Willmar tribune., 1899-12-27
CHAPTER XI.-CONT1NUED.

CHAPTER XI.-CONT1NUED.
We kept still till they were out of
hearing, then took to the road again.
AS the pale face of Private Mello-
dew emerged from shadow to moon
light noticed that he was grinning.
"What'a the matter with you?" I
asked, sharply.
He made no reply, his grin subsid
ing as if his lips worked automatically
by some mechanical contrivance.
consulted with Punk as to the pro-
priety of sending the man back, but
Punk agreed with me that we must
have one man to carry the mess-kit,
and / determined to keep Mellodew for
the purpose.
was fully impressed with the cor
porars value as skirmisher, and sent
him once more to the front. We rode
we came to a rise in the road which re-
vealed by the moons light to the north
the valley of the Tennessee, and to the
east the Hiwassee, the two rivers
joining their peaceful waters not far
from where we looked. Who would
imagine so peaceful scene to be the
theater of war? Where was the smoke,
the red breath of artillery, the fash
ing of sabers, the roar of battle? In
stead, here and there was crest of
mist hanging on mountain-top, the
scarlet yellow leaves of autumn,
sparkle of flowing water, while the
only sound was that of some belated
bird calling to it's mate.
We passed on down the hill into the
valley, every moment getting nearer ter
ritory that might hold bodies of the en-
cmy's cavalry patrolling the railroad.
1t was necessary to proceed cautiously.
l directed two of the men to ride few
PAGES in advance, the one to keep a
sharp lookout on the right flank, the
other on our left. Riding in this open
order, Punk as advance skirmisher,
next the two onlookers, then Margaret
and myself followed by Mellodew, the
remaining man hundred PAGES to the
rear, we were well protected against
surprise.
Reaching a country road marked
only by wagon-tracks in the turf, Mar
garet directed that we turn into it;
having done SO, we found ourselves in
a dense thicket. Following this en-
bryo road, well screened by woods, we
soon reached Doughty's ford, where we
crossed the Tennessee, and, skirting the
base of a hill, diverged into another by
road to Brentwood. There was not
light in the town, and as we rode
through the sleeping inha habitants knew
no more of our passage than if we had
been troop of phantoms. Then it was
up and down hill, over creek beds,
through rayines, till about three o'clock
in the morning, when we struck the
railroad. To reach our destination we
must cross it. We held consultation,
and under Margaret's guidance moved
short distance to a point midway be-
tween two stations and protected on
either side by woods. I sent PUNK
ahead to make sure that all was clear,
directing one of our men to take posi-
ton few hundred yards up the road,
another the same distance below. When
sure the road was clear Punk was to
give whippoorwill's call as signal.
Suddenly we heard the tramp of
horses hCofs, aud a squadron of con-
federate cavalry rode between us and
the railroad, following the track north
ward. Fortunately we were in thick
woods. and they passed without dis
covering us. Then came the melancholy
sound of whippoorwill, and we crossed
the rails. Once on the other side we
were joined by PUNK, who drew in
the fankers, and we proceeded as be-
fore.
There was now a faint light in the
east, and, having still a dozen miles
to go, besides crossing the Hiwassee,
which flows between two little towns,
Charleston and Calhoun, we fastened
our pace. We had not gone far before
Plunk came riding back at full speed.
'They are upon u.s. he said. take
to the rear. and the woods when you
can, while we give 'em a brush for
time" He drew up his men in the road,
while Margaret and I, putting spurs
to our horses, darted to the rear like
the wind. There was no need to or
der Meliodew to follow, for his chat
tering teeth and his grin were sure
signs of fright. Remembering BY
road a short distance back running into
dense wood, determined to take it.
A few minutes run brought us to it,
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 disobeying his in
structions to let the others do the fight
ing and stick to Margaret. Leaving her
with Mellodew, who was still shivering
and grinning like an ape in midwinter,
/ galloped back to take 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, 7 rejoined Margaret.
I found her alone.
"Where's Mellodew?" .s,
"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 I lost my head, thinking only of
getting my hands on the cowardly
y