Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-07-17

induced to try it.
Getting from the boy directions as best
could, by talking across the stream, as to
my route, l found the country succession
of hills, hollows, and second large creek,
which my horse swan readily, but l could
not again find the path. Upon the prairies
of Iowa the loss Of such path would mean
but little, but in this God-forsaken wilder
ness, without knowing which was north,
south, east, or west, nor which way l want
ed to go, it meant much. After stopping
for few moments, until l had come to
fully realize the predicament l was in,
started forward, giving my horse rein, and
letting him pick his way.
In few minutes he struck the path, and
at little distance farther on we came to a
travelled road. 1 heard dogs barking and
other signs Of life. II was considerable
distance before came in sight of house,
but finally could see one, and lights shin
ng through the windows.
Lights shining through window are OF
all things most welcome to lost, tired,
hungry night wanderer, when associated
with a peaceful welcome. But when those
lights have lost their peaceful welcome and
assumed a hostile guise, they are of all
things most unwelcome.
l was moving cautiously toward this
house when | became aware that it stood at
some distance to the right of the road, and
began to hope to pass unseen, but hardly
had that hope dawned when it was de-
stroyed by voice ringing out upon the
night air the unwelcome command
.Haltl"
l was Just opposite the house and an.
swered the challenge by asking who they
were.
They answered Halt and dismount,' OF
they would fire.
l gave my horse the spur, and he bounded
nimbly away. But 1 came near being
stopped by two large buckshot hitting m(
in the thigh. l kept my seat, clingins
closely to my horses neck, and if ever a
horse did nobly his very best it was my
little black PAGER upon this occasion. Shot
after shot whistled by my head and this
genuine rebel yell sounding in our real
gave to horse ard rider the determination
TO do the very best in us for dear life. The
title horse worked nobly. How his from
clad hoofs kept time in rapid measure rs
they struck fire on that rocky mountain
road. Occasionally fired my pistol at my
pursuers; but, as could hot see three steps
behind me, and it marked the direction fol
them to shoot, desisted. 1 now gave my
whole energy to coaxing and petting and
praising my horse. called him by every
pet name l had ever given him. l i'm.
plored him 10 save me from those yelling
devils galloping after me, and the littld
fellows feet kept right on like tireles ma.
chine-one, two, three, four-one, two.
three, four-one, two, three, four
and repeat, in exact rhythmic rapid
time, and the yelling hounds behind
followed, shooting into the darkness as
they came.
Time passed. ! was getting rapidly over
the ground. The little black was good met
tie, t!eet-footed and his continuous and
rapid pace had flung the miles behind us
rapidly. How good that one, two, three,
four sounded. How it awoke the night
echoes in that forest. l almost began to
enjoy it.
Nobly, nobly, my little black, and just
then felt him cringe. l knew that he was
hit at last; knew that he soon must fail i'll
that rapid musical four beats to a. measure
which had for the last hour been so heroic
nlly maintained. saw that he was begin
hing to fail. There was perceptible slow
ing of the l.oof- beats. My heart began to
sink Daylight was streaking the eastern sky.
My pursuers We're rapidly gaining upon
me. 1 could hear their horses breathe and
their feet behind me. They were rapidly
riding up. There are a score of
them. was just thinking all
is over, l am captured. when
over my head, was poured into them, and
heard the ringing notes of bugle calling
to a charge.
Great God! what a change. There was
the old flag. was in a camp of my friends,
and my late pursuers, not already shot dead,
were now riding for their lives, as moment
ago was l. The change was too sudden.
tainted in the saddle.
When l again became conscious was
lying on the ground; my horse s.ood pant
ing a few steps away, and Lieutenant. Eddie,
believing me badly hurt, was beINting over
me. AS soon as he saw that was con-
scious he saluted me, and told me who he
was. Rather close call, comrade," said
he. ave were in the nick of time; are you
much hurt"
1 answered thet, I was but little hurt, o
all night in thew gs. Il thought Your
bugle the sweetest mu sic l ever heard. Did
you get any of them?"
"Oh. yes; several lie out there in the road
and the boys are after the rest"
The recall was then sounded.
l then got up and walked to my poor
horse. shot had struck him in the hip
He was completely used up
"Hello, here they come"
This rem,rk indi lated the return of the
pursuers of the Johnnies who had been
giving me my recent twelve mile chase.
They brought sixteen prisoners, some of
them quite badly wounded.
The sun was now rising-a foggy morn
ing.
I told my GRAND to Lieutenant Eddie,
and asked him for the horse of some one of
the prisoners. He told me to look among
them and take my choice. l chose that of
the Captain of the squad. He used some
bad language when ordered to dismount
and deliver up his horse. And
now occurs curious circumstance.
The Captains tongue unloosed, and
he began to give us his his
tory. How he was born in Washington
County, Pa; that he had joined the Con-
federates because he believed them right,
and that they would whip us yet.
This rolled Lieutenant Eddie, who also
declared himself native of Washington
County, Pa, and 1 declared myself q
Washington County, Pa, mania trio,
meeting under strange circumstances.
Flrst-Myself, Dan Knight, Company @,
Fifth Iowa, came running for life from
the
Second-Captain Bob Owens, of Dukes
Confederate Cavalry.
Third-Lieutenant Frank Eddie, Com
pany II, Seventh Pennsylvania, my de-
liverer and Owens captor.
All natives of the same State. am glad
to say that Owens was the only Washing
AN,N Il.
with the Confederacy.
Owens asked if we we're going to make