The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1901-07-26


Jailed as suspicious characters"
"ltll have to be pretty smart Yam
kce constable that can serve warrant
on us while were gallopug," affirmed
the senior captain.
Just at this moment shower Of
blazing sticks, hot Goals and wood
ashes set the horses to praucing,
while the approaching clouds of smoke
and lncreasii 4 heat gave warning that
1t was no tme to llngcr. The little
mounted column was formed UP In
ranks and moved ahead at n brisk trot.
But word of their predicamcnt had
been passed among them, and the faces
of the troopers wore by no means
happy expression. Dcbouching from
the thlckcst part of the forest about
half an hour later, they came upon the
outlying white houses and red barns of
the American village of Dnshtown.
The road which they were travelling
formed the main and only street Of the
hamlet, the buildings lining II upon
either hand for mile or more. AT the
crest of little hill near the center OF
the place lot of farm wagons, some OF
them loaded with hay and grain, were
drawn across the roadway.
The Canadians were not left In doubt
long as to the intentions OF the people on
whose domains they were trcspassing.
Several villagers stepped boldly out In
front of the barricade and opened fire
with rifles and long barrclcd ducking
guns. The first bullet cut cash In the
plump cheek OF Trumpctcr Ned, and
the healthy young fellow started in TO
bleed like a stuck pig.
"Stcady, men! HAITI cried the ma.
jor commanding, with tears of anguish
pouring down his cheeks, although his
voice was like rock.
The troopers refined 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 that
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 at n walk"
AS If on parade, the Light Dragons
had plvoted their chargers in the mar
row roadway, and they fell back at the
slowest pace possible to their tightly
reined stccds. AS soon as they were
again in the shelter of the woods the
column halted. The surgeon licuten-
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.
81 cant understand such hostile re-
ception," he ratified away Indignantly.
"Our nations are not at war. nor Is
there any danger of such catastrophe
! just now, SO far as | know. It's bad
enough to be liable to civil arrest here
and disciplinlng at home, without run
ming the risk Of being shot down on
sight. | 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" inter.
rupted the senior captain, Il 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 | 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 lie
spoke. 1--WE will send flag of truce
forward. Have it 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
trifie too gray for the purpose. The
major solved the problem by dismount-
ing, unbuckling his sword and revolver
belts and handing them and their at
tached weapons to an orderly. In spite
| Of the protests Of his confreres, lie
started to trudge along the road lead.
ing into the village.
"Pve got you here, and I'm the one
W get YOU Out, ue uuuOuuceu sue
cinctly, If not grammatically. "Thcy
| won't shoot lone and unarmed man,
even If he has no white flag. You
| know that as well as ! do. But, Of
course, 1t is my duty to make provision
even for the unexpected. II anything
| should happen to me-" he went on.
| pausing moment to turn and directly
address the senior captain. you will
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. If anything does happen
! to the major, don't intend to give my
self up SO easy" growled quarter.
master sergeant. resting carbine on the
pommel Of his saddle and proceeding
to fill the magazine from his cartridge
belt.
A dozen or more Of the men at once
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 ma ior sfro6a alnnu