The Newtown bee., 1900-03-23

mask was cautiously raised, flung hack
from tine lace it concealed, and out from
sne greasy skin crawled man, who cast
nimseH nat upon his face, and lay stilI.
buL kne Indians were behind MIN now
ana ms friends in front, and, though he
moved slowly, yet In no long time he
reached sentry, whom he passed Will,
q whispered word, and hurried to thf.
Generals tent. ~-o
Duerden J" cried Floyd, springing tt.
ms Teet, as the young man burst In upor
nlm Win little ceremony. aWhat are won
post?" S'eA
why have you left your post?'' The
snsfp and sudden question recalled q
nldeous memory TO Duerden's mind, and
Ior an instant he struggled vainly To
speak. Recovering himself he briefly
netalied TO the General the presence OF
tne roe In large numbers, and how he
contrived to pass through their lines.
Floyd wasted no further time in oues-
lions after this, but dashed from his rent.
order after order tumblipg from his HDs'
BIS dispositions made, he returned once
more 60 Amos. 81 have news for Won.
Duerden, ne said; good news, too. It
seems ss5s tnas the Creeks made descent upon
Whispering Pines and burned il: but the
settlers had got word of their annroach
N some way, and deserted the place. 4
party OF them arrived about an hour soo
With women and children. I nave sent
tne latter, along with the old men. TO one
uL our communicating posts In the rear.
All who could fight [ have detained
here, he finished grimlv,
amos caught back his breath sharplv.
truly his punishment was beginning.
SAgnesp he muttered.
! wei and ssfe,'' answered FIova
-eneerily: "You can join her, or she YOU.
AFTER tnls little affair is ever, for we shat
win, OF course. It Isl a"
A sno6 Another and another. Then q
sps!terng Vo!ley, and the wild, terrific
!nolan War-whoop, as the Creeks sprang
from their cover, shot down the remain.
ing sentriss and charged up TO within 8
rev PAGES OF the artillery OF Thomas.
posted to receive them.
"Inere they are, said Floyd, coolly.
amos, come with me-
In the gloom of the pine woods, the
pasIle ragged furiously, men fighting
rssner ~ the sense of sound than by
eignt, conscious OF the approach OF foe
only Wnen they came into grips. And In
tne meas OF the combat, Amos saw his
General borne to the ground bv a stall.
war; savage. The redskin had lost his
muskef In the fray; but, 40 he kneIt with
all ais weight upon Floyd's chest. stroye
igntllY TO reach his scalping knife with
one nand, while with the other he strang-
led his fallen adversary. with q bound
amos was upon the savage, tore him
from mis- hold and then buried his bavo-
net IN the broad red chest. Then he
turned 60 assist the General Co rise.
Inank you, Amos" said FLOYD. gasp
ing Tor breath. HIf You mad not come
Jass when you did you would have been
for this
He rushed away, and, az the sun rose.
allowing MIN TO survey the whole field
OF operations, ordered his right wing and
t,, cavalry to charge simultaneously.
Inc enecf was immediate. Face TO face
VIII THESE long lines of glittering steel,
me CreeKs lost heart and fed through
me sWamps, leaving behind them trail
OF oead and wounded. The battle was
won, though the white men had mot
come off seathless.
An hour later while the hungry SOL
diers were breaking their fast. Amos
Duerden stalked gIoomily into his com.
mander's tent. ST have come TO make
confession, General he began with
out preface. ST have come to ask that
may be placed under arrest.''
us the man gone out of his wits s,'
cried Floyd. considerably astonis he'd.
what ais you Amos? Has the fight
proved to much for your stomach? Here
drink cup of this He handed some
wine. Twill bring back the color TO
An Amos drained thel cup, General be
There is not man Of ours living dead
In the pine woods and swamps who does
not owe his death to me-" In few SIM
pie words he told the general the story
or his temptation and his fall. ssHad I
not left my post" he concluded. 1.-THE
warning would have reached Won IN
time, your dispositions would have been
made, and the enemy beaten back with
out the loss OF man. I am q degerter.
General, and deserve deserter's fate. y
AZ this Floyd looked up quickly. His
race was grave, for he was soldier FIRST
Of all, and knew the gravity OF the fault
Oh Wnlcn Amos accused himself. But he
was also man, and the trouble in the
young fellows face as he stood there
confessing what, but for that confession,
must for ever have remained undiscov-
BRED, touched him, and he answered. not
ankindly:
My lad your offense Ii grave one,
could not tell you aught else. But you
nave striven to atone as few others
would have done, to my thinking; and be-
sides. Won were, after all, in time Co give
ne alarm and TO prevent complete sur
Prise. Surprise or no surprise, the at /
ACE would have been made, ] have little
ioubt, and those who are slain would
nave been slain. If yon hold it other |
wise, then your punishment ID great
enough. have no wish to make it |
Go; will forget that you have
made this report to me. The story shall |
lever pass my lips. know you, and ]
IN sure you will never give way again.