The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-10-13

disturbed, but our passports and other
valuable papers he seized eagerly, and
glanced over them by the fire light.
Then, before [ could comprehend his
motive he dropped them in the flames,
and they were speedily reduced to
ashes.
"'You are two spies, he said, rough
Iy. You can't impose on me. Your
papers were counterfeit. l will give
you five minutes to live. Make the
most of your allowance
81 was undeniably scared, and so
was Carol. The scoundrel undOubt-
eddy meant just what he said. l saw
the situation clearly. Having de-
stroyed our passports to secure his
own safety, Steinmetz was determined
to shoot US both in cold blood, and thus
crafty his personal spite against me.
"a savage murmur of qualification
from his companions showed that they
were fully in accord with this PROPOSE
lion. For a moment was too astOund-
ed to make any reply. While under
standing the German language per-
fectly l could speak it with difficulty.
So also was the case with Carol.
"'Those papers were all right and
you know it, replied as calmly and
huently as possible. we are both
Marshal Cauvilliers, and were in
search of the marshars army corps
when we lost our way and Numbered
into your lines. You can hold us as
prisoners of war, but beyond that you
dare not GO
''Steinmetz laughed derisively.
"'Your nationality matters nothing
to me- he said as spies in the French
service you have incurred the penalty
of death.
He turned to mutter some order
TO his men, and with an inward SILVER
saw dozen rifles being critically in
spected by their owners.
"'See here, Capt. Steinmetz,' said
loudly, resolved on a last appeal, you
grossly insulted me at Berlin a few
weeks ago, and because l resented
your conduct you take this oppor-
tunity, like a contemplate coward, tC
satisfy your malice. The sacrifice OF
our lives will cost you dearly, bear
that in mind. If you give up your mad
idea Of vengeance, and send US to head
quarters as prisoners of war, | will!
pledge myself to say nothing of this
occurrence and of the destruction OF
our passports
For a moment the Prussian strug-
gIed between anger and prudence. His
comrades overheard my words, and
the fact had a restraining effect.
"Snatching a burning brand from
the fire he pretended to peer into our
faces.
"'No, 1 don't know you he said.
loud enough for his companions to
hear, 4 never saw either of you before.
You mistake me for some one else.
You cannot save your lives by such a
pretext. have allowed you too much
time already. You must die al once
HE made a signal to his men, who
at once bound our arms securely in
spite of our struggles, and led us to the
foot of big tree that stood near the
campfire. Steinmetz quickly gave
some command, and squad of Uhlans
a dozen in number, fell into line &c
PAGES from where we stood.
81 glanced toward Carol, and noted
that, though deadly pale, his bearing
was firm and heroic.
81 give you just two minutes to
live said Steinmetz, coming forward
and pulling out his watch. IF you
want to pray, this is your last chance.
81 knew then that hope was at ar
end. My brain seemed to be whirling
round and round, and although l strove
to pray. my lips refused to utter a
sound. The artillery on the neigh Dor
ing hilltops were still pounding away,
and from the direction of the German
lines came the tramp of many feet and
the rumble of ammunition wagons.
"A strange magnetism kept my gaze
on Steinmeta. He was visibly uneasy
as he faced the firing squad with the
open watch in his hand-probably fear
ing some unpleasant interruption.
with a sudden SILVER realized that
the allotted time must be up. 1t was
Steinmetz lifted his right hand, and in.
stantly ~ deadly weapons were raised
Six being trained upon Carol and
six upon myself. l have a vague re.
membrance of hearing Carol whisper
'good-by, but my attention was al
given to Steinmetz. The command to
fire was trembling on his lips.
81 closed my eyes involuntarily and
waited. Instead of the expected vol.
ley ] heard loud clatter of hoofs, an0
glancing up l saw a middle-aged officer
gallop to the spot. He drew up his
horse with a jerk in front of Steinmet7
and harshly demanded: What does
this mean? Who are these menu
"SteinInetz began to stammer out ar
explanation, but the officer cut him
rudely short.
"'What right have you to Judge
them| he cried harshly. Send them
to the rear atRnce, and then fall back
yourself. The battle is about to com.
mence and the army is on the ad.
vance
"Steinmetz turned pale with NORTH
cation and anger, but he managed with
very bad grace to stammer out the
necessary order to his men, and a mo-
ment later Carol and | were moving