The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-04-04

iony us 10 the lnucntlOns or the people uii
whose dop,ains they were trespassing.
Several villagers stepped boldly out in
front of>thc barricade and opened fire
with rifles and long barreled ducking
guns. The first bullet cut q cash in the
plump check of Trumpeter Ned, and
the healthy young fellow started in to
bleed like q stuck Dig.
STEADY, men! Haltw cried the ma
Jor commanding, with tears Of anguish,
pouring down his cheeks, although his
voice was like a rock.
The troopers reincd In their chargers.
Several bullets came pinging through
the air, but luckily the distance was
too great for accurate aim, and all the
missiles after the first chance shot went
wide or fell short of the mark
Il want to acknowledge to you tina.
It's all my fault getting you into this
mess" beloved the major wildly, "but
| for the honor Of the service, we must
take the medicine together. Right
| about face! Slow and easy! That's it,
| Retire ut walk-'
| AS If on parade, the Light dragons
had pivoted their chargers In the mar
row roadway, and they fell back at the
slowcst pace possible to their tightly
reined steeds. AS soon as they were
again In the shelter Of the woods the
column halted. The surgeon lieuten-
ant proceeded to bind up the trivial
wound of the elatcd young field musi-
clan. The major commanding swore
roundly and In the intervals held forth
to his assembled officers.
| ~ can't understand such hostile re-
ceDtion," lie ratified away Indignantly
"Our nations are not at war, nor is
there any danger Of such catastrophe
| just now, SO far as 1 know. It's bad
enough to Pe liable to civil arrest here
and disciplining at home, without run
ming the risk Of being shot down on
sight. I don't think there can be any
more miserable feeling than this Of be-
ing under fire without hope OF retalia-
ton. Those fellows"--
"If you will pardon me, SIR" iuter-
rupted the senior captain. II would
point out that something must be done,
and that very quickly. We have this
forest fire drawing up rapidly on our
rear and these armed villagers In front.
Retreat by either flank I take to be out
Of the question, considering the trouble
we've already had in navigating
through the woods"
"Just SO" put in the major command
ing, his face slightly flushing as he
spoke. eve will send flag Of truce
| forward Have 1t made ready"
But something white that might
serve for the signal Of peace was hard
to find among that flannel shirted
squadron. The lint rolls Of the sur
geon lieutenant were the nearest thing
to the color wanted, but they were a
trifle too gray for the purpose. The
major solved the problem by dismount-
ing, unbuckling his sword and revolver
belts and handing them and their Mt
tached weapons to an orderly. In spite
| Of the protests OF his confreres. he
started to trudge along the road lead
! ing into the village.
'Tve got you here, and I'm the one
| to get you out" he announced sue
cinctly, If not grammatically. "They
won't shoot lone and unarmed man,
even If he has no white flag. You
know that as well as do. But, Of
, course, it is my duty to make provision
! even ec= the unexpected. II anything
should happen to me-" he went on,
pausing a moment to turn and directly
addreas tho senior captain, you viii
be in command. Surrender freely to
the opposing forces and lay all the
blame upon my amateur pilotage."
And he went ON his way.
"Begorra! II anything does happen
to the major. don't intend to give my
master sergeant, resting carbino on the
| No v,ec
! to I'LL the magazine from his cartridge
belt.
A dozen or more Of the men at once
i followed his rash example. The off,
GERS were too intent upon the receding
figure Of their self appointed emissary
to notice or check them.
| The major strode along unharmed,
although not unnoticed, as several gun
barrels cleaning from behind piles of
cordwood and other vantage points at
tested, until he was within 20 or 80
PAGES Of the wagon barricade. Then
! s:sG11J yUung farmer came forward
{, and cried:
"How'dy. stranger? What might be
| your buginessr
Although the major was putting for
breath by reason Of combined excite
ment and walking exerton, he endeav-
ored to shout an explanation Of mat
ters, but was interrupted by the other,
who "calated he'd best see Pop
Smith" The officer was accordingly
ushered In behind the barricade aud
brought before q tall and elderly man,
who sat upon the top Of an up ended
cracker box. with his feet sprawled out
in front. A long bnrreled rifle leaned
against bis left shoulder, while his two
hands were employed In whiting thin
slivers from piece Of clear pine with
O keen edged hunting knife. All around
him were grouped the men, women and
children Of the village.
Gany were armed with rifles and
guns, while the balance had cartridge
belts. powder TASKS and bullet pouches