The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

in due time and handed the message to
General Custer, whose brigade was in
winter quarters, but scouting and recon-
noitering almost daily. An order had
0een issued by the general in command
Of the army in the valley outlawing all
Confederate irregulars and directing
special attention to Mosby's band.
Within half an hour after receiving
:he courier Custer dispatched two COM
2anies of the Sixth Michigan cavalry,
with instructions to push forward at a
gallop, and 80 minutes later he fol-
lowed them with the First and Fifth
regiments and battery Of artillery.
The flying column found old Uncle Ben
patiently waiting by the roadside and
stopped long enough to hear his story.
lie gave them the lay Of the camp oc-
cupied by Kenton and Brayton and was
left behind to wait for the main column.
Perhaps the besieging force was in
earnest in making the statement which
fell from the lips Of the flag Of truce
man as an alternative. They had suf-
fered too severely to try another charge
up the narrow way, and the fusillade
maintained for hours had been lead
thrown away. Ike Baxter had indeed
been sent away for re-enforcements and
Il piece Of artillery, and the guerrilla
portion of the force was thirsting for re-
veDge and rife for the most desperate
deed. The girl had defed them, and
her lover had killed two or three of
their number, and somebody must be
made to suffer.
The sergeant in command of the squad
Of Confederate cavalry had no control
over the guerrillas, but when, as they
waited to hear from the men behind
the rocks, he heard them planning
to wreak their vengeance ON Rest Ha-
ven, he did all in his power to dissuade
them. They seemed to abandon the
idea, but under pretense Of having a
talk" four or five Of them slipped away
and started for the house. They were
within 90 rods Of it and had already di-
vded up the wicked work TO be swiftly
accomplished when the flying squadron
turned bend in the highway and was
upon them, They turned to fee, but
half a dozen reyClyers cracked, and they
were dead men as the last set of i0UIs
jumped over their bodies lying on the
highway. Not trooper slackened his
rein or a horse broke his gallop.
Halt! Dismount! Fourth men hold
horses! Deploy to the left! Forward
and fire at willH'
Itwas a complete surprise to the Con-
federascs, who had collected in a body
10 hear what answer might be made 10
the message sent in. They made a show
of defense, but after a fight OF hve min
utes, during which they lost 10 or IL
men, they threw down their arms and
surrendered. This event was known in
the camp almost as soon as outside OF il,
ana the cheers which Steve Brayton ut
tered as be perched himself on the rocks
were plainly heard as far as Rest Haven,
"Yank, old boy, we uns is on the top
limb now, " chuckled Steve as he leaped
down and shook Kenton' hand. "Bein
as I've got sorteT used to the sight of
Yankee uniforms, / reckon il drop over
thar and tell 'em about yo and see
what's goin to bo done. -
Blu, tell them Of Miss Percy first. 4"
replied kenton, whose anxiety was fal
greater than he had dared betray to bis
comrade
The prisoners were conducted 10 the
highway and surrounded by a guard,
and then the senior captain accompanied
Brayton back TO the camp. They were
not long in deciding what should be
done with Kenton. They would remove
him to Rest Haven, temporarily at least,
a..d the prisoners would bo held there
until the main column came up. A
rude litter was soon constructed, and
Kenton was placed thereon and borne
away.
A feeling Of dumb despair crept over
Marian Percy as she entered the house
after Uncle Ben's departure and looked
upon her dead. The event was not en-
tireIy unexpected, and yet it was great
shock to her, surrounded as it was by
such trying circumstances. The mother
dead Mrs, Baxter gone, her lover
wounded and besieged by bloodthirsty
men, Uncle Ben gone after help, an al
most certain knowledge that the worst
was yet to come-what wonder that the
girl was stricken and helpless2 The re-
port of every musket reached her ears,