Willmar tribune., 1899-12-20
:XI.
THROUGH THE LINES.

THROUGH THE LINES.
Having obeyed the generals order, ]
set about persuading him to give mt
command of the expedition. I found
him more ready to do so than I had ex.
pccted, for the reason that he could
not help himself. was in the secret OF
Margaret's act to greater extent
than anyone else, and he did not wisE
to con1ide an expedition guided by he1
to any other officer. AS soon as he had
consented I fastened away to inform
Margaret, and then returned for my
instructions.
''Take with you," said the general
corporal Punk and four privateS, and
go through under cover of the night.
Keep a sharp lookout ahead. Let the
men do any fighting that cannot be
avoided, while you stay with Miss
Beach. Here is map covering the
territory through which you will pass.
I have had Walter put it together from
rough pencil drawings furnished by
union citizens. Whatever happens, hold
onto it, He paused moment, and then
added: 'You are very poorly equipped
by nature and experience for such
work. I have supplemented the quail
tiles you lack by giving you Corporal
PUNK, who possesses them all.''
Corporal PUNK! The blood rose tc
my cheeks at this want of confidence in
me. The time came when I thought
differently.
'When you return here-if you ever
do-you will find either me, some
one to represent me, or the enemy. II
the enemy is here, get your report at all
hazards directly to the commanding
general at Chattanooga" With that he
dismissed me.
AS soon as it was dark went out to
inspect the men was to take with me.
and found them waiting in the yard.
All were in uniform except Corporal
Punk, who wore the clothes in which
he had last secuted. The privates were
armed with carbines, pistols and sa.
bers; one was country boy with rosy
cheeks, another German, the third an
Irishman; the fourth had a chalky face,
thin, red eyebrows, closely-cropped
hair of the same hue, eyes more green
than any other color, and his face wore
perpetual grin.
''What are you laughing at?" I said.
in no mild tone. "Do you think we arr
going on a picnic?''
The fellows face gradually resumed
an ordinary expression, as the ripples
arising from disturbed water will slow.
ly subside.
"What's your name?"
"Enoch."
''Enoch what?'
"Enoch Mellodew."
"Give that man the mess-kit, said
"He will never do to fight; the rebs will
knock his teeth out while he is grin.
ming" And the pannier containing the
kit and provisions was slung over Pri.
vate Mellodew's horse.
1t was not a night favorable for our
journey, for the moon was more than
half full, and gave more light than we
desired. sent Corporal Punk to scout
ahead and warn us of the proximity OF
the enemy's cavalry. Margaret and l
rode together. Above us the constel-
lations were glittering, Orion rising in
the east; the Great Bear was swinging
around the pole; Mars, which, when the
war was opened, was at it's brightest,
was now waning and easily recognized
from it's red hue. Near by the noun.
tains stood out black and bold against
the bright heavens. Something moved
me to cast my eyes to the zenith-a fit
ting thought of the general, perhaps
and there blazed his favorite star Alpha
Lyra.
IF the general were here" I re-
marked to Margaret, ''he would be
looking upward all the WHILE"
''Why sop
"That star is a sort of presiding deity
with him. When he is on one of his
night rides he seems to be invoking it
continually"
I made this reference to the general
purposely, expecting that it would lead