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

way I kept them in the road and main
tanned q rear watch at the same time
for nearly half an hour. Then the
strength of the party, which had thus
far been supplied by excitement. sud-
denly began to droop, and l, feeling
that had used all the energy there
was in them, led the way of the road
into the heart of the forest. We had
scarcely got into the woods when we
heard Gathering of hoofs on the road.
Whether they were made by the gucr-
rillas' horses or not did not know. but
felt sure they We're. We waited till
they We're out of hearing, then every
one sank down on the ground.
Nov, Ginger" | said, sit Is good
time to give thanks
Getting on his knees. Ginger poured
out the thanks of the party in words
that came as smoothly and plentifully
as the waters of running stream. I,
being Of that persuasion which has for
its motto, Trust in God, bat keep
your powder dry" and, seeing that Gin
ger was disposed to prolong his thanks
giving indefinitely, got up and started
to find convenient place to hide.
soon struck q little pocket formed by
the coming together of several declivi-
ties and surrounded by thickets. A lit
tie runnel passed through it, and,
STOPPING down, quenched thirst that
was burning me. Returning to the
party, led them to the retreat I had
found for them. then left them to go in
search of provisions.
1t was now quite dark. walked
half mile. when saw the lights of
Tracy City. Going to the town and
selecting house standing apart from
the rest, marched boldly up to 1t and
knocked at the door. 1t was opened
by girl, the only occupant of the
place, wild eyed creature in dingy
calico, unshod, her square cut locks
tucked behind her ears. She appeared
to be in q chronic state of fright and
evidently thought me one of those men
who We're going about taking advan-
tage Of the absence of restraint induced
by war to help themselves to whatever
they wanted. I asked her for some
food and few cooking utensils, and
when I paid her for them she was
struck dumb with amazement. 1 re-
turned to camp with provisions, match
es, a skillet and coffeepot.
Ginger and Buck had gathered a
little wood for the fire. At the inner
extremity of the pocket we occupied
was low ledge Of overhanging rock.
1t projected but few feet and was
| about the height of little Buck from the
ground. hesitated for some time
whether it would not be dangerous to
light fire and thus guide our enemies
to where we were, but at last conclud-
ed to place the wood under the ledge
and cover the front with boughs. Driv-
ing three stakes into the ground. I
placed the wood under them and light.
ed It. Then, filling my coffeepot with
water from the stream. and putting in
my coffee, very pleasant odor soon
greeted our nostrils.
But all were too famished to wait for
a cooked supper. Selling upon some
corn pone had brought, the others de-
voured it eagerly, restraining my ap.
| petite long enough to put some bacon
into the skillet. One article Of food
after another was devoured as 1t was
got ready, and our,coffee without milk
came in at the end like the last course
at dinner.
AS soon as we had finished our sup.
per we put out the fire, laid boughs
where 1t had been and covered them
with dry leaves, making bed for the
two girls and Buck. Ginger was to
biYouac wherever he liked. while nra.