The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-12-24
A WAR CAPTURE.
(Exchange.)


beside a considerable force OF artil-
lery. and horses had to be fed; like
wise mules. Something was the
matter with something somewhere,
and forage did not come in, which
was matter of serious concern.
Troop Sergeant Anderson, OF the
the cavalry took account OF this
state OF things as regarded his own
troop, aud one afternoon headed
party which was to scatter itself to
the four winds and ride promiscu-
ously over the earth on the scent OF
the needed provender.
They had ridden about mile
when Anderson in his rather indie
pendent way jingled off on little
trail OF his own, telling the men Of
his squad that he would rejoin them
at the crossroads farmer on. He
had an idea that he could do little
accommodating to advantage and per-
hsps meet with an adventure, a
thing that was bread and meat to
his soul.
So he loosened the heavy revolver
in his holster aud swung off into a
bride path, making a detour to
avoid bit OF wood which had been
heavily shelled by Confederate
battery the week before and galop-
ed leisurely across the open, when
he was fully exposed to the fire from
the trenches Of the enemy, who,
however, seemed indisposed to take
notice Of him.
From the open he turned into a
narrow dirt road leading off some-
where into the Confederate lines
He expected to- fall in with a rebel
picket here but as it CHANGED he
fell in with something more.
He had ridden perhaps 100 yards
along this road when on rounding
at slow csnter a clump of scrub
pines be found himself in the act OF
riding right through a group of half
a dozen mounted men, who were
walking their horses in exactly the
opposite direction that he was GO
ing. There was stare OF surprise
as we'll as a pulling up of horses.
Now, Anderson had red hair, a
resolute shin, thoroughly CONTROL
ed temper, cool mind in the pre-.
sepce OF danger and quick hand
He was slightly startled at the re-
counter, but he did not lose his head
AS he pulled in his horse he had hi.
revolver out and leveled at the cen
trail figure of the group, who, by hi
trappings, he took for a Brigadier
General, perhaps even person o
higher rank, who was out with hi
staff for an afternoon canter.
Hands up!" called Anderson il
the peremptory manner of western
road agent.
"Who the mischief are you7" do
manded the General, for such il
truth he was.
"My names Anderson, Sergean
in the-the United States cavalry
and you're my prisoner" replied tn
turbulent-looking highwayman will
the red hair, regarding the large
with steady eye.
The General made a mistaken
stopped to parley. Perhaps it wa
natural, while beng stared out o
countenance by the ugly muzzle O
huge revolver, that he should d.
so, but we record simply that b
made mistake. If he had ordere,
a rush-but he didn't.
"Your prisoner! Why that's YER
absurd, my good fellow. Don't 20
think you are ours3" he inquired
quite at'ease.
"Not while I've got the drop o
you," said Anderson, with grin
"If one OF you makes move to dra'
gun, I'll shoot. You can SUI
yourselves. I'll shoot at the frs
move. OF course you can kill m
afterward, but that's the fortune c
battle. You won't kill me first"
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