The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-25
A WAR EPISODE.

way down the dusty road that leads Into
the little town OF warrenton, and from
the tired look of tie men and the steaining
sides of the horses one could plainly see
that the cavalcado had ridden fast and far.
The company were part of the rangers,
and at their head rode their chief, Mosby
on "a black stecd while the rest of the men
trotted on behind in a leisurely manner
and made the air ring with their jests and
gay songs. It was true that the enemy
might come in sight at any moment or
that some stray bullet from foe hidden
in bush might cut short the laughing
words ON the merry lips, but familiarity
with the horrors of war had bred an easy
indifference, and these men, though daily
facing death, thought no more of their
danger than IL they were riding to picnic
in some ncighboring grove
1t was just about noon when the party
dismounted at a farmhouse, and in an in
slant the jolly rebels were the center of an
admiring group that crowded about them,
and the eager host FASTENED to bring out
for their entertainment all the good things
that his larder afforded. The men were
hungry, and seated beneath the huge oaks
they were soon discussing the relative
merits of the buttermilk and fried chicken
with which they were plentifully supplied.
But time wore on, and the men, forgetful
of it's passing, sought refreshment in a
doze on the grass beneath the trees.
A sudden cry of "The Yankees are COM
ing" rang out on the still afternoon air,
and the Confodorates sprang TO their horses
just as party Of Union troops dashed in
sight around u bend in the road. In mo-
ment the rangers had leaped on their steeds
and galloped out of sight down a narrow
woody lane that ran near the barn and
partially concealed them from view. In
fact, their escape would have been success
full had not one man s FESTIVE nag delayed
the fellow so long in mounting that the
approaching squad caught glimpse of the
gray jacket as it vanished in cloud of
dust in the distance.
All OF the rangers had got out Of danger
except their leader, Mosby, who was in the
house when the alarm was given and had
not heard the warning cry. So when he
looked up from the book which he was
reading, while resting in the cool of the
hallway, he saw the Union troops charg-
ing in at the gate, which was only few
hundred yards away. 1t was too late now
to escape. and while the Federals did not
yet know Of his presence they would search
the house, and it was only matter of q
few moments before he would be a prison
er in their hands.
In the parlor, which opened into the
hall, young lady sat sewing, and her
quick wit took in the situation at u glance.
Here! Step in this clock casep' she hur.
riedly whispered as she threw open the
door Of an immense old clock that stood
ticking in one corner of the hall.
And in moment Mosby had squeezed
himself into it's dusty recess.
BY this time the Union men were dis
mounting, but before they entered the
house the lady had seated herself and was
quietly sewing.
The Union officer strobe into the room
and looked anxiously about
"Are there any rebels concealed in this
house?" he demanded in a loud voice.
"Mosby's men were here awhile ago,
she replied, "but they all escaped as your
troop came in sight -
his quick eye caught sight of mans sof
felt hat thrown carelessly on chair.
"Search the house, he ordered of three
men who were waiting his commands.
In a moment the men in blue wer,
swarming over the house and poking int
every nook and corner. They commenced
at the garnet, searching each room closel,
as they descended, and the rattle of thei
sabers could be heard distinctly in tn
hall below as they tramped about, throw
ing open closets and upsetting beds.
Presently all gathered in the hall an,
were discussing in disappointed tone thei
fruitless search.
Every moment seemed an eternity t.
the ranger shut up in the hot, dusty dept
of the old clock, and the warm air hat
grown almost UNDESIRABLE. Yet he dare
not move for only few feet away h
could plainly hear the angry tones of til
Yankee officer, and the least motion mean
capture or death. Slowly the moment
dragged on, and still the men fingered.
Finally the occupant Of the clock fel
an uncomfortable desire to sneeze, and d
he realized the fact he broke out in col
perspiration at the horrible thought. L
prevent it was something beyond his con
troll, but sneeze would surely DO an
swered by bullet through the clock case
and the ranger felt he would prefer tn
danger of facing his foes in an open fight
Suddenly II bright idea came into hi
mind, and just as he bent his head t
sneeze he gave a pull ON the pendulum
; that sent all the wheels whirring in lou
confusion.
The Union men glanced suspiciously O
the noisy timepiece.
~ am afraid that clock needs mendng,
remarked the lady carelessly as she turne
down new hem in the linen on which sh
was sewing, and her quiet voice disarme
suspicion.
With sigh of relief, Mosby heard til
| officer command his men to mount, an
presently the gallop of their departin
horse hoofs fell on his delighted ear. An
scarcely had the echo died away when IL
clock flew open, and the exhausted prison
er struggled out in an almost suffocate
g condition.
l A merry laugh had the ranger over h
narrow escape, but in all the dangers thu
he faced during four years of bloodsbe
there was none that tried his nerves lii
: the terrible half hour spent in the Of
) clock case.-Exchange.
Your Alter Ego.
u