Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-28

nCL 9NU ukfOn u.s. NC od4l. axe /
TO the rear, and the woods when you
can, while we give 'em brush for
time" He drew up his men in the road,
while Margaret and 1. putting spurs |
to our horses, darted 70 the rear like |
the wind. There was no need 70 or |
der Mellodew TO follow. for his chat |
tering teeth and his grin were sure
signs of fright. Remembering a by
road a short distance back running to
a dense wood, determined to take il.
A few minutes run brought us to 1T,
and. turning. we found concealment.
In another moment we heard firing in
the road.
And here at the very outset proved
the grounds OF the generals want OF
confidence in me by disobeyiDg his in
structions 20 let the others do the fight
ing and stick to Margaret. Leaving her
with Mellodew. who was still shivering
and grinntng like an ape in midwioter,
ganoped back to take a hand in the
fight Scarcely had / entered the main
road when heard Gathering Of hoofs
ahead and saw PUNK and his men COM
ing full tilt before troop of rebel cav
airy. The situation brought me to my
senses Turning, rejoined Margaret.
1 found her alone.
where's MellodewP''
''Gone. There he is now"
AS she spoke, Mellodew emerged
from a thicket and tore through an
open space not far distant. A second
time lost my head, thinking only of
getting my hands on the cowardly
sneak. and, leaving Margaret, spurred
after him, though this time my action
was not altogether unwise, for MeIlo-
dew had our mess kit and blankets.
caught him hating on ditch over
which he dared not jump, and, seizing
his bride rein, dragged him back to
Margaret.
PUNK, who was better mounted than
his men, led the flight, and, recognizing
an opportunity to insure our safety,
drew the confederates past the point
of our depression. Farther on he man.
| aged to elude them, and soon after re-
| joined us. have never seen nor heard
of any other of the men from that day
to this.
A relief from immediate danger
brought renewal of my anger at Mel
lodew. 'You sneak" "a cuff, you cow
ard" "a cuff), ''you chalk-faced, grin
ming, chatteriDg idiot, I'll teach you 10
desert us at the approach of danger.
Turn over the kit and go back to camp
and I'll attend to you when return"
mo, lieutenant" protested PUNK
who rode up at the moment; don't re-
ward him for desertion; leave him &c
me; I'll watch him. He's only a beast
of burden, and you can't expect dumb
brute to take care of himself in a fight
For once Mellodew did not grin; he
cast malignant glance at me. such a:
dog might cast at the master who hac
whipped him.
'All right. corporal; take him under
your wing. But what shall we do
We've lost our escort"
"And better off, lieutenant, than We
were before. We're in a country swarm
in with the enemy, and no escort is bet
ter than a small one We've got II
slSull."
True. Lead on, and when you reacl
farmhouse, go in. feel your way witt
/ the inmates. and If you find you cal
trust them, get me some 'butternuts
! and some clothes for the pack mule Mel
/ lodew."
''AH right I'll try that cabin yon
r der"
When we arrived there. Margaret an
I took position in an orchard Will
t PUNK went ahead to reconnoiter. II
: was gone but n little while, and when h
/ returned he told me to go with him t
= the house.
! Are they union?" asked.
2 Not much"
5 "Adixed?"
r mot mixed, neither" so
I "Whatl Rebel?"
e ''Rebel, hot"
!. "How the devil do you expect me I
: so among rebels in this tog?"
: Il fixed up lie on 'em, lieutenant
( and my experience is, if you're goil
e to lie at all, the bigger one you tell III
a better chance you have of bein' b.
e lieved. l told 'em we were confes
d crate prisoners escapin'; that I la
got cts clothes and you and Me
e lodew had stolen Yankee uniforms {
r the best you could do under the CT
l. cumstances, and now you want I
!. change off to a country farmer"
Y. The splendor of this falsehood accon
w plished its purpose Mellodew and
a exchanged our uniforms for citizen
,e clothes, and, after breakfasting wit
n the family who furnished them, we pr
:, ceeded on our journey.
ct We were now on the outskirts
he Charleston. The railroad ran throug
lie the town, crossed the Hiwassee by
ST bridge, and through the little TOW
Calhoun on the opposite bank. II
ID prospect OF going through these tv
r towns or over railroad bridge w
[; net inviting. We therefore bore to t
IN | right, crossed the river above by a
n propriating a slciff we found tied
We the bank, and half mile farther
We struck road which led us to hill sc
ne arating us from the point we sougl
y Once on the crest, there before us W
a spread out the valley OF the Tenness'
lie while directly beneath was the IA
w road. Passing into a ravine, MargaE