Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-07-14

scouting party" suggested Kenton.
'Mebbe so, but we uns don't want
nuthin to do with 'em. Hang me il
they hain't bilious lookin lot!''
The fugitives waited for a quarter Of
an hour after the last hoof beats had
died away and then stole out into the
highway. The rain had ceased, but it
was lowering morning, and they were
sharp set for breakfast. The log house
of farmer was plain to view a quar-
ter of n mile down the road, and thew
made sure they would find something
to eat there. In few words they agreed
on the story they were to tell if ques-
toned, and 10 minutes later they were
at the door of the house. 1t was opened
to them by the farmer S wife. She was
| strong advocate of the southern cause,
and the sight of their Confederate uni
forms brought cheerful invitation to
enter and sit down to breakfast.
Don't you uns belong with that
crowd which jest passed up the road?''
she asked as they fell to eating.
Steve Brayton took it upon himself to
answer in the negative and then asked
what crowd it was.
Its Kurnel Mosby and his gang.
They hahn much on the fight, I reckon,
but they do poster the Yankees like all
git out. Most of 'em are farmers, and
some of 'em live around yere. Whar
did you uns cum from:''
Steve told her of the fight with Gus
ter and their escape the night before.
and she lifted her hands and cried out:
Then you uns dun seen the Yam
kees?'
"Yes'm H."
Reg lar live Yankee sogers?"
YES m
And yo' got away alive:'
"Cf co'se.
"Waal, / wouldn't "a believed it,
Mrs. Sam Duncan dun tole me them
Yankees killed everybody with toma-
hawks as soon as they got holt of 'em!
Yo' uns must hev bin powerful cute to
git away
Breaaf Is been finished when
there car = mock at the door, and
next moment Il man in the uniform of a
Confederate cavalry sergeant entered
the cabin. He had been sent back bv
Colonel Mosby. he said. to ask for the
loan of horse and equipments. He
used the term loan" but it was pretty
plain that he meant to take no refusal.
The woman replied that her husband
had set out for Woodstock the night be-
fore on horseback. and therefore il was
impossible to grant the colonel's re-
quest. The sergeant was going away
without word to our two friends. but
after reaching his horse he returned
and asked:
What command Go you fellers be-
long tor
ITO Captain Wyle's cavalry COM
pany, - replied Kenton.
Where is it:''
u don't know"
"Humph! Whar yo' goinf"
None of yo'r bizness," answered
Steve. who had been rolled by the SER
| gents supercilious airs and lofty tone.
oh, it hahn, Ell: Mebbe yove got
pass in yo'r pocket to allow of yor
rambling around the kentry. If so, I'll
take look at it. -
"Yo' hain't big enough."
What. Now you uns either show
pass, or I'll take yo' along to Kurnel
Mosby. He'll mighty soon find out whar
yo belong.'
You see," began Kenton. who, re-
| allied that it was foolish to arouse the
mans anger and suspicion. I'VE were
guarding the stores at Harrisonburg,
and the Federal cavalry came in Yes
| terday anG''--
"Whar's yo'r pass?" interrupted the
sergeant.
"Whar' S yo'rsi" demanded Steve.
show yo'r pass, or I'll take yo' to
the kurnel!'
Il should like to explain the case to
you. said kenton, motioninS to Steve
not to interrupt him. I'VE are Confed-
crate soldiers. We were captured at
Harrisonburg by the Federals yesterday
forenoon, but escaped at dark last night.
Therefore we have no pass AMI do not
! need pass
"Yo' may be all right. and yo' may
he couple of Yankee spiesl" replied
the sergeant. eff yo' are straight. yo'li
come along with me and explain to the
kurnel. Deed, but yo've got to CONE,
straight or crooked"
He had left his revolver and carbine
on the saddle. He started for his horse,
| but Steve was there before him. He
had stepped softly GU. while Kenton
was explaining and was now in posses
| sion of both firearms and supply of
ammunition. Even as the trooper
reached the gate Steve gave his horse a
slap and sent him galloping away ana
then turned and asked:
Who's takin anybody to see the kur-
nelT Sorter pears to me that yo've dun
stnbbed yo'r toe and fell down.
The sergeant very quietly asked what
he was going to do. and his manner be-
trayed h. anxiety.
"GoiL TO git shet of yo' about the
fust thing!' answered Steve. Left
! face! Forward march! Keep goin right
down the road till yo' find the kunel
and then give him our love.'
The trooper marched ayw. Y without
a backward look, and when he was lost
to sight by q turn in tho road Kentou
said:
1