The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-07

have scattered the rebels brains over the
bushes. It missed his head, however, and
landed on his shoulder with force that sent
him sprawling. The other three rebels fred
wildly in the direction i'm which they heard
Job and Ian coming, and then took to their
heels.
Cad and Web called for Quin to come to their
help. They could not get their hands loose,
and after rolling around with him in the mud
until they were completely plastered with 1T,
he had worked out from under them and risen
to fly just in time TO be knocked senseess by
Quin's musket barrel.
In the meantime / was struggling desperately
with Reub. lie was naturally much more power
ful than !, aud if ] had not had the strength of
desperation, he could have torn me limb from
limb. When Job and Ian came up was nearly
worn out and he was gradually forcing my hand
down, and bringing that terrible long knife
nearer my heart. We were twisting about so
rapidly that Job was afraid TO shoot or strike,
IN the imperfect light, for fear of hitting me.
He slapt his hayouet on, aud, as the rebel
wbirlcd past him, made a stab for his back.
The blow landed too low, and pierced his hip.
With shrek Reub dropt his knife aud fell TO
the ground. TO which / also sank in oxhaus.
ton, ] could only say
." See how Herman is"
They found Herman sitting up. rubbing his
head il turned out that he WAS so close 10
Andy when the latter struck that he did not
get the full force of the blow, aud was only
slightly stunned.
/ recovered breath enough TO explain TO Job
and the rest how it all came about.
job ragged, and declared he would take the
rope which had been provided for us and hang
the three rebels we had in our posscssion-ho
would take them back 10 the house aud hang
them in the presence Of their women folks.
% We must ko pack to dc house, any vay," said
NNF.WVf L. e.
our guns"
Yes" it occurred TO me; they're cooking
big supper there for those scoundrcls after
they got through hanging u.s."
i really wanted 10 90 back to the house 10
triumph over those insulting women / did
not think that job would actually hang the
men, but / was not at all unwilling that both
the women and tho men should be made 70
believe that he would, and 30 know something
Of the awful torment that We had undergone
in those anxious moments
We examined our prisoners ROub had bled
very prOiusely, but the flow seemed TO nave
nearly stopt. He was too weak To walk and If
We took him we would have 10 carry him Jeff
was still scnseless but would probably come TO-
Andy was groaning that his shoulder blade
WAS broken and il seemed likely that that
was the truth. He could hardly walk, If at ALL
Well" said Job, after thinking the matter
over, " think our first business is 10 cat that
supper. IL is probably good and hot now. If
we walt till We hang these men, or even until
wo can get them back 10 the house 10 hang
them, IL will probably be cold, or somebody
else will We et it up. We can hang these men
at any time, but the supper must be eaten now
1t cant wait-they can. Besides, it'll be all
the better 10 give them little Time to think
over their wickedness, an git ready for Il
warmer climate. Let us tic 'cm % these trees
with the ropes they intended 10 hang you with
go to the house. get your guns eat that supper
an come back here an finish up the evenings
work at leisure"
We tied the three rebels to as many trees
placing them, however ia comparatively easy
positions, picked up four shot -guns-two of the
rebels who ran away having thrown theirs
dOwn-with which Herman, Cad, Web and
armed ourselves, and then started back toward
the house. When We got near we could make
out he women standing on the porch. looking
out an1iousiy for their mcn-fOlka. The shots
had alarmed them.
Is that You, Andy ?" Mandy called out. as
she saw US getting over the fence
Yes Mandy" answered, initiating Andy's
voice.
Air ye all right2" she inquired neryously.
Yes. we're all right" answered.
The sho0tin' skcercd me- ! wuz afeared
yr plans d busted an some on ye'd got hurt.
Did ye settle the Yanks?'
The fanks are all right, madam " said Job
stepping into plain view before her We've
settled that blamed crew Of yOur'n for good an
all. IOar husband aud the fellers you call
Rcnb and JEFF are now stretching them bed
cords Of your from them trees down ut the
fOrke o the road. We came TO take supper
with you, and congratulate you on being
widow. You and the other women ought To be
much Obliged to us for relievin' you of such
nieascy whelps o husbands Don't you dare
scream or carry on, but give US our supper
right of, for we've got lot of important busi-
ness TO attend 10 onight yet"
Too dazcd 10 reply, Mandy led the way back
to where the table WAS set for supper aud the
meal smoking in the pots aud kettles in the
great open fireplace. Mechanically she aud
the other women began placing the food on the
table.
Herman and / ran out to the corn-crib, and
were rejoiced 10 find our beloved muskets
standing precisely where we had left them 1t
seemed an age since We had set them down
there.
When we came back into the house the rest
were seated at the table, aud an We took our
seats Ian inclined his head and began 10 ask "A
blessing. lie poured out his moved soul in
Thanksgiving 10 the God of Battles and of
Mercy for the signal victories which had bless
cd the Union armies, for our preservation from
the perils Of sea and of battles. aud moro mar
uculariy for the recent miraculous escape Of his
comrades from shameful death, and for the
just retributiOn which had overtaken the
wicked and deceitful. i could not keep back
ny tears, aud they stIeamed from all our eycs