The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-30

planning calm and self-contained
manner Of wearing it, "Hop on min
net" piped old Peter in the rear.
At last the major. aroused from his
dream of triumph, turned about
wrathfully. "Well what?"
Now, look a here" said Peter,
"What'che goin' to- do?'
The major, with q gesture of supreme
evaporation. wheeled again and went
on. When he arrived at the cornfield
he halted and waited for Peter. He had
suddenly felt that indefinable menace
! in the landscape.
The majors eyes wavered q trifle..
"Well?" demanded Peter, painting.
"Well." he repeated. "Well, I'm goin'
| in there an bring out that there rebel"
They both paused and studied the
gently swaying masses of corn. and
behind them the looming woods. sinis-
| ter with possible secrets.
"Well," said old Peter.
The major moved uneasily and put
his hand to his brow. Peter waited in
! obvious expectation.
The major crossed through the grass
| at the roadside and climbed the fence.
He put both legs over the top-most rail
and then sat Derched there. facing the
| woods. Once he turned his head and
asked: "What?"
II hain't said anythin'," answered
| Peter.
The major clambered down from the
| fence and went slowly into the corn,
| his gun held in readiness Peter stood
| in the road.
Presently the major returned and
said, In a cautious whisper: III yeh
hear anythin'. you come a-runnin',
! will yeh?'
We'll, hain't got no gun nor nuth-
| in" said Peter, in the same low tone,
what good 'ud do?"
well, yeh might come along with
me an watch" seid the major. -Four
eyes is better'n two"
"If l had a gun" began Peter
| "Oh, yeh don't need no gum" inter-
/, rupted the major, waving his hand
"All I'm afraid of is that won't find
i'm. My eyes amt so good as they
was"
well"
Come along" whispered the major.
"Yeh hain't afraid, are yeh?"
| mo, but"
well, come along. then. What's tn
matter with yeh?'
| Peter climbed the fence. He paused
on the top rail and took a prolonged
stare at the inscrutable woods. When
he Joined the major in the cornfield, he
said. with touch Of anger:
well, you got the gun. Remember
that. If he comes for me, hain't got
a blame thing"
"Shucks," answered the major. "He
haint a-goin t. come for yeh."
The two then began wary journey
through the corn. One by one the long
aisles between the rows appeared as
| they glanced along each Of them. 1t
| hoI
/ just previously vacated 1t. Old Peter
halted once and whispered: "Say, look
a here, supposin'--supposin'-
| "Supposin' what?" demanded the
major.
"supposin'-" said Peter. "well, re-
member you got tn gun an I hain't
got anythin'."
"Thunder!" said the major.
| When they got to where the stalks
We're very short because Of the shade
cast by the trees Of the wood, they
swishing In sthe breeze. Before them
stretched the mystic green wall of the
forest, and there seemed to be In it
eyes which folloewd each of their
movements.
Peter at last said: IT don't believe
there's anybody in there"
Yes, there Is, too," said the major
"I'll bet anythin' he's there
How d. yeh know" asked Peter
"1'll bet he amt within mile o. here"
The major suddenly calculated:
"Listen!"
They bent forward, scarce breathing
their mouths agape. their eyes CLINT
Ing. Finally the major turned his
head. Did yeh hear that?" he said,
hoarsely.
NO" said Peter in a low voice
What was it?"
Tho major listened for moment.
Then he turned again. II thought I
heerd somebody holler," he explained,
cautiously.
They both bent forward and listened
once more. Peter In. the intentness of
his attitude lost his balance and was
obliged to lift his foot hastily and with
noise. "Sssh," Kissed the major.
After a minute Peter spoke quite
loudly "Oh, shucks, I don't believe
yeh heerd anythin'."
The major made a frantic downward
gesture with his hand. "Shet up. will
yeh!" he said, In an angry undertone.
Peter became silent for moment,