The National tribune., 1900-05-03

and keeping him there till the emergency's
oveh.
mo match how high up man is, how
well he's known, or what papehS he may
have, he can't get out Of Macon unless he's
got regular passport, signed by Gen.
and countersigned by Col. John Whately,
the Provost. t.MarshaEGeneral. They even
turned me back-me, Judge OF the Cir
cult Court-after I'd come out some miles,
and sent me to the city undeh gyard to have
my papehs fixed up: That's what's kept
me so late. i oughtve been home by this
time. They tell me they've got heavy
guard line thrown for miles east of the city,
and south of the Central Railroad, to catch
everybody trying to get away from the
front, and help bring in them that are out.
/ Just passed Capt. Cudlip-you remember
Aston Cudlip, who lives oyeh on Great
Ohoopee Creek, in Emanuel County, son of
old Washington Alston Cudlip? He be
longs to Col. John Whately's regiment,
and was going up to Macon with quite a
bunch o conscripts, and not very likely
ones, neither. Last picking of the field,
sab. All nubbins and runts, but we can't
be particular. He told me that he felt like
passed. He had several with him that
really belonged there. But thar's no
reason why they shouldn't stop bullet as
well as healthy men,"
"No, indeed" answered Mai. Norbury
fervently;, Its probably all that they're
good for"
You'll overtake Capt. Cudlip a little
ways ahead, sab. Present yourself to
him, and with my compliments tell him
that you're a particular friend of mine,
and | wish that he would help you fix up
youah papehs, and get You through. He'll
do it, for he's an obliging sort of man, and
always willing to help me or any of my
frIn dow Mo- i.h II H.
jogging along, to get home befo' night"
AS the two riders paced away sharply in
opposite directions, 81, turning over in his
mind to fix what he had heard, murmured:
Judge Lunpkin, of the Little Ocmulgee;
Maj Norbury, of Palmetto Criek; Capt.
OF Great Ohoopee Crick, who belongs to Col.
John Whately's regiment. L must say
them over till git 'em down fine, for that's
the game We've got to play tonight, to git
through that line. | believe it's safer try
ing TO bluff through than sneak through.
We got along very well on that lay last
night, and made twice as much distance
than we would've on the other tack
Isl" said Shorty, 'let me go ahead, and
do the talkin' tonight. You done very
well, last night, but luck favored you. 1t
mayn't tonight; and while you lie very
well for a new beginner, you're only an ap-
prentice, while I've graduated ald got my
degree"
Il don't know but what it might be bet
ter" said 81 reflectively. you've bin in
tEa South a great deal, and kin initiate
their way O. talkin' better'n l kin. You
kin take the lead tonight, but I'll be close
with you, for we're likely to have trou ble."
They returned to the island, had hearty
meal, and as the sun went down prepared
to take the road upon which they had seen
the others go toward Macon.
The night came on, dark, moonless, and
promising rain, at which they felt much
encouraged. They Travelled briskly along
the road they had seen the others go toward
Macon, and for miles met no one. Then
they encountered the doctor whom they
had seen go by in the morning, and was
now returning.
Good evening gentlemen" called the
Doctor, affably, as he saw the dark mass in
the road, and hastened to make himself
known, "Pm Dr. Smalley, of Turkey Creek
who might you gentlemen be-"
20, yes, Doc, we know you, said Shorty,
genialiy. Everybody knows you. Best
Doctor in these parts. Who's sick up the
road?
"Old Mrs. Wise-Pete Wise's mother,
and, poor old lady. I'm afeared she'll never
see the leaves fall. Who'd you say you
were?"
I'VE belong to Cap'n Alston Cudlip's
company. o Cunnel Whately's rijimint.
Didn't you pass him on the road? We
uns's tryin' ter ketch up ter him"
We'll, I'm afeared you won't do it to-
night. He's got too much start. passed
him Just as he was going by the guards at
Creek. He was kind enough
to help me git by 'em. They'd been put out
thar since went up in the morning. But
L must be going. Good evening, gentle
men,"
They went ahead for two or three miles,
and were congratulating themselves on
their rapid progress, when a figure loomed
up in the darkness that gave them concern.
The rider sat erect and Soldierly, and his
horse stepped briskly.
Halt; who comes thar?" Shorty chal-
lenged promptly.
Capt. Jeems Bentley, Assistant Provo
Marshal" answered the man without halt
ing who air yo'?"
Capt. Alston's men, with a squad o.
recruits" answered Shorty, boldly.
Capt. Alston's men?" said the new
conner suspiciously, riding up to them, and
trying to make out their faces in the dark
ness. Shorty could see that he had drawn
his revolver What air yo' doin' away
back hyah? 1 done met Cap'n Aston
several hours ago, and he didn' say nothin
about any o his men bein behind.
HE sent us back ter git squad that'd d
bin ordered ter report at ledge Lump
kn's plantation, on the Little Ocmulgee.
We missed the road and didn't jine him as
we'uns expected. We'uns air tryin' ter
cotch up with him now"