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

lance. Again they were left alone and
| for time nothing disturbed the morning
quiet along the road except the barking of
squirrels in the hickories. Then the sharp
report of Georges rifle awoke the echoes
far and near. A second later he came
galleping towards Burton, sheered in be-
hind the pine and said, "Ride to the major
and say the enemy's coming, that I've
seen only infantry so far, and that I'm
going to strike into the woods and recon
noitre further before come in
Burton obeyed instantly and was rejoiced
to see that the partisan troop was already
saddling up as he approached. Major
Graham heard the report thoughtfully and
turned his eyes on his refreshed and in
spirited men who, without waiting for the
bugle-call, were trotting sharply forward
to the open space in front of the house.
Turning to two or three of his officers he
said, George has seen only infantry If
they have no cavalry with them I'd like to
give 'em another brush. We could ride
away from them when pressed"
Let US sting 'em little anyway" cried
Colonel Frank Locke who, waving his
rank and the reputation won in a former
battle, was now a Jealous volunteer under
Graham.
A low bugle-call fastened the fast as
sembled troopers, and another distant
shot was heard from the woods in the di-
rection of the enemy. Soon after horse
man appeared and rode rapidly across the
fields.
Its George" said the major, riding
| e., ,,1 90. L..
ferred few moments, and then the major,
returning to his men, gave few rapid
orders, and the whole troop trotted off to-
wards valley, which could be followed
back into the woods again.
Angus had been kindly received and the
owner of the plantation, at the suggestion
of the major, had furnished another horse,
telling the boy that he could pay when he
could, if ever, adding, eff you don't take
him the British will Therefore the lad
was enabled to rejoin his friends and
with George and Burton, rode near the
major.
"Why havn't the Britishers come on fas-
ter, George?" Burton asked.
II played trick ON 'em. When l left
you and struck into the woods let the
enemy's advance pass by me for some dis
lance and then fired shot into their flank.
That brought them to halt instantly.
I've no doubt they thought the woods full
of us, and so they soon will be-"
The command had now followed up the
ravine so far as to approach the forest.
George" SAID the major, "pick out a
dozen active fellows, scout ahead of us and
locate the enemy's position. Meanwhile,
I'll move to the left along the edge of the
woods towards the road"
George delighted in such dangerous and
exciting service and Burton and Angus
were among the first that he selected to
accompany him. fastening forward with
his little band he directed that two should
keep together and that they should then
spread out so as to cover wide area and
yet keep within hailing distance of each
other. Thus, in their advance, they were
like feelers for the main body, protecting
it against surprise. The eyes of every
scout was another pair of eyes to the
major, for all that was seen would be re-
ported to him. Since Angus was now
mounted on fresh horse, George kept
the boy near him to be employed as q
trusty messenger to his brother. He ha6
given to his men few signals One
whistle signifed to continue to advance
two whistles to halt; three for one man e
dismount and advance stealthily on foot
while his comrade held his horse
four ordered retreat and one long whistle
meant fire.
Away they went through the woods GOV
ering the right flank of Major Grahams
advance. They had not gone very fal
| lnfx hi hnr
and rider to halt.
"Hold my horse, Gus" said George leap,
ing down. "I've caught a glimpse of a
red coat" and he darted forward from
tree to tree with the swift yet cautious
movement of an Indian, he soon perceiv-
ed that numbers of the enemy we're appa-
rently returning from an unsuccessful
beating of the woods, and believing that
with the clue he had obtained his eyes
would be worth more than dozen, he left
his men standing where his last order de-
tanned them and continued to creep to-
ward his foes, who were rejOining the
main body in the road. And so he disap-
peared from the vision of Angus who,
nevertheless, was straining his eyes on the
spot where his young leader was last seen,
and concentrating all his faculties to
catch some indication of his return. Be-
fore many moments passed the boy was
taught the lesson that, in such warefare,
soldiers watchfulness can be too con-
centrated. A voice said, almost in his
ear, Surrender, and keep silent" Turn
ing with violent start he saw young
British ensign leveling a pistol at him
while burly relocated infantryman
threatened him with his bayonet.
In the confused awful moment that fol-
lowed but one thing was clear-he must
warn George and the Others at every cost
to himself. He gasped the word mother"
tumbled off his horse, away from the bay
onet point, and gave four shrill whistles,
which meant "retreat."
CHAPTER III.
HEADLoNG FLIGHT.