The Hazel Green herald., 1891-07-03
CHAPTER XII.
PRIsoNF


BUsHwHACKED-A PRISONER
The cavalcade was already some distance
down the road and their horses fee
splashing in the mud and water could bt
but family heard.
"Cap'n, don't ye think we're gwine tel
have trouble Z make it back q campo
asked old Arkansaw Tom.
81 don't know, Tom; but / think we had
better get back as soon as possible, for the
| firing has without doubt been heard all
over the neighborhood.n
"Thct's jest what was thinkin',
Cap'n," said Tom. "The country's full O.
| Johnnlesn
! Lets ride faster" They put their
| horses TO galop splashlng both steeds and
| riders with muddy water.
! 1t still lacked several hours of morning,
and the night was intensely dark, the wind
signing through the tree tops like means
of anguish, at times driving the fine, mist
like rain in fitful gusts against the horse
men.
ITS hard ter keep the powder dry"
growlcd Max.
Eyer must" said Tom. "Ye'd be IN q
purity pickle ef hushwhackers was ter let
inter us N powder wet"
Its blamed fool trip" continued the
chronic grumbler, 'sendin' fcllers out here
when they can't see hands afore their faces
ter fight five ur six thousand rebs, blamed
# tain't fools work"
No amount of army discipline would keep
Max from grumblng, He seemed to have
special hccnse to grumble, and no heed
was paid to his incGssant muttering.
Tom, do you hear the cavalryt" Luke
asked.
mo, can't hear nuthin' 'nlcss Max holds
his jaw"
Max took this gentle hint, and for mo-
mcnt ceased TO berate the managers of the
expedition, and gave the Arkansas scout an
opportunity TO listen.
1--WE have gone far enough to have over
taken them,' said Captain Mason, when ali
had bent their ears for few moments to
catch some sound of the retreating cavalry.
cant be we're on tn wrong road 20 said
Bill Snow.
Like IS not" growled Max. "'TwCIld
just be our luck"
Hold yer jaw, Max; dod burn We fur a
grumblcr," growled Arkansaw Tom.
Max was neither shrk nor Il coward
when 1t came 10 duty either IN the field,
the camp or on tho march, but his propensi-
ty to grumblc had become growing evil.
~ hear 'cm," SAID Tom.
"Then we are on the right road"
Yes, bu. we've got good ways behind,
some'ow."
"Spur up; wen ride faster"
Thelr horses were put 10 swifter gallop, |
and in few minutes more they had |
caught up with the cavalry. Hearing
horses feet in their rear the cavalry sup |
posed it must be pursuers, and became |
alarmed
"Halt, halt, halt!" cried voice. and il
was accompanied by half dozen carbine |
shots. one or two OF which whizzed most un- |
comfortably near the hcad OF Captain Ma |
son.
Hold, hold, fools!" he shouted "What |
are you shooting at us for. Don't YOU |
know we are frlendsln
The firing ut once ceased, and Captain
Lawrence, who had been riding pretty near
ly at the head of the column, wheeled about
and galloped back 10 the rear
"What means this; at whom are you
firingP' he cried.
"At wc'uns, ye blamed foolp roared
Arkansaw Tom, whose indignation scornod
military etiquette. "Ef We don't stop il, dod
blast Of don't turn loose on ye wi my ole
gun an make some o ye sick at the
stomach"
"Have your men stop firing, Captain Law
renee" sad Luke.
"An right, Captain Mason, not another
shot shall be fired. 1 hope no one has been
hit.n
"No, thanks TO their poor craftsmanship,
no harm has yet been donen When he had
Joined the cavalry officer he asked; "Where
% the guidcln
"Was he not with you"
"No"
81 haven't seen him since we made the at
ack on the houscn
without guidol Then how do you
rnow whether you are on the right course
,r notn
"Oh, OF course we are; we are on the
anne main road which we came. There's
,een no road To lead us off,"
"But there's no knowing how soon we
nay strike road that will lead us or"
~ supposed the guide was with you"
'He is not.H
"An' nouns seen i'm" said Arkansaw
'oln. q