The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-07-19

NWl II EA5HSN N
SWELL, YANK, YOU'VE GOT TO SWING"
his hands tleu behind his back, ''you've got
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 unnoved,
his eye meeting his enemy's without quail
ing. Finding that he made no answer, the
guerrilla added:
"What dye say t its'
Nothing
'Yer don't, heys'
mo; am unable to defend myself"
"Wall, hain't yer agoin' ter beg!"
stNo."
Then hang him ter once, boys; string i'm
up, say"
Half a dozen started toward the captive
as if they would put the threat into execu-
ton, when some one evidently high in au-
thority put stop to the proceedings. Luke
did not know why he did so, but realized
that his fate was deferred to future time
The arrival of a country boy with some
alarming intelligence threw the guerrillas
into confusion, and preparations were made
for q hasty departure Luke was placed
upon horse, and under a strong guard
hurried off 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 q
safe hiding-place from the invading army.
They halted at an old mill on a creek. and
the prisoner was given a 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
gr..sz i L IL Al A.
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 and have it over with:'' said the
prisoner, watching their strange maneu-
yerS.
The day wore slowly by, night came, and
the prisoner grew nervous. He reasoned
that these men would choose darkness for
their diabohcal 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
saw small party of Confederate 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 We're outnumoered
by the guerrlllas 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
faces, and when they had dismoun.ed and
dispersed among the buildin gs about the old
mill he forgot all 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. q.
"Where is hep 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 strangely familiar voice
was heard speaking to the guard. Some
one entered the apartment, and, coming to
Luke's side, asked:
''Ar' We the pris'ner?"
1t was too dark for features to be recog-
nized at even foot.
Il am,' the prisoner answered.
Hain't We Captain Mason"
Il am"
Don't We know me, Captain" the voice
asked in an undertone.
No, though 1 have certainly heard your
voice before
Don't We remember Dick Sneed, the
wounded reb at Fort Donelson, who told
We bout Captain Neff gittir' away!''
''Of course remember you, but thought
Won a badly-wounded prisoner
Il warn't so bad hurt ez let on. l only
did that ter git away an done it, an I'm
here. was at the house last night when
you'uns charged it,
And You got away"
"Yes, run at the first, an wasn't seen,
except b. cussed niger who run me three
mile inter swamp, and shot at me dozen
times. | laid fur him an knocked him
down wi tn butt O. my gun"
Luke at once knew that the negro al
luded to was Blackhawk, their mysterious
guide, and this accounted Cor his absence
which had caused their recent disaster
did you Kill him ~ be asked.
''Dun know for sartin, but hope did. !, the
Confederate growled, I" fur never saw
devil so hungry ter Kill anybody as he was
me. 1t war so Internal dark that couldn't
see his face, but half believe he war some
o. them black devils / use ter wallup when
l war oVerseer."
A few moments silence ensued, and then
Luke said
well, Sneed, did you expect to find me
here?n
"Yes," the Confederate answered. and
lowering his voice little so that the guard
might not overhear him, ne added: Gap
tain Neff sent me ter find ye''
What is Captain Nef hcre2"
"Hush, not so loud r it'll be all up with
our plans We see these fellers can't be
managed like sojers. They're set o. blamed
thieves n murderers, N wouldn't miss
hangin' yer fur any thing. We couldn't
begin ter save We Mess twas done by STRAIT
ergy an sarcgmyeution, We know All the