Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-07-18

while he was talking in a mere whisper,
and the stupid guard at the door, who was
| draining the brandy-fask Sneed had given
him to allow him to enter, heard not word.
"We've got 1t bout fixed up" Sneed con-
| tinued. ''In bout an hour boy'n come
fur ye. Don't yer az him any questions,
don't yer speak a word, nor even look
around, but foller the boy. Now, d. We
mark what Pm say'n'"
Every word"
"Will We carry Il outF'
eyes,
"Good-bye."
And he was gone Gone as suddenly and
silently as # he had melted away into dark
ness. Luke half believed he was still there,
and put out his hand 70 feel for him, but his
hand found only darkness and the empty
air. An hour passed and the silence was
broken only by the drunken, Inaudible MUIR
muring ofthe guard at the door. Occasion
ally he mumbled snatches of a song in a
hoarse, drunken voice, and Luke, who began
to see through the plans of Albert Nef and
Dick Sneed, trembled lest they had carried
it too far.
At last, however, the guard became quiet,
and his heavy breathing told that he had
succumbed. Some one came IN, and going
10 his side motioned HIM to rise. He did So.
A small, soft hand, which he at once knew to
be the hand of the boy, was placed in his
and he was led from the room. In the hall
near the doorway he stumbled over some
one, and half-smothered curse came from
the drunken guard.
He was warned by gentle pressure on
his hand TO be silent and careful. Another
person joined them, and the three went
softly from the house.
It was so dark that Luke could no more
see than if nc had been totally blind. They
were gong through the mud, and slowly
making their way somewhere. They
crossed fence and were in the woods.
Not a word had yet been spoken, and be-
yond an intimation that he was among
friends, he knew not whether he was being
led to liberty or death At last they came
TO horses.
''Mount this one,'' said low, deep, earn
est voice which he recognized as Albert
Nef's.
"Albert, is it you?"
"Yes, hUsh-mount; we have not mo-
ment to lose," was the whispered answer.
There were four of them, and they
mounted horses and started on, Albert and
Dick in front, himself and the boy bringing
up the rear. Their horses were soon climb
ing muddy hill.
Don't say a word ~ said Major Neff, in
cautious undertone A few rods further
and voice from the darkness called:
''Haltr'
The two reined in their horses.
"Who goes there:"
ga friend with the cCuntersign."
advance and give it"
As they rode forward Albert whispered:
''Stone River" and they were told to
pass.
Reaching the top of the hill they found
the ground a little more level, and put their
horses to a gallop, for Luke's rescuers
knew that long ride was before them.
Two or three miles away they met body of
guerrillas returning.
'Halt, thar! Who be you'uns an whar ye
gwine!" their leader cried, when they were
within few rods of them.
Il am Major Neff, on my way to my COM
mand," Albert promptly answered.
''Ye ar! Wall, tell yer, Major, ye'd bet
ter look a leetle out, kase tn roads ar
swarmln' with Yanks, pourin' by tn
millions down on ter Nashville. We've been
a runnin' from them till we're Almost tuck
cred out"
81 must join my command, and we've got
fast horses, so don't think there's much
danger of the Yanks catching US. Did you
meet any of my men"
"No.n
THAT is strange. They were to meet me
on the Clarksville road. Well hurry on, for
we can't afford to miss them"
The friendly cloak of night concealed
Captain Mason's uniform from view, and
the guerrillas could not see whether 1t was
blue or gray.
A mile further on they came upon part of
Major Neffs men, remnant from the attack
of the night before, and they all travelled
along with the man who had led the attack
against them, until it was nearly daylight,
and Albert, sending all the men, save the
boy, back out of earshot, turned to the pris-
Oner and said:
This boy will go with you to the house,
and just beyond it is camped the advance of
the Union army. Goodbye, Luke!"
Goodbye, Albert, and may God bless
you" Their hands met, and for moment
neither moved nor spoke. Then they sep
arated, and, accompanied by the boy, who
had been dumb ever since he came into
Luke's presence, he rode on.
Just as the early dawn began to crimson
the eastern sky the house was reached.
Here 1 must leave your said his
guide.
Had bomb exploded Luke would not
have been more astounded. That voice he
would know among ten thousand. A mo-
ment more and his horse was ongSide the