Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-07-28
a Yankee spy, I call>you a cur, and a
coward, and disgrace to the uniform
you wear.''
CHAPTER XVI.

this disgraceful raid, even though made
under reasonable pretext. might be
sternly rebuked by higher authorities.
Those in citizens dress were no better
than providers; those in uniform had nc
authority beyond what Ike Baxter as.
sumed.
As Marian stood facing the crowd,
her face expressing the contempt she
felt and her eyes flashing menace from
man to man, they began to fall back
toward the horses.
| bod rot my skin, but why didn't !
kill that cusscd niger when l had a
chance!" growled Ike Baxter. AR yo'
all goin to let that gal stand us off in
this way: If she un's hidin that Yam
kee. then hers a sy.npathizer and o1ter
suffer fur it. / move we shoot the Mig
| ger and burn the houses.''
I'VE uns won't do anything of the
Sort" said the sergeant, now pushing
| forward for the first time. I'VE uns
was sent yere to captTf' Kenton and
| Brayton, and l reckon t'other things
had better be left alone. If that gal
WASH t in the house when yo' all search
| W II, thCii " Silc CUM
One of the men replied that he thought
he had caught sight of her up the road
about five minutes before she appeared
among them, but wasn't sure. Ike Bax-
ter SAID he had been follow ing Uncle
Ben up the highway when assaulted,
and it was rightfully concluded that
the fugitives were not great way off.
just then they were Joined by three
more guerrillas, and the entire gang
headed up the load and were soon ont
of sight. AS they moved away Uncle
Ben's tears began TO fall, and he whis-
pered:
| God Dress yo', Miss Sunshine, fure Der
an fureber fur what yo' dun did fur
me, but I'ze got powerful bad news to
tell yo'.'
is mother dead?' she asked as the
coiHr went out of her face and her lips
grew white.
she was dead when 1 dun got yere!''
| Uncle Ben whispered the girl,
choking back the walls of sorrow which
sought to pass her lips. Il know you
are stiff and lame and sore, Int want
you TO try to reach the Federal army
and bring heip!'
Il hain't hurried much-only jest q
leetle bit-an III start right off, he
answered. III go. an I'll keep gwine
till drap down in my tracks!'
God grant that you may be in time.
she prayed as she turned away to enter
the house OF the dead, while the ole
man lost not a moment in setting out OF
his journey down the road.
Let us see how things went on at the
camp. Marian had 10 sooner left il
than Steve BIayton still further
strengthened the dstenses. The ground
to the south was fairly clear for 6
charge, but in no other direction coult
4 body of cieE make a rush. The CAM
was on the crest of knoll. and no spo
within rifle shot commanded it.
Il figger jest this way" said Steve
as he overhauled the ammunition ant
saw that both guns We're ready for serv
ice-''that Ike Baxter was sent dowr
to the house last night to sorter spy
around fur Captain Wyle. Uncle Ber
didn't smash him hard 'nuf, and he VI
crawled back to the house, got his wife
to fix him up and then skulked off.
don t reckon he IN had fur to go. It..
purity shore that some of our company
will show MP doorin the day, and 70
kin bet yo'r Inst mewl that them guer
rillas hain't given up the chase! Eefo
noon sunthin' s bound to bust!''
And what would you adviser" asked
kenton, seeing that Steve was in doub
abont something.
Seems to me the situation is abou
as follers," replied Steve. I'VE ar
both Confederates. We've fit in seyera
battles. We've bin captured and go
away. We've put in a heap O. tin'
chawin up mighty pore rations ant
marchin up and down the kentry t,
prove our patriotism. Do yo' foiler:'
| Yes
That one side. Now the other i
that sartin gal lived yo' better II Sin
did Captain Wyle, and fur that reasol
he un has bin tryin to git shet O yo' b,
far means or foul. He's got the whip
saw on yo' and means to hold it. 1t h
gifts hold o yo', sunthin's goin TO hap
pen, and yo'll he the one to be hurt
With that major down on yo' about tn
Harrisonburg font. and with Ike Baxte
and half Il dozen others ready to sw a
to anything the captain wants, yo' u
won't stand no mo- show than q COO
cotched in co'ncrib. Am right:'
Yes, that's about the way of it, brl
what about you. You have been IN
friend and comrade from the start. Yo
have periled your life to save mine.
owe you debt of gratitude, and don
want You to sacrifice yourself for m
sake. They have nothing against 20
which will not be overlooked. The
want 10 get me out of the way, an
there is every chance that they will &C
complish theiI object. would be sell
, ish to pull you down with me afte
! what you have done"
And what" queried Steve.
GIVE me one of the guns. prop m
up over there. and then go. I'll di
,, right here after making the best fight
can't
''Yank," said Steve as he moved owe
and held out his hand, .'yo' don't begi