The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-05-07
CHAPTER v.
49, =. a osa - nAA

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 enc
my was in front of them. many a heart
beat fast in anxious expectation. 1t
was 4 wooded. billy country with small
clearings interspersed here and there.
They're over the ridge yonder:
can see the smoke of their camp-fires.
oh. Lord. but wish was out Of this
Lawson whispered hoarsely TO Frank
Besant.
Brace up. man. was the reply. ut
tered with Il cheerfulncss not altogether
natural.
But say, Frank. can't brace up.
I've got il secret on my mind that won't
let me brace mp. just as I'm on the cef-
tain road to death. Hold hard a min
ute and III make clean breast Of it,
Isnt the confession never came.
enthusiastically the right flank
take intervals-march.'' rang out the
command. and the men of Franks
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 ! see an enemy"
thought Frank. '.can | deliberately
point my weapon at him and pull the
| trigger If the enemy sees me"
| thought James Lawson. will he send
IA bullet through me without qualm
j Of Conscience" If they could only see,
! the foe. it 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
so different from rushing with blood
! at fever heat in the wild delirium Of
battle on 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 a 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 as in the barrack-
yard-why. war after all was but big
picnic. paid for by IA grateful country.
| But Frank Besant was not fated to
enjoy much of this al trfsro revelry, in
! fact he had hardly stretched himself on
! the turf after hearty meal and really
began to enjoy his rest, than he heard
a voice behind him say:
Just the very man. sir. for the job:
we need not go any farther. think"
! He instinctively knew that they were
abiding 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
| icers went away, but when half an
hour later Frank was summoned to the
Colonel's presence, he was not a whit
surprised. though he was considerably
astonished when the object of the inter-
view was explained to him.
| "Bcsant," the Colonel said. Il am
obliged to detach man on special and
| 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. If You think the
mission too difficult for you to accom-
plish."
The Colonel. who was evidently ill at
ease. paused for his reply.
well. SIR" Frank said, thoroughly
mystified. II don't suppose am more
ready of comprehension than my COM
rades, but could perhaps give you an
intelligent answer. If you would kindly
explain to me the nature Of the under
taking
"Just 81. boy. Really. Hopkins,
think my wits have gone a woos-gather-
ing tonight. Well. the fact is, young
man. I've got TO send "A message in hot
haste to General Lyon. The trouble is
that most Of our young officers are poor
horselnen. and this duty includes long
and brcakneck ride over rough coun-
try. Now man from your county
Lawson. think they call the fellow
says you ride like centaur, SO this,
with your other qualities we are more
familiar with. has driven us to offer you
the post Of danger
And of honor" Major Hopkins add.
ed solemnly. There will be quick pro-
motion for you, lad, if you are success.
full
| Both officers looked wistfnlly for his
reply.
''Of course will go, SIR Frank said,
curly. when do you wish me to
| start?''
spoken like the brave boy knew you
were:" the Major said, with enthusiasm
Why, do you know, Besant, have had
the greatest difficulty in persuading the
Colonel to give yon this chance. He was
SO afraid of seeming ungrateful for the
services you have rendered his son-jus,
as if the highest prize to lad Of your
nettle was not the post of danger"
Frank did not. it must he confessed
keeenly appreciate the Majors logic;
but while he had no foolhardiness in
his disposition, he was resolved that ht
would mt all hazards do his duty, for hi.
was not one of those dashing spirits tina,
loved danger for dangers sake, though
when ne ,essitous peril came he would
be the last to shrink from it.
You must be ready to start at the
first glimmer of dawn" the Colone
continued. You will carry no arm.
but these revolvers." He laid his HAND
as he spoke on two heavy pistols, which
were on his camp-table. You vii
bear no written message, which NIGH
get you into trouble if you were caught
by the enemy. And you will ride the
best part of the journey in compan,
with young farmer, who has promised
to be your guidc-at any rate as far "a
the Springfield pike, which will lead
You to General Lyons headquarters