The National tribune., 1900-05-03

"Singler that he didn't say erbout YER
said Capt. Bentley, trying to scrutfniz9
Shorty and the rest through the dense dark-
ness, which was now becoming thicker,
owing to the impending rain. How many
air thar OF yo'uns?'
Eight" answered Shorty. "Us two
guards, and six recruits"
"Eightw said the Captain, counting over
the squad. 4 make 10 o youns."
Shorty had not noticed that the two
crackers had followed along close, but he
was equal to the emergency.
20, yes, forgot them two men that
Lootenant Sol. Pringls turnad over ter us
down thar at the ford. Yes, we've 10
altogether Then he assumed an in jlIred
tone. Didn't 70 meet Majah Norbury.
an didn't he tell yo' we'uns was a-comin'
right along? He passed along befo' sun
down, an we'uns axed him ter tell the
Cap'n that we'uns wuz pikin right along.
as fast as weuns could git these mavericks
ter march. an him not ter be Uneasy.
Weuns'd git up ter him afo' we quit. Didn't
Majah Norbury say nothin ter yo'?
Il done met Majah Norbury, but he didn't
say nothin erbout yer, replied the Provost,
with a little less suspicion In his tone.
Probably bekase he was dead anxious
about his pass. Well, 1 haint time ter stop
now. I've got business on ahead Go on.
~ see Cap'n Aston later erbout yer.
Whatd 20 say yer name was?
I'm SarJnt ST Klegg" said Shorty,
boldly, "and this s Corpril Elliott Good
night, ,,Cap'n. See yo' agin. Forward,
shorty" said 81. after they had gone
some dista nca, don't you think this road 8
little too lively for us? Hadn't we better
| leave 1T, and take to the woods?'
Mary" said Shorty decisively. This
is the shortest way to Sherman, and it's the
hetter time on it than we kin BY going
through the woods, and times imp p1rtant.
IL L kin outlie Provo-Marshal, | kin git
| away with anybody we meet. Come on"
The excitement had made them forget
| themselves, as to the lookout, and also as
to raising their voices They were startled
| by an unexpected challenge.
Halt. Who comes thar"
Shorty repeated his little fairy story.
Il believe yo'uns is lynn" said the Ser.
geant OF the post gruffiy, as he advanced to
make an examination. Il Almost know
ye'uns is lyin'. What's yer name. an
what riJmint do yo belong ter?'
SarDnt ST Klegg, and we belong ter
Cunnel John Whately's riJmint-
John Whately o 1,wiggs, what useter be
Never mind nothin' erbout his befn' in
the Legislature" said the Sergeant, COM
ing up closer. Legislature amt in session
| row, nohow: I know most o. Cunnel
Nhately's riJimint, an don't recollect no
with that e'er voice. What company do
yo' belong ter?"
"Cap'n Cudlip's-Cap'n Aston Cudlip,
o the Great Ohoope Crick."
Well, Cap'n Cudlip's right over thar,
whar yo' see that thar fire. I'll Just take
that you're a-lyin'."
Shorty took in the situation at once with
lightning swiftness. He now noticed little
fires at distance, and took them for the
reserves Of line Of piekets. Once through
md kt,a H.
rain was coming up rapidly, and the rebels
were probably occupied in getting shelter
ready for it. He grurabied Sullenfy as he
started to walk off alongside the Sergeant
toward Capt Cudlip's IRE, and as soon as
tney IN % nad gotten well past theoutside piekets
Look hyah, you imperdent doughhead,
you We done called me liar twict, an
that's more'n I'll stand from ary man alive.
The fust may be an accident, but the
t'other shows intention. Yo' done got ter
take that back an apolergize, or I'll lick
yo' hyah in holy minnit."
AS one of the Sergeants men had ac-
companIed him, he was in no mood to
back down. He answered roughly:
, ha1nt takin' nothin' back: Go on ter
the Cap'n or I'll make yo'. Yo' can't lick
one side o me, yo' gawky sand-hilfer."
lilar yo' air agin, yo' lunk-headed
hilliken,' famed Shorty with wellassumed
rage. "Allers tryin' ter run over us low
country folks. I'm better man than wuz
ever bred on yer clay knobs, an I'm a-gwins
ter knock yer gourd often yer shoulders"
He let fly his mighty fist with blow thai
sent the Sergeant sprawling. ST did not
know exactly what to do, but promptly
knocked down the other rebel, at q venture.
Pick up your feet and git" shouted
Shorty, reaching back and catching Pets
Skidmore's hand
Followed by the others, he started as if to
go back the way they had come, but made a
circle so as to carry them back Of the fires,
and toward the north.
Just then the long-impending rain came
down in Summer torrent.
(TO be continued)