The Red Cloud chief., 1895-02-08

drifting like smoke wreaths about his
father, obscuring the way from their
peaceful influence.
There was one more embrace, then
another last one, then another final one,
then q stirrup kiss, and Colonel Mark
Maynard rode back through the night
to camp.
Not long after his arrival bugles
sounded the reveille. It was 2 O'Clock
In the morning, and the men wefe
aroused to begin their advance to the
front. Sending for Jakey Slack, the colo
mel gave him a note to take back to
Laura at the plantation. He had repeat.
cd his adieus 10 often in person that one
would hardly think it necessary to send
any more on cold paper, but Maynard's
heart strings were pulling him as strong
ly away from war as his duty was fore
ing him toward 1t. Besides he knew
that Laura would treasure every word
from him.
Jakey mounted Tom and rode in the
gray Of the morning to deliver the note.
When he reached the plantation, he
was obliged to do a good deal Of pound
ing and ringing before he could get into
the house. Finally Mrs. Maynard's
maid, Alice, let him in, and considering
the fact that Mrs. Maynard was In bed
and Alice stood In very close conhden.
tial relations with her, Jakey consented
to deliver the note to the maid and wait.
ed TO see il there was any reply. Alice
returned and said hat her mistress
would be down In q moment. Presently
she entered, dressed in q morning wrap.
per.
"Jakey," she said, taking the boy by
the hand and smoothing the hair out OF
his eyes, ''can I rely or you to do some.
thing for meY"
could the colonel"
lyon are going to the front, and nc
one a tell what may happen. You'll
probably have to meet your enemies
some time. and the colonel says that q
battle may come at any day. Iwant you
to promise me that IL anything should
happen to the colonel you will come here
as fast as you can and let me know OF
it. Do you understand"
''Y' mean eff tn colonel gifts hit On
tn for'ead with q cannon ball?"
"Oh, Jakey. don't talk SO! I mean II
no gets sick or wounded or in any other
trouble. will you come and tell me a.
once?"
Reckon"
Laura knew that this was Jakey's
way Of making n promise. and she was
satisfied. She told him to wait o few
minutes and went out Of the room.
When she returned, she brought two
parcels with her.
This ono is for you, Jakcy. - she said.
handing him one Of them. ''It'sa lunch
eon Put it in your haversack and give
the other to the colonel. And hand him
this note"
She gave him a tiny white envelope,
within which in q few words was con
centrated what may be best expressed as
three days rations OF desiccated affec-
ton.
Jakey took tho parcels, and placing
the note in his cap went out. mounted
Tom and dashed away after his DOM
mander.
Maynard's brigade crossed the rive,
south Of Lookout mountain and passed
over the mountains face where it juti
On to the river. His command was bu,
n Of the many, all moving forward
toward o retreating enemy.
10 marched through Chattanooga Il
Rossville, situated at o gap in Mission
Ridge. From there he was ordered for
ward. entering what IL called MoLen
more's cove. an u~ndulating space lyinl
between two ranges. Mission Ridge ant
the Pigeon mountains. There the bri
gsde encamped on q field soon to become
memorable A. the scene Of IN Of tn
most desperate. the most dramatic O
all the battles Of the civil war-th'
held Of ChickamaugA.