The National tribune., 1898-11-24

s,enpine intb the coveted ranks of "the
officers andi gentlemen" he was full OF
good resolui lions as to circumspection OF
action until the Shoulder-StrapS Snouiu
he as firnit fastened upon his uniform
IS thew couU be by that magic document
beginning:
aReposingi special confidence in the
valor. patriotism and fidelity of Patrick
O'Neil," etc.
one day he was sent out after forage
with a small party and train of wagons.
As these latter were being filled with the
corn and meat that formed the stores of
"A plantation, an excited negro came up
with as mush speed as could be pounded
out Of rheumatic mule.
"Who am de boss officer Of dis yeTe
crowd?v he inquired, as soon as he could
get his breath.
smart blow upon the mules flank with
the singing CAD brought steed and rider
alongside the commanding officer.
NMornin'. Massa," said the negro, with
n duck OF Ibis uncovered head. "You
pears TO be iout arter something. Well, /
sspect | kill pint out to you whar We
kin make a bigger haul nor any ting yer
loadin' intl yer wagons. Young JEFF
Ricketts,. de head bushwhacker in all dis
stretch o. statements, is layin' asleep
in Gle Nelst Bruce's house, about two
miles from here, an We kin slip up on
him an kotsch him eZ easy ez a houn'
DUP kin lick E, greasy skillet"
O'Neil reflected. He could not take
his loaded arain in that direction, nor
could he leAye it unguarded while he
went of.
"Sargint Atmitage," he said at length.
Walter facedt around and saluted. You
an Corporal iStock will go 10 the house
this colored lintleman VIII indicate 10
We an secure whatever persons may be
insoide." o'Nei's language in com
municating orders was always OF the
most zK1lted. official variety
Walter and Stock picked up their guns,
conferred for a while with the negro,
who steadfastly refused 10 act as their
guide-now that he had got TO the Yam
KEGS he proposed to stay with them
took due note Of his description of the
location and appearance OF the house
and also OF the peculiarly fierce and un-
conquerable nature Of the man or men
whom they would find there, and al
last started loff with many misgivings
that the work which had been assigned
them was one which il would have been
better to have detailed a good-siZed squad
for.
This feeling grew upon them as They
proceeded along the road toward the
house. Tackling bushwhackers was
very awkward business at all times, anC
would be particularly so in this instance
where there were but two of them ts
stout log house, and possibly assisted
by some friends who had come in
EFF il wuz him behind one tree. an
me behind another, i wouldn't keer Z
durn," said Stock, apparently refectins
aloud. Then I'D bring him to Limerick
or he'd me in mighty short meter. Blu
now he's got ali the percentage in th,
game, an he'll have the drop on us al
the time"
They strobe along until they came q
the edge of the clearing in the center @
which stood the house, which they recon
noitered carefully-even anxiously
Everything was quiet-suspiciously so
IL seemed 10 their strained senses No
q person or thing stirred around tn,
house-eyen the cloud of yelping mon
grels that surround every Southern hous,
seemed 70 be either wholly absent o
unnaturally silent.
Walter and Stock put fresh cans a,
their rifles and crept cautiously forward
covering themselves as much az possible
with the logs and stumps in the line a
approach, and straining their eyes 4
catch the first glimpse 81 "A gun hare
pFotruding through the chinks After !
long quarter 81 an hour ~ this t,rtraer,
strategy. which bad been taught them q,
the skirmish-ifne and in seFnner silf
with skulkinE islshs hackers. ffssy esns
D. q bail e-ehtnd a isfEs 80 d8recsly d
sTssi q ne cahtas ere at-sslf s. iest ifen
StiII no shot from the concealed tn
mates, silil no signs 81 iiie, either huna,
az fnsmal. What could e meant Wer,
the1 waiting fos their prey g. eosas Sit
elo~sff
Matter and Stock hsld anothes a.ha..
as they isy behind the log their rist.
sull oock, and their eyes nxea on sk,
h.sise, ffsm which fhey espeeicd hs.s
Tie cemonstrstion eyeEy instant.