The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-26

missives rudely torn open and scanned, and
especially when the ambrotype case was
opened and Annabel's features made the
subject of coarse comment. The imminent
prospect of being murdered had o much
lighter pang.
While the letters and an ambrotvpe were
being looked over the process Of robbery was
going on. One had snatched Sis cap, an
other had pulled off his blouse, and there was
a struggle as to who should have possession
OF his new Government shoes which were re-
garded as great prize. 81 had resisted this
spoliati0n, but was caught from behind and
held, despite his kicks and struggles, while
the shoes were pulled off, Shorty was treated
in the same wav
In few minutes both, exhausted by their
vigorous resistance, were seated on the
ground, with nothing left on them but their
pantaloons, while their eaptors were quar-
reling over the division of their personal
effects, and as to what disposition was to be
made of them. In the course OF the dis
cussion the boys learned that they had been
captured by squad of young men from the
immediate neighborhood, who had been
allowed to 90 home on furlough, had been
gathered together when the regiment ap-
peared, and had been watching every move
ment from safe coverts They had seen 81
and Shorty leave, and had carefully logged
their steps until such moment as they could
pOunce on them.
Smart as we thought we wuz," said 81
bitterly, 1--WE played right into their hands.
They tracked US down jest as if we'd bin a
couple o. rabbits. and ketched us jest wheD
they wanted u.s.
He gave groan which Shorty echoed
md 9th f,r h
the two boys, then and there, and ending the
matter.
They orter be killed, Ike. right here"
said Bushrod to the leader. They deservs
1T, and we'uns haint got no time 10 fool
We'uns can't take they'uns back with we'uns,
Ell we wanted to, ard for one don't want to.
I'd ez soon have rattlesnake around me-"
But Ike, the leader, was farther-seeing
He represented to the others the vengeance
the Yankees would take on the people of the
neighbOrhood if they murdered the soldiers
This developed another party, who favored
taking the prisoners to some distance and
killing them there. so as to avoid the con-
tingeney that Ike had set forth. Then there
were propositions to deliver them over to the
guerrilla leaders, to be disposed of as they
pleased
Finally, it occurred to Ike that they were
talking entirely too freely before the prison.
ers unless they intended to kill them out
right, for they Were giving information in
regard to the position and operations of rebel
bands that might prove dangerous. Hs
drew his squad off to a little distance to con-
tinue the discussion. At first they kept their
eyes on the prisoners and their guns ready
to fire, but as they talked they lost their
watchful attitude, IN the eagerness of max
ing their points.
81 looked at Shorty, and caught an answer
ing CLEAN. Like a flash both were on their
feet and started on a mad rush for the fence
Bushrod saw them start, and fired. His
bullet cut off a lock of Sis auburn hair.
Others fired as fast as they could bring their
guns up, and the bullets sang vieiously
around, but none touched the fugitiyes.
Their bare feet were torn by the briars as
they ran, but they thought not of these
They plunged into the blackberry briars along
the fence climbed it, and gained the road,
some distance ahead of their pursuers, who
were not impelled by the fear of immediate
death to spur them on. Up the road went 81
and Shorty, with all the speed that will
power could infuse into their legs. Some Of
the rebels stopped to reload; the others ran
after. A score of noisy dogs suddenly walked
up and joined in the pursuit. The old white
man mounted his horse and came galloping
toward the house.