Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-06-27

spare him. sighed the young soldier, bow
| ing his head in his hand. "but Is not tnls,
after all. a battle between brothersl Oh.
cruel indeed is war at best, but this fratri-
cidal strife is swapping the heart-strings OF
the best IN the land"
He promptly answered her letter in as
cheerful strain as he could, hoping that
their difficulties would soon be removed
and peace spread her white wings over the
land. From beginning to end his letter was
replete with expressions OF tenderest love.
The month of December, 1861, was spent
in drilling and disciplining the troops for
the long, hard marches, siege5 and heavy
battles that were before them. Occasion
allv small scouting parties were sent out
into the country for the purpose OF recon
nolter1ng. Camp life had grown irksome TO
Luke. and he gained permission to go with
small body of cavalry on one OF their ex-
peditions into neighborhood in Kentucky
reported to be filed with rebel guerrillas.
As Luke was leaving he met the captain OF
the steamer on which he had gone to Bel
mont. who informed him that ''that nigger
fireman. Blackhawk, had deserted them"
s'He is a strange being" said Luke,
thoughtfully.
s'rll have him tied up and whipped II
can find him." the officer retorted.
Luke mounted his horse and rode away
to the boat, which conveyed him and his
marty across the river. 1t had been raining
that morning, and the woods and earth
were still damp from the food. They did
not reach the Kentucky shore until late in
the afternoon, and the heavy mist which
enwrapt hill, valley, grove and town hid
them from any prying eyes which might
be on the watch for them. They Travelled
slowly along the wooded road long after
nightfall had set in. Their guide was a
trusty fellow who knew every foot OF
ground. They were liable to be fired upon
by bushwhackers at any time, consequently
the officers carried pistols and the soldiers
carbines ready cooked in hand to defend
their lives against an attack.
Luke and the Captain were riding side
by side just behind their guide, when that
parsonage drew rein and said:
There's sum wun ahead o u.s."
The officers could make out dark figure
approaching them, and instantly both lev
eled their pistols at it.
'sHole on dar, massa! don't We go fur
T. shootin' dis ere niggahr' said husky
voice. Use come heah ter show We to de
whackers."
There was a halt and few moments con-
versation, and then they inquired about the
numbers of the enemy in the house, and
informed that there were but six.
Lead the way" said the Captain of the
cavalry, and they rode slowly forward until
their dusky guide halted upon hill and
pointed down into dark glade where there
was a light cleaning. 1t came from the
window of one of those log cabins occupied
BY squatters so common in certain parts OF
Kentucky at the time of which we write.
what is going on down there3" Luke
asked, as the sounds of squeaky fiddle
came to his ears.
'sDancin'," said the negro.
They crept little nearer, and discovered
a number of horses hitched to the trees
about the house. So secure were the rev.
elers that not even a guard had been left
without to give note of alarm in case an
enemy should approach.
Leaving the dragons but short distance
away, Luke and the Captain crept down 10
the log house and through the chinks got a
glimpse within. Here scene greeted their
eyes.
A dozen Confederate soldiers and officers
were in the room, their faces flushed with
Kentucky whisky. A one-eyed negro was
saving away on a sQueaky old fiddle, while
each Confederate was going it at galloI
with a red-cheeked country girl
'Yo! hi! whoop 'em up; swing yer pard
ner, allaman left! Whoop 'em up!' shout
ed large, red-headed fellow in his shirt
sleeves, who, from his total lack of uniform
was evidently citizen, and without doubt
the proprietor of the house.
'.By gosh, Sal, don't kick so high ur yell
knock a feller's nose off'n his face. Look
out, ole woman, ur ye'll punch my eye oct
with yer derped old snuff stick. All prom
enade, balance t. yer pardner, right hand
t yer pardner an grand right m left
Look out, Bill, can't yer keep on yer legs!''
''TeIt tee tee tee did-diddle-a-dee, ~
sung out the old squeaky fiddle, until the
red-headed host shouted:
Ladies t. ther seats an gents t. the Jug
Then there was a shout of laughter
and scampering away to the high two
gallon stone jug which stood in one corner,
Nav, git the gourd an issue ther ra-
shions ter the boys" said the red-headed
host. A thick-set woman brought gourd
and was pouring out some liquor into il
when voice without shouted: :"Surrenderr
1.-The deuce you say l''cried the host, spring
ing to his double-barreled shotgun over his
doer. But before he could lay his hand upon
it the door was open and the sharp point OF
a saber thrust against his breast, while the
doors and windows were black with the
muzzles of carbines.
''Soldr' groaned the red-headed souatter
"Why, nav, we're two derned fools, ber
goshr'
THE first man who moves dies" said
Luke Mason, leaping into the cabin, cooked
pistol in each hand.
Tney stood motlonleSs as statues, and the
girls sniffled and cried at the fate of theil
sweethearts. The cavalrymen disarmeC
| them and marched them out one at time.
As the last one passed out of the house
nnder the escort Luke turned to go, wher
the black face of their informant appeared
| at the door, and with a chuckIe the negrC
said:
"Golly, Massa Mason, yes got 'em."
What! Blackhawk, are you here?"
But that mysterious, spirit-.ike parsonage
fitted away into the darkness and disap
peared, nor was he seen any more for weeks
afterward. They conveyed the prisoners Il
camp without any trouble.
Then came another long period of in
action. Camp life became irksQme to many
during that long winter of 1861 and 1862
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