Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-22
TEE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story of the War
of 1912.
BY JOHN X. nrUsIOk
CHAPTER vIm.-COntinued.

Inc gathered ABOUT IN small groups ana
began talking about the late attack, and
the probable result of the siege.
The artillerymen on the west side of
the fort had rendered but little service,
owing to Ia OK of skill, and the uneven
ness Of the ground.
@Cap'n," said Simon to the young com
mander, whom he met on his stroll about
the village, " dye reckon there kin be any
possible doubt abeOut them two fellers
from the Xenophon?"
Why, no, Simon; why should We
doubt them nOW?"
Il don't know" the Yankee answered,
rubbing his face with his hands, @but
they're quare, ye know. I was goin'
abeOut the big gun an saw EN- talkin'
to each other in whispers, an when they
saw me comm they jist got scarf all at
once, an one grabbed the others hand
and said: 'Hu-sh-sh-shP NaoW, Cap'n,
I'd like amost plaguey well to know what
tha-at means.
Il don't know, Simon. I am sure I
don't know, and yet am certain that if
we understood it all there would be moth
ing bad in it; they are our friends"
1 doant know. answered Simon some
what specifically.
why, Simon, how can you doubt them
after such service as they have rendered
US"
at may all be fer show, ye know, said
Simon.
Il do not think if this man Burnett
was a friend to the man of war, he could
punish it so severely as he has"
Eyes, Cap'n, tha-ats it, ye see, said the
Yankee, mysteriously. "They may hate
the man-O'-war cause they got logged
aboard her, but they mayn't hev any love
for the stars and stripes, ye know"
7 think you are wrong, Simon. L be-
ieVe they are true to US.
That may be SO, Cap'n, but I'm goin'
to keep my eyes on en-, an eff they go
crooked, ye kin jest bet, I'll string EN- up
so high they'll git bird s-eye view o the
new Jerusalem"
With this threat Simon went away,
and the young commander returned
to his headquarters, after issuing
such orders as were necessary. He
had the villagers and raw recruits
pretty we'll organized A strong guard
was kept on the west side of the
fort to prevent a surprise from the inland
forces. A guard was placed out toward
the sea, and all precaution possible tax
en- to prevent any communication be-
tween the man of-war and Major Bridges
forces. But that of course was impossible
to do, and that afternoon lookout re-
ported that a boat had put off from the
man. Of-War and was standing into shore.
The young commander spent as much
of his time as he could with his betrOthed,
colsOling her as no one else could at the
loss she had sustained or was soon to
sustain.
When evening came dark clouds over
spread the sky. There would be no moon
until late in the morning, and the night
bid fair to be extremely dark.
Griffith Alton was in the small house
ne had set apart as his headquarters, and
Simon, Al, Jones, Small, and several
others, who were the cOOlest-headed OF
the villagers, were in consultation with
him.
1--WE are going to have an extremely
dark night, the young commander said
The clouds are growing thicker, and il
an hour one cannot see a foot before him
This is a serious and trying time for US
Guard the guns closely, and see that nc
spies are allowed to spike them. Should
our big gun be spiked, we would be at the
mercy of the man Of-war."
yes, Cap'n; be sure ye know who
guards that gun, said Simon.
I will Simon" said Griffith, with
smile. You are the man I shall intrust
with that business"
~Au right by Jewhillika Crickets! II
sleep on it. I'll not git an inch away from
it this night"
Simon was instructed to take as many
assistant guards as he would need, anC
during the night he was to have entire
charge of the gun. Pickets were sta
toned beyond the works and chain o
guards inside them, to prevent a surprise
A heavy fog rolled in from the OceaI
and enyelOped the coast for miles, falling
in a sort of mist or drizzle; waterproof
and tarpaulins we're thrown over the gun
to keep them dry.
The cares, excitement, and anXietie
of the day had been trying on the youn
commander, and he sank back in tn
chair and closed his eyes. In a few me
ments he was asleep. The measure
tread of the sentry at the door was tn
only sound which broke the silence. Thi
did not interfere with the repOse of tn
tired Captain.
But VIXEN he heard the sentry challeng
some one, he started up to a sitting posi-
ton.
Low voices were heard without. me-
ment later the guard put his head IL
and without the fOrmality Of saluting a
a regular soldier would, said:
~Thar's a Teller here who wants to sc
The Captain rose from his chair an
asked the sentry to show him in. A nc
ment later Jack Hatchet, with his fac
betraying no little excitement, entered.
~Grif, we've got spies in camp, b
what do you mean, Jack?"
Il mean just what I say. Thar's som
'Un who's a stranger in these ere works
sure as yer Twin.
The young Captain buckled on hi
sword, put on his hat. stuck brace c
pistols in his belt, and throwing a ligI
cloak over his shoulders, sailed forth.
Show them to me, Jack, " he said, &
ne stepped out into the darkness.
Il viii eff I kin find 'em; L come nes
shootin' one o the scamps, but he dodge
me"
What do they seem to be trying to do?
Spike the guns, " was the answer
The young commander was not iittl
alarmed at this intelligence, and calm
an orderly he issued orders for doubl
guards to be placed at all the guns an
every point guarded to see that no OIL
escaped.
Now, Jack, he said, when this ha