The National tribune., 1888-12-13
CHAPTER XKXVII.
CAPTURED AGAIN HOW JACK "PEkYEI
CRAZY"

CAPTURED AGAIN JACK PLAYED
CRAZY"
Their new captors proved to belong to the
band through whose hands they had passed, as
already described. and after another examina-
ton, in which their poekcts were again turned
inside ont, they were allowed 70 proceed. As
they rode on Jack suggested a new idea for
their actions the next time they were stopped,
as be was fearful they might encounter some
body from Forsyth way" and thus it would
be discovered that they were not telling the
truth.
"a tell you what" said Jack, the next time
they stop us, if they don't come on Us too sud
deBly, iii play crazy"
How'll you do it?" Harry asked.
why, III act crazy or idiotic enough, and
you Can say you're my brother taking me
bone. We live somewhere ii the western part
Of Missouri, and have been away from home
long time; or perhaps y0u can locate us in
Kansas, near Fort Scott.
"All right" responded Harry. "We'u try It
Cd and sec how il works"
They dIda't have any occasion for trying Il
that day, as they encountered no ether rowing
bands. They stopped az two or three houses
along the road. partly 70 ask the way and partly
% keep up their assumed characters by asking
II amy thing had been seen Of some Home Guards
with two horses, one dark gray with q short
tail and one ear uotched and the other a roam
that carried hss head very high and had a white
patch On the side Of bis nose. The white horse
was called Ironsides, Harry explained. and the
roam one IatteEs. The people we're evidently
suspicious Of strangers, and did not welcome
them with show Of delight, but they gave
them the directions they wanted about the
roads. They were careful not 20 ask for Fort
Scott, OF any other place In Kansas, but con-
fined their Inquiries within the boundaries OF
Missouri.
Il A.
the inhabitants having fed 70 avoid persecu-
tiOn, or 70 save whatever property they could
carry away. Night overlook them AZ de-
serted house, and they st first tbonaht they
would sleep there. but after some deliberation
concluded il would not be altogether safe
They did not know the prOelivities of the late
occupant whether Union or Secession, and iu
either case there was danger in occupying hi.
premises. IL be were Union they might bt
supposed 10 be his friends, aRd If Seeesh they
would be taken for trespasseFs- After careful
search through the premises they found few
ears Of corn and some Wisps Of hay, enough fol
feed for their horses, and with these thing
IN their possession they pTudently withdrew L
the shelter Of neighboring forest
By good luck they found concealed anon.
the trees a small haystaek, which not only eavt
them sleeping place, but all the feed they
wanted Tor their horses. They nfade a su3ae
from their bread and bacon, and then Pickete,
their animals securely, and while one Of then
watched the other slept They feared to b
surprised during the night or early mornin
by the owner Of the haystack, or some one VIII
knew OF It's existence, and they naturaIl,
wished 70 have time 70 get away If possible. b
discovering the approach Of strangers.
They were not disturbed, and in good tim
an the morning they took to the road again j
The direction Of Fort Scott The direct rout
would have carried them through CRANKY an
Carthage, but they prudently avoided bot
these places by taking roads that led arouu
them.
About 10 in the forenoon they came 70
house where there were signs Of habitation. an
Harry suggested that il would be good plar
for Jack TO experiment in "playing crazy.
So they rode up 70 the house and were met b
al old man and two or three women who can
70 the door as they we're seen approaching.
Jack sprang from his horse and rushed at th
man as though he were an old and intirnaI
friend. The man drew back IN alarm.
Don't mind him." said Harry. "HG
crazy and thinks every old man he sees is b
father, who died 10 years ago.
How de do fatherl" said Jack. taking n