Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-12-17

But / say, Frank, / can't brace W.
I've got 4 secret on nv mind that won't
let me brace up. Just as I'm on the GER
tain road to death. Hold hard min
ute and III make a clean breast of it
But the confession never came.
enthusiastically the right flank
take intervals-march!' rang out the
command, and the men of Frank
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" eff the enemy sees me-"
thought James Lawson, will he send
a bullet through me without a qualm
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 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 a 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 as in the barrack-
yard-why, war after all was but a big
picnic, paid for by grateful country.
But Frank Besant was not fated to
enjoy much of this al tr6sc0 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 90 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
fcers went away, but when half an
hour later Frank was summoned to the
ColOnels presence, he was not a whit
I, II
astonished when the object of the inter
view was explained to him.
Peasant" the Colonel said, Il am
obliged to detach man on special and
l 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, bat 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 i'll at
case, paused for his reply
'Well, SIR" Frank said, thoroughly
mystiied, II don't suppose l 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 SO, boy Really, Hopkins,
think my wits have gone wool-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
horsemen, and this duty includes long
and breakneck ride over a rough coun-
try. Now man from your county
Lawson, think they call the fellow
says you ride like a 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 wistfully for his
reply.
"Of course l will go, sir" Frank said,
CURLY. when do you wish me to
start?"
ITO BIZ COSTIEUED.