The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-06-20

motive shot out from around curve.
The corporal had forgotten that its light
would reveal him to the engineer. He
crouched down out Of sight with high
beating heart, and none too soon, for
had he staid where he was the light
would have shone directly on him. He
waited while the engine pulled slowly
by. 1t was drawing long train Of mix
ed passenger, cattle and platform cars,
every Car crowded with troops
They're preparin to give us brush
in earnest. Like enough these are re-en-
forcements, /" muttered the corporal.
Ratigan determined to follow the rail-
road north to Ringold, which he judged
to be only mile distant The train
loaded with Confederate troops having
just passed, the guards he might meet
would probably not be very suspicious
Of an enemy. He walked on the track
for short distance, expecting ohal-
lenge with every step.
He received one suddenly, just before
entering wood. A man on horseback
aimed q carbine at him and gave the
customary:
"Who comes thar?''
Ratigan at once threw up his hands,
which his challenger could distinctly
see, ana cried out, II want ye to take
me to Colonel Fitz Hugh"
"What do you want with himp''
'Do ye know him?''
He commands regiment in our bri-
gade."
Seeing that the corporal held his
hands above his head, the man permitted
him to draw near. Once here, Ratigan
Informed him Of the nature Of his mis-
sion and begged him for Colonel Fitz
Hugh's sake to send him to Ringold at
once. The vedette was convinced from
Ratigan's earnestness that he bore q
message Of Importance, and calling his
comrades ordered one of them to dis
mount. Then, taking the precaution to
blindfold the stranger, he mounted him,
and placing a horseman on either side
of him sent the three Gathering toward
Ringold. It was not long distance to
the town, but all distances, all periods
Of waiting. seemed long to the corporal.
WAS not the terrible event to take place
at sunrise? And now II must be near
midnight.
"What is the timer" he asked Of his
conductors
Twenty minutes to H."
Lets go faster. Colonel Fitz Hugh
would be as anxious for me to get on as
Oh am meself if he knew me GRAND"
"All right. Let's light out, Pete :"
And Ratigan felt the motion Of q gallop
in the horse he rode. And now came
. Halt" from a guard and an answer,
followed by Advance and give the
oountersign. One of.the men goes for
ward for the purpose. Then the party
goes on again, but what they pass OF
where they are going Ratigan knows
nothing about He only knows that
they are moving, and that they are not
moving fast enough to suit him. Pres.
entity they stop, and the corporal Can
hear one of the men dismount. There il
. stroke of clock evidently from 8
church spire. He counted, lone, two,
three" and ON to eleven.
"Dismount
He lost no time in throwing himself
from his horse and was led forward.
The air became warmer. He must bt
In an Enclosure. The bandage was taker
from his, eyes
He was standing in tent lighted BY
. candle fixed to the end of stak,
driven into the ground. There was bu'
emo other person present, Confederat,
officer. He was tall. slender youn(
man, with long black hair, mustach,
and goatee, and an eye honest, respect
inspiring, and with all the gentlenes,
ut woman's.
"Are ye Colonel Fitz Hugh?'' asked
the corporal, making salute as if il
presence of an officer Of his own side.
II am"
"Oi have message from yer sister. >
Colonel Fitz Hugh turned ashy pale
No one could come to him from hel
without striking terror into him, for hi
tho xx,orL 80, CT, ~r,oc