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

| OO OH. VIC II iiOO uol gOU.
| Arkansaw Tom, who had witnessed the
strange maneuyers, on Luke's return
| said:
"Wall, swow, it beats creation. How'd
We turn 'em back so easy!n
| 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 a Union man, where it was LETT Tor
| burial. As they were hurrying down the
road dark figure suddenly wormed It's
way out of the thicket at the road side
| and said:
"Massa Luke, you want hurt, wuz yea"
| "No, Blackhawk, where have YOU been!"
"In de brush, massa. / see ALL see
ebery ting, but nobody see me. I be wild
you, massa, and you know it not"
81 believe you are bewitched," said
Luke "What do you mean by this strange
conduct, Blackhawk?'
"Some day tells massa, but not now.
rs gwine," and he turned about and dis
appeared into the bushes.
"There is some mystery about this black
fellow" said Luke. 81 wish l could
fathom it."
Late that evening they overlook the main
body. The little army was encamped on the
banks of 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 them.
'Tm glad you're back, Luke" said the
Captain, taking the recruit aside "Ive
got somethin' good for you"
"Whatl" Luke asked, in amazement.
aye notice that we've been havin' re-
cruits comm in ever since we started"
Luke had noticed that their numbers
were hourly increasing. Patriotic farmers
and their sons, apprized of the approach Of
the army, FASTENED 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.
"We've got a full company unorganized,
an they want a leader. They're ready to
sign muster roll and go in. I've made up
my mind to have you their Captain"
This was al honor of which Luke had not
yet dreamed. He thought the recruits
might prefer to choose Captain from their
own numbers. But Captain Smart assured
him that such would not be the case. They
were without any organization and strangers
70 each other.
"Come with me, We'll get 'em in line,
take their names, and see # 1 don't pull
ye through"
The unorganized men were got together
and Captain Smart made them a short
speech, and then called upon Mr.. Mason,
whom he represented as one Of their num-
Der, to deliver another; after which their
names were placed on an extempore muster
roll and all sworn in.
Its your duty next to elect officers. " said
Captain Smart. "Choose first Captain,
and select the most competent man in your
company. It's not for me to suggest, but
Mr.. Luke Mason is of the timber out OF
which good Captains are made. John Karns,
81 Smith, Phil Daniels and lots of others
among you would make excellent officers"
The result was the election of Luke Mason
for Captain, 81 Smith, First, and Phil Dan
iels, Second Lieutenant.
81 told We won Id fix ye all right" sand
Captain Smart, after it was over.
"But have no commission yet"
"Neither have l." answered Captain
Smart. ''You are as much an officer as any
of u.s."
There was soon to be regimental organ
ization, at which only the regimental Off
GERS were to vote, and Luke was made to
understand that Captain Smart expected
q
date for the Colonelcy.
The newly-elected Captain set about COM
pleting the organization of his company. He
himself attended to drilling them, using ali
the military knowledge he poss essed, which
was very little.
In military knowledge the dull never sue
ceed. Some men served three years in the
army who never learned to keep step, while
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 sufficient supply of provisions.
Luke's company was sent in the advance
when the march began, and he selected
sergeant with dozen men to go ahead, CIV
ing him particular instructions to recon-
noiter well and report the first sign of an
enemy that was seen.
They had not gone a mile before he
| heard a shot, followed by two more in quick
| succession. He hurried forward with all
| possible speed, and when he had reached
the top of the hill he came in full view of
large, elegant farmhouse, in front of which
| waved a Confederate flag.
His advance guard stood huddled to-
gether about a hundred PAGES from the
gate, at which was beautiful young girl of
| eighteen, clad in spotless white, waving
revolver in the air.
whats the matter!" Captain Mason
asked.
THAT ar secesh gals been shootin' at
| US, an we 'uns war a-talkin' o. shootin'
back" the sergeant answered.
'Have you seen any men around"
Then don't fire. We are not making war
on ladies'"
"No, but that secesh flags got ter come
down."
80 it shall, will ask the young lady to
| lower it,
"She won't do t. know that ar gal N
| she's meaner than pizen."
| s'That is the reason you failed to compro-
mise matters with her," said Luke, and
ordering his men to remain where they
were, he went toward the house.
"What do you want herer' the pretty
girl demanded, her bright blue eyes fash
ing fire. There was something about her
heroic and grand to Luke, even though she
was an enemy to his country. He felt
strangely moved in her presence, and had
he not known that his heart was true to
Lille, he would have half believed that he
had fallen in love with the pretty rebel at
first sight.
He answered: Nothing"
'Then go on" she cried.
81 have come to give you some advice"
trO BE CONTINUED