The Press., 1896-08-20
..Th' rebeIr' cried the little boy with

The major bounced from his bench in tempestuous excitement. He seized the little boy by the collar and gave him a great jerk.
 "Where2 Are yeh sure? Who saw i'm? How long ago2 Where is he now? Did yeh see 'imP'
 The little boy, frightened at the ma jOr's fury, began to sob. After mo- ment he managed to stammer:
 He's now-he's in the woodsl saw iml He looks uglier'n anythingr'
 The major released his hold upon the boy, and, pausing for time, indulged in a glorious dream.
 By thunder, we'll ketch the cussl Yeh wait here," he told the boy, Ian don't say word t anybody. Do yeh hear?''
 The boy, still weeping. nodded, and the major hurriedly entered the inn. He took down from its pegs an awk- ward, smoothbore rife and carefully examined the enormous percussion cap that was fitted over the nipple. Mis- trusting the cap, he removed it and re- placed it with a new one. He scruti- nized the gun keenly, as if he could judge in this manner of the condition of the load All his movements were deliberate and deadly.
 When he arrived upon the porch of the tavern, he beheld the yard filled with people. Peter Witheby, sooty faced and grinning, was in the van. He looked at the major.
 "Well?" he said.
 "Well?" returned the major, bridling.
 "Well, what's 'che got?'' said old Peter.
 "'GotP Got a rebel over in th' woodsl" roared the major.
 At this sentence the women and boys who had gathered eagerly about him gave vent to startled cries. The women had come from adjacent houses, but the little boys represented the entire village. They had miraculousIy heard the first whisper of runor, and they performed wonders in getting to the spot. They clustered around the import ant figure of the major and gazed in silent awe. The women, however, burst forth. At the word ''rebel," which represented to them all the terrible things, they deluged the major with questions, which were obviously unanswerable.
 He shook them off with violent impa- tience. Meanwhile Peter Witheby was trying to force exasperating interroga- tiOns through the ~tumult to the major s ears
 "What? No! YesI How d. know?" the maddencd veteran snarled, as he struggled with his friends. No! Yesl What? How in thunder d. know?"
 Upon the steps of the tavern the land lady sat, weeping forlornly.
 At last the major broke through the crowd and went to the roadway. There, as they all streamed after him, he turned and faced them
 "Now, look a-here! don't know any more about this than yeh do, he told them forcibly. ''All that know is that there's rebel over in Smith s woods, all all know is that I'm a-goin after 'im.''
 But hOl on minnet," said old Peter. "How do yeh know he's rebel?'
 II know he is, cried the major Don't yeh think know what rebel is?''
 Then, with gesture of disdain at the babbling crowd, he marched detcrmin- edly away, his rife held ill the hollow of his arm. At this heroic moment a new clamOr arose, half admiration, half dismay, Old Peter hobblcd after the major, continually repeating:
 'HOl on minnet.
 The little boy who had given the alarm was the center of thrOng of lads, who gazed with envy and awe, discov- ering in him new quality. He held forth to them eloquently. The women started after the figure of the major and old Pctor, his pursucr. Jcrozel Bronson, half witted lad, who comprehended nothing save an occasional genial word, leaned against the fence and grinned like a skull. The major and the pursuer passed out of view around the turn in the road where the great naples lazily I shook off the dust that lay on their leaves.
 For moment the little group of wo- men listened intently, as if they expect ed to hear Q sudden shot and cries from the distance. They looked at each other, their lips little ways apart. The trees | sun. The insects in the meadow contin- ued their mOnOtonous humming, and somewhere a hen had been stricken with fear and was cackling loudly.
 Finally Mrs. Goodwin said:
 Well, Pm goin to tn turn O tn road anyhow" Mrs. Willctts and Mrs. Joe Peterson, her particular friends, cried out at this temerity, but she said Well, I'm goin anyhow. ''
 She called Bronson.
 Come on, JerozeL Yeh're a man, an if he should chase us why yeh mus pitch inteh i'm. Hey?"
 Bronson always obeyed everybody. He grinned an assent and went with her down the road.
 A little boy attempted to follow them, but a shrill scream from his mother made him halt.
 The remaining women stood motion less, their eyes fixed upon Mrs. Goodwin and JerOZel. Then at last one gave 6 laugh of triumph at her conquest o1 caution and fear and cried:
 Well, I'm goin tooI'
 Another instantly said, "So am l. ' There began general movement. Some of the little boys had already ventured a hundred feet away from the main body, and at this unanimous advance they spread out ahead in little groups. Some recOunted terrible stories of rebe ferocity. Their eyes were large with ex citement. The whole thing, with its possible danger, had for them a delicious element. Johnnie Peterson, who could whip any boy present, explained what he would do in case the enemy should bounce out at him.
 The familiar scene suddenly assumed a new aspect. The field of corn whict met the road upon the left was no lon ger mere field of corn. It was dark ly mystic place whose recesses could contain all manner of dangers. The long green leaves waving in the breeze rustled from the passing of men. II the song of the insects there were now