Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-11-30

OuCe again lie 4OOAeu duU tHe40 wac
a heavy futter and movement among
the tall suufowers. They were tur-
keys-a big covey. Shaking with
excitement the boy picketed his horse
and crept on foot near the busy birds.
He was afraid they would hear his
heart thump and take fright, but still
he got nearer and nearer, with his
finger on the trigger, Then an old
wise gobbler got alarmed when Ned
was within thirty yards and the covey
started, half running, halt flying, in a
great state of excitement. Ned fired
almost blindly into the midst of them,
both barrels. He saw something and
ran to it. Turkey it was, a whopper,
and something was hopping away
among the sunfowers. Ned ran to
that and killed it with a blow of his
gun. Two He sat down and laughed
gleefully. Then he thoughtfully said;
Now, if only one could have been
a big mincepie, Loo would have been
happy"
Speedily he fastened bird on each
side of his saddle and mounted to 60
home. But that was easier said than
done. His father had been right when
he had warned him how easy it Is to
get lost on the PLAIN. After half an
hours riding, and recognizing none OF
the ground he had galloped over in
the morning, and after doubtfully
studying where his shadow had been.
and where it ought to be now, Ned,
with sinking heart, acknowledged
he didn't know where he was.
At last he reached a higher bluff
than any before, and from it he could
see a succession OF lower bluffs, and
then again high one behind. He sat
on his horse for some time and then
rode toward the other big bluff, and so
high it was he could see its sum-
nit even from the hollows, with the
other bluffs between. He rode along
slowly now, for his horse was not so
fresh, and was in one of the hollows,
when suddenly far in front OF him
there came to his ears strange sound
the long, ringing notes of a cavalry
bugle. Ned stood in his stirrupS to
stare about, plunged all at once into
a high state of excitement. But his
horse Never had that patient and
docile animal behaved in so extraor-
dinary way before. 1t pricked up
its ears and threw its head back, and
plunged. Again, across the plains,
sounded the blood-burning bugle, and
all at once over the further cliff came
running men and the sun shone on the
weapons in their hands The bugle
sounded yet gain,and one Of the men
waved a sword, and so clear was his
voice when he spoke the works that
Ned distinctly heard them:
Commence firing =
Then there was a noisy cracking Of
many carbines, and the men running
forward, stopped every now and then
to kneel and fire again. But Ned
knew little more; it was all he could
do to hold on to his horse, who, with
one prolonged neigh, had taken the
bit in his teeth, and was charging sp-
parently with the most joyous feelings
towards the enticing bugle. Up one
bluff and into the hollow, and up
another the unwilling boy was carried
directly toward those dangerous pufs
Of white smoke, the turkeys Topping
by his side, and at the top Of the next
bluff he nearly fell off his horse from
sheer fright Coming to meet him,
heller skelter, save who save can, came
a band of Indians in full retreat, with
bullets popping around them right
and left. They were as startled as
was Ned. His white face doubtless
led them to believe that a party Of
white men were cutting them off.
Without a shot they turned and fed
right and lett; utterly scsttered-save
one, a huge man with large war bon
net. He was apparently mad with
rage and came swopping down on
Ned. The instinct Of self-preserva-
ton, rather than reason, made the lad
put his gun to his shoulder and FIRE,
although no bullet, but mere buckshot,
were in his cartridges. Dimly the
boy saw something had happened and
heard the Indian scream with pain,
and again heard the commanding Of
fcer's voice hurrledly shout: Cease
firing"
His horse swept on, through the
lines Of amazed soldiers, and at last,
with every manifestation of delight
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