get away; therefore, the
British officers began to lead their men
more rapidly and carelessly, hoping be.
fore long they could capture a breakfast
if not their enemies. The road near the
hill passed through narrow little ravine
with steep wooded banks which gave the
fankers scarcely any footing. AS the
place looked suspicious, the English Off
Ger in command ordered few of the cav
airy to go forward and reconnoitre. They
rode through to the very brow of the hill
returned and reported the place deserted
SO it was with the exception of three OF
four scouts lying prone On the grount
along the right of the ravine within easy
rifle range of the road. When the British
moved forward and were under their guns
the scouts gave low whistles. A line OF
men some distance in the rear rose, moved
forward and fired volley into the crowd
ed road. Yells, groans, orders, futile shots
were the reply, but the immediate ant
temporary result was that the British col
umn fell back in confusion. Graham ant
his followers in the meantime darted of
under the cover of the smoke of theil
rifles to the spot where their horses were
h did by men detailed for the purpose, an(
were about to gallop away, when George
Burton, and Angus, brought in their three
prisoners on the run. The cheers witt
which they were greeted were speedily
checked. The boyish-looking majoI
merely shook his brothers hand, nodded
and smiled at his companions, then or
dered, mount the prisoners behind tire,
of our men. Forward, march," and away
he went down the woodroad at a gallop
In an hour they reached the plantation; {
sentence explained their need to the
owner; the horses were instantly inhibited
fed and rubbed down. A beef was killed
skinned, quartered, cut up, and placed
over fires, with celebrity of which any-o
but a cavalry man can have no idea. Fra.
GRANGE from many coffee pots was soon
upon the breeze also; while, at the house.
all the appliances of the kitchen were tax
ed to provide for the officers. The men
TESTED and laughed as they flew about in
their preparations, for they were exultant
over the events of the night. Day, how
ever, was breaking broadly and all knew
that their respite might be brief indeed.
So it proved.
AS they had approached the plantation
the major had said to his brother and his
companions, 81 shall give you soldiers
reward for your good behavior. Conceal
yourselves on this road, fire shot if the
enemy approaches and gallop in. l will
send yon some breakfast as soon as it is
ready. entrust myself and men to your
vigilance"
Again Burton laughed grimly when they
were left alone and said, "a great honor
surely, but it dosen't fill an empty stomach.
How do you like soldering, Gus?"
cts not question of like or dislike.
reckon, though, that never felt SO tired
and hungry before. L fear mother'n be
half beside herself about u.s."
II foresee," continued Burton, that our
friends will have to get used to all sorts of
irregularity in our coming and going.
What we'll do and where we'll be will de-
pend more on the enemy than upon our
selves"
"One thing is already certain" added
George, 1--WE shall have to sleep as often
in the woods as i'll our beds. You two
stay here and I'll go hundred yards down
the road nearer the enemy. My horse is
in the best condition, while yours, Angus,
has bled so much that you must try to
pick up another beast as soon as you can.
Ride him up and down before me a
bit.''
Angus did so, and with every step the
blood oozed from a wound in one of the
poor animals launches. George wrote a
few lines in little notebook. tore out
the sheet and said, "Take that to my
brother"
"But George" protested the boy, "the
major told me-"
"Obey ORDERS" said George, sternly.
"You are under my command now. The