Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-01-05
eopYNc1T, 1872 81 AMERICAN PRESS AssM.~@

IAN officer OF General Bragg staff on an
important mission of secret service"
He waited a moment to discover the
Effect of his words and then proceeded:
1T is matter of the greatest moment
that | get across the river at once.
hwant you men TO pull me over and then
report Immediately to your colonel
Give me your names.
Without appearing TO doubt for a mo-
nent that he would be obeyed, he called
bn the men successfully, and each man
responded with his name. There were
hive men, and as each answered he
saluted respectfully.
Now what regiment do you belong
tog
THE til Tennessee"
The old story" said Mark severely.
'You men are doubtless from east Ten
nessee. You are deserters, 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
MIN 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 mar got into the boat. and one
of them took the oars.
Now if You will get me over quickly
FIJI see what ! can do for you with your
commanding officer when | return"
Jakey was standing on the bank with
his eyes wide open at this scene. Mark
had been hero with him; now he was
a little less than a god.
do you want to get across the river,
my little mann asked Mark, as if he
had never seen the boy before
Does | want ter? Course does
Jump in then, quick. I've no time
to lose
J Jakey came 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 sight
that made his heart sink within him. A
boat shot around Moccasin point from
the eastward.
God in heavenl 1t was full of armed
men,
As soon as they saw the skiff with
Mark and the deserters in it--for such |
they were-they pulled straight for
them. In five minutes they We're along
side
II reckon you're the men we're look
ing for" said an officer seated in the
stern.
Who are you looking for?r asked /
Mark, with as much coolness as he could
assume.
"Deserters from the til Tennes-
see.
Mark knew it was all up with him.
His assumption of being on General
Bragg's staff, which had been so sue
cessful ruse. suddenly appeared to him
a 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 deae;ters looked
for Mark to declare his exalted position
On General Bragg's staff. but no such
came. It seemed possible 10
them that perhaps he would not wish TO
disclose his identity to so many. At any
rate they said nothing Had itnot been
or his assumption Mark would have
applied to the captain to let poor coun-
ryman and his little brother pass. Had
le done so it is quite possible that the
men he had deceived, surmising that he
vas refugee like themselves, would
lot have betrayed him: but Mark knew
hat besides this danger the officers. hav-
ng found him in such company, would
lot let him go.
Marks heart was heavy as the boat
n which he sat was pulled slowly
gainst the current to Chattanooga. He
ealized that there was now no oppor-
unity for his wits, on which he usually
CAiGhs " NOIh. LIC was NJ NhD hAhhAo
f the enemy: he would not be released
Without thorough questioning, and he
ould say nothing that would not tell
gainst him.
On landing all were taken to the pro-
ost marshal's Office. The soldiers ac-
that they were members of
he til Tennessee regiment. but stout
: denied that they were deserters. They
Tere Union men. some of the northern
rs who had been impressed into the
service, or had enlisted for
be purpose of flying to the stars and
tripes as soon as they could get near
nough to warrant an attempt. They
Iere sent to their regiment under guard.
IS they were leaving one of them said
} Mark:
Il hope you'll keep your promise.
Mark did not reply; he had cherished
hope that they would be taken away
efore anything would come out as to