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

mean to meet that body Of cavalry as
it bears down upon us.
Quickly the extra horses were be.
ing trOtted to the right and into the
thickest part Of the pines. while Cap
tain Bowie and his little body OF men
seeing TO their guns being oil right.
put spurs to their horses and rapidly
went to meet their enemies.
A few shots were fred az they ad.
vanced and then. TO the surprise Of
the grays. the blue coats turned about
and rapidly disappeared over the hill
and away.
Captain Bowie did not laugh as his
men did. He sent man back TO re.
call the horses, and then said:
wiltshire, am uneasy about what
has just taken place. That was not
party after us, but we surprised them.
We are close now to Washington City.
| think that was large company of
cavalry out on fOraging expedition
and for practice. They certainly did
not expect to meet the enemy here,
and perhaps think we are only the
advanced guard Of large force that
is moving on Washington. We must
from necessity stop as soon as it is
dark and rest. But I do wish We
We're safe over the Potomac with our
horses and rifles that Colonel Mosby
so needs. This county is hostile to us,
too-all Quakers, men of peace, as
they call themselves. But they are
all abolitionist, and therefore hate the
men that fight for their own constitu.
tional rights"
"Then you think the blue coats viii!
return with a much larger force p
81 do and we must not be captur.
ed"
"You especially, captain. as you are
outlawed."
"Yes; and | have no idea to be
again imprisoned in the Old Capitol.
How many miles are We from our
crossing?"
About twenty, should Judge"
ave will 60 on about ten miles more
and then send up signal rocket, and
see if We get a reply"
But the last ten miles was more OF
a slow walk than a trot, the horses
were so tired and the roads sticky
with red clay. Old Quaker farmers
were met in their light wagons COM
ing from Washington market. But
they pretended they had not seen any
soldiers whatever. They were hostile
to the little band of grays, and hur-
ried on to give information to the
nearest post of soldiers.
When, after dark, suitable grove
Of trees were found in a field a short
distance off the main road halt was
called. They found some good water
mean which refreshed them all; they
could not make fire in this place and
have coffee.
Captain Bowie, who was always most
thoughtful and generous to his men.
concluded as they were all so tired not
to post a sentinel. For II sleep like
q cat," he laughed; mo man can
prowl around here without my hear
ing him-much less Lody of caval-
ry. So let us wrap in our blankets
and sleep until near day, and then a
few hours will see us across the river"
He had fired the signal-a red rock
et-and had been answered by a blue
one.
Colonel Mosby is waiting for rs,
boys" he said.
He was the last to lay down to rest,
Lieutenant Wiltshire on one side of
him and his brother Bruno on the 9TH
er.
Twenty-four years before he had, as
a tiny baby, laid on his mothers
breast, and she had dreamed what was
now about to be fulfilled to the very
letter. Here was the tall, handsome
soldier; the black dropping hat and
heavy plume; the tall riding boots
and spurs; the gold-brown moustache
curling away from soft red lips. He
sleeps and dreams Of her and home.
And then he smiles. for he is again a
boy and hangs around her neck to
coax and kiss some favor from her.
Then he is iudely torn, as he dreams,
from her arms.
Awake awake captain" whis-
pers Wiltshire. as he shakes him.
Here comes the enemy, aud a thous.
and strong by the sound"
He is up in an instant. So are the
men. Each without word rushes 10
saddle up and mount.
Here, Captain, take nv horse: be