Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-10-25

me poat nodded, as 1t rode the wave
lets, as If to say: "Good-by. I'll take
your message" Just then the boom
ing, which had ceased, recommended.
"A parting salute" I remarked. "Let
us be getting on"
Rounding the base of the hill, We
soon found ourselves in the road-the
road we had come over few days be-
fore. Being now in valley extending
in the direction OF the plantation, the
booming was more distinct.
"Tm afraid those are rebel guns,"
I said. IF 30, our men are hard
pressed"
81 thought the general had some cap
tured guns" said Margaret.
$50 he has; but there are only two
of them, and they're nothing but Ut
tie barkers."
We trudged on, and at last reached
the base of hill which alone sep
arated us from the plantation. Acreek
crossed the road, from whose waters
we took refreshing drink, then sat
down on the bank for brief rest.
Our drink, our rest, the thought that
we were near safety, were indeed CRATE
full, and we sat silently rejoicing. A
breeze came lazily from the eastward,
rustling the few withered leaves re-
naming on the trees. 1t bore the faint-
est sound possible for the human ear
to detect, yet we both turned white
as cloth.
"Great Godl They are after US with
dogs"
We both sprang to our feet. Come
I exclaimed, and started across the
creek to take the road leading up the
hill.
"where are you going9" asked Mar
garet.
ITO the crest of the hill"
1--WE can't go that way; we would
strike the confederates. We must take
to the creek to evade the dogs"
Dashing into the stream, walking in
shallow water, we had not gone fal
when the baying of hounds behind ui
had grown SO much nearer that we
stopped and looked at each other ir
dismay.
"Leave me-" said Margaret, sand"
"Save MYSELF No, no; set your witt
to work, Margaret. Find ruse te
thwart them"
"There's our chance" she exclaimed
A hundred yards ahead tree had
fallen. its branches lying in the creek
its base resting on its stump some 81
feet from the margin.
"You're right" cried, delighted;
"we'n break the scent"
Il On coming to the tree, we climbed
into Its branches and worked our way
along, risking fall every minute-fol
whenever we heard the dogs we moved
recklessly-and reaching the trunk
walked on it till we came to its base.
"Can't we go farther without touch
ing ground?" asked Margaret.
least hasty glance upward, grasped
branch above me, vaulted upon it
pulled Margaret after me, and in few
moments we were shining like SOUR.
rels along limb on the other side. Al
we crawled outward it began to bend.
"Stop," said Margaret.
what now?"
|
US and jump from it to the one on the
next tree, you might loosen that ole
vine, and throw it over this way SO that
can go down it to the other tree my
self. We would gain at least so fee,
more"
But, my Godi hear the dogs"
stood up, but could not reach the
| To-
were on till was enabled to grasp the
one wanted. Once on it, crawled to
wards its outward end. was now A
feet from the ground; if should mis-.
my grip on the limb 1 intended to JUMP
for, the, race would be ended.
Looked, hesitated, looked again
drew back, then gathered all my nerv,
and my strength, and jumped.
The next thing knew was lying OF
my stomach on limb below the one
had jumped fort had broken my fol
with the breath knocked out Of me
AS soon as could recover scrambled
to the trunk where grew the vine wa,
after, and began to tug at It with al
my strength, but could not separate 1
1 Ks
dogs were nearly on US.
There isn't time" said Margaret
leave me and go on"
Nothing will make man SO irritable
at such time as to receive sugges
ton. was driven to that temper which
alone enabled me to do my duty prop
erly in fight.
"I'l be damned If 1 do"
jerked the vine clean loose, though
I came near losing my balance at tn,
same time, and swung it toward Mar
!, garet. Lashing it to branch with he
handkerchief, she slid down it and
caught her in my arms. Then crawling
out on q branch that would give us full,
Is feet more distance, we dropped t,
the ground and dashed to clump O
bushes few rods away.
The pursuing party were soon on us
the dogs barking, the men disputing
We could see and hear them distinctly
they were citizens who, owning hounds
had been sent to track US.
II Mart" heard one Of them say, I'll
bet my hide they have left the creek b,
that tree across the creek thar"
"We'u take the dogs to the stump ant
see."
With that they made for the stump
the dogs frisking and barking; butnon,
of them came near enough to catch tn,
scent.
They've gone on up the creek" sale
one.
Reckon" said another.
Il "We're losin' time" said third.
| One old dog that had doubtless ha<
great experience in tracking runawa,
slaves had reached the point where W,
would have struck the ground had W,
dropped from the first tree we entered.
Come, Tige," said one of the men.
Il But Tige knew more than his master
he kept on with his nose to the proun6