The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-11-20
Tale of a Deserter.
(From Chambers Journal In Four Parts
PART III.

dense pine woods before Floyds position
waited but the first lifting of the shadow
TO huri themselves upon their unsuspectint
| foe. Above, FIoyd's men, tired after thei
long march, slept soundiy, ignorant Of tbs
proximity Of their bloodthirsty enemies
| unconscious that the sentrieS along th'
outer line lad all been slain-an save one
and that one a deserter from his post, q
| traitor to his trust.
In grim silence, and sanguine Of success
the fierce Creeks, their faces painted hide
ously for war, awaited their opportunity
| A faint breeze, herald of the morn, had
arisen, rustling gently among the pine
needles Save for this and the occasional
grunt of a hog. roofing here and there
among the mast, only the low, half-held
| breathing of the red men broke the still
ness.
! The first faint trembling streaks Of pink
wavered up into the sky, the white M.sts
curled upwards from river and swamp,
! just perceptble in the gloom, and the hog
wandered on, grunting and roofing, too
careless or too stupid 10 avoid the red
men all around it. More than once it col
l Eded in the darkness with the legs of some
! watchful warrior, TO dart away with a
/ sQueal, followed by the curses of the brave
| who dared not move for fear Of exposing
his position. And so, turning hitler and
thfther, in search of food, the beast blum
dered on to where Bald Eagle and his fel-
low-chief, Whistl:ng Hawk, stood beside
tree and discoursed their plans for the
coming attack. Terrified, apparently, the
hog stood still for a moment, and then,
with snort of disgust, swung round and
wsddled off in its ungainly fashion. Its
back turned, however, its terror seemed to
be overcome, and once again it halted and
began to grub for roots, rowing leisurely
from one tree 10 another.
The two chiefs gazed idly at the animal
for a moment, and then Whistling Hawk
drew an arrow from his CULVER and fitted
it 10 his bowstring.
'Not so, my brother" interposed Bald
Eagle, laying a OBTAINING hand upon the
others wrist. Shoot not, lest If you only
wound the brute, it run off towards the
camp of the pale-faces and betray US by
your arrow. Go and warn our young men
upon the left that the time is at hand.
l will tell those upon the right"
waugh" was all the reply Whistling
Hawk vouchsafed, and the red chiefs
moved away.
But as they disappeared, the hog sat UP
on his launches, its forepaws dangling
oddly, while from underneath the coarse
hide hand stole forth. Then the mask
was cautiously raised, flung back from the
face it concealed, and out from the greasy
skin crawled a man, who cast himself fat
upon his face, and lay still.
But the Indians were behind him row
and his friends in front, and, though he
moved slowly, yet in no long time he
reached sentry, whom he passed with
a whispered word, and hurried to the Cen
erals tent.
''Duerdenr' cried Floyd, springing to his
feet, as the young man burst in upon him
with little ceremony. What are you do
ing here? Why have you left your post?''
why have you left your post" The
sharp and sudden question recalled a hide
Gus memory to Duerden's mind, and for an
instant he struggled vainly to speak. Re
covering himself, ne briefly detailed TO the
General the presence of the foe in large
numbers. and how he had contrived to
pass through their lines.
Floyd wasted no further time in oues-
tons after this, but dashed from his tent
order after order tumbling from his lips
His dispositions made, ne returned once
more to Amos II have news for you,
Duerden," he said, good news, too. It
seems that the Creeks made a descent up
on Whispering Pines and burned it, but
the settlers had got word of their ap-
proach in some way, and deserted the
place. A party of them arrived about an
hour ago with women and children. 1 have
sent the latter, along with the old men, to
one OF our communicating posts IN the
rear. All who could fight have detained
here" he finished grmly.
Amos caught back his breath sharply. |
Truly, his punishment was beginning. "Ag- |
nes?" he muttered.
well and safe - a0sUared Ev1n1,H
lily. You can join her, or she you, after |
this little affair is over. for we shall win. |
Of course. 1t is "a
A shot Another and another Then a /
scattering volley, and the wild, terrific |
Indian war-wfnoop, as the Creeks sprang |
from their cover. and charged up to with |
IN few PAGES of the artillery of Thomas,
posted to receive them.
There they are" said Floyd, coorly.
Amos, come with me-"
In the gloom of the pine-woods, the bat
lie ragged furfously. men fighting rather by
The sense Of sound than by sight, con-
scious of the approach of a foe only when
hey came into grips. And in the heat OF
he combat Amos saw his General borne
70 the ground by stalwart savage The
'etishn had lost his musket in the fray;
put, as he knelt with all his weight upon
Floyd's chest, strove nightly to reach his
'calping-knife with one hand, while with
he other he stranglcd his fallen adversary.
With bound Amos was upon the savage, |
ore him from his hold and then buried mis-
,ayonet in the broad red chest. Then he
urned to assist the General TO rise.
Thank you, Amos" said Floyd, gasp
ng for breath. ''If you had not come just
When you did you would have been left
Without a leader. I am your debtor for
his
He rushed away, ana as the sun rose a.
owing him TO survey the whole fed OF
peratious, ordered his right wing and the
avalry to charge simultaneously. The ef-
ect was immediate. Face to face with
hose long lines of ghtter;ng steel, the
'reeks lost heart and fed through the
wamps. leaving behind them a trail of
cad and wounded. The battle was won,
hough the white men had not come Off
catheless.
An hour later while the hungry soldiers
-ere breaking their fast Amos Duerden
.alked Sloonlily into his commanders
ent. Il have come to make q confess |
lon. General" ne began withou. preface. 1
I have come 70 ask that I may be placed ! I.
uder arrest
us the man gone out OF RS wits?" cried
lloyd, considerably aston.shed- What
Is you. Amos? Ia. the fight proved too
Iuch for your stomach? Here, drink /,
ID OF this" He handed some wine
Twill bring back the coior 10 your
1eeks-"
Amos drained the cup. General he BE-
Al unsteaoily. this IS my fault There is +
D: q man OF ours lying dead there in the Z
ne-woods and swamps who does not owe c
S death 10 me-" In a few simple words
: told the General the story OF his temp a
tion and his fall. Had I not left my
1s;," he concluded. 1.-The warning would ,
ave reached you in time. your DISPOSE
ons would have been made and the enemy I
saten back without the loss Of a man. :