Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-01-19

i You ana 1sanueipn bettef Keep watch
on the outskirts Of the woods
Two tall soldiers at once responded
Lieutenant Wiltshire talked in Low
tone from time to time to the citizen
until nearly two hours lad passed
Then. the Lieutensnt arose aad walk,
ed a few steps as II getting inpatieni
for his Captains return. Suddenly
with qnick jerk Of bis head, as il
listening, he said
Here is the Captain. Now, boys
stir up the fire and look lively"
The Captain and his brother with
two negro men just then emerged from
the gloom of the pines.
"Ah," said he, in his CHEEKY tone,
"here is welcome supper, indeed,
and still better all cooked"
The negroes grinning, until their
white teeth shone and glistened in
the frelight. placed their heavy bas-
kets down, and by the Captains di-
rectlons proceeded to unload them OF
whole cooked turkeys, ducks and
hams; bread, butter and pies; cakes
and preserves and pickles; jugs of
hot coffee and cans of rich milk; bat
not drop of anything stronger to
drink.
While supper was being prepared
on large cloth, which one of the ne
groes spread upon the ground, Cap
tain Bowie and Lieutenant Wiltshire
had whispered conversation a little
apart. Then they all seated them
selves on the ground and amid laugh
ter and jokes ate their supper. Af-
ter supper the baskets wero again
packed with the cloth and dishes, but
the two negroes remained in camp as
if by previous understanding, Sem
tinels were changed, and all wrapping
up in their cloaks laid down and slept.
About midnight Captain Bowie,
Lieutenant Wiltshire and Bruno Bow
ie-the young brother of Captain
Bowie, who had accompanied his
brother earlier in the evening, arose
and crept silently away.-When On
the edge OF the woods Captain Bowie
whispered few words to a sentinel.
AS he walked off and Joined the other
two he said:
"Now, remember, Wiltshire; you
are to stand guard at the Court House
gate in place of the sentinel. Bruno,
you are to enter with me. And if
We three men do not capture the
whole regiment, and not a shot fired
I will be much mistaken"
Bruno, who was not in Col. Mosby 3
command, but was in the regular ar
my of Virginia under General Lee,
and was little used to such raids,
said
Brother, you risk a great deal.
Why not have brought the whole com
pany here instead of leaving them
nearly mile off ?"
Because they would only be in the
way in such midnight surprise as
this, my dear boy. We three men
are equal TO a thousand under the
circumstances. They are not dream
ing Of an enemy nearer than Rich
mond. And how can they tell in the
darkness and surprise how many we
are ?"
But" answered Brune, "what is
the use of capturing them? We can
not take them away"
Captain Bowie laughed his low
pleasant laugh.
Look here, little brother, if you
fear to follow me go back for
know what l am about, and so doe:
Wiltshire. A good soldier does mol
question. Have you not learned that
yet?'
Bruno Bowie's face flushed:
go back no indeed. I do moi
fear for myself, but you and oul
mother. You know she would never
get over your"
THAT is right" said Captain Bow
lie, linking his arm in his brother s
And they now being in town did no
speak again until the Court Hous'
loomed up as a dark cloud against tn
dark rainy sky.
They had come TO the back and t,
the shed where the horses were.
Now" whispered Captain Bowie
TO the front, Wiltshire You sprini
upon the sentinel aud disarm him
/ No noise, mind. Bruno, follow n
close.
| They heard the even patient Urea,
of the sentinel as he paced back an
forth before the wide-open gates c
the Court House yard. Captain Bow
lie and his brother halted few fee