The Press., 1896-08-20

was 4uB GO GuS mdJOE dS lu6 1dtL0rp full of the importance and dignity of his position as protector of Migglesville, paced forward swiftly. The veteran al- ready felt upon his brow 8 wreath form ed of the flowers of gratitude, and as he strode he was absorbed in planning calm and self contained manner of wearing it. "Hol on a minnet." piped old Peter in the rear.
 At last the major, aroused from his dream of triumph, turned about wrath fully.
 "Well, what?''
 "Now look a-here," said Petor. "What 'che goin to do?'
 The major, with gesture Of suprc me evaporation, wheeled again and W ant on. When he arrived at the cornfi' Id, he halted and waited for Peter. He sud denly felt that indefinablu menace in the landscape.
 "Well?" demanded Peter, panti1,g. The majors eyes wavcred a trif1e
 "Well," he repeated. Well, Pm goin in there an bring out that there rebel"
 They both paused and studied the gently swaying mass of corn, and be- hind them the looming woods, sinister with possible secrets.
 "Well," said old Peter.
 The major moved uncasily and put his hand to his brow. Peter waited in obvious expectation.
 The major moved though tho grass at the roadside and climbed the fence. He put both his legs over tho topmost rail and then sat perched there, facing the woods. Once he turned his head and asked:
 "Well?''
 ''I hain't said anything" answered Peter.
 The major clambered down from the fence and went slowly into the corn, his gun held ill readiness Peter stood in the road.
 Presently the major returned and said ill cautious whisper:
 "If yeh hear anythin, yeh come a. runnin, will yeh?"
 Well, hain't got no gun nor nuth- in, said Peter in the same low tone "What good 'ud I do?''
 'Well, yeh might come along with me an watch, said tho major. "Four eyes is better'n twO.'
 ''If had gum began Peter.
 "Oh, ych don't need no gun," inter rupted the major, waving his hand. "All I'm afraid of is that won't find i'm. My eyes ain't so good as they was.
 "Well"-
 "Come along" whispered the major "Yeh hain't afraid. are yeh?'
 "No, butt
 "Well, come along then. Whats tn matter With ych?'
 Peter climbed tho fence. He paused on the top rail and took prol, ngcd stare at tho inscrutable woods When he joined the major ill tho corn1ield, he said, with touch of anger:
 Well, yeh got the gun. Remember that. If he comes for me, hain' got a blame thing"
 "Shucks!' answered the major. "He hain' t a-goin t como for ych."
 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. Il seemed as if some grewsOme thing had just previously vacated it. Old Peter halted once and whispered:
 ''Say, look a-here, supposin-sup. posin''-
 "Supposin what?" demanded the ma. jor.
 "Supposin"- said Peter, "Wcll, re- member, you got th' gun, all hain't got anythin.
 "Thunderl'' said the major. When they got to where the stalks were very short because of the shade cast by the trees of tho wood, they halt ed again. The leaves were gently swish ing ill the breeze. Before them stretch ed the mystic green wall of the forest. and there seemed to be in it eyes which followed each of their movements.
 Peter at last said:
 II don't believe there's anybody there. ."
 "Yes, there is, too," said the major. "I'll bet anythin he's there "
 "How d. yeh know?" asked Peter. "I'll bet he ain within mile O here ,
 The major suddenly ejaculated:
 "Listenl"
 They bent forward, scarce breathing their mouths agape, their eyes glinting
 Finally the major turned his head.
 'Did yeh hear that?" he said hoarse ly.
 "No," said Peter in low voice "What was it?''
 The major listened for a moment Then he turned again:
 II thought I heered somebody hol ler,' he explained cautiously.
 They both bent forward and listened once more. Peter, in the intenseness o his attitude, lost his balance and wa! obliged to lift his foot hastily and wltl noise.
 ''S-s-sh," hissed the major.
 After a minute Peter spoke quite loudly:
 "Oh, chucksl l don't believe vel heered anythin.'
 The major made frantic downward gesture with his hand.
 "Shet up, will yeh?" he said in al angry undertone.
 Peter became silent for 8 moment | DuC pL0S0AbAy AS 6I4O GhS51AA'
 ''Oh, yeh didn't hear anythin. ,"
 The major turned to glare at his com panion ill despair and wrath.
 "What's tn matter with yeh? Gam yeh shet up3''
 "Oh, this here hain t no use. If ye'r' goin in after i'm, why don't yeh go il after 'im?''
 "Well, gimme time, can't yeh?' said the major in a growl. And as if t' add more to this reproach he climbe, the fence that compassed tho woods looking resentfully back at his compan ion. T
 "Wellr' said Peter when the majo paused.
 The major stepped down upon tn thick carpet of brown leaves that stretch ed under the trees He turned then t whisper:
 "Yeh wait here, will yeh?" His fac was red with determination.
 "Well, hol on a minnet," said Peter