Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-20
CHAPTER XVIL-CONTINUED. J

! Still there was no sound in our rear.
Helen asked If did not think that
keeping the road was pretty risky. l
told her that / would soon give the
word to take to the woods. Coming to
a point where there was turn. leav-
ing straight piece of road back Of us,
l told the rest to go on while | waited
and watched. l stood casting glances
back till my army reached another
turn in advance, then, pressing for
ward, caught up with them. In this
way l kept them in the road and main
tanned rear watch at the same time
for nearly half an hour. Then the
strength of the party, which had thus
far been supplied by excitement, sud-
denly began TO droop, and l, feeling
that had used all the energy there
was in them, led the way off the road
into the heart Of the forest. We had
scarcely got into the woods when we
heard Gathering Of hoofs on the road.
Whether they were made by the guer-
rillas' horses or not did not know, but
l felt sure they were. We waited till
they were out of hearing, then every
one sank down on the ground.
"Now, Ginger" l said, ut is good
time to give thanks"
Getting on his knees, Ginger poured
out the thanks of the party in words
that came as smoothly and plentifully
as the waters of running stream. |.
being of that persuasion which has for
its motto, Trust in God, but keep
your powder dry and, seeing that Gin
ger was disposed to prolong his thanks
giving indefinitely, got up and started
to find q convenient place to hide.
soon struck little pocket formed by
the coming together of several declivi-
ties and surrounded by thickets. A lit
tie runnel passed through it, and,
STOPPING down, l quenched thirst that
was burning me. Returning to the
party, led them to the retreat l hau
found for them. then left them to so in
search of provisions.
1t was now quite dark. | walked
half a mile, when l saw the lights OF
Tracy City. Going to the town ana
selecting a house standing apart from
the rest, marched boldly up to 1t and
knocked at the door. 1t was opened
by a girl. the only occupant OF the
place, a wild eyed creature in dingy
calico, unshod, her square cut locks
tucked behind her ears. She appeared
to be in a chronic state of fright and
evidently thought me one of those men
who were going about taking advan'
tage OF the absence of restraint induced
by war to help themselves to whatever
they wanted | asked her for some
food and a few cooking utensils, ana
when I paid her for them she was
struck dumb with amazement. re-
turned to camp with provisions, match
es, a skillet and a coffeepot.
Ginger and Buck had gathered a
little wood for the fire. At the inner
extremity of the pocket we occupied
was a low ledge Of overhanging rock
II projected but a few feet and was
about the height of little Buck from the
ground. hesitated for some time
whether 1t would not be dangerous to
light fire ana tnuS Sulue Jun eheii'eH
to where we We're. but at last conclud
| ed TO place the wood under the ledge
and cover the front with boughs. Driv'
ing three stakes into the ground
placed the wood under them and Nght
ed II. Then, filing my coffeepot with
water from the stream and putting II
nv coffee, a very pleasant odor soon
greeted our nostrils.
But all were too famished to wait foi
| n cooked supper. Selling upon some
corn pone ] had brought, the others de
| voured it eagerly, l restraining my ap
petite long enough to put some bacor
| into the skillet. One article OF 1000
after another was devoured as 1t was
got ready. and our coffee without mills
came In at the end like the last course
| at q dinner.
As soon as we had finished our sup
per we put out the fire, lald DousHs
where it had been and covered them
with dry leaves, making bed for the
| two girls and Buck. Ginger was tc