Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-01-11
CHAPTER TX.
A DESPERATE SITUATION.

& .:
My hancltkuf," he uhtncd.
Never was there more surprised
look on any mans face than on Marks
at the moment he discovered the men
into whose midst he had fallen. BE
knew the range Of the Confederate
picket line, and was unable to under,
stand how this party could be part OF
il. 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
were about to get into the boat, and one
Of them held the painter in his hand.
Mark in a twinkling made up his mind
that they were not pleased at his ap.
pearance. He determined to play a-bold
game. He had no defined plan when
he began to speak to them-it came to
him as he proceeded.
what are you men doing here7 he
asked in tone that none but soldier
Knows now 10 assume.
No one answered.
What regiment do you belong tor
No answer.
SIS there noncommissioned officer
among you?"
There was so much Of authority in
Marks tone that it compelled an answer
and respectful one.
"No, 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 Inc. am
an officer of General Bragg's staff on an
important mission of secret service"
He waited 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. l
want you men to pull me over and then
report 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 as each answered he
saluted respectfully.
Nov what regiment do you belong
to!"
THE -th 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
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 | 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 god.
"Doyou want to get across the river,
my little man." asked Mark, as if he
had never seen the boy before.
docs want ter? Course does"
Jump in then. quick. I've no time
to lose"
.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 heaven! 1t was full of armed
men.
As soon as they saw the skiff with
Mark and the desertsrs in it-for such
they were-they pulled straight for
them. In five minutes they were along
side.
81 reckon you're the men we're look
ing for" said an officer seated in the
stern.
who are you looking for?" asked
Mark, with as much GOODNESS as he could
assume.
"Deserters from the -th 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
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 staff, but no such
declaration came. 1t seemed possible to
them that perhaps he would not wish to
disclose his identity to SO many. At any
rate they said nothing. Had itnot 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 80.
Marks heart was heavy as the 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 ne
could say nothing that would not tell
:. against him.
! On landing all were taken to the pro-
yost marshal's office. The soldiers ac'
knowledgcd that they were members OF
the-th Tennessee regiment, but stout
ly denied that they were deserters. They
were Union men, some of the northern
ers who had been impressed into the
Confederate service, or had enlisted for
the purpose of flying to the stars and