The National tribune., 1898-07-21

/ want to take them back with me, and put
them into regiment"
That won't give much of honeymoon to
Mrs Bolster" grinned the Squire.
We'll, we've all got to make sacrifices for
the Cause" said the Major; "her honey
moon'll be the sweeter for being postponed.
I've had to postpone mine"
well, bring the men out" said the
Squire, pouring himself out another drink.
ST and Shorty had moved to the front door,
when Mrs. Bolster went out, and could hear
the whole conversation. They looked at one
another Their faces were whittier than they
had ever been on the field of battle
Stake the oath of allegiance to the South
ern Confederacy? Die right here a hundred
times" surged through both their hearts
81 pulled the bunches of firecraciIers from
his pocket. undid them before the children's
wondering eyes. He went through panto-
mime to tell them to take ccal from the
fire, run out back with them, and touch it to
the fuses.
take coal, run back, ard tech it to
them strings" said Shorty, forgetting HIM
self in his excitement It'll be the great
est fun YOU ever saw"
whats that y're sayin'?" said Mrs.
Bolster
g Jest talkin' to the children, f" said Shorty,
seeing with relief the children bolt out Of
the back door. He slipped his hand on
revolver, determined to kill the Squire, the
Major, and the other three men before he
would take a syllable of the oath.
''Come out here, men," said the Major
authoritatiyely. 81 slipped his hand into his
pocket, grasped his revolver, and walked
forward very slowly.
'SAhem, " said the Squire, with an official
cough. Raise yer right hands, and repeat
these words after me, givin' your own
names. "
The other rebels took off their hats.
The dogs raised elamor, which directed
all eyes to the road. Sol Simmons and the
rest could be seen coming on dead run.
hat does that mean?" said the Major
anxiously.
At the same instant there was series of
crashes behind the house; the freerackers
were going off like a volley Of rifle shots.
The Major whirled around TO see what that
meant, and looked into the muzzle of Shorty's
revolver.
Surrender, or I'll kill you," shouted
Shorty, desperately. "Don't stop mint.
Throw up your hands, tell you"
81 was making similar demand on Tug
gers, while the Squire was standing, open
mouthed, with the first word of the oath
apparently still on his tongue
The Major sprang at Shorty, whose bullet
cut his hair The next bullet caught the
officer in the shoulder, and he reeled and
went down. ST was not so fortunate with
Tuggers, who succeeded in graphing him.
Simmons dashed by and struck ST, in passing,
with his fist, which sent him to the ground,
with Tuggers on top.
The next minute the Squire who was the
only one who had any opportunity to look,
saw Yankees pop out of the brush, and jump
the fences in long, irregular line which i'm
mediately surrounded the house. Capt. Nc
Gillicuddy cut down Simmons with his
sword, and the rest incontinently sur
rendered
1--WE had got tired of waiting. and were
on the point of dashing in anyhow, when we
heard the firecrackers, said Capt. McGilli-
cuddy, after the prisoners had been scared
and things quieted down. THAT fellow
that L cut down was out there with a squad
and caught sight of US, and started back this
way, and | concluded to follow him up and
jump the house Neither of you hurt, are
you?"
Not hurt mite, :" answered Shorty cheer
fully, but it's the closest squeak / ever had.
Wouldn't go through it agin for pile o.
greenbacks big as a cornshock. Say, Cap,
you've made a ten-strike to-day that ought
to make you Major. That houses plum
full o. contraband, and there's lot of I'M
portant letters there. But, say, Cap, want
you to either kill that Squire, or git him as
fur away as possible. / amt safe minnit
as long as him and that woman S a-nigh me-"
ITO be conttnuedl