The Springdale news., 1888-11-23

through tGe canvas Of the tent and the big trooper lay still and limp with the smile still upon his face.
 Amid the roar of the volley that fol- lowed, the voice of the Captain rang like q trumpet through the tent. Boys, we are ambushed " he cried. buckiing his sword belt and drawing the blade forth like q flash; the camp is twelve miles down the river, south. Let each man cut his way through and escape as he may. Out with you! and let the first man who reaches camp give the alarm. n
 Another cruel volley, but the tent was nearly empty. and the bullets only slit the canvas into strips. Keep by me Charlie,n admonished the Captain and the pale-faeed boy, who had been fum- bling stupidly at his belt, leaped to his side. The two passed out together
 It was bitter struggle Throat to throat they fought inch by inch they pressed forwarI or were swept back. Men were failing like autumn leaves, while above them the wind moaned and the heavy green branches swayel How many of his men were down the Captain could not see; but he pressed forward, keeping the youth beside him. The boy fought like hero, but his strength was not equal to his spirit, and twice the Captain felt the deadly twinge of a saber-thrust in defend ing him.
 An there was neighing from the bushes-the Captain heard it, and like an lnfurated demon. he dashed aside hand full of the foe and in another instant he was into the saddle of his own good gray mare. Leap, Charlie! leap for your fe. man. he almost shrieked, as clutching the boy by the collar, he half dragged him across the horses back behind him. Then he felt himself clutched convulsively about the waist-deep, deep sank the rowells into the animals Hanks. and the gallant beast was careening down the valley like thunderbolt.
 Only a few scattering shots came after them as the mare galloped on. Niles and miles they sped, and by and by the Captain felt himself growing sick and faint He spoke to the gallant beast and let the bride fall upon her neck They stopped, and as he dismounted the boy hose fife he had saved fell from the saddle into his arms helpless Then the two lost consciousness at the same moment
 When the Captain came to himself the gray of the morning glimmerlng through the trees-the ending of this awful Thanksgiving night. His charge was lying prone upon his back, raving in the delirium produced by the wound.
 Slowly, painfully, the Captain made his way to d pool ef muddy water, and fetch ing some of it in his cap, sought to quench the lads thirst Then. while every bone and fiber of his body ached with agony, he sat down to watch him as hIs mother might.
 Patiently, very patiently he sat there and listened to his rawlings, until he heard a
 T ,<NIl ,S.l1 The boy was raving of his wife. Virginia Virginiaa' he called In impatient, petulant accents, why do you not speak to me. 1 am here alone and wounded Come to me Virginia! Virgiuiar
 The Captains teeth grated harshly to- gether and something like a curse rushed from his lips His brow grew even paler and his hands clutched at the grass at his side
 All at once he started to his feet. forget ful of wound and bodily pam. Yes, why not end it all now:
 Yes, why not go and leave this imp of intidelty here to diei He, this puny young liar who had won the woman that he loved by going home with woundei arm and telling her that her betrothed was dead He, who had preyed upon her sympathies and threatened to die by his own hand if she did not wed him; he, who had called his mother into his service and procured her tears as an aid to his cause until she, his Virginia. the light of his life, the joy of his eyes, had yielded to the boy, and let him have hs way rather than see him fill a suicides grave, knowing that he were brave, after a fashion, and would do as he had said
 Thrice the Captain walked to where the mare was browsing, and as often returned to gaze at the raving boy Presently he folded his arms and looked up at the break l ing sky.
 Another picture cane to him as he stood