Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-04-17
YANKEE IN GRAY
By CHARLES B. LEWIS (M. oUADl.
lCopyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
 tion.l
CHAPTER xxx.

look on the young mans face he haC never seen there before. The Virginiar by adoption had pursued the course ht thought was right. He had done hii duty under all circumstances and had been thoroughly loyal to the cause which he espoused. Those beside whom he fought had made every attempt tC degrade and disgrace him and drive him out of the service. If he had not enlisted, he would have been called 7 traitor and driven away from his home with bodily injury. He had joined the ranks to be suspected and denounced As the case now stood he could not leave the southern cause without being re turned on the rolls as deserter. If ex changed, he would be put on trial, and he realized that enough influence could be brought to bear to further disgrace ! him.
 Look we're, Tank, what's botheIir yo'r head:" asked Steve after few min utes of silence.
 A good many, things" was the re- ply.
 live been fggerin bit. Both Cap tain Wyle and the major are now down on yo'. If yo' ever gifts back to the Confederacy, they'll shet yo' up or shoot yo' Can't yo' see it?''
 Ut looks that way to me-" "The Tanks may keep us six months, and doorin that time thar's goin to be a heap of lyin about yo' to that gal. She'll be told that yo' deserted or meb- be that yo' are dead. Yo' kin bet Cap @a5, Ux-1a lot der his feet. I've hearn that she was over in the mountains"
 "Yes."
 And I was told that Captain Wyle and his critter company had bin sent back we're to help hold the Yankees. Can't yo' see:'
 ''Yes, but can't act.
 Why not: It's comin on dark, and it's goin to rain. See how the line has struggled, Them bluecOats hain't got mo1e'n one eve open. Tell yo' what my plan is. Let $ make dash fur it! It hain t over 20 miles to whar yo'r gal is. Con see her. She's powerful level headed, and I reckon sine may give yo' some good advice. Yo'll hev a show to explain things anyway, and that will make dough of the captains cake.
 And what about you:" asked Ken ton.
 "Waal, I'd just as lief run up thar with yo'. I ain't jest exactly satisfied about all this thing. Mebbe I'll sur render to the Tanks agin, and mebbe I'll go back to the company and let the major pile it on and be hanged to him! I want a day CT two to think it over. What do yo' say?"
 I'm agreed. " replied Kenton after a moments thought.
 That bizness! Jest about 40 rods down yere I'll give yo' the word. We uns will break for them woods to the right We'll be fired on and mebbe killed. but we've got to take chances. Once We reach the woods we are safe. :"
 The afternoon was rapidly fading into dusk, and fine rain had begun to fall. The CavalTymen were strung out so that there were gaps of several feet between horses, and as the prisoners were sing ing songs and seemed in good spirits the vigilance of the captors was naturally relaxed The wall which inclosed the field on the right suddenly ended, and then came a field which was open be- cause the fencing had been used by sol- diers from one side or the other for their campfires It was a distance of about 80 rods to the edge of the woods, and it was likely they would not only be fired on. but pursued by some of the troopers. BraytOn stepped into the road ahead of Kenton, increased his pace to reach the center of a gap between two horsemen and suddenly threw up his hand as a signal.
 Both men were we'll into the field and running at the top of their speed before an alarm was raised. Three or four of the troopers on that side opened fire with their carbines, but pursuit was prevented by a dozen other prisoners evincing a disposition to also make bolt. Some of the half dozen bullets came unpleasantly near, but not one struck the fugitiveE- and in two or three minutes they were safe in the woods With darkness already at hand, there was no fear of pursuit.
 'Yank, we uns did that as neat as a b ar backin down a lee tree." said Steve as they stopped to recover their breath and shako hands.
 And now what?" asked Kenton.
 Now fur the mountains. Reckon we'd best put on steam and git out O this locality as soon as possible. l know this ground and will lead the way" Stepping to rest for few minutes every hour or so, the pair held their | course for the Alleghanies and about 8 ] o'clock in the morning turned into a thicket among the foothills to rest and sleep. It was still raining, and the night was raw and cold, but they crept into tho thick bushes and were soon fast asleep. It was o'clock before they opened their eyes and then only because | disturbed by a great chatter on the high way only few yards distant. Brayton was the first to move forward and make an investigation. He returned in four or five minutes to say:
 ''I can't jest make 'em oCt. Thar $ about hundred men. and all on crit ters, and the hull heap are southerners, ! but only few are in uniform. They can't be recruits goin to the army, be- cause they are goin the wrong way"
 Ut may be Confederate raiding oi scouting party, suggested Kenton.
 "Mebbe SO, but we uns don't want nuthin to do with 'em. Hang me ii they hain't bilious lookin lot!'
 The fugitives waited for quarter oi an hour after the last hoof beats had died away and then stole out into the highway. The rain had ceased, but ii
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