Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-10


men, two girls and Il boy had dcfeatc
the guerrillas and sent them back t
their camp. | did not fear another al
tack What dreaded was starvation
Indeed, | could see plainly that our enc
mics were preparing to carry out tn
starvation plan. Several of them wen
IN different directions, doubtless TO
! food. One OF them passed quite within
range.
I'm goin to PUNK that one" sale
Buck.
caught his arm, and gave him re
/ proof which for while at least caused
! him to remember that l was in com
mand.
Il wish they'd attack US again" said
! the irrepressible boy. II could "a hit
that doggone 'butternut' if somep'r
hadn't joggled my arm"
There had been nothing to joggle the
boys arm, but thought it best to let
him keep up his pride-it would make
him more serviceable-so | said uoth.
ing.
uIIii'i iI-Hi at tHt IHl'ltlIt vi MA
breast" continued Buck, ''but just then
he jumped over stone, an | missed
him."
Il thought some one joggled your
ARM"
Some one did. Ginger, yo' consarn-
ed old niger, what d yo' 90 joggle me
TO just as was goin to PUNK him."
Il didn't joggle yo', Mars Buck"
"Was it you, Heinz"
"No."
Somebody did, or I'd "a hit him,
sho"
If ever party needed breakfast, it
was ours. Helen unrolled the little
parcel of provisions. | directed her to
serve a half ration, or. rather. half of
what there was and save the rest. She
did so, handing me my portion. which
| declined. but she argued that it was
important for all that should keep up
my strength and finally prevailed on
me to eat my share. Jaqueline and
Buck ate theirs ravenouSly. Each of us
went to where the water was drip
drops in our mouths. Buck. when he
had finished his breakfast. like Oliver
Twist, asked for more. 1t made my
heart ache to refuse him. but there was
no alternative.
One danger was dwarfed by the
greater perils that surrounded us. yet 1t
was no less important. My wound was
liable to put me hors de combat at any
moment Fortunately until my dash
from the guerrilla camp had not been
subject to any physical strain, and by
that time it had healed sufficiently to
prevent its opening. At any rate, 1t
gave me no trouble. The first thing
Helen asked after a lull In the fighting
was about This wound. She insisted
on dressing it for me. and | permitted
her to do so. She wound around it
fresh bandage torn from my shirt
ing up at me, she said:
You're not the first one of our men
I've assisted with bandages.'
Her remark cut me like knife. 1t /!
was plain that she was making this |
effort. mourning this danger, believing |
me to be Il Confederate.
81 can't understand all these troubles !
that surround you" she went on.
why not explain"
You know I'm charged with being
IN league with the Yankees"
Yes, but your accusers are robbers
nj 7 thn1,nht that
She broke off with frown and turned !
away. I
"The guerrillas built fire and, after
cooking and eating breakfast, lotered
ibout, some chatting, some playing
ards, while others devoted themselves
hem as comfortable as possible on
,eds of boughs covered with blankets.
took advantage of their inaction to
earn how Buck had succeeded in de-
ivering his message to the scout he
vas to meet at Huntsville. AS could
Without giving up my secret, drew
lin into the cleft behind US.
Buck, did you find the man l sent
'ou to meet at Huntsville"
Reckon did"
Tell me about It."
"All right. AS soon as l got into
own l went right TO the squar an stop
cd i'm front o. the hotel. l hitched my
ony 10 post an went inside. A man
q the office said, Sonny, what d. yo'
rant?' an | said. I'm goin up on the
allery,' an he said, What fo'| an l
aid 'Fo' to see the town Then l
rent up stairs an waited till l heard