The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1898-06-21

DOW N=RES ErHS.e'
wEww~wE@z
A TALE or ERMY f!Sc.

plies. At dark. ilamheauH were far
ing from the boats guards. by the
light Of which thay completed their
labo,s. Thea tbs h!uecoa:s marched
b&ck to the barracks. preceded by a
train Of government; wagons.
4 few rolstahouis. huddled npon
the boiler &eck, we're Srumb!iny unit
edlv about some t:iHe, as Missouri
river roustabouts have habit Of
doing. The night became very dark
at last so dark that even had one
been looking in that direction he
would not have noticed man who
crept out Of tie willow bog and, step
ping cautiou. Y into IN Indian "bull
boat at tie wharf. drifted of with the
swift current. under cover of the
friendly shadows.
IL few. moments. at best, the mans
absence from the fort would be dis
covered. It was one chance in hun
dred, but Zark Brayion took that
chance and hoated down the river.
The lights Of the steamer receded in
the darkness; not a sound broke the
stiffness save the plash, plash of. his
paddle. Bending forward. straining
his eyes to catch the first glimpse of
danger in whatever form, the current
bcre him on.
"0niv for her--her and the chill
dren." he muttered under his breath.
while his eyes grew moist. He wiped
them hastily. as though anyone could
perceive his weakness.
On-nr. The water undulate1
greatly under the boat as he Hoated
on its broad, dark bosom. Now the
current set in near the shore, and mys-
te.ious sounds were borne out to him
from those wild forest depths sounds
neither man nor beast could make. A
lone owl hootei dismal!y from tree
top. Instantly tie woods seemed
alive with strange responses. He felt
awed and heaved a sigh Of relief when
the current bore him far out into the
stream once more.
With the first flush of dawn the SOL
der guided bis primitive craft to the
shore, drew it up out of the wafer and
managed to hide the unwieldy bulk in
the bushes. He looked at the stretched
buffalo skin with affection, thinking
what a good turn it was doing hin.
All day he lay concealed in the vicil
ity, not a mouthful of food entering
his lips. With the gathering darkness
he was soon aAoat, bound for "down-
river and the old Missouri home.
He could scarcely tell the number
care + keen seS51zs! s1~H AZ ~ he desired
was to escape those who were doubt
less pursuing him. Wandering In
aia7s gave him food when he dared
seek IT, He held his breath when he
passed the forts and settlements on
the river banks in the night. He
even fancied that the beatings of his
heart could be heard on either shore.
';If Elviry knowed how it war; he
said to himself. "she might be
a-prayin' fur me, as she uster.
The thought gaze him renewed
courage. He bent to the paddle with
giants strength. and the bull-boat
went along faster than the current, yet
could not keep pace with his impa-
time.
1t length he began to chuckle grim
II with satisfaction. Hour by hour
be felt that be vas nearing home. In
dian wigwan!s no longer dotted the
plains. Dark objects loomed up on
the hills. which he knew to be school
houses or churches. Steamboats,
passed more frequently, and he was
obliged to use great caution in avoid
ing them, although few ever remained
cr,t il the river late at night. Still he
chuckled, for every hour lessened the
danger. Thev would never look for
him 50 far down river, srlrcl ly--thev
would think lie had fled toward the in
terror.
''Tomorrow night" ne assured him
self. I'll leave the river and tramp
for il.
His face frightened; the sky, the
river, the plain took ap a new expires
son of hopetulness, and the remainder
of that night his paddles dipped un-
c7asine'y.
"F'r'haps she amt quite so bad of
as the doctor thinks, arter all. an I
kin take care of her now: an I'd just
work for her. he dropped the pad
dies a moment as pleased smile
crept over his bronzed face.
"Ah. the chillern has growed like
siXty.in course.
Tie heavens seemed to don an an
swering smile, the east bursting into
a rosy glow, while the distant hills
and rolling prairies assumed new and
delicate tints of beautiful summer
life.
s'It amt the wust sort o world ,aTter
ALT can't he 50 bad az all that. he
went on, disconuectcaly.
Yet all around him the river rushed
in discoIored. rapid food. The
".!une rise VS. sw:Hs.:2s down from
the northern mountains; the unsightly
sand-har* lay concealed beneath the
dashing waves; legs, trees, debris Of
various kinds, went whirling past.
Once the carcass Of a buffalo-shot
needlesslv by some passenger on ali
up-river boat. doubtless bore down
against him. and he was obliged to
push away with Lis paddle.
''How they must 4 growed!' he re-
reatcd to himself, cheerily. 1t seemed
as though lie hal been away a CEN
tury. His lead dropped, as a success
sion of homely incidents passed
through his quickened brain.
A village, with its white .spired
| .l>,,,,b ,cco fran, fI,a Dooro,. l,o nj