The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-20
Xxx.

duty under all circumstances and had
been thoroughly loyal to the cause
which he espoused. Those beside whom
10 fought had made every attempt to
degrade and disgrace HIM and drive
him out of the service. If he had not
enlisted. he would have been called a
traitor and driven away from his homo
with bodily injury. He had Joined tho
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 a 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, Yank, what's bothcrin
yo'r head?" asked Steve after Il few min
utes of silence.
A good many things was the re-
ply.
i've been fggerin a bit. Both Cap
tain Wyle and the major aIe now down
ON yo'. II yo' ever gifts back to the
Confederacy, they'll shet yo' up or
shoot yo'. Can't yo' see it?'
lit looks that way to me-
1.-THE Yanks 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
tain Wyle won't let no grass grow IN
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 yere to help hold the Yankees.
Can't 20 see;'
Yes, but l can't act"
"Why not? It's comm on dark, and
it's goin to rain. See how the line has
struggled! Them bluecoats hain't got
moIe'n one eye open. Tell yo' what my
plan is. Let's make a dash fur it! 1t
hain't over 90 miles to whar yo'r gal is.
Con see her. She's powerful level
headed, and l reckon she may give yo'
some good advice. Yoll hev a show to
explain things anyway, and that will
make dough Of the captains cake
And what about you?' asked Ken
ton.
WAL, I'd just as lief run up thar
with yo'. amt jest exactly satisfied
about all this thing. Mebbe III sur
render to the Yanks agin, and mebbe
I'll go back TO the company and let
the major pile it on and be hanged TO
him! want a day CT two to think it
over. What do yo' say?"
I'm agreed, " replied Kenton after
a moments thought.
That's bizness! Jest about 40 rods
down yere III give yO' the word. We
uns will break for them woods to the
right. Well 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 a fine rain had begun to fall.
The cavalrymen 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 tho 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
fred 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 well 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 a
bolt. Some of the half dozen bullets
came unpleasantly near, bat not one
struck the fugitives, and in two or three
minutes they were safe in tho woods.
With darkness already at hand, there
was no fear Of pursuit.
"Yank, we uns did that as neat as g
bar backin down a bee tree!' sale
Steve as they stopped to recover theil
breath and shake hands.
And now whati" asked Kenton.
Nov fur the mountains. Reckon
we'd best put on steam and git out o
this locality as soon as possible, | know
this ground and will lead the way"
Stopping to rest for a few minute!
every hour or so, the pair held theil
course for the ~Alleghanies and about {
O'Clock in the morning turned into {
thicket among the foothills to rest ant
sleep. 1t was still raining, and thu
night was raw and cold, but they crep'
into the thick bushes and were soon fasI
asleep. 1t was 8 o'clock before the,
opened their eyes and then only because
disturbed by a great clatter on the high
way only a few yards distant. Braytor
was the first tomove forward and max,
an investigation. He returned in foul
or five minutes to say:
II can't Jest make 'em ont. Thar
about a hundred men, and all on crit
ters, and the hull heap are southerners
but only p few are in uniform. They
can't be recruits goin to the army, be
cause they are goin the wrong way"
1T may be a Confederate raiding O.
scouting party" suggested Kenton.
"Mebbe SO, bat we uns don't wan
nuthin to do with 'em. Hang me i
they hain't a bilious lookin lott"
The fugitives waited for a quarter o
an hour after the last hoof beats hat
died away and then stolo out into tn,
highway. The rain had ceased, but i
kgas a lowering morning, and they wer,
sharp set for breakfast. The log hous,