Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-09-11
THE "HORNET'S NEST"
AN HISTORICAL STOcY OF LOVE
AND WAR.
BY E.. P. Roe, Author of Opening Of a
Chestnut Burr Barriers Burned
Away" Etc. Etc.
V.

'
within the range of his vision. On
the strength of the report it was de-
cided to push for the farm house at
ace Making a chair Of their hands,
and putting the Majors arms about
each Of their necks, George and Bur
ton bore him toward the woods, Angus
preceding them, carrying their rifles
(his had been broken in the fall They
were compelled to pause and rest from
time to time, but at last reached the
shelter of the belt of forest. Here
> they lay down painting and exhausted,
while the poor Major seemed scarcely
alive.
They had soon much cause to con-
gratu!dte themselves on their action.
IL now became clear hat the squad OF
the enemy which had passed and prob
ably been sent back with information,
for now the main body appeared on
thu road with some prisoners. The
British had evidently learned the par
Gality OF Inc Wing militia for cover
when pressed. for two dragons leaped
the fence Snd rode up to and into the
tbickct a short distance. Then one of
them fired a pistol bullet into its re.
cesses. Apparently they were salts
fed that no one was concealed there.
foi they rcjoined their comrades on the
road.
The boys looked at each other sig
%nilicantly and drew n deep sigh of re-
lief. "Wcll." said George, with en-
phasis, ''all hat looks very harmless
at this distance. but | tell you what it
is fellows, we haven't had a nighel
Craze. Ii we had been there wee have
run for it. and, used up as we are.
wouldn't have n ghost of II chance.
Let what we've seer teach Us "A lesson.
If like circumstances happen again,
our best course will be to lie close like
n hunted deer in his bed. That would
have boon orr only chance in this
case. even though one of us haG been
hit by that pistol shot"
Al this moment Angus caught a
glimpse of two or three negroes who,
some distance away, were peerrag
through the trees at the passing dru-
goons. He made a circuit with a light
Stealthy tread, and came up behind
them. AT first .hey were much startled
bub soon ., cognized him as young
Marso Mcintyre"
Come with me-" he said; keep
well back in the woods. I've got some
work for YOU TO do"
The slaves had bcen brought thither
by curiosity TO see the terrible British,
OF whom they had heard so much, but
who, many secretly hoped, might be-
come their d~eliverers from bondage.
The hope was never confirmed 10y facts,
for the English invaders captured
slaves as they would horses, and either
used or sold them.
Never were strong hands and backs
more welcome han on his occasion.
The negroes easily carried the major.
and every weight of which the weary
young fellows could diyest themselves,
and, taking the shortest path through
Die woods. led them to the farm house.
fte hospitable mistress was Il strong.
sensible woman and a good nurse. The
major, almost ~lifeless from the loss of
blood. was revived by stimulantS and
milk. undrcssed and put to bed. 1t
was her discovered that he had re-
ceiyed s.nine wounds and that in one
instance his life had been saved by u
lo:gc buckle which had broken the
force of a saber stroke. Sincnthis gal
liant young officer. but twenty-0ne years
Of age, no longer appears il my story,
{ may as well mention here that he was
tenderly carried TO his mothers house
the next day. and thence, after some
rea, to \ hospital.
Strange to relate he recovered, and
within q few brief months raised acom-
pany of men and entered on Il new
career Of even greater hardihood. His
brother, George, remained with him
until he was safely placed IN the hos
pital, and then began n series of par
tfsan operations on his OWL account, as
we shall soon learn.
Burton and Angus were greatly re-
vired by the refreshment freely given
at the farm house. and as soon as they
felt equal to the journey mounted Dor
rowed horses and rode ~homeward.
Mrs McIntire aud Ella had been al
most distracted by anxiety aud fear.
Terrible stories and still more
awful rumors had been re-
lated to them, and they dreaded the
worst. When, after nightfall, the dogs
hr..n to bark, they knew not whether
Co Fly 10 the woods with the children or
to wait in the hope that it was absent
ones returning. Burton gave a long
peculiar whistle, a signal of approach
that Ella knew well. A moment later
another and daughter were b~co,owing
their welcome in embraces, kisses and
tears of JOY. Supper had been saved
in the hope that the absent would re-
turn, and nOw the fragrant coffee was
glanad over the fire. Then he bows