The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-15

Look here, boy" reasoned the Cap
tain. Don't be a blamed fool. | orter
| TO kill you, at once, fer runnin' away from
yer master, an jinin' the Yanks. But l
won't do hit if you'll tell me whar them
Yankees is you've bin with, and whar's
them that you wuz a-gwine to-"
Il reckon I've done talked enough" re-
piled Uncle Ephraim.
Shall we shoot him. Cap?" inquired
the men, bringing their guns down against
Uncle Ephraim's head.
mo, not yit. Tie his hands behind him
an sect him thar by the fire, an let him
think awhile. He'll come to his senses
bime-by. Wake up the rest o the boys.
Thar must be more Yankees nigh. This
old coon wuzzent fur from the rest. Thar s
probably two punches of 'em, and he was
sent from one to the other. We must be
on the lookout for them. Tie his hands
so tight that the stringS'l cut. They'll
help him think. Look here, you black
beast, I'll string You up, and whip every
inch of skin often your owdashous karkis
| il you don't tell whar them Yankees is. u
Il reckon I've done talked enough" an
swered Uncle Ephraim, setting his teeth,
under the pain the cords gave him.
Look hyah, boy" said the Captain,
changing his tone again, for he was be-
coming every minute more excited as to
the whereabouts of the enemy, don't
iHIu" gOuIStIl AWAY. IL YOU IL ttiA iAiC
whar them Yankees is I'll give you my
solemn promise that I'll do uothir' more
than turn you back to your MASTER
Il reckon I've done talked enough" said
the poor negro, almost fainting under the
| torture.
Don't make so much noise thar, you
blasted FOOLS said the Captain, irritably,
to his men. You kin be heard half a
r,ile, Git your arms, and stand ready, and
keep dead quiet. Stubs, you an Logger
slip back to the road, an see if hits
cPar. If hit is, we'll march back to'rd
the fort, and stay till mornin'."
Il sent colored man ahead to spy
out the road" 81 remarked in a troubled
tone to Patsy the Kinch, whom he had
riding alongside to inform him as to the
route. But | haven't heard anything
from him for long time, and I'm getting
uneasy. What could've become Of himT'
Probably Bill Wards men've gobbled
him." suggested Patsy. 'As l laid it into
you before, they's out pipin' off this road
for runaway mokes an for deserters try
in to make the ships. They're awful fly
'eria-at least they've brags they've don't.
But I've got on to where they've layin'
now. an l kin steer you've round it."
How many men mas Bill WardT
asked 81.
20, sometimes eight or 10; sometimes a
dozen or more. Jist happens"
Il guess there's no need of going round
him; I'd rather go through him."
"Will you've lick him?" said the boy,
kindling at the thought. Holy Jee,
wouldn't that be scrumptious! Bill Ward
an his gangs the meanest mob bout the
fort. They've stay up night t'inllin' how
| to be mean. I'd jist eat my coat to see
they've licked. Say, | kin take you've right
on to where they've is snoozin. | piped off
they've layout last night"
Patsy went on to explain where the
place was, and it was arranged that as
they came near the dark entrance to the
swamp crossing Patsy was to ride ahead,
Shorty were to follow close behind on
foot and seize the challengers. Then they
were all to follow the path to where the
rest lay around the fire.
As they neared the crossing 81 enioined
the strictest silence. He and Shorty
threw their reins to Harry and Monty,
and, dismounting, followed close behind
Patsy. The moon was now far in the
west, and threw all the shadows against
them. Presently Patsy felt his reins
grabbed, and called out cheerfully;
Hello, Snoops; is dat you've? It's
Patsy the Kinch How's the gangT'
'.'Taint Snoops; hits Logger" replied
a voice. "Howdy. Patsy? See any Yam
kee signs down hathaway? Jes' come
'front.'
The rest of the question was throttled
in his throat by Sis strong hand, while
Stubb's neck was eneircled with ShOrty's
strangling garrote.
"Set down there against that tree" 81
fercely whispered "a Logger's ear, as he