Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-27

Majors residence); that my friend had FIRST
concealed. and then furnished me with q
q disguise as a means Of escape.
Il Captain Troek expressed his belief that
had been skulking in the neighborhood
for several days; and one of the men who
had fired upon me (the other did not ap-
pear) declared that his companion had TAX
en- papers from my pocket which the person
yho searched my pockets borg away With
"When the fellow whom Trock had cap
tured q short distance from the camp was
asked why he was deserting, he returned
that he and his companion, after the shoot
ing, had mistaken me for the Major, and
being frightened, they had fed. -.
"This was sufficient evidence for a mill
tary court, and notwithstanding strenuous
denial, was sentenced to be shot at day
break. The Major was to have another
examination.
II observed triumphant sneer upon
Captain Trock's face as we were led from
the tent. He was probably amply satisfied
with his revenge.
upon the roadway, and placing our guards,
Captain Trock retired.
Although l was expected 10 die at sun
rise, my fatigue was so overpowering that,
had not the Major been with me, i should
have fallen asleep when left alone,
"But my friend suffered the greatest an
guish; 10 be disgraced in this manner
he declared unbearable. He was of an
eager, ambitious disposition, and many
were the resolutions he formed to aven0e
himself upon the Captain.
"The night passed, as nights always will,
no matter how uncomfortable our situation
may be; and when the guard entered the
tent in the morning they found me sleeping.
II was quickly aroused, and taking leave
of my friend, who protested my innocence
with tears in his eyes, marched from the
tent.
Long suffering seems to blunt our senses
at times, at least such was my case at pres
ent. felt sullenly desperate, and ready
for any undertaking, however hazardous.
Il found a file of soldiers drawn up in
front of the tent, and Captain Trock, dis
mounted from his horse, which stood alone
at little distance to the left, waiting for
my appearance.
As saw the horse, the idea Of attempt
ting desperate flight occurred to me.
Nothing worse than death can happen,
thought /, and recklessly determined to
execute my plan.
81 complained of faintness, and seemed
unable to stand. One of the two guards,
more compassionate, perhaps, than usual,
started to procure glass of water.
"The file of soldiers stood twenty feet dis
tant down the road. The Captain stood at
their head, his glances fastened upon me.
"But the steed, which had the greatest
interest for me mt that moment, had strayed
quite near me, and was quietly picking the
damp grass at the roadside.
Everything seemed favorable, and, sud-
denly calling every faculty into play, /
sprang upon my guard, knocked him down,
and second later was in the saddle.
"My sudden onset frightened the horse,
and he scarcely needed the incentive which
/ applied with my heel to send him flying
down the road at breakneck speed
II heard the Captain give command to
fire; then came the crash of musketry, and
the balls whistled all around me. My
greatest fear was for the horse; but the sol
diers seemed to have fred high, for no bull
let's renchad thaip ..>..-i-a--
MY mount was high mettled, and before
the soldiers could reach their horses, was
a considerable distance in advance.
81 was not pursued far, and two hours
later reached my proper camp, where the
resolve entered my mind, as l threw my
self from the steed who had served me so
well, lnhI never HBdln WOulu pay WISH
within the Confederate lines.
"The Majors innocence appeared" said
the Colonel, after pause, "but he had lost
case, and upon receiving a slight wound,
a few months after my escape, he left the
army.
"But before doing SO, he had punished
Captain Trock for his perjury, by running
him through in a duel"