Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-29

sighed as if he had lost dear friend.
"Jakey's comfortable anyway" he
said, looking down at the boy. He had
dropped asleep, and Mark for the first
time in his life envied human being
the protection Ct weakness. There was
innocent childhood, unconscious Of dan.
ger, sleeping sweetly, the boyish face
lighted by the moon.
At last Mark heard the relief coming.
The sentinel took his gun and began to
pace his beat. The usual form was pro-
ceeded with, and the relief marched to
the sentinel up the river. Mark observed
the man that had been left on post
II hope this fellow will be more In
clined to rest" he unused.
But he was disappointed to see the
man begin to pace his beat energetical-
ly. He seemed to fear that If he did not
keep moving he would get drowsy. A
half hour passed with scarcely rest,
then another half hour. 1t was tramp,
tramp in one direction, turn and tramp
tramp back again.
The clouds which continued to pass
over the moon became heavier. If the
sentinel would only relax his vigilance,
these periods of comparative darkness
would be favorable to flight. But if the
soldier was to keep proper watch the
clouds might die away. Then there was
the morning to come Mark began to
lose that GOODNESS which thus far had
characterized him. It was the waiting
that was wearing him out.
In perhaps an hour after the sentinel
came on picket he yawned, This was
the first sign Of hope for Mark. After
awhile he sat down On the log and
yawned several times as intervals. He
got up and paced for awhile, but at last
sat down again. This time he sat longer
and his chin sank on his breast. He
reused himself and sank away again.
He would not go to sleep comfortably
in accordance with Marks muttered
prayer, but took short maps Mark con-
sidered the feasibility Of an attempt to
escape between these maps. Without
Jakey he would do It; with Jakey it
was too hazardous.
At last the soldier slid down on to the
ground, stretched out his legs and rest
ell his back against the log
Marks heart went up into his throat
with sudden JOY.
AS near as ne could guess there re,
NAMED quarter of an hour till the next
relief would come. He looked at the
moon, which was now shining with pro-
Noking brightness; he looked at the man
and tried to make SURE that he was
asleep. 1t was impossible to tell with
any certainty.
iii risk it," he said
He took Jakey up in his arms very
carefully, hoping not to wahen him, fix
ing the boys limp body in the hollow Of
his left arm. In the right hand he took
the squirrel gun, cooked and capped,
using the arm at the same time to hold
the child. When all was ready he rose
slowly and fixed his eyes on the soldier.
The man did not stir.
Mark moved slowly forward, his eyes
riveted on the sentinel \ few step,
convinced him that the man really slept
Mark turned his back on him and walked
a dozen steps noiselessly, picking place
to plant his foot at each step.
Halt!
turn and shoot him?
10, only an explosion of burning
brand in the campfire at the picket
guard on the railroad track.
His heart, which had stood still, began
humping like druustck.
He turned to look at the sentinel. The
man sat there gazing straight at him. at
least so he appeared to Mark. The figure
was as plain as day in the moonlight,
though TOO far for Mark TO see the ewes
lie cast quick glance down INTO J&key s
lace. He, too, was sleeping peacefully,
While these two We're in sunderland
Mark felt himself suspended between
aeaven and hell. And how still it WAS,
Even the hum of insects would have
oeen relief.
All this occupied but a moment. Mark
, turned his back again and moved eau
Iously forward
His imagination had never served hin
such tricks. Surely he heard the sol
der move, He was getting up on ms
feet. His musket was leveled at al
aim a sharp sting under The Shout
5er blade, and "a warm stream flowing
, iown his side. Certainly he had beer
shot.
, Nonsense! Away with such freaks o.
, fancy! Suddenly he trod on rottel
! branch 1t cracked with sound which
seemed to him like the report Of pistol
Again he paused and turned. He saw
= the sentinel motionless. He had slipped
! farther down. and his hat had falleI
. farther over his forehead.
: Thank God!
He moved backward, his eyes fixed OF
his sleeping enemy. occasionally turning
f. to see where he stepped. He was get
ting near to cover In this way h
passed to within few steps Of conceal
- mont. How he coveted the overhang
-, ing bank near to him, yet far enough u
- be useless should the sentinel awake to,
:. soon.
Cachew!
This sound was real; it was a sneez
from the picket
Mark knew that it was a signal o
> awakening. He darted behind the BAN