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

NMA&t tH " tF7 ~ 9"
"wELL. YANK, YOU'VE GOT TO SWING"
his hands tled behind his back, ''you've go
ter SWING, that's all thar is o. it,"
He paused, expecting to see his captive
go down on his knees and implore mercy
but Captain Mason was firm and unmoved
his eye meeting his enemy's without quail
ing Finding that he made no answer, tbs
guerrilla added:
"What dye say T. itl'
Nothing"
"Yer don't, heyl'
'sNo; am unable to defend myself"
''Wall, hain't yer agoin' ter beg?"
'sNo.~
''Then hang him ter once, boys; string i'm
up, I say"
Half a dozen started toward the captive
as if they would put the threat into execu-
tion, when some one evidently high in au-
thority put a stop 10 the proceedings. Luke
did not know why he did so, but realized
that his fate was deferred to future time.
The arrival of country boy with some
alarming intelligence threw the guerrillas
into confusion, and preparations were made
for a hasty departure. Luke was placed
upon q horse, and under a strong guard
hurried of down the road into a wild,
broken country, where the hills were so
high that they looked like mountain peaks,
and the forests were so dense as to form a
safe hiding-place from the invading army.
They halted at an old mill on a creek, and
the prisoner was given breakfast, which,
poor as it was, was heartily relished by the
half-starved soldier. Luke was the only
prisoner, and, as he had seen but two
Union soldiers dead, he concluded that the
others had made their escape.
1t seemed that the guerrillas were not
quite sure of their own safety even here.
The officers held whispered consultations,
and nodded and gesticulated in an excited
manner.
If they intend to murder me, why don't
they do it aud have it over withl' said the
prisoner, watching their strange maneu-
vers.
The day wore slowly by, night came, and
the prisoner grew nervous. He reasoned
that these men would choose darkness for
their diabolical work Murderers are usu-
ally too cowardly to perpetrate their helm
Gus crimes in daylight.
At dusk the sound of horses feet COM
ing down the hill reached the ears of the
captive, who was sitting at a window of
the house that formed his prison, and he
S1N O SLldA pdI " VI SOulSucTdJS Cavalry
approaching the old mill The regularity
of their gray uniforms made it easy to dis
tinguish them from guerrillas.
Luke had little hope of their being able
to release him, for they were outnumbered
by the guerrIllas five to one. 1t might be
even possible that they would not care to
interfere with these partisan freebooters.
1t was too dark for him to distinguish
nd haI -aI
dispersed among the buildings about the old
mill he forgot al about them.
Others were coming and going, and the
subdued buzz of voices constantly reached
his ears. HIS room was dark, as neither
lamp nor candle had been lighted, and the
guards at the doors and windows looked
like silent statues. ~ -,t
Where is hel'' voice at last asked.
There was something peculiarly familiar in
that voice; but Luke was unable to tell to
whom 1t belonged.
The sound of footsteps approaching his
prison door reached his ears, and next
moment the same ngely-familiar voice
was heard speaking TO the guard. Some
one entered the apartment, and, coming to
Luke's side, asked:
AR We th9pris'nerr'
1t was too dark for features to be recog-
nized at even foot.
Il an" the prisoner answered.
Hain't ye Captain Mason"
lam"
Don't We know me, Captain" the voice
asked in an undertone.
mo, though have certainly heard your
voice before"
Don't We remember Dick Sneed, the
wounded reb at Fort Donelson, who told
We bout Captain Neff gittin' awayl"
OF course. l remember you, but thought
you badly-wounded prisoner -
Il warn't so bad hurt ez let on. 1 only
did that ter git away an done it, an I'm
here. l was at the house last night when
you'un charged it"
And you got away"
Yes, run at the first, an wasn't seen,
except by cussed niger who run me three
mile inter swamp, ard shot at me dozen
times. l laid fur him an knocked him
down wi tn butt o. my gum
Luxe at once knew that the negro al
luded to was Blackhawk, their mysterious
guide, and this accounted for his absence
which lad caused their recent disaster.
Did you kill him!'' he asked.
Dun know for sartin, but hope did. ~ the
Confederate growled, "fur never saw a
devil so hungry ter XIII anybody as he was
me. 1t war so internal dark that l couldn't
see his face, but half believe he war some
o. them black devils use ter Hallup when
! war overseer."
A few moments silence ensued, and then
Luke said:
Well, Sneed, did you expect TO find me
herel''
YES" the Confederate answered, and
lowering his voice little so that the guard
might not overhear him, ne added: ''Cap-
tain Neff sent me ter find We"
What is Captain Neff hcre!'
"Hushl not % loud r it'll be all up with
our plans. Ye see these fellers can't be
managed like soiers. They're set o. blamed
thieves n murderers, n wouldn't miss
haDgin' yer fur any thing. We couldn't
begin ter save ye 'nless twas done by STRAIT
ezgy an ssrcamvention, ye know" All the