Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-18

with the same cold emphasis he had
used when addressing her as Miss
Beach.
Are you content to remain a per-
jurer?"
"For my acts am accountable to no
human being"
There was short silence, during
which the two regarded each other
intently. In the generals face could
see nothing but condemnation, while
l fancied saw quick glance of re-
proach in Margaret's dark eyes. like the
flash of gun at night.
From this moment" the general said,
your fate is in other hands than mine.
You will be tried by court-martial, and
must expect the only sentence ever
pronounced on one engaged in secret
service"
led Margaret back to the house,
where an order soon followed to place
/ her in close confinement.
There's going to be the devil to pay"
said Walter, half an hour later. 1.-THE
| general has got one Of his fits on"
| Even the men seemed to know that
something was in the wind. Old salts"
Of the seq could not more certainly
predict foul weather in the sky than
the troops could see hard fighting i'll
the generals face. About dark we got
the first flash of the coming storm.
| The general called me to him and or
dered me to ride to the headquarters of
| the different commands, directing each
commanding officer to send two of his
best men, especially fitted for scouting
service, TO report in person at head
| quarters. gave the order, and the men
reported as directed. The general sent
them out by twos, apportioning the
neighboring territory among them,
with view to discovering the posi-
tons occupied by the different bodies
| of the enemy. After they had left, he
directed me to bring Corporal PUNK,
his favorite scout, a long lean Indianian,
whose principal occupation during the
days when the prairies of his native
state were being opened by the plow
was shaking with ague. He had his
own way of doing everything, and
could no more be induced to follow a
plan laid out for him than mountain
horse could be guided by its rider over
a rocky trail. lie sometimes secuted
in uniform, but was quite as likely to
/ go out in the garb of a citizen. 1t was
not long before had him standing be-
fore the general, not at attention, for
such position was not possible with
him, but lettering awkwardly till the
general, who was intent upon map
spread out before him, should notice
him.
Corporal" said the general, sud-
denly, you must bring me the en-
| emy's position, and that before mid
night. This is the most important
service on which have ever sent you.
| Take the best horse in the command
and CO."
Having dispatched his scouts, the
general lay down on his cot, signal
for us all that we might turn to rest or
amusement.
Walter and l, instead of preparing
for what was to come, as we should
have done, spent the time in game of
slinplasters. 1nveterate gamester as
/ was, on this occasion l tried to beg
off, for my heart and mind were full
of Margaret Beach. But Walter sus-
| pected the cause of my unwillingness
| to play, and, not wishing him to see
any fusther than necessary into the
state of my mind, yielded. Once well
| started in the game, forgot Margaret,
the approaching operations, every
| thing but the cards, and at IL O'Clock,
K xr,l,,, %ho cnoutS haoop RI como In, and
| the general needed me, he had to call
| twice before heard him.
The reports were conflicting and of
] little value. Most of the men had gath
! cred their information from citizens,
who either did not have any informa-
| tis,n to give or purposely misled them.
| About one o'clock PUNK came in, slow
ly ,ambling on his nag, bearing all the
information required.
"TBout three mile above where the
Tennessee runs into the Hiwassee on
the west bank, ran afoul of rebel
camp. / counted animals and made
out purity nigh onto six hundred.
Right opposite, across the river, were
some more, and ! judged by their
camp fires purity nigh as many"
"That all?"
"All could find.''
"What guard across the Hiwassee?"
"One company with two small can
nt,n."
s"Good." And the corporal was dis
mis- sed.
Tie general called his officers to his
tent, and, spreading map on pine
table, lighted by tallow dip, informed
them of his plans.
1 Here, gentlemen" he said, point
! ing to the position of the confederates,
-'are two bodies of the enemy. You see
here, just above the junction Of the
two rivers, bridge crossing the Ten
( nessee. 1t is still held by small rebel
| force with two guns. The two forces
/ will meet at the bridge, and, moving
| in separate columns by these two
roads leading to our position here
"G-g-geperal," interrupted Snaffie
--you talk as if you were in command
| sps the rebels instead Of US. How do yor