Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-01-27
CHAPTER TX.
4 DESPERATE SITUATION

My HdnchtRuU," ne UhtnCd.
Never was there a more surprised
look on any mans face than on Marks
at the moment he discovered the men
into whose midst he had fallen. He
knew the range of the Confederate
picket line, and was unable to under
stand how this party could be a part of
it. The men looked equally surprised
at his appearance. Indeed they seemed
more disconnected at his sudden coming
than he was at their being there. When
he made his leap among them they
We're about to get into the boat, and one
of them held the painter in his hand.
Mark in twinkling made up his mind
that they were not pleased at his ap-
pearance. He determined to play bold
game. He had no defined plan when
he began to speak to them-it came t.
him as he proceeded.
What are you men doing here?" he
asked in tone that none but a soldier
knows how to assume.
No one answered.
What regiment do you belong to-"
No answer.
ais there a noncommissioned officer
among your"
There was so much of authority in
Marks tone that it compelled an answer
and a respectful one.
mo. sir"
"You men are away from your CON-
mands without permission. | can see
that plainly"
The men looked guilty. but said moth
ing.
You evidently don't know ME. am
an officer of General Bragg's staff on an
! important mission of secret service"
lie waited moment to discover the
effect of his words and then proceeded.
ut is matter Of the greatest moment
that l get across the river at once. l
want you men to pull me over and then
sport Immediately to your colonel.
Give me your Names"
Without appearing to doubt for mo-
ment that he would be obeyed, he called
on the men successfully, and each man
responded with his name. There were
five men, and rs each answered he
saluted respectfully.
"Now what regiment do you belong
to?"
The til Tennessee"
The old story" saN Mark severely.
you men are doubtless from east Ten
nessee. You are desertep, trying to get
back to where you came from"
Mark had hit the nail on the head.
The men looked terror stricken. He
knew. when he ordered them to pull
across the river, that they would obey
him gladly. And if he should leave
them to report to their colonel, they
would attempt to make their way north
instead.
"Get into the boat, every one Of YOU"
Every man got into the boat, and one
Of them took the oars.
"Now if you will get me over quickly
I'll see what ! can do for you with your
commanding officer when I return"
Jakey was standing on the bank with
his eyes wide open at this scene. Mark
had been hero with him; now he was
little less than q god.
"Do you want to get across the river,
my little manY' asked Mark, as if he
had never seen the boy before.
docs ! want teri Course does"
Jump in then. quick. I've no time
to lose."
Jakey cane down and got in with the
rest.
'Give way cried Mark, and the boat
shot out from the shore.
Not dozen strokes had been taken
before Mark, who was delighted at the
success Of his assurance, saw a sight
that made his heart sink within him. A
boat shot around MoccasiA point from
the eastward.
God in heaveni It was full Of armed
mon.
As a0on as they saw the skiR with
Mark and tho deserters In it-for such
they were-they pulled straight for
them. In i've minutes they were along.
side.
II reckon you're the men we're look
Ing for" Saia an officer seated In the
stern.
who are you looking for7" asked
Mark, with a. much GOODNESS ~ he could
assume.
"Deserters from tho til Tennes-
see.'
Mark know 1t vas all up with him.
his assumption Of being on General
Braggs staff. which had been 30 suo-
eessful ruse, suddenly appeared to him
q halter about his neck.
Hand over your guns" said the off,
Ger.
The guns were handed into the boat,
all except Jakey's shotgun.
THAT other one too"
That's only shotgun, captain" said
Mark.
well. never mind the popgun.'
Every moment the deserters looked
for Mark to declare his exalted position
on General Bragg's stan. but no such
declaration came. It seemed possible to
them that perhaps he would not wish to
disclose his identity to so many. At any
rate they said nothing. Had it not been
for his assumption Mark would have
applied to the captain to let poor coun.
tryman and his little brother pass. Had
he done SO it is quite possible that the
men he had deceived, surmising that he
was a refugee like themselves, would
not have betrayed him: but Mark knew
that besides this danger the officers, hav-
ing found him in such company. would
not let him 90.
Marks heart was heavy Is tho boat
in which he sat was pulled slowly
against the current to Chattanooga. He
realized that there was now no oppor-
tunity for his wits. on which he usually
relied. to work. He was in the hands
of the enemy; he would not be released
without thorough questioning, and he
could say nothing that would not tell
against him.
On landing all were taken to the pro-
vost marshAl's Office. The soldiers &C.
knowledged that they were members Of
the-th tennessee regiment, but stout
ly denied that they were deserters. They
wefe Union men, some Of the northern
ers who had been impressed into the
Confederate service, or had enlisted for
the purpose Of flying to tho stars and
stripes as soon as they could get near
enough to warrant an attempt. They
we're sent to their regiment under guard.
AS they were leaving one of them said
to Mark:
II hope you'll keep your promise"
Mark did not reply; he had cherished
4 hope that they would be taken away
before anything would come out as to
his assumption Of authority.
What promise?" asked the provost |
marshal quickly.
"He's an officer on General Rraoo,a