The Springdale news., 1889-07-05

NNSAwt H K v lFi
 WELL, TANK, YOU'VE GOT TO swISe.n his hands tled behind his back, 'syou've got ter swing, that's all thar is O it.'
 He paused, expecting to see his captive go down on his knees and implore mercy, but Captain Mason was firm and unmoved, his eye meeting his enemy's without quail ing. Finding that he made no answer, the guerrilla added:
 What dye say t' it?n
 aNnthingn
 s'Yer don't, hey2"
 ''No; am unable to defend myself.n
 ssWall, hain't yer agoin' ter began
 tsNon
 ''Then hang him ter once, boys; string i'm up, I sav.n
 Half dozen started toward the captive as if they would put the threat into exeeu- tion, when some one evidently high in au- thority put stop to the proceedings. Luke did not know why he did so, but realized that his fate was deferred to future time.
 The arrival of country boy with some alarming intelligence threw the guerrlllas into confusion, and preparations were made for nasty departure. Luke was placed upon d horse, and under a strong guard hurried off down the road into a wild. broken country, where the hills were so
  and the forests were so dense as to form a safe hiding place from the invading army.
 They halted at an old mill on a creek, and the prisoner was given a breakfast, which, poor as it was, was heartily relished by the half-starved soldier. Luke was the only prisoner, and, as he had seen but two Union soldiers dead, he concluded that the others had made their escape.
 It seemed that the guerrillas were not quite sure of their own safety even here. The officers held whispered consultations, and nodded and gesticulated in an excited manner.
 |" If they intend to murder me, why don't they do it and have 1t over withfa said the prisoner, watching their strange maneu- vers.
 The day wore slowly by, night came, and the prisoner grew nervous. He reasoned that these men would choose darkness for their diabolical work. Murderers are usu- ally too eewardly to perpetrate their hein- ous crimes in daylight.
 At dusk the sound of horses feet com ing down the hill reached the ears of the captive who was sitting at window of the house that formed his prison, and he saw small party of Confederate cavalry of their heifreeeipg eiagg the old mill The regularity tinguish them from ms iiiaae ie easy u us Luke had httle hope of their being able to release him, for they were outnumbered by the guerr1llas five to one. It might be even possible that they would not care to interfere with these partisan freebooters. It was too dark for hlm to distinguish faces, and when they had dismeunted and dispersed among the buildings about the old mill he forgot all about them.
 Others were coming and going, and the subdued buzz of voices constantly reached his ears. Ills room was dark, as neither lamp nor candle had been lighted, and the guards at the doors and windows looked like silent statues.
 "Where is he?n voice at last asked. There was something peculiarly familiar in that voice; but Luke was unable to tell to whom Il belonged.
 The sound of footsteps approaching his prison door reached his ears. and next moment the same strangely familiar voice was heard speaking to the guard. Some one entered the apartment, and, coming to Luke's side, asked:
 Ar ye the pris 'nerln
 It was too dark for features to be recog niZed at even a foot.
 Il am,n the prisoner answered.
 '' Haint ye Captain Mason
 II am.a
 tDon't ye know me, Captaiu,n the voice asked in an undertone.
 " No, though l have certainly heard your voice before"
 Don't ye remember Dick Sneed, the wounded reb at Fort Donelson, who told ye bout Captain Nef gittin' away1n
 "Of course 1 remember you, butt thought you a badIy-wounded prisoner
 II warn't so bad hurt ez let on. I only did that ter git away an done it, an I'm here. was at the house last night when youun charged it."
 And you got away"
 ssYes, run at the first, an wasn't seen, except by cussed nigger who run me three mile inter a swamp, and shot at me dozen times. l laid fur him an knocked him down wi tn butt O my gun"
 Luke at once knew that the negro al luded to was Baekhawk, their mysterious guide, and this accounted for his absence which had caused their recent disaster
 Did you kill him l'' he asked.
 "Dun know for sartin, but hope did the Confederate growled, 1" fur I never saw a devil so hungry ter kill anybody as he was me. It war so internal dark that couldn't see his face, but half believe he war some O them black devils I use ter wallup when l war oyerseer."
 few moments silence ensued, and then Luke said:
 Well. Sneed, did you expect to find me herela'
 .'Yes,n the Confederate answered, and lowering his voice little so that the guard might not overhear him, he added Gap tain Neff sent me ter find ye." What is Captain Neff herefi "Hushl not so loud IT it'll be all Up with ourApfans Ye see these fellers can't be mysased like sojers. They're set O blamed tnsses n murderers, n wouldn't miss hangln' yer fur any thing We couldn't begin ter save ye 'nless twas done by strat- srgy ar sarcumvention, ye know All the