Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-17
NUMBER AZ.

man who leaped out from the edge OF
the wood directly in front Of her and,
with his gun held at dead level called
"No use, Yanki Haul down the
star spangled banner quicker'n light.
ming or up to glory you goi"
The lieutenant had no carbine, and
his sword WIS useless. There was nc
passing that grim figure in slopch hat
and tattered gray uniform who ''had
the drop" on him. IL any one man ever
held another at such disadvantage.
II surrender. Johnny. You've got IL
in for me this time ="
II reckon so. It's squar' deal No
aces up your sleever persisted the
Confederate who was not quite free Of
suspicion and held his gun in q threat
ening position.
"Yes; it's all in the open. I'm your
prisoner.
That's powerful fine piece of
aorsefesh you've got there, Yank.
Reckon she was stole from some south
erner.
"No; she was sent 10 me by friend
who bought her in the blue grass
region in Kentucky She cost 81, 900 in
good honest money"
(Which is 10 say the coin Of the same
was Confederate paper.
Had il been. the cost would have
been about a million and a half "
The Confederate's face was covered
with immense whiskers. which conceal
ed everything below his nose and tenn
piles. but he now displayed yawning
cavern through the mass like the rent
beyond the wooded hedge. and his mass
i've shoulders shook with mirth. He
could take as well as give in the matter
Of chatting.
Reckon you amt fur ont the way,
Yank, bui You can't say stole tho
eritter from you. cause she's captured
in war. p"
"Much as | regret to do 50, must
admit that your position is logical"
Tim and me will have 10 take turns
In riding. fur we both lost our mounts
in the scrimmage with you folks yester-
day. Great thunder, / didn't s'pect
that
The Confederate had lowered his gun
and, stepping forward, placed his hand
on the birdie rein Of Fanny, who was
painting from her exertion, but was
gentle, as IL she understood that she,
too, had surrendered. As the man adj
vanced he looked toward the Union Off
Ger and saw that the sleeve Of his right
arm was crimsoned and that number
Of scarlet drops showed on the knee OF
his blue trousers.
Instantly the whole interest Of the
captor WAS transferred 10 the wounded
prisoner.
"Climb down and let me have n look
at that, pardner. Give me hold Of
t'other hand. "
~ really don't think il amounts 20
much" replied the lieutenant, who
nevertheless accepted the profered help.
As he dropped on his feet he was near
ly overcome with dizziness. but master
ed himself before his enemy and friend
observed the proof Of weakness.
Meanwhile two other persons arrived
on the spot One was Tim Masters, the
comrade Of Jim Ackers, who had cap
tured Lieutenant Oakman, and the
other was the negro Lad Rastus, who
in his great haste TO reach the scene
had fallen several times He gaped. ST.
lent and open mouthed, at the three
men.
I'VE must have a look at that,
Yank," said Tim, the new arrival,
"and being it was my bullet that pink
ed you I'll take charge"
Oakman reached ont his arm, and
with his huge knife Tim had drawn
from somewhere he deity slsshed the
sleeve from elboT to wrist, allowing
the stained cloth TO flap down, like the
fragment Of torn sail The shirt sleeve
was quickly ripped and the hurt ex-
posed.
The bullet had plowed through the
fieshy part Of the forearm, entering
near the elbow and passing out at the
wrist. The peculiar numbness indicst-
ed that a bone had been touched,
though Oakman did not think il was
broken
"A pretty fair shot, observed Mas
ters, after a rude bandage had been APP
piled, seeing that's just what aimed
to do. You see, had my eye on that
piece Of horsehesh and didn't want 10
hurt her As for you, he added, witha
curious twinkle Of his eyes, Il thought
you was too good looking Yank 70
send to kingdom come, though I've
done something in that line during my
time SO thought I'd just knock out
your bride hand. "
"You did it, calmly replied the pris-
oner.
Hope you amt feeling powerful
bad, Yank. "
''No IL might have been a good deal
worse, and | thank you for being 80
careful of my life.
1T hain't always been that way.
Whew. bat amt she beauty"
All the interest Of Tim Masters went
like fash to the mare, whose pretty
eyes wandered from one man to anoth-
er, as if she could not quite understand
what IL all signified.
Suddenly Jim Ackers extended his
broad hand and closed the outstretched
fingers on the back Of Rastus, just be-
tween the shoulders. AS he did so, he
lifted him high in air. and. assuming an
awful frown, said in his fiercest tones:
Run right to the house and tell the
folks to get ready to receive wounded
Yank. II they want to know his name,
say he's General Sherman or Kilpat-
rick. you don't know which. Tell 'em,
too. that he'll be there powerful soon.
Do you hear mer'
Inasmuch as the terrified Rastus
would have heard the words If half
mile away, the question was really un-
called for The urchin replied in the
affirmative, and, his dangling legs find
ing support on solid earth, he broke in
to the most rapid run Of which he was
capable, straight foY the mansion Of
General Arthur Eldridge.
fro BE CONTINUED.