Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-08-08

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:
"Well, Sneed, did you expect to find me
here!"
"Yes," 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 here?"
"Hush! not so loud r it'll be all up with
our plans. We see these fellers can't be
managed like sojers. They're set o. blamed
| thieves n murderers, n wouldn't miss
| hangin' yer fur any thing. We couldn't
begin ter save ye 'nless twas done by STRAIT
| ergy an sarcumvention, We know" All the
| while he was talking in mere whisper,
and the stupid guard at the door, who was
draining the brandy-aask Sneed had given
him to allow him to enter, heard not a word.
"We've got it bout fixed up" Sneed con-
| tinued. I'm bout IN hour q boy'n come
| fur We. Don't yer AZ him any questions,
| don't yer speak word, nor even look
around, but foller the boy. Now, d. ye
mark what Pm say'np
EVERY word"
"Wi'l We carry It outp'
ayes"
"Good-bye"
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
hr<.l ,lxyh vvx
muring of the guard at the door. Occasion
ally he mumbled snatches of a song in q
hoarse, drunken voice, and Luke who began
to see through the plans of Albert Neff and
Dick Sneed, trembled lest they had carried
it 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 hm to rise. He did So
A small, soft hand, which he at once knew to
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.
It was so dark that Luke could no more
see than if 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's
'Albert, is it your'
"Yes, hush-mount; we have not mo-
nent to lose" was the whispered answer.
There were four of them, and they
Dick in trout, himself and the boy bringing
up the rear. Their horses were soon climb
ing muddy hill
Don't say wordr' said Major Neff, in a
cautious undertone A few rods further
and q voice from the darkness called:
"Haltr'
The two refined in their horses.
'Who goes therer'
"a friend with the countcrsign.'
advance and give it."
As they rode forward Albert whispered:
'Stone River" and they were told to
pass.
Reaching the top of the hill they found
the ground little more level, and put their
horses to a gallop, for Luke's rescuers
knew that o long ride was before them.
Two or three miles away they met a body Of
guerrillas returning.
''Halt, thar! Who be you uns an whar We
gwine!" their leader cried, when they were
within few rods of them.
II am Major Neff, on my way to my COM
mand," Albert promptly answered.
I'VE ar! Wall, tell yer, Major, ye'd bet
ter look q leetie out, kase tn roads ar
swarmln' with Yanks, pourin' by tn
millions down on ter Nashville. We've been
a runnin' from them till we're Almost tuck
cred out"
Il must Join my command, and we've got
fast horses, so don't think there's much
danger Of tho Yanks catching US. Did you
meet any Of my menr'
ssNo.'
'sThat is strange. They were to meet me
on the GAINESVILLE road. Wen hurry on, for
we can't afford to miss them"
The friendly cloak of night concealed
Captain Mason's uniform from view, and
the guerrillas could not see whether 1t was
blue or gray.
A mile further on they came upon part of
Major Nef's men. a remnant from the attack
of the night before, and they all travelled
along with the man who had led the attack
against them, until 1t was nearly daylight,
and Albert, sending all the men. cave the
boy. back out of earshot, turned to the pris-
o1er and said:
This boy will go with you to the house,
and just beyond it is camped the advance of
the Union army. Goodbye, Luke.n
Goodbye, Albert. and may Gcd bless
you" Their hands met, and for a moment
neither moved nor spoke. Then they sep
arated, and, accompanied by the boy, who
had been dumb ever since he came into
Luke's presence, he rode on.
Just as the early dawn began to crimson
the eastern sky the house Was reached.