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

ed slowly and reluctantly, but after the
report of the pistol fired by Angus, he
had no other thought than that of reach
ing his leader and the boy he loved.
George had been startled, perplexed at the
four whistles given by other lips than his
own. Believing that there must be good
reason for them he began to retrace his
steps cautiously, for he had crept very
near to the enemy. The skot, however,
which came an instant later gave wings to
his feet and he and Burton met a almost
the same moment
They were too much astonished for a
moment to speak as they witnessed the
scene before them-the horses gone, a
British officer on his back with a dead sol
der lying across him, and Angus sobbing,
yet ready to use the bayonet should there
be need.
What on earth does all this mean, Gus?"
cried George.
"Take the musket-quick, I'm sick" was
the boys reply.
Burton caught him as he almost tainted
in the violent reaction which followed a
sense of security and the presence of those
for whom he had virtually offered his
life.
Burton asked in tones of deep distress,
supporting the lad to fallen tree.
Il don't know" gasped the boy; ''reckon
not; amt used to such things"
Others of the scouting force now came
galloping forward, and George shouted,
"Two catch our horses and the rest cover
help u.s." He then tossed the dead soldier
! 30, IL 4 60 ha OFF NRi &c
you can. You are prisoner"
81 suppose must yield, said the officer,
with crimson face, "but I'd rather you
wouldshoot and leave me here. To be
captured as I've been-"
"No matter, you are captured. Ha!
there comes your friends who may soon
turn the tables. Forward here. Each
take tree and drop the first red coat that
shows himself. Retire obliquely to the
left on the main body. Zach, take the
prisoner on run to the major, who'll
have some questions to ask him. Mount,
Burton, I'll put Gus up behind you. Go
with Zach and the prisoner and report.
take the ensign's sword and pistols with
you; they belong to Gus No time now
for explanations. All! there comes my
horse. There's nothing for us now but to
retire skirmishing"
The British infantry advanced rapidly be
lleving that they had at last found the en-
envy whom they had been seeking. In the
dead soldier they had recognized one of
their scouts sent out to beat the woods,
ana the capture of the officer was readily
surmised.
Speedily satisfied that an overwhelming
force was approaching, George gave in
his turn four whistles and with all his men
retreated rapidly to the main body.
Anguss horse had been intercepted. So
the boy now mounted again and deeply
mortified at his emotion and faintness, be-
gan telling the major what had happened
, in a shame-faced way. The captured Off
Ger, still more embarrassed stood near,
: while several smiling veterans looked on
t and listened Poor Angus hoped for
| nothing better than a few re-assuring
words to the effect that he would eventu-
} ally get over his qualms and obtain stead
Ter nerves, when to his unbounded sur
, prise Graham took him by the hand and
said warmly:
; 81 congratulate you, sir You are but n
3 boy in years, but no man ever did g
drawer thing than you did in giving those
signals. You have probably saved my
brothers life and have certainly rendered
us all a great service. If George had
been captured we might have been sur
prised. promote you on the spot to the
rank of the officer you captured, and guar
antee that the Governor will confirm my
action. Act as my aid for the present.
Ha! George, what's your repOrt"
"The enemy are coming through the
woods, first heavy skirmish line, and
then a force that we can't cope with"
"We'll give them volley before we re-
tire. Judging by young McIntre here,
each one of us is good for two. Gentle
men," to his officers. "lead your men for
ward into the woods a short distance; keep
them in cover as far as possible. Fire de-
liberately and retire rapidly when the bu-
gle sounds retreat"
These orders were carried out, but the
British SO far from being checked, rushed
forward savagely, and Graham saw that,
his inadequate force, it was time he retired
to some place of safety, for both his men
and horses would soon be in sore need of
more extended rest and refreshment. Ac-
cordingly, he led his men rapidly towards
the road, passing for several miles over
high ground which would give views of the
surrounding country.
Angus rejoiced in the tact that every
step taken brought him nearer home; and
it must be admitted that by this time he
was homesick indeed. He knew that his
mother would hear exaggerated accounts
of the fight at Charlotte the night before
and that her anxiety wonld be beyond
description. While the majors words and
his prom )tion had heartened him not a
little, he was almost mortally weary and
painfully oppressed by the scenes he had
passed through. His nerves were becom-
ing unstrung and himself prey to nor
bid fancies, which are often hard to com
bat in times of great physical depression.
War was far more terrible than he had
ever imagined it to be. He had not
dreamt of passing through such expert
ences when he had ridden away in the sun
ny noon of the previous day. Expecting
merely to gather the news, possibly to fire
a few shots at long range from behind
good cover, he had, on the contrary drawn
himself into a whirlpool of strife and
compelled TO face emergencies calculated
to shake the nerves of a veteran. He
could not get over the terrible awe inspir-
ed by the fact that he had faced derth
himself, and what was worse he had in
ficted death.
Burton was older and took things more