The National tribune., 1898-01-20

going on determined to see Miss Josie that
friendly log was large enough to completely
conceal me from their view.
Being mounted en- good horses, the rebels
applied their spurs freely and soon out
stripped their puIsuers, who gave up the
chase and returned 10 the house.
1t was now getting dusk. and, although
much disappointed at not getting to see Miss
Josie. | decided to defer my visit to time
when she did not have SO much company.
As soon as it was dark enough to leave with
out being discovered / crept away as softly
as possible.
Once in the woods, | felt safe again, leis-
urely pursuing my way back 10 my brothers,
where | arrived about 10 O'Clock.
When / left they were still III and about
the house, seemingly well contented after the
excitement of the chase had subsided, and
with apparently no thought OF ever going
back 10 camps 1t has ever ben a mystery
Ia me why ! attracted no more attention, for
they could certainly have seen me many
times. being within 10 10 80 yards Of them
. ,nlc,i .ing near AN hour.
] can account for il in no way except that
! had my old army blanket thrown over my
shoulders which WIS partially covered
WIKI SHOW. ard they rr1!H!,.y thought ! was
one 81 their own men siIolling about the
place.
After this little adventure. for several days
we were undisturbed by raiding parties, and
i'm lact we could hear nothing from camps
Tie bad weather had broken up. AMI it
seemed rs If Spring had sci IN. all Of which
kindled a hope in me THAI Gen. Wilson had
stTuck camps and startled out on a campaign.
My brother advised ne To he patient. and
wait till we were sure they were gone before
attempting To 30 home. but j was so eager TO
be at home again, that ] determined to 20. at
least until could learn the truth, and if they
were still there could only return, provided
they didn't catch me.
Accordingly, about the last of February.
deserted my old haunls which fondly hoped
never 10 see again, and selecting the most
private route through the woods. stunning
all roads and public places, had Travelled eight
miles without meeting friend or Toe.
Passing in rear OF Mr.. Bradford farm the
place where Lieut.. Davidson and party had
such thrilling experience with the guer-
rlIiasi, | saw the old gentleman III the iield
picking cotton. This WAS good opp rtunity
10 learn what ] had undertaken to find out
Going into the field | inquired OF him what
lad become OF tie Yankees! lie seemed
very much surprised al seeing me tLefc, and
even more 30 at tie question asked.
Way bless your soul, son. they are here
almost every hour in the day, and you'd
better be making tracks as fast az your legs
will let you"
lie completely dispeled ali hopes of seeing
Eome tat day, and urged ne 10 20 back 10
the woods, but 1 continued helping him
pick cotton and cleaning all the information
1 could about the Yankees, and about the
family at home Tor inc visited tue camps often
ANA told me many things that had happened
since ! was there
1 began 10 feel that the old genleman's
fears were exaggerated, and that the Yankees
We're not as plentiful as he imagined, when
our =" cotton picking" was suddenly inter
rupted 10y the rush OF a company Of cavalry
up to the house, which was only q short dis
lance from Us. behind a small hill that con-
ce.,led us from their view
Now, didn't / tell YOU so? Get out o.
here quick. F" lie hustled me out of the field
IN short order, and did not need much per
sua>ion, either Walking about 30 yaids INTO
the timber. and spreading my blanket on the
ground, / lay down thinking they would not
be likely To come Nh { way But had not
: been there more than 10 minutes, when
heard VOICES 10 my right, and slightly turning
my head, saw four Yankees coming straight
toward me.
had been III many close places in the past
two months, but luck or some other unseen
power had been with me- But now ! could
see no possible way of escape. There WAS no
undergron th To hide me- nothing bat large
timber, and scattering ut that. They were
90 near me 10 run, besides if | ran they
would shoot me ior a guerrilla.