The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-12

ian and in the Confederate army, and
whether we are rebels or patriots is a
question l haven't settled. Keep to the
leIt. ~
And you may be tue very rebel scout
we were hoping to capture!"
You are pretty neal right about
that. Keep right on-I'm coming! Now
halt and keep your hands still up!"
VIVA are you going to do with me:"
asked the man as he was disarmed and
permitted to face about.
Flow far is it to the nearest Confed.
crate o~utpost:'.
about two miles down this road"
"How many yidettes between us and
the post:"
Three or four. You are not going
TO kill me cut here in cold blood?"
You may rest easy ON that score"
replied Kenton. "A year hence wal
will mean devastation, destruction,
murder and assassination, but mems
hearts are nor ~brutali2ed yet. | must
reach the Confederate outpost, but l
can't do it by the road"
Il don't think YOU could fool all the
others as you did me-" said the cavalry
man. with a sickly smile.
The question is what 10 do with you?
II l set you at liberty, you'll raise an
alarm"
Guess | would-iu fact, I know |
would"
And | have nothing to tie you up
with until | can get safely away"
That's so. You remind mo of the
chap who caught the bear and dasn't
let GO
Il must take you along with me TO
the Confederate outpost. We shall cut
across the fields and woods to reach it.
You go ahead, and l will follow. II is
needless
I'm no fool" bluntly interrupted
the Federal. When I'm down and the
other Teller has got his thambs in my
eye and my nose in his jaws, | know
enough to cave. You won't have to
shoot me, and | want to ask a favor Of
yUU.'
"Well?",.
Don't walk me in a prisoner"
cru see about that. Let's go on"
They struck through the woods, Cross
ed an old field, skirted a meadow and
entered another piece of woods. AS they
were traversing this they came upon a
negro cutting firewocd, and he informed
them that the Confederate outpost was
only 20 rods below them on the high
way.
AT this stage of the game one pris-
oner more or less is of 10 earthly cen
sequence. " said kentoh as he looked at
tine cayalryman. I'm going to let you
return"
And I've concluded TO be taken pris.
oner and sent 10 Richmond, replied the
man.
For what reason"
"Plain as a pumpkin on a gatepost.
If l go back without my arms, what
can / say: I'd just have to admit that
Il Johnny reb came along and played
me for a sucker and got the best of me
That would mean lidicule and disgrace
forever. If l don't 60 back until eX
changed as a prisoner, I'll be all right
I'll sort o. give out that | was tackled
by about six Of you, you know"
Il am sorry that l was obliged to de
ceive you to save myself, - said Kentor
after a moment of thought, and there
is no need to disgrace you. Here az
your weapons, and you are free to re.
turn to your post. The war has not fair
ly begun yet. There will be hate anC
bitterness and rancor after awhile, ant
there will be few opportunities to exteni
courtesies.
Say, Johnny, that's a square deal!'
joyfully exclaimed the Federal as h,
received his weapons, land I want t.
shake hands with you! Put it there
Can't tell but whatwe may meet agail
before this row is over, and if we do
hope it'll come my way to do the fai.
thing. So long to you!'
Kenton watched him out Of sight anC
then walked down to the highway t,
ind himself at the post of a vidette. FL
was directed back to the reserve, hi
pasa examined, and he was then within
the Confederate lines and ready to pusl
On to Manassas and Jackson's head
quarters. When his information ma,
been laid before the stern faced man
whose title Of professor" had beef
changed to that of general within
Jew brief months, he'quietIy said:
You have done excellently. NJ.
command is ordered into the valley.
shall have further need of your service
in this line, but you may return to you
company at present.