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

from the garrison. In the excite
ment little attention had been pai(
to the storm of shell, but when tn,
soldiers from the fort slowly descend
ed into the now open building they
assisted the cadets in bearing away
three of their number.
The next day General Lamb sent
for Newt Bixby and Charlie Cal
houn. When they were ushered into
his presence, he turned from the
group of officers he was conversine
ing with and regarded them earnestly.
Newt had an ugly scar from an ex.
ploding shell across his cheek. while
one Of Charles arms was in a sling.
After a short silence the general
said III half sad, half musing tones:
Strange that u cause should wa
yer when even the children act the
part Of veterans" Then, more brisk.
ly: II have been hearing strange re-
ports Of you, my lads. If your
strength was equal to your courage,
l would have you join the river expe-
dition tonight. Sometimes a young
ster's agility and quick wit are of as
much service as the greater strength
of a man."
"Try us!" cried both boys in a
breath.
The general smiled.
"All in good time, my boys. You
seem to have the soldiers ambition
of being rewarded for one bravedeed
with the opportunity of encounter
ing still greater perils. But I sent for
you for a different purpose. Are there
any good swimmers in your COM
pany9 1 mean boys who could swim
a mile and pass half the time under
water if necessary. They will have
to pick their way in the dark, dodge
gunboats and river sentries, meet
deadly perils, and if they succeed be
rewarded with the consciousness of
having done the cause inestimable
service"
While he was speaking the boys
listened with flushed cheeks, and
they now pressed forward eagerly.
But as the general nodded significant
ly at Charles useless arm the latter
drew back in confusion.
"Never mind, my boy. 1 have
other work that you can do. So o
understand the river thoroughly?"
he continued, turning to Newt and
speaking in a quick, sharp voice.
Hes the best swimmer on the
river and can swim under water
most as well as a fish," said Charlie,
before Newt had time to reply.
The general looked pleased.
Il think you are the man we want.
The success of the enterprise means
more than you could understand. l
have been cautioned against intrust-
ing the affair to a boy, but l think a
sharp lad can pass the lines with less
difficulty than a man. You may Sc
lect two of the best swimmers in
your company to accompany you
and report to me here at - o'clock
tonight for instructions. In the
meantime l would advise you to get
as much sleep as you can"
AS he turned away and resumed
his conversation with the officers, the
boys concluded that the audience was
over and slowly left the room.
When they reached the corner
where they must separate, their
hands met for a moment.
perhaps we shan't see each other
again" said Charlie soberly.
It'll be a tight squeeze" replied
Newt, ''but if we get the message
through the lines 1 won't mind SO
much what happens to me-"
Late in the afternoon a dark mass
Of clouds overspread the sky, and
when the boys went to the generals
quarters for instruction they had to
literally feel their way. A strong
wind was blowing, and a drizzling
rain had set in from the southeast.
It would be a bad night.
The general was writing when they
entered, butpresently he turned from
his desk.
"Itwill be terrible night" he said
abruptly. do you think you can
reach Cane pointg"
The boys started. Cane point was
over a mile down the stream, and
surrounded with such a network of
snags that it was considered danger
GUS, even by daylight.
It'll ben awful job ter swim 'ginst
the win that fur" said one OF the
boys, looking white.
II agree with you," said the gen
eral quietly. Besides, you can do
better service here, fighting fire. And
do you two wish to risk your lives
on the river2" turning to Newt and
his companion.
IF you will let us" they answered.
Every well! Here are two dis
patches exactly alike. If one of you
fails, the other may succeed. You
will go to the little cabin under the
three live oaks and give the papers
to the cripple you will find there. If
you succeed, show a light from Live
Oak hill. A lantern swung in a half
circle will answer. You had better
not attempt to return until the siege
Is raised" He paused a moment,
then added in an impressive voice:
1.-The papers must not be seen by the
enemy, and if necessary you must
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