The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-04
kBY CAARlES B.lEMs QM.QuAD0
Cop1a,GnYEp 1884 eY AaaER,cAN PRESS ASSOCIATIONS.

to The south was fairly clear for q
charge, but in no other direction could
body of men make rush. The camp
was on the crest of q knoll, and no spot
within rifle shot commanded it.
''I figger jest this way, said Steve
as he overhauled the ammunition and
saw that both guns were ready for serv-
ice-..that Ike Baxter was sent down
to the house last night to sorter spy
around fur Captain Wyle. Uncle Ben
didn't smash him hard 'nuf, and he un
crawled back to the house, got his wife
to fix him up and then skulked off. l
don't reckon he un had fur to go. It's
purity shore that some of our company
will show up doorin the day, and yo'
kin bet yo'r last mewl that them guer-
1illas hain't given up the chase! Befo'
noon sunthin's bound to BUST"
And what would you adviser" asked
Kenton, seeing that Steve was in doubt
about something.
''Seems to me the situation is about
as follers," replied Steve. 1--WE ar
both Confederates. We've fit in several
battles. We've bin captured and got
away. We've put in heap O. time
chawin up mighty pore rations and
marchin up and down the kentry to
prove our patriotism. Do yo' foller?'
.sYes.''
.'That's one side. Now the other is
that sartin gal luved yo' better'n she
did Captain Wyle, and fur that reason
he un has bin tryin to git shet o. yo' by
far means or foul. He's got the whip
saw on yo' and means to hold it. II he
gifts hold o. yo', sunthin's goin to hap
pen, and yo'll be the one to be hurt.
With that major down on yo' about the
Harrisonbarg fout, and with Ike Baxter
and half dozen others ready to sw'ar
to anything the captain wants, yo' un
won't stand no mo- show than coon
cotched in co'ncrib. Am ! right:"
Eyes, that's about the way Of it, but
what about youa You have been my
friend and comrade from the start. You
have periled your life to save mine. /
owe you debt of gratitude, and don't
want you to sacrifice yourself for my
sake. They have nothing against you
which will not be overlooked. They
want to get me out of the way, and
there is every chance that they will ac-
complish their object. would be self
ish to pull you down with me after
vhat von have done. -
'sAnd what?" queried Steve.
Give me one Of the guns. prop me
up over there, and then go! I'll die
right here after making the best fight ]
cant"
'sYank, said Steve as he moved over
and held out his hand, ..yo' don't begin
to know Steve Braytonif yo' think he's
any sich critter! was bon right down
thar at Winchester, and I've lived thar
all my life and hated and abused Yam
KEGS as hard as anybody. l went into
the war with a whoop, and jest be-
leved everything was plumb right and
all hands round till saw how the cap
tain and the hull company was playin
dirt on 20. Yo' un's Yankee bon. but
yo's got mo- clean sand in yo'r craw
than anybody ever met up with befo'!
I'm goin to stick right yere. If We uns
git away. I'm goin with yo'. If them
guerrillas ar too many fur us, We'll
both die right yere.'
Kenton protested and argued, but
Steve was determined. He took tin
pail which had contained food and filled
it with water at a spring not far away.
Then he carefully moved Kenton over
to the south side of the camp, propped
him up at a loophole in sitting posi-
ton and sat down beside him to wait.
''I've fggered this out bit, /" he said
as he peered through his loophole for
sign of danger. 'If them chaps had
found yo' at the house, yo'd hev bin
carried off to camp. Bein as they II
find yo' yere, and bein as thar'll be q
font, thar won't be no carryin away if
they git the better of us!''
.'You mean they'll kill me here and
have done with it:' replied Kenton.
Exactly, and me too! Then thar
won't be any charges, witnesses or trial.
They'll report that we fit to the last,
and it will be all plain sailin fur them
as wants us outer the way. Thar fore,
in shootin we'd better jest shoot to kill
and git all the revenge we kin. Steady,
now! l think the critters hev smelt us
QUIT"
Half mile up the road from Rest
haven the gang had left their horses
and divided into two parties to search
the hills on each side Of the highway.
Steve had caught sight Of two or three
men moving toward the camp through
the scrub.
'Iwon t shoot to kill-not this time"
he whispered as he thrust the barrel OF
the carbine through the opening. 'Ill
jest fling bullet down thar to let 'em
know that the Confederate Yankee army
has had breakfast, pulled its boots on
and is ready fur bizness!''
His shot was followed by yell which
announced to the other party that the
fugitives had been discovered, and 10
minutes later the camp was surrounded.
Among the enemy was man who had