The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1894-07-07

turning back to the wharf.
The current was in their favor. but
the wind against them. However, il
served to deaden the sound Of
the waves against their faces
AS they neared the line o.
gunboats, they swan as lightly az
possible, keeping all but their faces
under water. The darkness was full
of a + now, and even the wind and
waves could not smother unusual
sounds. One by one they felt, rather
than saw, the dark hulls glide by.
Frequently they had to sink under
water as a sudden flash showed sen.
tlnel forms within a few yards. A
dozen times they were on the point
OF being discovered, but escaped by
a seeming miracle. Their progress
was slow, laborious and uncertain.
Sometimes their hands would en-
counter the side of a vessel before
they were aware of its vicinity. Since
leaving the wharf neither had dared
to speak. In spite of it's seeming des-
olation the river was keenly alert.
Once or twice Newt fancied from his
companions labored breathing that
he was becoming exhausted.
Suddenly, as they We're moving
along side by side, a great light flash
ed upon them from the deck of a e
sci close by, and a dozen stern faces
met their eyes.
The boys sank instantly, and as
they disappeared from sight ashower
OF bullets rained upon the water.
Second after second passed, and a
glimpse of a white face was e sew
eral rods down the river andwas met
by another patter of bullets. A little
to the right another white face was
seen for an instant and received a
similar welcome. Several minutes
passed, and a dark spot appeared still
lower down. Aperfect storm of bull
lets almost instantly fell about it.
Anew more seconds, and then some
body said, Il guess they're done for"
The lights disappeared, and the YES
sci returned to its dark watchfulness.
Hour after hour went by, and the
storm increased in violence. Limbs
were torn from the trees and hurled
into the streets. The blank expanse
OF the river gave no intimation of the
silent enemy. His presence was swal-
lowed up in the world of darkness.
In his quarters the general paced
up and down %uneasily. He had reck-
oned much on the success of this IN
terprise. 1t meant much to the cause.
In spite OF its apparent impossibility,
he had hopes that the boys might
succeed-had almost brought himself
to believe that they would.
But as the hours wentTby he ceased
to glance toward Live Oak hill. The
enterprise had failed, and the brave
boys were at the bottom of the river.
Well, they had met a soldiers death
and somewhere would find a soldiers
reward. Their fathers and brothers
had met the same fate or probably
would meet it in the neal future.
Suddenly, as he passed the window,
he uttered TN exclamation Of surprise.
Surely there vas a light on Live Oak
hill, a lantern being swung to and
fro. Even as it moved a brother off
e entered the room, with beaming
face, and the two grasped hands.
Meanwhile a half unconscious bow
only one-was being cared for by
a tall man, who seemed to have for
gotten his supposed crippled condi-
ton as he moved quietly about the
room. The boy was covered with
bruises and cuts, and blood flowed
freely from half a dozen wounds up-
on him. He looked as though he
had been pounded from head to foot
with jagged clubs.
Eventually he crawled out, with
little injury save the scars, and these,
his lifelong friend Charlie often re-
minded him, were not scars, but dec
Orations. Frank H. Sweet in Ro-
nance.
He Was COnsiderate.
When the business man saw the tramp
approach him in his office, he very nat
urally concluded that the time had come
" " puhS uP u COIlCColOL, DuU uIIS tIuulp
did not come at him that way.
excuse me, sir, !" he said, ''are you
married?'
The business MAJ was slightly dis
concerted.
eyes" he replied, half in doubt.
"Wife living?".
eyes"
Chow MANY ~children?'
"Six."
"Any grown daughters?"
"Three."
.own your own house?'
SCOT any horses and c~arriages?"
eyes"
Got servants, 1 SUPPOSE"
eyes; half Dozen"
1t wasn't any of the tramp's business
but the business man was humoring
him.
care you rich?"
Hardly that, I guess"
I'm very much obliged for the in
formation. Good day." and the tramp
started out.
Here, hold on!" exclaimed the bust
ness man. "What the deuce do you mean
by coming at me in that style? Are
you a census taker?"
Hardly that, sir, smiled the tramp,
'but l make it a rule in my profession
never to strike a man in your fix for a