The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-06-17
CHAPTER V.
MID WARS ALARMS.
At last.

At last.
They were on the march, hurrying
forward to the relief of General Lyon,
who had had the choice thrust upon
him of abandoning to the enemy the
part Of the State he was guarding, or of
meeting in battle double the forces at
his command. Like the brave hero he
always showed himself to be, he had
resolved to adopt the latter course,
though defeat seemed inevitable.
Up to this hour the young citizen
soldiers had never even seen n Confed-
crate regiment. nor experienced the
sensation of firing at any object which
possessed the unpleasant power of re-
taliation, so when In the afternoon Of
the second days march, the scouts came
hurrying back with news that the ene-
my was in front of them, many n heart
beat fast in anxious expectation. 1t
was wooded, hilly country with small
clearings interspcrsed here and there.
"They're over the ridge yonder;
can see the smoke of their camp-fres.
Oh, Lord, but wish was out of this"
Lawson whispered hoarsely to Frank
Besant.
Brace up, mani" was the reply, ut
tered with cheerfulness not altogether
natural.
But / say, Frank, can't brace up.
I've got secret on my mind that won't
let me brace up, just as I'm on the GER
tain road to death. Hold hard min
ute and I'll make clean breast of it."
But the confession never came.
Enthusiastically the right flank
take intervals-marchr" rang out the
command, and the men Of Trunks
company were deployed over the rising
ground.
Every crash of broken twig, every
sound Of moving bird or squirrel, nay,
every stirring leaf made some face light
with apprehension. "If i see an enemy"
thought Frank, "can deliberately
point my weapon at him and pull the
trigger" 'If the en04sy sees me-"
thought James Lawson, twill he send
bullet through me without q qualm
Of consciencep" II they could only see
the foe, 1t would not be half so bad, but
to be crawling at snail's pace through
the gloomy woods, each instant ex-
pecting the thin puff Of smoke and
crack Of rifle that shall speed the mes
senger Of death, Is indeed trying to
those who have never STOOD fire before
80 different from rushing with blood
at fever heat in the wild delirium of
battle on a foe you can see. Thus,
with hearts beating and nerves
strained these embryo warriors reached
the top of the hill and gazed into the
valley below them.
Yes, there lay the enemy right in
front of them-a small family Of Ger
man emigrants camped beside prairie
schooner.
The bugle sounded recall, the men
fell back In column, and the march was
resumed.
That night over the blazing campfire
song and jest and story passed the hours
away-rations were plenty-discipline
not half as strict us IN the barrack-
yard-why, war after all was but big
picnic, paid for by grateful country.
But Frank Besant was not fated to
enjoy much Of this al JrescO revelry, In
fact he had hardly stretched himself on
the turf after hearty meal and really
began to enjoy his rest, than he heard
voice behind him say: FIJI
Just the very man, sir, for the job;
we need not go any farther, think"
He instinctively knew that they were
slluding to him, and turning his head
saw Major Hopkins and Colonel Fulton
In earnest consultation. For the present
nothing came Of the remark, and the Of
acers went away, but when half an
hour later Frank was summoned to the
Colonels presence, he was not whit
surprised, though he was considerably
,stonished when the object of the inter-
Fiew was explained to him.
'Besant," the Colonel said, ~ am
obliged TO detach man on special and
am afraid dangerous duty, and Major
Hopkins agrees with me that no one Is.
more fitted for our purpose than your
self. would not voluntarily place you
IN peril, but the exigencies OF the serv-
Ice are such that have no alternative
nevertheless, you shall have the OPP
portunity Of refusing, II you think the
mission too difficult for you to accom-
plish."
The Colonel, who was evidently i'll at
sase, paused for his rsds1f
"Wen. sir,r Frank saia, thoroughly
mystiaed, II don't stf&Sss I um more
ready OF comprehension than my COM
rades, but / could perhaps give you an
intelligent answer. If you would kindly
explain to me the naesfh Il the under
taking"
'Just SO, boy. KesHy, Hopkins,
think my wits bavc ssiise'A vool-gathcr-
ing tonight. Well, Hpe Eet Is, young
man, I've got to send asmessage In hot
haste to General Lyon. Tho trouble Is
that most of our young saiecrs nre poor
horsemen, and this ast1 'issludes long
and breakneck ride 6vsf a rough couA-
..ti.