Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-03-22

pect that you have it.
lt was now about the middle of the
day, and the guerrillas were preparing
their dinners Watson was invited to
join the lieutenant, and having his APP
petite sharpened by the ride, and the
new turn in his prospects, he managed
to stow away his share of the rations.
Shortly after dinner, the bugle
sounded boots and saddles, and the
party took up their line of march in
southerly direction.
Watson was furnished with a horse.
his own saddle having been stripped
from his dead horse, and restored to
him, and riding by the side of the lieu
tenant, at the head of the column, was
treated by that officer more as guest
than prisoner.
At night the two slept by the same
camp fire. Indeed the guerrilla shared
his blankets with the doctor, and en-.
deavored in every way to make his
situation as agreeable to him as pos
sible.
The prisoner observed everything
about him intending, if an opportunity
presented, to attempt TO escape But
this night a strong guard was placed
about the camp, and a sentinel also
posted near his fire.
During the afternoon he had noticed
that the orderly sergeant was mounted
on splendid blood bay mare She
was a beautiful creature, and had all
the fine points of a thoroughbred.
If l could GET possession of that
animal, thought the doctor, and had a
little the start I'd defy anything else
there is in the company to prevent my
return to the union lines.
He lay awake a good part of the
night, pretending however, to sleep,
but the watchful eye of his sentinel was
continually upon him, and, towards
morning, seeing no chance OF escape,
he resigned himself TO sleep, and rested
we'll till aroused by the bugle call for
| breakfast.
The fol owing day the guerrillas
moved leisurely along, stopping several
times at p antations along the road, to
feed their horses, and procure supplies
for the men. The lieutenant and his
prisoner dined at the house of a friend
of the former.
That night, being SO far from the
Union lines, the lieutenant did not deem
it necessary 10 post guard about camp,
and the guerrillas, after partaking OF
an abundant supper, were soon sound
a leep. The doctor aud his friendly
captor again occupied the same
blankets, and also yielded to the drowsy
god. At least, one would have suppoS-
ed So, from the sounds that proceeded
from their blankets. No doubt the
lieutenant had departed 10 the land OF
dreams: but the prisoner may have
only simulated the natural sounds oI
sleep.
He had carefully watched the pro
coed nos of the sergeant. and noted
the particular tree to which he had tie.
the bay mare, and what disposition he
had made of his saddle and bride. The
former he had taken to his fire and APP
propriated for n pillow, the other had
been laid carefully cross log neal
where the mare was fastened.
1t was about midnight when Watson
moved gently from the side of the
lieutenant, and approached the slumber
ing embe rs of the fire. These be began
to kick together, making no small
amount of noise so one stirred AL
were sleeping off the fatigucs Of the
previous dav. His intention was t. pre-
tend chilliness, if any of the Q errilla:
should prove to be awake. Pc now re
turned to his sleeping companion, and
insnuating his hand beneath the Skin
of his saddle. drew out the lieutenant,
revolver from its leathern sheath anC
slipped it into the waist of his owl
pantaloons. Watson's next move wa:
to gradually slip off the top blanket
covering the officer. and carefully fold
it and place it under his arm. Thus fan
all had gone well. &c now approached
the spot where the sergeant had tied
his blood-bay. He must have come toe
suddenly upon her, for the animal
doubtless starting from slumber, threw
herself back upon her launches, with 9
loud snort Of alarm.
This said the doctor afterward, was
the most critical moment of my life.
He instantly dropped into STOPPING
position behind the bay, expecting
nothing else than that the sergeant, who
watched his pet with great solicitude
would be aroused by the sound and
come to the spot. But after waiting
some moments and all continuing quie
the Doctor again approached the animal
She had by this time become partially
reconcled to his presence. With low
soothing words he laid his hands on hel
name, then reached for the bride anC
arranged il on her head. Next h,
placed the folded blanket on the mares
back and was about to unite the halter
but it having rained little during thu
early part of the night and the horse
having frightened the knot by springng
back, he found it impossible to undo it
But thinking of his knife, which he for
tunately had retained, the halter wa'
cut close to the headstall, and the ami
NAL was loose. Leading her gently tC
the side of the log, Watson sprang to hel
back. and walking her carefully along
the narrow trail that lead to the mair
road felt himself once more free man
as soon as l reached the road sale
he, and gave her the rein and felt hel
muscles move under me, | knew I was
all right. 1 could bid defiance to the
guerrillas / had no doubt they woulC
pursue me when my flight was known
the sergeant would do his best to recov
er his beautiful mare. But he had seer
Il l. I i