The National tribune., 1899-04-06

mindful of the presence of Sergeant Boh
Ramsey.
"Yes; excuse me. Corporal Elliott while
we are attending to the prisoners, you go on
ahead and reconnoiter. You need not stop,
unless you see fit, until you are clear into
the lodge. Give one low whistle if you
want us to stop, two to come ahead, and
three to 60 back"
1t was n moonless night, and the broom
like tops of the close-growing beeches made
dense darkness, into which Shorty plunged,
but he could readily make out a well-beaten
path, which he followed. Occasionally he
conld make out dark figures moving just
ahead of him, or crossing the path.
Coin to be q full attendance at the
services this evenin'," he muttered to him
self "But the more the merrier. 1t I'll
insure a goodly number at the mourner's
bench when we make the call for the uncOn-
vertedp
Big and numbering as Shorty sometimes
seemed in his careless hours, no wildcat
gliding through the brush was more noise
less-fOoted than he now. He kept on the
darker side of the path, but not a twig seemed
to crack, or n leaf rustic under his heavy
brogans. Twice he heard numbering steps
in his rear, and he slipped behind the big
trunk of tree, and saw the men pass almost
within arms length, but without a suspicion
of his presence.
"Well, for men workin' n dark-lantern
Job. this is about the lOgiest crowd / ever
struck" he said rather dsgustedly. "An
elephant'd have to step on 'em before they'd
know he was around. They amt hardly
good fun"
Presently he heard some rustling over to
his right, and caught the low murmur of a
voice He cautiously made his way in that
direction, until he made out an opening, with
number OF men sitting on log, while
others we're standing, leaning on their guns.
Probably q caucus outside, to set up the
pins before goin' into the full meetin'," he
said to himself. AS 1 always like to be
with the winnin' side, guess Pll jest jine
EN-"
He advanced boldly into the opening. At
the sound of his approach, the men looked
up, and one of those leaning Oh his gun
picked it up and came toward him.
"You are OUT Late, +" he whispered, when
within speaking distance.
"Yes" answered Shorty. And / was
out late last night"
"Did you see starr"
"I did"
"What star was it?"
at was the Star of Bethlehem"
The first speaker had seemed to start at
the sound of Shortys voice, but he recovered
himself, and saying, "You're right, my
brother" put out his hand for the grip.
"Taint right, neither" hissed Shorty.
ISL Klegg, what are you doin' here?"
"Shorty!" ejncplated Si, jOyfully, but
still in whisper. 81 thought l knowed
your voice. Where in the world did you
come from?"
"I'm here on business" answered Shorty.
/" 1 came up from Headquarters at Jefferson
Vile. What brung you here?"
"O," said 81, "we've bin hearin' about
this Copperhead lodge for some time, and
some of us boys who's home on fnrlough
thought that we'd come down here with the
Deputy Provo and bust it up. We've bin
plannin' il week or two. All these that
you see there are soldiers. I've Is, includn'
myself"
The boys hastily conferred together as to
the plan of operations aud one man was
hurried back to inform Lieut.. Bigelow of the
presence of the other squad
You seem to know most about this affair,
Shorty" said 81. "You take command, and
make arrangements"
:. Not for minute, ST." protested Shorty.
"You rank me and you mus!r command, and