Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-03-20

tinuing, he said; hurriedly:
'You all appear to have good faces and
viii answer the purpose as well. My
mothers home is now being robbed by a
set of ruffans who call themselves Con-
federates, but who are nothing but high
waymen. They are your enemies as well
as ours. Come with me and we will drive
them off SO that they will remember it p
The corporal, who was easily impressed
by real trouble, said:
!: Look me squarely in the eye. 1t is
true?-no ambush?"
The prisoners eyes did not waver, and
the corporal, feeling for the prisoners
agitation, said:
"We will go: but at a sign of treach.
cry You die
''It is about five miles to my home
and it will REQUIRE great haste to prevent
destruction-perhaps murder and outrage
to my sisters. Hasten; my anxiety make
me nearly crazy
$50 and bring everything here as
quietly as possible" said the corporal to
the guard. snake haste. It will moi
do to delay if the report is true. We
have had a little with them already
which nothing but our carbines or sabres
can SETTLE"
In less than ten minutes the entire
squad of twelve picked scouts and the
negro were ready to start. By going
back from the camp short distance
there were roads leading down, the near
est of which the party followed, urging
their horses into fast and steady gal
lop. After crossing the Benfon's ferry
road they began to slacken speed, and
finally, at the motion of the prisoner,
stopped entirely.
AS soon as all had closed up the pris-
oner said:
Corporal, we are near enough to keep
close watch, and whatever we do must be
done with the speed of the thunderbolt."
"Well," said Earle, 81 will take Bob,
Black and you with me, the others to
follow near enough to see my signal, at
which they must rush forward at full
speed, with carbine and pistol ready for
execution"
'They have probably picket out on
the road, which we can avoid by taking
this road to the left down into the swamp
back of the fields"
LEAD on" said Earle, and as fast as
the nature of the ground would permit
they pushed forward. By taking this
roundabout way they avoided the out
post and came up to the back of the
field
"My God p exclaimed the prisoner,
''they have set fire to the stable"
At the sight of the enemy and excite
ment the corporal, without waiting to
count numbers, gave the signal to rush
forward. The negro had, during the few
words spoken, taken out large gap in
the fence SO that there was no delay
The leading horsemen hesitated little
until the rear had closed up, and then
with wild rush and yell that echoed
again and again though the thick woods,
they rushed for the house. The con-
federate took the lead, his eyes staring
with dread and excitement They were
half way across the field before the party
of plumber realized from what source the
danger was coming, and then made a
rush for their horses, making every eff
fort to hold on to. their plumber. An old
lady pleading for some silverware, and
being struck into sitting posture by
the rufian, stimulated the party of
Earle into greater speed. The prisoner
fairly flew after the man who had so
abused his mother, but who was now
trying to reach his pony. AS Earle
came opposite the door young lady
rushed out pursued by another of the
ruffians. 1t took but the turn of his
arm to point the pistol at the pursuer
and drop him almost at the doorstep.
By thistime the so-called "Irregulars'
were most of them mounted, showing up
nearly double the number of the attack
ing party. The horses of Earle and his
men were under such Roadway that they
were right among their enemies before
they were prepared for resistance. Shoot
ing right and left with deadly effect,
they stampeded the whole gang quicker
than it takes to write it. Several were
killed outright, while only few of
Earle's men were severely wounded.
The "Irregulars'' were so near surprised
that their fire was wild.
At the gateway of the field Earle spoke
TO the young Confederate, saying: "You
had better return to your mother and
sisters, and we will recover what property
we can find. Keep the negro with you,
if you can find him, and save what you
can of the stable from fire."
The several prisoners taken were ques-
toned, but proved sulky and prevaricat-
ing. Earle, enraged at the delay, put his
pistol to the head of the most intelligent
looking one, saying: 'Tell me which way
the wagons have gone, quick, or die
right here, you ID thiefr'
The prisoner looked at Earle, but see
ing determination, answered: "Down this
yer way" pointing in the direction of
Manchac Bayou.
"Bill, you and Fred tie up these id
rascals, and one of you stay and watch
them until we return. Boys, the rest of
you follow me-" And away they went
after the flying 'Irregulars." At dis
lance of two or three miles they caught
sight of the wagons loaded with cotton,
corn, bacon, and household stuff of all
descriptions. The ''Irregulars" we're plac-
ing the wagons across the road, forming
barricade, ard commenced firing as
soon as the corporal and bis men came
within reach of their shot guns. The
firing caused no check to the flying
horses, although the buckshot whistled