Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-13
Nv.

.. Jana . LSShs
"A FTER this second defeat we
A could see the guerrillas gath
Il cred In a knot. evidently dis
c~ussing the situation. They
talked so loud that we could often
catch n word. ana their gesticulations
were plain to us all. At last the cap
tain took a white handkerchief from
his pocket. fixed it to a stick and, hold
ing it. over his head, advanced toward
us.
"a flag Of truce.!' we all exclaimed
together.
Hes going to offer US something to
eat!" cried Jack. Il knew he wouldn't
let lis starve!"
l stepped over the breastworks to go
and meet the bearer of the flag. Buck
called out:
Tell him I'll take some fried chick
en- TO mine!"
met the captain at the spot where
we had built our fire. His arm was in
n sling. and he was very pale. Some
thing told me that he did not relish the
work in which he was engaged.
"I've come to tell yo'." he said. that
If yo'll surrender the rest OF 70 people
can CO."
"What assurance have 1 that you will
keep the termsT"
"The word Of a. He stopped. l
saw that habit had led him to use an
expression common among gentlemen
In the south. but the word had stuck
in his throat.
Captain" l said. you are a better
man than the company you keep. Sat
isfy me that the women, the boy and
the negro shall so free, and you are
welcome to me-"
"The men are divided about the wo-
men," he replied. lowering his voice.
(Which party holds the balance OF
power"
"It's hard to tell"
.'Then we have no assurance that II
we surrender you can keep your prom
ise to let them so unharmed?'
There's no telling. Befo' yo'r es-
cape and the killing yo' all have been
doing | could have fixed 1t, but the men
are exasperated at the damage yo've
DONE"
Cant you be blind and let us out to-
night"
NO; I've lost more control Of my
men within the last few days than all
the time I've commanded them. lf they
saw the slightest owe on my part to
let yo' slip, they'd shoot me, and 20
would never get out alive either.
can't stand here talking any longer.
They'll suspect something. What's vol
answer"
| turned the matter quickly over in
my mind.
Captain" I said, II will transmit
your proposition. If your terms are nc
cepted, | will go down to your camp
and M friends will follow. If they
are not accepted, we will wave to you
In this event you will know that these
noble girls. this brave boy, this faithful
negro, prefer to take their chances with
Both of US turned without another
word. and in q few minutes the captain
was with his men and l had joined my
little half starved army. l was re-
ceived with eager, questioning looks.
"He has made a proposition" said.
II will give it to you with the informa-
tion that goes with it. If we will sur
he promises that all shall go ,
free except me-" ,
I paused a moment to watch b ex-
preston of their faces. l saw at once ,
hat they were all bitterly ~disappoint- l
81. s
81 feel bound to state further that I
he captain has Informed me that he I
.annot surely guarantee your safety,
hough he would if he could. He tells ]
that the men are divided, and he
loes not know himself which party is Z
he stronger. You are not sure of
afety. but you have a chance. whereas e
{ we are taken by force the chances
re all against you. Before giving my t
u W Pursell, 'Kintersville. Pa. says he a
Iffered p wears with piles and could obtain !,
Il