The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-21

needed proyenCler.
They had ridden about mile when An
derson III his rather independent way Jln-
eled oil On little trail of his own, teliinS
the men of his squad that he would seloln
them at the crossroads farther on. he
had an idea that he could do a little re-
connoitering to advantage and perhaps
meet with an adventure, thing that was
bread and meat to his soul. 60 he loosen
ed the heavy revolver in his holster and
swung OF into a bride path, making a
detour to avoid /; bit of wood which had
been heavily shelled by ConfeGers-e bat
terry the week before and gailoped leisure
IL across an open where he was fully ex-
posed 10 the fire from the trenches OF the
enemy, who, however, seemed lndisposed
20 take notice of him. From the open he
turned into narrow dirt road leading OF
somewhere into tie Confederate lines. he
expected to fall in with "a rebel picket
here, but as il CHANGED he fell IN with
something more. He had liden perhaps
100 yards along this road when on round
ing at slow canter "A clump or SCRUB
pines he found himself in the act CT riding
right through group of half q dozen
mounted men, who were walking their
horses in exactly the opposite direction
that he was going. There was stare OF
surprise and a pulling up Of houses.
Now, Anderson had red hair, a resolute
chin, a thoroughly controlled temper, a
cool mind in tho presence Of danger and
q quick hand He was slightly startled at
the renconter but he did not lose his head.
AS he pulled in his horse he had his re-
volver out and leveled at the central fig
ure of the group. who, by his trappings.
he took for brigadier general, perhaps
even person OF higher rank. who was
cut with his staff for an afternoon canter.
Hands up!' called Anderson in the
peremptory manner of a western road
agent.
'Who the mischief are you?' demanded
the general, for such in truth he was.
My names Anderson, sergeant III the
-th United States cavalry, and you re
my prisoner" replied the turbulent look
ing highwayman with the FED hair, re
garding his target with steady eye
The general made mistake-he stop
ped to parley. Perhaps 1t was quite nat
ural, while being stared out of coante-
nance by the ugly muzzle OF huge &c
volver, that he should do SO, hut we re-
cord simply that he made mistake. Ii
he had ordered d rush-but he didE t.
Your prisoner, Why, that's very alb
surd, my good fellow. Don't you think
you are ours?" he inquired brisk;y, quite
at ease.
''Not while I've got the drop On you, y
said Anderson, with grin. "If one OF
you makes a move to draw gun, III
shoot. You can suit yourselves. I'll shoot
at the first move. OF course You can Kill
me afterward, but that's the fortune OF
battle. You won't kill me first"
The staff had remained dumb with
nmazement at Anderson's audacity and
the cool way in which he did this thing.
But it found voice at last.
You've got a lot of nerve" said griz
zled warrior who rode in front. Get out
of the way there. General, if you say
We'll take him."
The genera, looked in the eye Of the
man who had him sighted and saw
''shoot" there as plainly as if he lead ii
in big letters on an open page He was
very wroth, but he feared death in this
fashion, and he knew also that he was .ot
value TO his country. He waxed sarcastic
Colonel, has he got his internal pistol
pointed at your head or at mine? With
out unreasonable curiosity l wish to bs
informed just what you would do if you
sat in my saddle9 present the case plain
ly."
The colonel was mute, and Anderson 5
horse grew FESTIVE.
Gentlemen" he said, falling humor-
ously into the general measured diction,
AZ am tolerably inpatient man, ant
I'm obliged to protest against a council
Of war in the field You will save time
and infinite trouble if you will pass in
front of me in your present formation anC
ride over there" He pointed with his free
hand in the direction of the Union lines.
Take that road 10 the left, and we viii
thus avoid your men in the pits, who
might be tempted to open fire on us, nat
urally mistaking you for the enemy"
well, you have got nerve, said the
general, meeting the level glance OF the
sergeant again. Anderson was rather rag
ged and not very clean, but he looked ter
ribly determined, and the general realized
that he was the prisoner Of that unkempt
looking individual who sat like a centanl
on a roam colt as clearly as if be were II
the center of q square of infantry.
You'll be quick if yJu please" said
Anderson, knitting his brows. - don''
want TO kill you, general, but you'll have
to go with your staff, and go right away
or die here. III take my chances.
The general smothercd groan Of wrath
and ordered his escort forward. Six OH
GERS captured by a tattered ruffian of E
troop sergeant, He sighed deeply. 1t wa:
very gricyous 10 be borne.
"Iil follow you close" said Anderson
cheeriiy as the fell into q slow rrot. Nc
tricks, gentlemen. Mind, III shoot at the
first sign, and don't miss. Colonel, I'm
on to your little game there. You'll ride
ahead with your hands up.
1t was a queer procession that logged
sulkily into the Union lines at the edge OF
nightfall, and it created quite wave OF
excitement among the idle troops. An
dersOn delivered his capture over TO hi.
commanding officer with the briefest ex-
PLANTATION and then rode whistllng 70 his
quarters very hungry man.
1t was Wild, reckless feat, but II
brought 2 heGtenant's commission, which
the troop sergeant mOdestiy declined
Whether it has ever come 70 the public eye
or not or has ever been noticed outside @!
the official report don't know. The ir-
! cident was related 10 me by the brother Of
the man who was the hero of it and who
was too self restrained 10 allude TO u when
/ sat guest at his table TWO or thrss
summers ago.-Blue and Gray.
Taking Practical Eject
=.