The National tribune., 1901-02-21

done started t tell you gemmen afore,
when we branched off on t de subjick OBJ
mas'rs, wuz dat if we all WIZ a-gwine t
Peachstone Shoals. dat we'd sabe hull
lot OBJ trabbel by turnin' off right hyah, an
a-cuttin' froo de woods behine dat big
rock dar. Peachstone Shoals is right ober
dar, not more'n two sees an a good holler,
an by goin' dat-a-way We kin make hit
afOre sundown."
Sure of that, Uncleg" asked 81, with
lifting heart, but scanning the horizon
doubtfully.
Shore as yer bawn. chile-I mean,
Mas'r-I mean Serg't Klegg," answered
Uncle Ephraim, with another dab at his
foretop, and scrape with his toes.
He's all right" said Shorty, confident
| ly. Trust a niger and woodchuck for
the shortest way home. Foxes and rabbits
| go the longest way around, but a Niger
can smell home, like boss, and cut across
straight for it."
| Uncle Ephraim, take that road with
your people as the Lord'll let you," said
81, impressively. And don't you stop I'M
til you reach our pickets. Capt. Stonejug, or
Something like that, with his cavalry COM
pany, is after us, and you
.'Cap'n Stonebroose," echoed the other
negroes, with dismay.
Yes; Capt. Stonebroose AIe and my
men are going to stay behind and fight him
off, while the rest of you are getting away.
Now. hurry off, and go as fast as you can"
4
rain, walking over to where the Sheriff's
gun had been left lying, git up in dat
wagon, an take dem lines, an lead de per-
cession. I'm gwine t stay hyah wild de
soljer gemmen: Whar dat catridge-box:
Ole Stallins take hit wild him."
Good man, Eph." shouted Aunt Miner
va Ann. I'll git hit fer YOU
She ran back to the porch. picked, up
| the Sheriff's cartridge-box. and as she
| flung it to Eph on her way to the wagon
she admonished him:
Stan up like man, now. If You run
a step afore de Serg't Klegg done tell you,
| nebber lib wild you agin so longs you
done got ha'r on yer haid."
| She climbed upon the wagon-seat. gath
cred up the reins, and sat looking expect
antly.
Go on, Aunt Minerva Ann,' said ST.
What are you waiting for:'
Il wanted t. see you all kill dat Sheriff
afore l started she explained.
go on. Hurry off," said ST. I'm not
going to kill the Sheriff. Drive off, and
go fast"
Dem you's gwine t make Eph do hit.
same's liekin' dat pore white trash. Eph,
don't git. wobhly, now, an miss. Hold
ger gun tight"
mo, Eph's not going to do it. We're
not going to kill the Sheriff. or hurt him
at all, | tell you," said ST, impatiently
Drive off ut once, and get out of the way.
| The rebels may be here at any minute"
Dem Yankees is suttinly rus Aunt
Minerva Ann communicated to another sa-
BILE matron, who had taken the seat beside
| her. Lick de hides often some OBJ de
whites what wasn't doin' muffin t dem,
| an den pet an coddle anudder what shot
at dem, an tried t hab EN- all cotched
an killed Yankees s lots cu'user'n our
] folks"
starred, and deployinS the boys to watch
| for Capt. StOnebroose, 81 and Shorty went
up to bid sooy-by to the Sheriff.
Are you all comfortable, Sheriff? Any
thing more that we can do for your
asked 81.
Thanks, gentlemen" he answered.
| 'yo'unss very kind, but require nothin'
more. I'm as comfortable as possible an
expect some friends, who / think will in
| terest yo'uns, even if they don't make
yo'uns comfortable"
YES" said Shorty. not to be outdone
by the Sheriff's geniality, I'VE understand
that you sent for Capt. Stoneshoes. or
something like that, TO entertain us. We're
on the lookout for him, and will try to
keep the flies off him, when he comes"
1T was my duty t send for him, sir, an
| done hit" said the Sheriff. stiffening up.
That's all right, Sheriff. said Shorty,
cordially. LAS we didn't put you on pa
role you had the right. A little thing like
that shan't interfere with our friendship
for you. How many men is your friend,
Cdpl olOue Jews, Hhely ~ nave Win
him?'
"That, sir" said the Sheriff, stifiy.
'would be giving information t the en-
emy l refuse t tell you, sir. But will
say that he'll have enough to make hit
hopeless fer .yo'uns t fout him-perfectly
hopeless, sir"
ITS clear you're not acquainted with
the 200th Injianny Volunteers. Sheriff."
said 81, pleasantly. "Your friend, the
Captain, will have some very different
ideas about sure thing, after he's mon
keyed with US for a few minutes. But
we're not here to talk o. that, but to say
good-by, thank you again, and leave you
a little more coffee. We hope to see you
after the war;"
A far-away shout came over the tree
tops.
"Thars Cap'n Stonebroose now," said
the Sheriff, hobbling out on the porch and
sending up ringing shout in reply. Gen
tlemen, like yo'uns, an / advise yo'uns
in friendly way not t put up fout, fer
hit II be useless. Cap'n Stonebroose"-
"Thank you, Sheriff" said 81, starting |
back to the boys, ''but the 200th 1njianny's |
in the habit O. deciding for itself about |
fighting or not. Grab a root, boys. and |
don't fire till you see something to shoot |
at"
In minute the woods on the opposite |
side of the creek was full of yelling horse
men.
Hello" said ST, in amazement, "what |
in the world are they doing over there? |