Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-03-03

when the figure of man sped out of the
smoke and dashed against and then passed
me, Keeling from the blow and staggering
into the recess behind.
Slight as he was, the speed at which he
had been going nearly took me off my legs,
end had barely recovered my balance when
dozen armed soldiers ran by, shouting and
swearing, as though in chase. With the last
CT my stock of patience exhausted, turned
on the fellow who had run into me, and
found him at the end of the cul-de-sac, with
his back to the wall, and two blackened
fists held up as if to defend himself to the
last.
Conceiving that I had caught thief, a
ransacker of deserted houses, if not an in
cendiary, l clinched him by the collar to
drag him forth for delivery to his pursuers,
hut the fellow dealt me SO smart a blow in
the face that for second it caused me to see
lights.
l was in the mood to cuff him into insen-
sibility, and might have done SO had he not
spoken, or rather gasped:
Fore God, thought you redcoat, and
tried to vex you into killing me! Ifyou have
the heart of man, do not deliver me to them
egain!"
"Who are you% demanded, loosening my
hold and trying to get at his features through
the black that covered them, though Imade
out no more than that part of his face was
overgrown by a young beard we'll snged, the
rest being so grimed that he might have worn
mask and been no safer from recognition
"On your mercy, then" he answered; can
escaped prisoner"
From where?"
Tho den lies in the heart of the fire by
r Ay,I YN11t l., l.
of which showed pitifully against his burned
skin, he hesitated, and then broke out again:
What is it to you who or what am? If
you love justice or hope for it yourself, let
me go!"
Come, then, said 1, softened more by his
manner than his worlds, eve will roast here
in three minutes. Let us get into better air !"
80, taking him by the arm, led him into the
street, where the smoke was SO dense that
it became necessary to grope ones way.
Once we We're in danger Of sutfocation, but
the wind whired aloft the thick muck for
Sn instant, and gradually we worked to a
iairer spot, though still hard by the fire.
And here it was | noticed that the hair
of his head was burned off on one side, his
coat scorched to finder, and his brooches
banging in shreds.
But had no sooner brought him to where
we could take whole breath and see few
rods in advance than he held back, darling
his glances in every direction as though in
fear Of detection. Hat l not kept close
grip on him, he would have broken away and
fed, being more like frightened animal
than man.
Now, once for all" said /, with great
pity stirred by his miserable condition as
well as admiration by his gameness. ''what
are you-a criminal or prisoner of war;"
NAY, no criminal" he answered, looking
me fairly in the eye and drawing long
breath,
"What then? A prisoner of war-on es.
capped patriot?"
"You can be no tory to have used the word
patriot" he answered hastily, with sud.
den lifting of his head.
"You are right" ] returned quickly. "If
you are hunted aa rebel, you have found
friend and the same. We were each in
need"
"Then, for the love of God, let me go!
There will be price on my head! 1t is
death to hold me here! was to be hanged
IL q SOY, but the fla set Ms frsS."