The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-08-14

luded TO was Blackhawk, thelr mysterious
guide, and this accounted for his absence
which had caused their recent disaster.
"Did you kill himl" he asked.
"Dun know for sartin, but hope did, !" the
Confederate growled, "fur never saw
devil so hungry ter kill anybody as he was
me. 1t war so Internal dark that couldn't
see his face, but half believe he war some
o. them black devils use ter wallup when
| war overseer."
A few moments silence ensued, and then
Luke said:
swell, Sneed, did you expect to find me
herel'
"Yes," the Confederate answered, and
lowering his voice little so that the guard
might not overhear him, he added: "Cap-
tain Nefr sent me ter find ye."
what is Captain Neif heref
"Hush! not so loud 'r it'll be all up with
our plans. Ye see these fellers can't be
managed like sojers. They're aset o. blamed
thieves n murderers, N wouldn't miss
hangin' yer fur any thing We couldn't
begin ter save ye Mess twas done by STRAIT
ergy an sarcumvention, ye know" All the
while he was talking in mere whisper,
and the stupid guard at the door, who was
draining the brandy-f1ssk Sneed had given
him to allow him to enter, heard not word.
"We've got it bout fixed up" Sneed con-
tinued. SIN bout an hour boy'n come
fur We. Don't yer AK him any questions,
don't yer speak q word, nor even look
around but foller the boy. Now, d. ye
mark what Pm say'np
EVERY word"
"Will ye carry Y outr
eyes"
"Good-bye.p
And he was gone. Gone as suddenly and
silently as IL he had melted away into dark
ness. Luke half believed he was still there,
and put out his hand to feel for him, but his
hand found only darkness and the empty
air. An hour passed and the silence was
broken only by the drunken, inaudible mur.
muring Of the guard at the door. Occasion
ally he mumbled snatches OF a song in a
hoarse, drunken voice, and Luke, who began
TO see through the plans Of Albert Neff and
Dick Sneed, trembled lest they had carried
II too far.
At last, however, the guard became quiet,
and his heavy breathing told that he had
succumbed. Some one came in, and going
to his side motioned him to rise. He did so.
A small, soft hand, which he at once knew 10
be the hand OF the boy, was placed in his
and he was led from the room. In the hall
near the doorway he stumbled over some
one, and half-smothered curse came from
the drunken guard.
He was warned by gentle pressure on
his hand TO be silent and careful Another
person Joined them, and the three went
softly from the house.
II was 80 dark that Luke could no more
see than II he had been totally blind They
were gong through the mud, and slowly
making their way somewhere. They
crossed fence and were in the woods.
Not word had yet been spoken, and be-
yond an intimation that he was among
friends, he knew not whether he was being
led TO liberty or death. At last they came
TO horses.
"Mount this one, said low, deep, earn
est voice which he recognized as Albert
Neff'a
"Albert, is It your
"Yes, hush--mount; we have not mo-
ment to lose" was the whispered answer.
There were four Of them, and they
mounted horses and started on, Albert and
Dick In front, himself and the boy bringing
up the rear. Their horses were soon climb
ing q muddy hill.
"Don't say wordw ~ said Major Neif, In q
cautious undertone. A few rods further
and voice from the darkness called:
"Haltp
The two reined In their horses,
"Who goes therep
"a friend with the countersign."
advance and give it."
As they rode forward Albert whispered:
"Stone River" and they were told 10
pass.
Reaching the top Of the hill they found
the ground q little more level, and put their
horses TO a gallop, for Luke's rescuers
knew that q long ride was before them
Two or three miles away they met body OF
guerrillas returning.
"Halt, tharl Who be you'uns an whar ye
gwinel" their leader cried, when they were
within few rods OF them
~ am Major Neff, on my way TO my com
mand," Albert promptly answered.
"Ye arl Wall, / tell yer, Major, ye'd bet
ter look leetle out, kase tn roads ar
swarmin' with Yanks, pourin' by tn
millions down on ter Nashville. We've been
runnin' from them till we're Almost tuck
cred out"
'Imust Join my command, and we've got
fast horses, so don't think there's much
danger Of the Yanks catching us. Did you
meet any Of my menf'
"No."
''That is strange. They were 10 meet me
on the Clarksvllle road. Wen hurry on, for
we can't afford To miss them"