The Springdale news., 1889-05-24

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 Nefrl Halt your men and come here alone!'
 .Good heavenl it's Luke" 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 CTS stopped, and he rode forward and seized his friend by the hand
 'Iuke," and his voice was quite husky, .T didn't dream when we separated only few days ago that we should meet in this way"
 ''Neither did |; hut, Albert, l must ask you to call off your troops. The four men in the log stable are men l chose to fe- fcnd your fathers house, your childhood home, against the stragglcrs of our army; but for them that home would have been in ashes.n
 ''TIl do it." said the noble young fellow. "It may not be according to military rules, but I'll do it, if lose my shoulder straps
 Wheeling his horse about, he gallopei back to his men, and, after moments con- sultation, turned iii his saddle and, waving his hand to Luke, shouted:
 s'Go on, we'll not harm you"
 Arkansaw Tom, who had witnessed the strange maneuvers, on Luke's return said:
 Wall I SNOW, it beats creation. HQW'd ye 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 took the body of their cOmrade to the house of Union man, where it was left. for burial As they were hurrying down the road a dark figure suddenly wormcd its way out of the thiclIet at tho road side and said:
 "Massa Luke, you want hurt, wuz vol"
 " No Blackhawl1 where have you bccn?'
 "In de brush, massa. l sec all see ebcry ting, but nobody see me l be wid you, massa, and you know it not"
 II believe you are bewitched," said Luke. "What do you mean by this strange conduct, BlackhawK."
 "Some day tells massa, but not now. Is gwinc," and he turned about and dis appeared into the bushes.
 "There is some mystery about thls black fellow" said Luke. "I wish l could fathom it.
 Late that evening they overlook the main body The little army was encamped on the banks of a creek, and rumors of an attack on the rear had come to them. Luke and his companions were supposed to have been killed or captured, and Captain Smart was overjoyed to see thcm
 I'm glad you're back, Luke" said the Captaln, taking the recruit aside. i've got somethin' good for you"
 "What!n Luke asked, in amazement.
 "Ye notice that we've been havln' re cruits comm in ever snce we started 7 Luke had noticed that their numbers were hourly increasing. Patriotic farmers and their sons, apprizcd of the approach of the army, hastened to join it and swell their numbers They came bringing their own guns and ammunition, and such arms at close range, were not to be despised ''Wc'vc got full company Unorgaf~ted, an they want leader They're ready to slgn muster roll and go in. I've made up my mind to have you their Captain.n
 This was an honor of which Luke had not vet dreamed He thought the recruits might prefer to choose a Captain from their own numbers But Captain Smart assured him that such would not be the case. They were without any organization and strangers to each other
 "Come with me. we'll get 'em in line take their names, al-l see f 1 don't pull yc through"
 The unorganlzed men were got together and Captain Smart made them a short speech, and then called upon Mir, Mason, whom he represented as one of their num- ber, to deliver another; after which their names were placed on an cxtempOrc muster roll and all sworn in.
 tp alppt 0ffirprC " Sn1H Captain Smart. Choose first a Captain, and select the most competent man in your company. It's not for me to suggest, but Mir Luke Mason is of the timber out of which good Captains are made. John Karns, Si Smith, PhI Daniels and lots of others among you would make excellent officersn
 The result was the election of Luke Mason for Captain, S Smith First, and PhIl Dan els, Second Lieutenant
 [. 1 told ye l would fix ye all right" sad Captain Smart after il was over.
 But have no commission yet"
 "Neither have l." answered Captain Smart You arc as much an officer as any of us"
 There was soon to be a regimental organ zation, at which only the rcgimcntal off ccrs were to vote, and Luke was made to  favor in return, for the Captain was candi- date for the Colouelcy
 The newly-electcd Captain set about com pcting the organization of his company. He himself attended to drilling them, using all the military knowledge he poss esscd, which was very little.
 In military knowledge the dull never sue ceed. Some men served three years in the .a the manual of arms was a continual Chinese puzzle. At the end of the first hours drill, which was by moonlight Luke's patience was almost worn threadbare That night their bed was the earth, and their covering the trees, and beyond the confusion of changing guards the night passed quietly but they were all recruits, and at each time the guard was relieved sufficient noise was made to rouse the entire camp.
 Next morning. by liberal foraging, they procured a sufficient supply of provisions. Luke's company was sent in the advance when the march began, and he selected a sergeant with dozen men to go ahead, giv- ing him particular instructions to recon hotter well and report the first slgn of an enemy that was seen.
 They had not gone mile before he iNtb Nt h 7AOti 'ciAO'Nt ny LFt HUI " fuAN n succession. He hurried forward with all possible speed, and when he had reached the top of the hill he came iii full view Of a large, elegant farm-h house, in front of which waved a Confederate flag
 His advance guard stood hudGlcd to- gether about hundred paces from the gate, at which was a beautiful young girl of eighteen, clad in spotless white, waving a revolver in tho air
 "What's the mattcr!" Captain Mason asked.
 That ar secesh gals been shootin' at us, an we 'uns war talkm O sEootin' back the sergeant answered.
 Have you seen any men around"
 NO"
 "Then don't fire We are not making var on ladies'
 'No, but that secesh flags got ter como down.
 "So it shall, will ask the young lady to lower it.'
 "She won't do t. l know that ar gal n shes mcancr than pizen."
 That is the reason you failed to compro- mise matters with her,n said Luke, and ordering his men to remain where they were, he went toward the house.
 What do you want herer' the pretty aog b