San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-12-22

croaching. VIII shuddered, and, with
quick intuition, George turned the boats
head away from the bend and pointed
across the current to the Towhead, which
was now below them
When the island first pushed its white,
sandy head through the water some cot
tonwood seed had landed there from an
airy voyage, and the young trees that
sprang from them formed the nucleus of
an aftergrOwth which was added year
by year like the rings of Il tree. The in
no mo-! ain had much pinion err Unc'
Jake lately, but Tze jes' about as nigh
dat ole boat as keers to 60"
We'll, I'm going TO have look at the
old shanty," said Will. rising from the
sand. His companion did not venture
to follow him in the expedition.
The river had year by year added to
the strip of land, and the old fatboat
was now nearly hidden by the under
brush that had grown up between it and
the water. The low hut which had once
been the boats cabin was still standing
amid the decayed timbers of the hull,
and Will noticed with surprise that there
were traces of something like footprints
leading to it.
Nevertheless he stepped quite unsus-
piciously over the doorway. Once fairly
within he felt himself roughly grasped
by the arms from behind.
"You make a noise to call that boy"
said a voice close to his ears, land I'll
kill you! tell you will never be taken
prisoner!'
The person who had seized him now
faced him, still holding Nm by the
arms. Will saw youth S,Lrcely older
than himself dressed in worn gray uni
form. His grip was like steel, but his
face was so pinched and drawn and his
eyes so desperately miserable that the
heart of his captive warmed to him.
Recovering his composure a little,
after his first establishment and alarm,
Will said, with an effort to laugh: LET
me go! I'm the only prisoner there's
likely to be. I'm not after you. was
only looking for ghost"
"Who are you? | know all the boys
over there, and know you are Yankee
by your cap and your voice. tell you
| can't be taken"
"See here" said viii, I'm only boy
like you, and though I'm a soldiers son,
and don't deny either my voice or my
cap, don't want to harm you at all.
What is up, anyway, and why are you
playing spook ON this strip of sand?''
at is all up now, | suppose, and may
as well tell you all about it. Have you
got mother? | see by your face you
haven't; so perhaps you will be sorry for
poor fellow who is going to lose his.
"My name is John Prescott, and over
there in that white house below your
fort my mother is dying, and | am try
ing to see her once more if she isn't gone
already.
Il got a two weeks furlOugh-you
needn't stare, I've been in the army
nearly a year-and slipped down the
river two days ago. Unfortunately for
me | made this point too near daylight
yesterday morning to venture any far
Their. knew the reputation this place
has among the negroes, and | thought it
safe to wait here until night | reckon
was too tired and sleepy and didn't
make it fast, and the boat managed to
slip away while was looking for good
place to drag it up among the bushes.
Here | have been ever since, like
rat in trap. | have watched the house
over there for two days, and have even
seen the family on the terraces and dared
not make a signal! Now, sir, what are
you going to do about it?'
I'm going to do this" said Will, hold
ing out his hand. I'm going to say
believe every word you say, and l want
you to trust me to help you out of this
scrape. lost my mother not six months
ago, and do know how to feel for you,
if we are on opposite sides. happened
to hear today that your mother is no
worse. Maybe you'll see her more than
this once"
"But how can | get over?"
81 don't see quite clearly how to do it,
but I'll get you over there before day
break somehow. You must give me
youI word to go away when the time is
up. Now | must go, or that boys curl
osity will be enough to overcome his
fears, and he'll come to look me up.
know you're hungry, so take my lunch
Keep q sharp lookout after dark"