Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-14
CHAPTER XVII.
FLIGHT.


FLIGHT.
Up WAS at loss to know what had
H brought body of cavalry up into
IA the Cumberland mountains.
learned afterward that they had
come from Shelbyville and were on
their way to attack Bridgeport, where
the Memphis and Charleston railroad
crosses the Tennessee, with view to
burning the bridge. At Tracy City
they had heard of a Confederate force
moving on their flank to cut them off
and retraced their steps. Buck and
Jaqueline had really heard them going
southwark early in the afternoon The
bugle calls we all heard so distinctly
were sounded on their way back
"Where did you leave your horses?"
1 asked quickly Of Helen as we hur-
ried on.
"In clump of trees near the road.
There it is now" She pointed to
thicket.
Great was my anxiety as ran to the
place designated to know if the horses
| were still there. l was doomed to dis
appointment; they We're gone. There
was no time for repining over the loss.
1 must think out the problem Of our
immediate action, and that instantly.
Two courses were open to us-we might
follow the cavalry northward, or we
could strike out toward the south.
Each plan had its advantages. If we
| followed the cavalry, we might succeed
in coming up with them, in which
event we should be safe, but as they
were mounted and we were not there
was little hope of our overtaking them.
Besides, the guerrillas would expect US
| to follow that course. If we pushed
south, we must abandon all hope of
falling in with the troopers, but would
doubtless mislead the guerrillas and
gain considerable time. We would also
be moving toward the homes of the 9TH
ers of the party. struck out SOUTH
ward.
What are yo' going that way fo?"
cried Jack.
cts the way to CO."
soldiers"
! She turned and started northward.
seized her and, taking her in my
| arms, carried her along with the rest,
she raining a shower of blows from
her little fist upon my head. We
pressed on without word, till Jack,
either tired OF the situation or becom-
| ing sensible Of the absurdity of her
action, promised that If I would put
her down she would go with us peace
ably. I set her on the ground In a
| very disgruntled condition.
Il wish Captain Ringold were here"
she muttered angrily. He'd make you
pay TO- that"
The road was SO winding that I did
not fear any one behind could see US
from distance. while, should we leave
| it, our progress would be very slow.
chose to take the risk of being seen
and put as great distance as possible
| between us and the outlaws while
they supposed they were on our track
! In the direction of the cavalry, for
| felt sure they would expect us to take
/ that course. We had not gone far be-
/ fore we met a lean countryman on
| horseback. In few words told him
of our situation and begged him If he
met the guerrillas to mislead them.
/ When he learned Of our starving con-
| dition. he pulled small black bottle
containing whisky out of his saddle
bag. l forced every member Of the
party to drink and. tossing the empty
| bottle to the countryman. hurried on
knew that the stimulant would avail
us but little while, then would only
make matters worse. Helen walked
on, showing no effect whatever from
the potation. Jack danced along as If
she were at picnic party. while Buck
suddenly became brave as a lion.
Don't yo' think, Mr.. Brandystone,"
he said, with difficulty getting breath
enough to articulate while walking so
fast, wed better stop an fight 'em?"
81 think you'd better stop talking
and save your breath for walking"
Reckon we better stop" said Gin
out O dat trap an pray TO- dem grillas
t git los in de wilderness"
I'VE can do that while we're walk
ing" said Helen, "and not lose any
| time"
"'Spec' de pra'rs on de knees is mo-
ef1icacerous." replied Ginger, "but meb-
be we don't need 'em like we did spell
ago."
Still there was no sound in our rear.
Helen asked if did not think that
keeping the road was pretty risky.
told her that 1 would soon give the
word to take to the woods. Coming to
point where there was turn. leav-
lng a straight piece Of road back of us.
told the rest to go on while I waited
and watched. / stood casting chances
back till my army reached another
turn in advance, then, pressing for
ward, caught I'D with them. In this
- ey-------,~ rr--~~~'F