Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-09
I opuriqhted, 1881


'Dod- burn 'em for tarnel skunks;
cried Arkansaw Tom, laying his rifle
across the top rail and drawing q
bead on the foremost rebel. Luke, know
ing the deadly aim OF the old scout Of
the Arkansas, averted his head. A sharp
whip-crack-hke report broke on the air, and
when he looked again saddle was empty.
and horse flying at the speed of the wind
down the road. The shot checked the Con-
federates for moment, and Luke's COM
panions emptied their guns at them, still
more confusing the cavalry, and wounding
man and horse. Knowing that they could
not long withstand such a superior force,
Luke urged his men to lily across the field.
The corn was tall, and the overhanging
blades concealed them when q few rods
away. But they had not gone a fourth of a
mile before the corn terminated at cross
fence beyond which was meadow, from
which the grass had been recently cut.
They climbed the fence and ran at full
speed across the meadow toward log
stable on the hill
Forward, over the fence and cut them
DOWN. they hear clear, ringing voice in
Their rear shout. The sound of that voice
sent thrill through the frame of Luke
Mason. He recognized the speaker, who was
doubtless in command of their pursuers, as
a personal friend, though political enemy.
Reaching the log stable, Luke hurried the
men inside and said:
Don't fire a shot until you are compelled
to-" Throwing down his gun, he walked
down the hill unarmed TO meet the Confed-
crate cavalry, who were just leaping their
horses over the cross fence.
"Whar We gwine where We gwine' cried
Arkansaw Tom.
ITO stop the rebels
"Why, he's crazy, they'll riddle him with
bullets" groaned old Tom.
stay there, and all will be right"
With his arms peacefully folded, he
marched down to meet the advancing Con-
federates, who, completely astounded, had
refined in their horses to walk. A few mo-
ments later they were near enough TO be
heard, and Luke called out:
albert Neffl Halt your men and come
here alonel'
Good heavenl it's Lukep' gasped Al
bert, his heart almost ceasing to beat
| when he came to realize how near he had
come to taking his friends life. His troop
ers stopped, and he rode forward and seized
his friend by the hand.
Luke" ana ms voice was QulIS nuSkyi
Il didn't dream when we separated only a
few days ago that we should meet in this
| way
"Neither did l; but, Albert, l must ask
you to call of your troops. The four
men in the log stable are men chose to de-
fend yodr fathers house, your childhood
home, against the stragglers OF our army;
| but for them that home would have been in
| ashes
sIll do it, said the noble young fellow.
" 1t may not be according to military rules,
but I'll do it, if lose my shoulder straps"
Wheeling his horse about, he galloped
back TO his men, and, after a moments con-
sultation, turned in his saddle and, waving
his hand TO Luke, shouted:
go on, well not harm you"
Arkansaw Tom, who had witnessed the
strange maneuvers, on Luke's return
said:
avail, swow, it beats creation. How'd
We turn 'em back so easy."
Luke explained that the rebel Captain
was the son of the man whose house they
had saved They returned TO the road and