Willmar tribune., 1899-12-27


to perform. I was especially anxious
to keep awake. But was young, and
the young need plenty of sleep. With
out great care I would drop away in
spite of myself. So walked and swung
my arms and occasionally ran few
yards till felt tired, then sat down on
the ground and fell to thinking of the
probable uselessness of our expedition.
1--WE have had our fighting and our
watching and our marching all for moth
ing" I muttered to myself. I was get
ting drowsy. "We have had our light
ing"-the tree tops kept rustling-"and
our watching''-a thin cloud sailed
lazily over the moon-t'and our march
ing" This was the last word; slum.
ber came before I could repeat an.
other.
I dreamed that I was up in tree,
clinging to branches tossed by the wind.
l held on till sudden gust loosened
my grip, and I was about to fall,
when
A hand grasped my shoulder. Open
ing my eyes, blinded by the rising sun,
[ looked up. There, directly over me,
were the stern face and steel-gray eyes
of the general.
"Do you know the penalty of sleeping
| on post?''
Twas too dazed to reply, but sat star
ing at him, wondering if he had not
come up through the bowels of the
earth.
II will tell you," he added. "It is
DEATH"
I made an effort to rise, but his grip
was on my shoulder and held me down.
Where is your guide?''
I'm the cave, general"
care you sure?''
It'll stake my life on it,
He took his hand away and stalked
to the cavern. while I rose as quickly
as my joints, sti1fened by cold, would
permit, and followed him, entering d.
rectly behind him.
Great heaven! Margaret was not
there.
''Fool!" he muttered, contemptu-
ously.
II left her here" exclaimed. my
God! where could she have gomez"
"Gone? 10 betray you"
started to give him the lie, but his
glance and movement of his hand to
his sword-hilt told me what the mu-
tinous word would cost me, and re-
Trained.
"Where did you come from, general?''
"From the plantation"
''What for?''
"What for? Am to explain my acts
to my subordinates? Well, under the
circumstances will. To gain knowl-
edge of the route over which you would
pass, with view to seeing if it would
be practicable to bring the men to
Charleston. If we have the luck to
catch the ene1ny's advance trains north
and his rear trains south of the Hiwas-
see. we may make a dash and burn
the bridge, cutting his force in two.
But I have been disappointed in my
hold on your guide. You have kept the
secret of the object Of your expedition,
of course?"
1 hung my head without reply. The
general turned from me with an impa-
tient contemptuous exclamation.
"P1unk!" I called.
A bundle of blankets on the ground
near by began to stir, and from them
emerged the corporal. looked fer
surprise when he saw the general, but
he repressed any expression Of it, and,
rising, came towards us.
"Where's Miss Beach?'' g..
Don't know. It's been your watch,
lieutenant ~ o.. ~ III !
G"Mellodew!" - a. j..
!, Our hostler came from the improvised
stable. lg -
where's Miss Beach?" @'z =... s.. !.
{ ''She took her horse before daylight
and rode away" .- + q >>.s. s.-=. / |
"shut of that grin, = commanded the
general. 3: A g. IS &. s*s
Mellodew's features receded slowly,
as usual, to an ordinary condition. LII
Lieutenant, " said the general to me,
II told you you were not fitted for this
work, but I did not suppose you
were - 5s5
ITO Bn CONTINUED.