The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-05-14

IL tuLS game, LICK had. Rrlmly,
tightening his saddle-girth as he spoke.
Now soon cs they git alongside, dash
out on en-. an holler fur all yer worth
they'll think the woods is full on us,
an you'll see circus"
So when the laundering hoofs were
close upon them, the two young fellows
burst out Of ambush, yelling like q
band OF Comanches.
Swayne, with his strong. fresh horse,
In the fury Of his attack literally rode
down the foremost Of the pursuers,
while Frank hurled himself upon the
second. who, however, managed to keep
bis saddle.
But the rout was complete. Without
stopping to look behind them the en-
envy had turned tail and fed, doubtless
believing from the daring nature OF the
attack that whole regiment was at
their heels.
Quick. b'ys, to the woodr' Swayne
cried, 'afore these wildcats kin git Their
eyes skinned ter see the trick we've
Played EN-"
As they rode under cover again
Frank turned to examine the man they
had rescued. lie was wcll-built,
handsome man OF thirty-well bred,
too. if one could judge from his clear
cut features.
well, boys, you've done me the best
turn any one ever did for me in this
world, and only pray to Heaven TINT
II either of you are ever in such tight
fix as was ten minutes ago you'll find
as brave hearts to help you as I've done. .
"Amen to that Frank said. "Now
satisfy our curiosity by telling MS who
you are and where you are from?'
"Mark Henderson, at your service.
Captain Of Zagonyl's cavalry, and now
or at least dozen hours ago-on the
staff Of General Lyon. l started at
dawn with guide to try and make
communication with troops that are
supposed to have left Kansas City to
come to our aid. but the rascally villain
led me right into that nest Of hornets
You saw bnzzing about my ears"
"And | am on my way to General
Lyon to tell him that those very troops
are hurrying by forced march to join
him" Frank calculated.
Henderson looked keenly Mt the
speaker.
Its rather curious dodge, isn't ito"
he said, ito rig you up in private's uni
form? What rank do you hold in the
service?"
Just what You see-full private
that is ALL"
Then your Colonel must have a fine
regiment If his rank and file are filed
by such as you. Give me your hand,
my boy, you will have your commission
before the month is out, or I'm no Judge
Of matters"
1T appears ter me, you two uns is
gassin' tolble sight too much.
Wouldn't it be jess es sensible ct yer
was ter put few more miles atween
you an them gorillas afore yer got SO
tonguey."
| The hint was too valuable to be dis
regarded, SO once more they resumed
their journey. If they could have gone
In direct line they would have reached
Springfield by night-fall. but they were
SO often obliged to make detours to
avoid the enemy that when darkness
came on they were obliged to camp in
the woods till daylight. And when
dawn came the roaring of guns and
| gathering of small-arms in the near dis
tance told them that for all their dreary
ride and headlong speed they were too
late.
Up steep hill before them they rode
in haste, and on mounting its crest,
though the sky was but just cleaning
with the rays of the newly risen sun,
the whole panorama of the battlefield
lay before them.
wilson's creek, by thunder. An
thought we was ten miles away" Dick
Swayne cried, as he dashed his spurs
In his horses flank and gallopcd down
the declivity.
AS they rode they could see the
armies OF either side massing-Ben Me-
Culloch, with his fifteen thousand
fighting men from Arkansas-Lyon and
Siegcl with their five thousand, some of
whom had borne themselves so well Mt
Boonville.
| In the mad ride down the hillside
Franks horse tripped on a root Of a
tree, hurting him to the ground with a
force that for the time stunned him,
and when he recovered his senses, It
was only to see the beast hurrying at
full speed after his companions.
Picking himself up as best as he could,
he started on a run. 1t was no easy
task to reach the Union lines, but he
got there at last. Dy this time Siegel
had moved on the right flank of the
enemy and driven the Confederate lines
back, while Lyon with four thousand
men and ten guns had hurled himself
against them on the left.
Frank in the hurly-burly of battle
was running hither and thither. Sud.
denly he saw before him bare-headed
man on setback, whose uniform he
recognized at once.
General Lyon, sir!" he cried, cling
ing almost breathless to his stirrup
leather, Colonel Fulton has sent me tc
tell you that troops from Kansas City
arc on their way to your relief"
''Too late-always too late!" was the
Sod reply.
just then cry came from the FRS,
Iowa Regiment that they had no Colonel
WHO will lead us?'' rang from q hun
dred threats.
Frank saw General Lyon dash to Their
front, and heard him cry:
Il will lead you! Onward, brave boy,
of Iowa."
Picking up musket that had faller
from wounded soldiers hand, Frank
threw himself into the ranks Of tn,
advancing regiment, ever keeping hi
eyes on that glorious warrior in front
Oh, God! what's that? The sabc
drops from the listless arm, the stated,
figure reels and falls, and the gallan
General drops to the earth with a bulle
crashing through his heart.
CHAPTER VI
BY THE CAMPFIRE.
Though the Union army was defeated a
Wilson's creek, it was not by any mean
crushed, Major Sturgis, upon whom tn
command devolved, making masterl
retreat. Frank Desant fraternized wit
the Iowa boys, by whom he was ere,
tied with some gallant conduct, thong