The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-01-26

n FIJI cover y with my gun tel know
yer all right"
II won't mind small thing like that
ef you'll put me n my leetle brother
across"
Mark and his companion went down
to the river. Pretty soon wild looking
man, with beard growing straight out
from his face like the spokes of cart
wheel, came cautiously down, covering
them with a shotgun as he proceeded.
"Got q pass, stranger
mo"
Reckon they won't let y land when
y get over thar"
'These army fellers are like rat
trap" said Mark; ''they amt so partic-
ular as to goen in; it's the goen out they
don't like. But y better try to strike a
point on the river whar ther amt no
guard"
''Fur how much?'
IAN extra fver."
"Greenback?
"You amt very patriotic. Won't y
take Confederate bills?"
'sNot when can get green uns."
''Y amt q Union man, are W
mo. But l know a valyble thing
when sees it."
The night would have been very dark
had it not been for the moon behind the
clouds. As it was, the boat could only
be seen from the shore when they drew
too near. They pulled up the river west
of Moccasin point, keeping near the
east bank. They could see camp6res
of guards on the other shore. Once,
getting too near river picket, they
were seen and challenged.
"Who goes thar?"
''Oh, none O. your busiaess!' said Mark
jokingly.
Pull in hyar or I'll make it some o
my business"
"Oh, now, see hyar! We can't stoI
every five minutes to please guard
How do you know but we're on army
business?"
"Well, pull in hyar and show your pa
pers."
Meanwhile the ferryman was keeping
the oars moving gently, and the boat
turned at an angle with the current
which was taking the boat toward the
east shore. 'Now pull away hearty,
whispered Mark, and the boat shot out
of sight of the picket in twinkling. A
bullet whistled over their heads, but
wide of the mark.
''Golly!" exclaimed Jakey. What q
purity tune it sings!''
They were now off Moccasin point
and Mark began to look for landing
place. Just above he noticed camp
fire, and above this was a place where
the bank was low, with overhangine
trees. Mark directed the ferryman to
pull for these trees. He slipped hand.
kerchief in one of the rowlocks-the
only one used in turning the boat into
shore-so as to muffle the oar. The
coast seemed to be clear for landing
but as they drew near they proceeded
cautiously and listened for the slightest
sound. The boats nose touched without
noise, and Mark and Jakey got out.
Mark handed the wild whiskered fer.
ryman the crisp ten dollar note, which
he clinched eagerly.
eyer purity we'll ter do, stranger, con.
sideren yer Close"
Didn't y hyar what l said to the
guard bout business for the armyY"
"Yas."
"Waal, don't say nothen bout it. Th
Confederate service pays ez it goes"
The ferryman cared little whom he
pulled if he could make ten dollars in
one night, and dipping his oars in the
water rowed away from the shore.
Mark turned to look about him. His
first move was to get under the trees.
From there he proceeded inland for a
short distance, looking for something.
''Ah, here it is!' he said presently.
SHOW l know where am"
He had struck the Nashville and Chat
tanooga railroad, which runs close to the
river bank for about mile near where
he landed. He knew he was about two
lilies from the town.
"Now, Jakey, he said, ''we'll bivouac
right here. As soon as it is light we
must set out. Are you sleepy2"
"Am II Reckon am!'