Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-07-18

I through tho head Of the soh wnero tae
chief had lain snd lodged in the foot.
General Grant cast glance 1t the couch
| where he had been reposing, and, taking
the yoang ofacer's hand In his, with quiet
| smile, said:
"Captain. you have saved my hfe."
They went below. The gun-boats, open-
ing on the enemy, sent shells shrieking and
exploding into the wood and cornfeld. They
| were well out in the stream and some dis
lance down, 50 they had to give but little
elevation to their guns to clear the banks Of
the river. Their position nearly enfiladed
the enemy marching through the cornfield.
Luke began to look about for the members
of his company. He found Arkansaw Tom,
Ned Cotton, Corporal Max and Bill Snow
near the stern, firing as rapidly as they
could at the heads Of the rebels who were
peeping over the river banks.
"Dod rot 'im-bet spilled tha.'ns pictur,"
said Tom, reloading his gun. s.Ef they'd
only let me brung my rife I'd laid out
more'n one on 'em.'
The boats soon carried them beyond gun
shot, and sped peacefully on their way
to Cairo, each now feeling that Belmont had
oeen . great victory, ana that he had contrlo-
uted his share toward it. Captain Mason
had cause to be proud Of the work he had
done toward establishing the right of that
grand old flag to wave all over the United
States Of America.
Every man in that conflict, small and in
significant as it was compared to the strug-
giles which followed, gained confidence in
himself and that quiet, stern commander,
who was destined to lead the armies Of the
Nation to final victory
The boats returned to Cairo, and q long
period Of inactivity followed. A few days
after his return from the battlefield, Luke
received letter from Lille Neh. They had
returned shortly after the troops passed
by their house, and learned that he had by
his gallantry saved it. She stated that she
prayed daily that he and her brother might
be spared, and that this cruel war might
come to an end. Herletter concluded with:
"Blackhawk has disappeared from the
neighborhood, and it is supposed that he
has run away. do not understand that
strange negro. He has been an enigma to
me ever since was q child. When but q
little girl always shuddered when his vel
lowish black eyes met mine, and then
thought him in league with the Evil One,
and, OIL Luke, fear he hates you; if you
should ever meet him, beware of him.
Brother wrote me Of your saving his life
onlI can not thank you too much Should
you meet him again, dear Luke, be it on the
battlefield or wherever it may, remember
that though he is your enemy, he is my
brother, and, if possible, spare him"
"Yes, yes; have spared him, and l will
spare him." sighed the young soldier, bow
ing his head in his hand. "But is not this,
after all, battle between brothers! 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 a 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 tcnderest love.
The month Of December, 1851, was spent
in drilling and disciplining the troops for
the long, hard marches, sieges and heavy
battles that were before them. Occasion
ally small scouting parties were sent out
into the country for the purpose Of recon-
nolterlng. Camp life had grown irksome to
Luke, and he gained permission to 60 with
small body Of cavalry on one Of their e1-
petitions into q 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 Niger
fireman, Blackhawk, had deserted them"
He is strange being" said Luxe,
thoughtfully.
"rn have him tied up and whipped if I
can find him." the officer retorted.
Luke mounted his horse and rode away
20 fho 1,o< -h,.h
party across the river. It 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 hull, valley, grove and tom 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
trusty fellow who knew every foot Of
ground. They were liable to be fred 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.
'Hole on dar, massa! don't We 60 fur
t shootin' dis ere niggahr' said husky
voice. '.rse come heah ter show ye to de
house whar am some rebs n BUSH
whackers.''
There was 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 there!" Luke
asked, as the sounds Of a sQueaky fiddle
came to his ears.
'Dancin'," said the negro.
They crept q little nearer, and discovered
q number Of horses hitched to the trees
about the house. So secure were the rev.
A. IA