Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15


them as members of partisan band'
for such I'm truth they were.
Where did that old farmer say the
big picket was stationed? Didn't he say
that 1t was down by the edge OF big
wood, with a shallow creek skirting the
edge of it?' remarked the taller OF the
two, as he uneasily scanned the wooded
landscape that stretched out before him.
81 don't know" slowly added the other:
"but for my part. j would not care to
run unawares in range of an infantry
picket, and perhaps IL fnight be disas-
trous to the object Of our raid
The other said nothing, but assumed
an air OF seriousness. and examined his
pistols, and then, turning his eyes up
ward toward the setting sun.
Down the winding road. an old darky
on shabby, gray mule come jogging
slowly toward them.
Evening. Boss" the old, gray-headed
fellow grinned, out at the same time
removing his creased and tattered hat.
81 say, uncle, do you know where the
big picket is at on the creekT' asked
the foremost scout.
at am right down dar, by the crick,
dis side OF the big wood" pointing at
the same time with his ragged sleeve In
that direction, and humping his lazy
beast with his bare heel, respectfully
went on his way.
Proflting by the old mans Information.
the two changed their direction. ana
crossed the creek a mile or more above
the position of the picket, and kept up
the march all during the night without
interruption. till the first streak OF light
I'm the east warned them Of the ap-
preaching day. Hiding their horses in
a ravine in a thicket. the two proceeded
to neghboring farmhouse, where
the lady kindly set before them an ample
breakfast. At the conclusion OF the
meal they hid themselves In the solitude
of some neIghboring outhouses. to re-
fresh themselves with an hour or more
Of sleep. Toward noon the two, tired OF
their hard beds. arose and went out In
the adjoining fields and woods, to look
after their horses. and 10 locate II pos
sible. the position OF the pickets In the
neighborhood.
In the evening. as the scouts were
passing across an open field after their
reeonnoitre. a faint noise. as Of a great
herd OF cattle breaking through the un-
dergrowth. came suddenly 10 their ears.
To fall on their faces I'm the tall growth
OF weeds which. fortunately. covered the
ground was the work n an instant. In
the next few seconds the van Of regi-
ment Of northern cavalry broke out OF
the wood and In their hurrying pace the
troopers were soon lost from view in
the piney wood. As the regiment passed
by the scouts horses in the ravine II
is most probable that they thought that
the horses were some belonging 10 men,
bers Of their own command.
Sunset found the scouts in their saddles
moving quietly and cautiously on, fully
IL
patrols which made their path
so dangerous. The greatest caution must
be now exercised The inner lines of the
enemy We're now near. Towards mid
night The faint cry Of a sentinel dream
lily calling the hour warned them u dan
ger.
The foremost rider dsmounted and eau
tiously went forward, hoping in the dark
ness Of the shadows to locate the exact
position Of the picket and the nature
Of the ground beyond. After the lapse
IF about half an hour he returned and
quietly mounted his horse. After con-
yersine in low accents for the space of
a second or more the two rode very
slowly on protected from view by the
shade of some thick trees. 10 within
close range of the unsuspecting sentinel.
The roads were sandy, SO their horses
made little or no noise When the end
of the line Of shadows was reached they
paused. and breathlessly awaited the sem
tiners march to the end of his beat. In
the next instant the horses were piled
with the spur, and on rushed the two.
the horses doing their best, with the
night air rushing wildly past the ears Of
the riders. Behind them rang out a shot
but the messenger OF death fiattened
itself on the rocks of the overhanging
cliff below. The speed of the horses soon
rushed the riders away from the scene
of the alarm and the noise and the
family glistening lights.
Toward morning, in the gloom and ST.
lence of q dark, woody valley. the cry
OF "Who comes there?" sounded with
fearful reality on their ears.
Friends on their way TO headquarters"
answered the foremost scout.
The long blue overcoats gave the scouts
the appearance to the sentinel of their
being members of a brother regiment, so
after calling his officer who asked the
scouts a great many questions, and they
being able to give In their presence OF
mind reasonable and plausible answers,
the two were allowed to move on. Their
GOODNESS had done them good service in
saving them from detection and probable
rough treatment later on. for the armies
Of the North had recently suffered con-
siderably from the effects Of the informa-
ton gained from within their line.
AS the sun cast It's first ray through
the bOughs of the mOistened tree-tops
and on the rocks of the slopes of the
stately Blue Ridge the two scouts could
be seen slowly riding up its winding as
cent At the top they drew rein. and, turn
ing their horses loose TO crop the grass,
settled themselves as comfortably as pos
sble to enjoy the frugal breakfast Of a
soldier. At the end OF the meal the
younger scout got the field glasses out.
and both soldiers scanned the beautiful
valley that stretched out before them
so soon to be so cruelty desoated. Clouds
OF dust generally herald the moving of
large bodies OF men on the highway; but
nothing appeared in the long valley be-
yond 10 indicate the moving of the enemy
in any considerable number.
Resting themselves and their faithful
steeds the remaining portion OF the day,
TIL the clouds of the evening began 10
slowly gather on the western horizon. the
bold riders descended the slope into the
wooded valley. Knowing full well that
the ferries and principal fords were Sc
curely guarded, the eldest OF the two
directed their march 10 an unfrequented
and at times dangerous ford which In
similar ventures he had often had re-
course 10. The river was swollen by a
recent rain. and the last part OF the |
crossing had 10 be swan. Hating their |
horses 10 rest on the opposite bank pre- |
vious 70 the resumption Of the march. |
then again crossing the out Of the way !
lanes. the two, In the light OF the moon, |
travelled on toward the valley turnpike. |
When the first harbingers OF day dawn |
ed the scouts directed their course 10 |
thick woods. where they again con-
cealed their horses. The people In this |
section were southern sympathizers, and |
weie ever ready 10 welcome and enter |
tain the tired soldiers fighting their own |