The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-07-31
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CHAPTER Ix.-coNTNUED.

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CHAPTER Ix-CoNTINUED.
"shet up, ye old salamander," growled
Max. "Cap'n, why can't we make fret"
"Its against orders"
"what N thunder d. they issue such Or
ders furf'i .,,.'.'t ..-Hr.
IA FIRE would make us an excellent mark
for the rebel gunners" tfsf l't
"rdabout ss soon be shot as to be freez-
In TO death here" growled Max. -r
Night set In bleak and cheerless. The
shrill north wind whistled through the de-
nuded branches Of the trees, and the shiv-
ering soldiers bent their wretched bodies
nearer 70 the earth. At midnight II was
snowin z and soon q carpet Of white was
spread over the earth. The wretched men,
shivering and crouchlng before the blast,
scarce could move TO shake of the fakes
that were covering them like mantle OF
white. i.s Ct.
"Cap, don't ye hear some one comin'p
old Arkansaw Tom asked. j sr.!l l--1
Luke listened, and could hear the faint
tread Of footsteps coming over the frozen
ground. He Immediately dispatched his or
derby to the Colonel, asking permission to
capturothe bold adventurers, who had evi-
dently come out 10 reconnoiter.
Without consulting any higher authority,
Colonel Smart told him 70 ago ahead"
aTom, Max, Ned, Bill y sald the Captain,
alllng' over the names Of those whom he
thew could be trusted. Rilent as shadows
hey rose 10 their feet, glided 70 his side,
and the Ave stole out upon the cleared space
between them and the fort. It was now 50
dark that no object could be seen dozen
PAGES away. The shrill north wind seemed
10 pierce them to the bone.
Suddenly they stopped Whispers were
heard ahead. The snow was falling fast,
aud the scouts crept through 1t near
enough 10 discover half dozen men, evi-
IDENTIFY Confederate officers, grouped to-
Vether engaged in conversation.
Luke determined TO cut them of and make
captives Of them, but, while moving In be.
tween them and the fort, the unlucky
Max stumbled and fell, making as much
noise as II an OK had dropped from the
moon. Three OF the rebels fired at them
and took TO their heels.
"Come quick, we've no time TO lose, five
want to take them" whispered Captain Ma
son, running at full speed, hoping 10 cut
them OF.
Max and Snow blazed away, but missed.
Cotton and Tom then fred their muskets,
and man fell. The frozen ground was
rough and stumpy. Luke, being swift Of
foot, distanced his companions and was
gaining on the hindmost man, who few for
life toward the fort
Suddenly the pursued, without checking
his speed, drew a revolver and emptied half
adozen chambers In almost as many sec
onds at Luke. Though the bullets few un-
comfortably near the young officer's head,
be was unharmed, and with drawn sword
did not halt for q single moment. The fugi
Tive had partially turned his head when be
fred, and did not see the stump before him
until he had stumbled and fallen over It.
Before he could rise Luke was upon him
with uplifted sword.
"Surrenderp he cried, In voice hoarse
with passion. The answer came from the
ground in voice firm and defiant:
"Never 10 o Yankee Strike II you will"
At sound of the voice Lulre's arm fell
powerlsss at his side, and he turned away.
An his hearts tenderest feelings had been
reused by tho sound Of that voice.
'They have escaped uAn he said To his
companions whom he met coming toward
him Get bsck TO your ranks, for we arc
TOO close now.n
On their way back they picked up the
rebel Lieutenant The ball had pierced his
heart, killing him instantly.
Luke said nothing about his adventure
with the Confederate who had emptied hi,
revolver at him. The remainder Of the night
was quietly but miserably passed At day
break tho entire line Of shivering, qualhng
half-frsEen soldiers were reused by theory
'sHere thsy comsp
'sYes, by jimmy, thar they come, bal
apd baggagepi said Arkansaw Tom, seizin5
be gun and starting 10 his feet
Luke, who had been sitting ut the root Of |
tree In slight done, was up In . moment
A long line Of grey coats could be seer
osming over tho snemy's works, forminl
ana advancing upon thom The rebels ha,
on thar havcrsacls, canteens, blanket
aid knapsacls, as II they were going on
march 4. -.
ssThsy'ye come ter stay, N brought grul
n blaskets," !" sad old Tom.
Tho long ron sounded, calling every ma,
10 battle In three minutes the whole lin
was formed. On with tremendous yell
they came, and the work Of death began.
First fsw dropping shots, liks the patio
Of q rain shower, and then came . storm o
A. - 'rfs-ia'nil II wss kept NJ
~ - ~ hs ooBtcnding lines sE
n.y. si a.i and nercer grew u
sarnsp sd Along theirlins. bal
oka from which u
ytly flashed The bias
or entirely died swsy