The National tribune., 1901-02-21

'"SHoRTY FLUNG HIM DOWN A
really intended to shoot he would have
done so before running at him, and
hobbled frantically forward. Just as
Shorty clutched his shoulder he threw the
| brand into the pine leaves and knots on
the bridge. They famed up like powder.
| Shorty flung him down and rushed onto
| the bridge, to kick the burning stuff into
the water. 1t was no use. The bridge
| itself was old, and constructed of pine
from which the rosin had been melted out
| by the sun III great weltS and sheets, COW
| ering the timbers with thick scale, which
| famed up at once, so that Shorty had to
run from the bridge to save himself. His
first thought was to help the cripple to his
feet, and away from the intense heat.
Then he looked with dismay at the roar
ing flames, and the deep, impossible creek
which blocked their farther progress to-
ward camp.
81 and the rest ran forward, picked up
the Sheriff, and carried him back from the
flames.
Awful sorry, Sheriff, you was shot"
said ST, as they laid him down. I'VE
really didn't intend to, as soon as we rec
Gus. ALI, look at his wound, and see what
it is"
81 forgot his chagrin at the destruction
of the bridge in his anxiety for the man
who had stood by them SO nobly.
..It isn't serious" said ALI, after min
ute's examination. Its on the outside,
not near any veins or arteries. l can stop
the blood, and he'll be all right. Good
thing, Sergeant, that you spoke as soon as
you did. The boys had evidently a good
aim on his heart, and dropped their muz-
ZleS. Yon can see it was a good line shot"
.All right" chuckled the Sheriff. Il
aint gwine t mind that thar scratch,
longs we've saved the bridge from yo'uns
Soon's / got my orders t burn all the
bridges and block the road in front o
yo'uns' army, called ont a posse. but in
all my born days | never see sich run
o. chills an fever, an rheumatic as thar
was on this crick. Very queerly, all the
men WIZ down with them, an they didn't
fetch the women at all. The women WIZ
as lively as crickets, but the men all groan-
in, an enable t move hand or foot with
out yellin'. Only these three ole COnfeds
that'd bin plugged by Yankee bullets afore
seemed tive escaped the fever-an'ager, an
rheumatic, and willin' t 20 erlong with
me, an try another whack at yo'uns. But
we'uns burned the bridge, an We got
yo'uns. Yo'uns'vc done run inter dead
fall, an we'uns'll have yO'nns back in An
dersonyille by to'-morrcr night.
The Sheriff chuckled again, as he looked
at the burning bridge.
81 and Shorty shuddered at the mention
of Andersonville, but they picked up the
Sheriff and tenderly carried him up to the
house where, the flow of blood having
been stanched, he was laid on the bed, and
Aunt Minerva Ann was called in to help
make him comfortable, and prepare for
him and his companion the food which the
boys gave from their own haversacks.
81 and Shorty returned to the bridge, to
consider the situation and decide what
TO do.
the steep, rugged banks, lined with rocky
cliffs and the deep, swift current; I'VE
could manage to get over, If We wuZ afoot
hosses and women and wagons over in the
world. L misdoubt il many o them ne
groes can get ncrost.'
'WeIl. there's no use discussing any
thing but taking the niggers along" an
swered Shorty 1.-The hosses may go to
out for these people. I'll meander down
here to the left, and you go up to the
right, and see if there amt chance to
get acrost."
pete, get on that blamed ghost @
yot,rs," commanded ST." and ride up there
TO that spur, and see how it looks for a
crossing. Be back here in five minutes"
They all returned from their cXplOra-
tions, with discouraging reports. The
banks were even worse farther up and
down.
afraid" said 81. looking at some tall trees
standing near the bank, and studying the
facilities for approach.
Sandy, you and Harry go UP to that
house, and get all the axes you can find
and bring 'em here"
Aunt Minerva Ann came bustling down
from the house, her broad face full of rage
and anxiety.
Say, Serg't Klegg, you orter come right
up inter de house an kill dat ole lop-sided
81 eriff Barlsley done daid, right off-not
leave him live Il Dressed mnnit. Why
didn't you shoot him daid when you had de
chanstY
WHY. Aunt Minerva Ann, what's the
matter?' asked 81.
why" spluttered the negress, lies IS
soon's yer back wuZ turned, arter doin'
all YOU could fer him, he done called Miss
Rarnstable's little boy, an done sent him
off on DER best boss on de galiop, TO Cap'n
Stonebroose who has de critter company,
+ come hyah ter wunst wild his company,
fer he done had eight Yankees an lot o.
Mas'r Ben Smalrs niggers an hosses an
sich. hyah, all bagged, an dat he could
take dem in, but he mus come on de jump.
T'ink OBJ dat arter all you've done fer him,
an sabn' his no-account life. l done
hearn hit all froo de doc, as | WIZ bilin'
de coffee, which I wish't would pizen him.
| come away jes' as soon's l could t tell
yo' He orient t be allowed { lib a min
nit. I'll make Eph go up dar an cut his
froat, il you say So"
mot on your life, Aunty," said 81, earn
esty, in spite of the disturbance of his
mind by her message. "YOu must be lust
as kind to him MS you have bin. Don't
mistreat him in any. way