The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-09-21

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fire on you. Be warned and go back. l
came down here to make an effort to save
you. Heed my advice and go back"
The Colonel laughed.
Brandon, your fooll I've got men
enough behind me to swallow YOU all up
alive. Do you suppose those Doors up
there are going to stand charge? Are
you in commando"
No"
Who is?"
Brandon hesitated an instant, but saw
no reason for Withholding the truth.
Captain Smedley."
Where is he FROM"
Mississippi"
The devil! What-Charley Smedley,
who served with the volunteers from that
State in Mexico?"
The same"
Colonel Weber gave loud whistle.
This is more serious than | expected.
Does he know that I've got five hundred
men with me?"
Yes; told him of it."
The Colonel's tone became more angry.
You'll see the day you'll repent of this
work. Brandon
L think not"
I'd advise you not to show yourself in
Knoxville in hurry.
I'm coming back there with the Union
army"
Colonel Weber swore a very savage
oath.
We might as well stop this parley, he
said. I've got the men to clear this road,
and I'm going to do it. Look out for
yourselves! | can't answer for my men
when you surrender, if there's blood shed
first.
Your blood be upon your own heads"
replied Brandon, as he clambered back to
his comrades; and the other wheeled and
g1loTed TO the head OF the column.
Three minutes passed. There was a
stir and movement: full an hundred dis
mounted men filled the road, scattering
like skirmishers as they came, firing their
muskets and shouting. The balls whis-
tied overhead, or glanced again st the rocks
Foremost was slender young officer, wav-
ing his sword and calling to his men &c
come on.
They were among the rocks Mt the
foot of the ascent when Captain Smed-
ley gave the command to fire. An irregu-
lar volley burst forth all along the
natural parapet Full dozen dropped
dead, as many more fell severely wound
ed; others went to the rear with slight
wounds. The twilight air was hideously
vocal with shouts, yells, and groans.
The whole attacking party. save the
young officer, fell back in confusion.
Come on the leader shouted
Charge them before they can load
again. Give them the steel.'
He was climbing the ascent, with
twenty of his men trying to follow, drag
ging their muskets after them, when a
bullet struck him fair in the breast and
tumbled him backward. A scattering
fire OF ball and buckshot struck down
every man who tried to gain that ascent
The assaIlants Were brave, but flesh and
blood could not stand against this hope
less slaughter. The survivors broke and
fed.
Wallace Baird jumped up in full view,
waved his hat, and cheered. A single
shot was heard from below; the mount
aineer fell dead among his comrades.
They fired down the road as fast as they
could load their guns, expecting another
charge.
Cease firing" the Captain command
ed. Save your ammunition"
Another hOrseman now rode forward
with white flag.
Colonel Weber wants a suspension
of hostiliues for half an hour, to remove
his wounded" he called out.
Captain Smedley stood up and an
swered:
I want those poor fellows cared for, p"
he said; but if there is any truce it must
be till an hour after sunrise"
Yes, said the officer. Il am author
lied to consent to that"
large party came up to remove the
wounded. The mountaineers, incensed
by the fall of Baird, and several slight
wounds received, would not, as the Cap
tain requested them to do 90 below and
render assistance. Some of them began
to gibe and taunt their enemies; but this
was instantly stopped by Smedley.
1t was quite dark when the discom-
fitted cavalry withdrew. As the relief
party retired, leaving the dead behind
and carrying off the wounded, one of the
party called out:
1 say, above there! The Major is hurt
too bad to move. He won't last long.
VIII yon make him as comfortable as
you can:"
Yes, replied Brandon. The thought
fulness of one of the men had provided
some pine knots; the east was cloudy,
and there would be no certain moonlight.
lie lighted one of these. and with the
Captain made his way down to the spot
where the heroic but unfortunate Young
officer lay IN the last pangs of death,
his breast was CT msOn with blood. hts
face was CHASTITY pale, his breath was
almost gone.
With an exclamation of anguish. Bran
don was on his knees beside him.
Tommy, Tommy-don t you know me?"
he cried.
Tie dying youth opened his ewes and
smiled. Feebly he pressed the others
hand-and thus he died
Who is it?' the Captain asked
A Ices broth was tho rIOLal -
ply. Brandon went Of little way bv
himself; he wanted no man 10 see or hear
him theni
Above this scene, by the light of another
faring pine torch the mountaineers gath
cred sadly about the body of their slain
comrade. Few words were spoken: their
faces showed THEN heavy hearts.
Who'll be the man to take this news TO
his wife and babes?" one asked. There
was no answer.
Look there.' another cried. pointing
off to the southwest. Bright tongues of
flame We're ascending, disclosing volumes
OF smoke. They well knew What it
meant; some Of the stragslers and ma
Tauders Of the column had fred poor
Wallace Baird's house and shed
They watched the night away, TALKING
but little, wondering what the morrow
would bring. Smedley and Brandon
covered by the same blanket lay sleep
less half the night, revolving plans for
the future. The Captain had taken the
preeautIon TO post pickets well down the
road; but the truce was kept the NIGHT
passed. and the morning sun looked
blandly down alike upon the living and
the dead
A strong accommodating party was sent
out, and returned in two hours with the
intelligence that the raiders had disap-
reared.
We shall hear of them elsewhere in
these mountains, said the Captain
Tie hostile dead-ah, now no longer
lOStlle-Merr lnliad aud The cnrn-o :.