The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-12-15
copyright, 1893, by j. p LlpPineOt Col

garet directed that VIC turn into ii;
having done so, we found ourselves in
dense thicSet. Following this en-
bryo road, we'll screened by woods, we
soon reached Doughty's ford, where we
crossed the Tennessee, and, sl<irting the
base of hill, diverged into another by
road to Dirchwood. There was not
light in the town, and as we rode
through the sleeping inhabitants knew
no more of our passage than if we had
been troop of phantoms. Then ii was
up and down hill, over creek beds,
through ravines, till about three o'clock
N the morning, when we struck the
railroad. To reach our destination we
must cross it. We held a consultation,
and under Margaret's guidance moved
short distance to point midway be.
tween two stations and protected on
either side by woods. / 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 Vas to
give a whippoorwill's call as a signal.
Suddenly we heard the tramp of
horses hoofs, and 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 flankers, and we proceeded as be.
fore.
There was now 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
10 the rear, and the woods when you
ian, while we give 'em n brush for
time" lie drew up his men in the road,
while Margaret and !, putting spurs
to- Jour horses, darted to the rear like
the wind. There was no need to or
der Mellodew to follow, for his chat
tering teeth and his grin we're sure
signs of fright. Remembering a by
road a short distance back running into
a dense wood, | determined TO take il.
A few minutes run brought us to 1t,
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,
l galloped back to take a 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, ] rejoined Margaret.
l found her alone.
"Where's Mcllodew?"
"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 l lost my head, thinking only of
getting my hands on the cowardly
sneak. and. leaving Mar9aret / spurred
after him, though this time my action
was not altogether unwise. for Mello-
dew had our mess kit and blankets. |
caught him hating on ditch over
which he dared not jump, and, selling
his bride rein, dragged him back to
Margaret.
PUNK, who was better mounted than
his men, led the fight, and, recognizing
an opportunity to insure our safety,
drew the confederates past the point
of our DEPRESSION. Farther on he man
aged to elude them, and soon after re-
joined us. l have never seen nor heard
of any other of the men from that day
to this.
relief from immediate danger
brought a renewal of my anger at Mel
lodew. You sneak" Ga cuff, "you cow
ard" "a cuff, you chalk-faced, grin
ming, chattering idiot, I'll teach you to
desert us at the approach of danger.
Turn over the kit and go back to camp,
and I'll attend to you when return"
No' iSutcHulll, protested FUNK,
who rode up at the moment; don't re-
ward him for desertion; leave him to
me; I'll watch him. He's only beast
of burden, and you can't expect n dumb
brute to take care of himself in a fight"
For once Mellodew did not grin; he
cast malignant glance at me, such as
a dog might cast at the master who had
whipped him.
"All right, corporal; take him under
your wing. But what shall we do?
We've lost our escort"
And better off, lieutenant, than we
were before, We're in a country swarm
in with the enemy, and no escort is bet
ter than n small one. We've got TO
slIullS."
True. Lead on, and when you reach
a farmhouse, go in, feel your way with
the inmates, and If you find you can
trust them, get me some 'butternuts,'
and Soma eliot hos for fba mall r,,t,I la Nil