Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-01-11

whole picket post. Besides, II tnat
your game, why don't you riddle Inc
with Jakey's shotgun?"
Then the stiffness was broken by the
sound of oars out on the river. How Mark
longed for the boat to come and take
him from his terrible position! But who
ever was working those oars pulled on.
unmindful of the man who so keenly
envied the oarsman's freedom. The
sounds became fainter and fainter till
Mark could hear them no more. He
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 of 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.
81 hope this fellow. will be more in
clined to rest" he mused.
But he was disappointed to see the
man begin to pace his beat energetical-
". 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 at 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 60 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 ii
was too hazardous.
At last the soldier slid down on to the
ground, stretched out his legs and rest
ed his back against the log.
Marks heart went up into his throat
with sudden joy.
As near. as he could guess there re-
mained q quarter Of an hour till the next
relief would come He looked at the
moon, which was now shining with pro-
voking brightness; he looked at the man
and tried to make sure that he was
asleep. It was impossible to tell with
any certainty.
"I'll risk it," he said.
He took Jakey up in his arms very
carefully, hoping not to waken 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. A few steps
convinced him that the man really slept.
Mark turned his back on him and walked
dozen steps noiselessly, picking place
to plant his foot at each step.
Haiti
Was it the soldiers voice? Should he
turn and shoot him?
No, 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 drulnstick
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 eyes.
he cast quick glance down into Jakey's
face. He. too. was sleeping peacefully
While these two were in Sunderland
Mark felt himself suspended between
heaven and hell. And how still it WAS.
Even the hum Of insects would have
been relief.
All this occupied but moment. Mark
turned his back again and moved eau
tiously forward.
His imagination had never served him
such tricks. Surely he heard the sol
dier move. He was getting up on his
feet. His musket was leveled at an
aim" A sharp sting under the shoul'
der blade. and warm stream flowing
down his side. Certainly he had been
shot.
Nonsensel Away with such freaks OF
fancy! Suddenly he trod on rotten
branch. 1t cracked with a 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 fallen
farther over his forehead.
Thank God
He moved backward, his eyes fixed on
his sleeping enemy, occasionally turning
to see where he stepped. He was get
ting near to cover. In this way he
passed to within few steps of conceal,
ment. How he coveted the overhang'
ing bank near to him, yet far enough to
be useless should the sentinel awake too
soon!
Cachew!
This sound was real: it was sneeze
from the picket.
Mark knew that it was signal OF
awakening. He darted behind the bank
and was out of sight.
He heard the sentinel get up. shake
himself. give yawn. a grunt, rs II
chilled, and begin to pace his beat.
Mark moved away cautiously, great
food of JOY and thankfulness yelling
up through his whole nature. Alter
going a sufficient distance to be out OF
hearing, he awakened Jakey
"Jakey! Wake up!"
The boy opened his eyes.
"We're beyond the picket"
"Whar's my gum
"Oh, blessed childhood" thought
Mark, "that in moments of peril can be
interested in such trifling things"
81 have your gun here in my hand
It's safe. Stand on your legs, my boy
We're going on"
Jakey stood on the ground and rub
bed his eyes with his fists. Once awake
he was awake all over.
They moved on down the river toward
the base of Lookout mountain. soon
s4,s L. a.