Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-05-16
CHAPTER TX.
1. ovouv,.-v a,rt,Ar,ov

| 4AE&:1S.
my hanchtku1." he tchtned.
Never was there q more SURPRISED
look on any mans face than on Mark
at the moment he discovered the mer
into whose midst he had fallen. HI
knew the range Of the Confederate
picket line, and was unable to under
stand how this party could be . part ol
II. The men looked equally surprised
at his appearance. Indeed they seemed
more Disconnected ut his sudden coming
than he was at their being there. When
he made his leap among them they
were about to get into the boat, and one
Of them held the painter In his hand
Mark In o twinkling made up his mind
that they were not pleased ut his ap
pearance. He determined to play Q bold
game. He had no defined plan when
he began to speak to them-it came Ia
him IA he proceeded.
"What are you men doing hereY he
asked In tone that none but . soldier
knows how to assume.
No one answered.
"What regiment do you belong tor
No answer.
"ls there q noncommissioned onscs,
f:nong your"
There was 30 much Of authority In
Marks tone that II compelled an answer.
and respectful one.
"No, sir"
"You men are away from your com.
mands without permission. ! can zee
that plainly"
The men looked guilty, but said moth.
Ing: -. ..,,,..,.,.. ,,,. ,o,,,. ,.u
en- officer Of General Bragg's star on az
important mission of secret service"
He waited moment to discover thu
effect Of his words and then proceeded
1T Is a matter Of the greatest moment
that ! get across the river at once.
want you men to pull me over and tho.
report Immediately to your colonel
olive mo your Names" ]
without appearing to doubt for mo
lnent that he would he obeyed, he called
on the men successfully, and each mar
responded with his name. There were
i've men, and as each answered hs
aluted respectfully.
"Now what regiment do You belong
tor
The -th Tennessee"
The old story" said Mark severely.
'You rnen are doubtless from east Ten.
nessee. You are deserters, trying to gel
tack 10 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
MIN gladly. And u he should leave
them to report TO .heir colonel, they
would attempt to make their way north
instead.
.uet into the boat, every one Of you.
Every man got into the boat, and one
~ them took the oars.
"Now II you will get me over quickly
III see what can do for you with your
commanding officer when return"
Jakey was standing on the bank with
mis- eyes wide open at this scene. Mark
mad been hero with him; now he wa
a little less than god.
"Do you want TO get across the river,
my little manY' asked Mark. a. II be
had never seen the boy before.
.Does want teri Course does.'
Jump In then. quick. I've no time
to lose"
Jakey came down and got In with the
rest.
"tiivs way cried Mark. and the boat
shot out from the shore.
Not dozen strokes had been taken
before Mark. who was delighted ut the
success OF bis assurance, saw . sight
that made his heart sink within him. A
boat shot around Aoccasin point from
the eastward.
God In heaveni It was full Of armed
men.
An soon a. they saw the skin with
Mark and the dsserters In it-for such
they wers-they pulled straight Tor
them. In nvs minutes they were along
side.
III reckon you're the men were look
Ing for." said an officer seated In the
stern.
who are you looking forr asked
Mark. with - much coolness - he could
assume.
.Desertsrs from the -th Tsnnss-
ses.-
Mark knew Il was all up with him.
His assumption Of being on General
Bragg's stah. which bad been % suc-
cessful . ruse. suddenly appeared to him
q halter about his neck.
Hand over your guns" said the Oh
Ger.
The guns were handed into the boat,
oil except Jskeys shotgun.
"That other one too"
that's only shotgun. captain" said
Mark.
swell. never mind the popgun.s
Every moment the dssertsrs looked
for Mark 70 declare his exalted position
on General Braggs stan. but no such
declaration came. u seemed possible "a
them that perhaps hs would not wish 70
discloss bis identity TO % many. At any
rate they aid nothing. Had ituot been
for bis assumption Marx would have
applied to the captain to let . poor coun.
| tryman and bis little brother pass Had
hs done 20 Il y quite possibls that the
men hs had deceived. surmidng that be
was q refugee like thsmsslvss. would
not have betrayed him; bat Marx knew
that bsaidss this danger the oeicen, hsv.
ing found him In such company. would