The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-15

promenade in This direction added
Shorty, those yepers over there'll flint!
it quite different from fighting haHdSfull
Of men in himsy l.ttle boats. I'd like Is
see our cid battery come on that bluff
where we were. and take Il fall out of the
rebel artillery. Wouldn't their hend-logs
fly: The blasted bomb-proefers. they've
never had the pleasure of meeting a Union
battery that's learned its business before
Atianty."
"UncIc Ephraim," said ST, as they
struck the broad, sandy road, you We
probably recovered your senses, since
you're on solid ground again, and you re
horse makes the least noise Of any. Ride
ahead about 100 yards, and keep your eyes
skinned. If you run into anybody, play
off that you're Il Niger from Col Palmer s
plantation-that's the one we found lay
ing over there, somewhere, going down TO
the fort for the doctor, for Col. Palmer
wife. She was sick as we went down, and
probably hasn't got any better since"
Yes; | understand all erbout Mis-
Palmer" answered Uncle Ephraim.
promptly riding forward.
Fist, there's some one coming up the
road" said Pete. presently, and they be-
cume very quiet to listen.
Don't hear nobody, Pete" said Shorty,
in a whisper. after hearkening for few
seconds. Guess you've dropped asleep,
and got to dreaming that shark was chas-
ing you"
There was somebody" persisted Pete,
ION horse. He was riding over hard
ground Now he's in the sand, and you
don't hear him. Let me and Sandy wait
here for him. rsc
''All right, said ST. briefly. Don't stay
long, and. get too far behind. That ink
fish may gobble YOU"
Trtn nd GuuI.-. sliJ off tI,air. bn-cnc
and hid in the branches Of an evergreen
magnolia. at
Hes probably some great big, strap
ping teller, with IL sword. Sandy" SAD
Pete Il little neIvetfiy, as they caught an
other sound of the horses hoofs. But
we've got to get him, if he's 10 feet high.
The boys have had, quite enough laugh o!i
u.s. ~
Tn rest my gun. on this limb said the
mGthndical Sandy, and get Il good bead
on him. You halt him, and if he makes
any motion, shoot. I'll wait on you, and
if you miss him III be sure to get HIM"
Now, you'll be sure to get him, If
miss?" inquired Pete, with rrepidation.
Il m sure he's an awful big man. He's
riding a big horse, anyway. Just hear
him
In the stiffness of the night the horses
hoefs did crash down most alarmingly.
swered Sandy. Sounds as big as an
elephant. | wish we had asked Monty
aud Harry to stay with us. But you halt
him before he comes to that light spot in
the road. I'll have my gun bearing right
OH it, and if he comes across I'll bore him
right through the body
"Halt! Who comes there? Dismount
and diSarm," quavered Pete, the next
minute.
Hi, there, wot's de matter wild youzeT'
answered the rider, in a shrill treble that
matched Pete's, as he refined in his horse.
Cheese foolin' dere an le' me go on, you
Bill Ward fellers. You've all know me.
I'm Patsy, the Kinch-the dispatch car
rier. I'm on me way to headquarters with
a dispatch from Maj Anderson. Don't
monkey with me. for I'm in It hurry, and
Mai. Anderson Il make it hot for you've. -
Guess you'll have to climb down off
that horse, and do it very sudden" said
Pete, gaining a great increase of conf
dcnce, from the sound of the voice, and a
glimpse of the small figure ON the horse.
He was trying to act as he had seen 81
do in similar cases. Get down quick, or
Eli plug You.
You Bill Ward feller's gittin' too sassy
to live" grumbled the rider IL; he climbed
down. You've s a putin on heap more
scollops every day, since you've got on out
side duty. But Maj. Andersons goin' to
bring you've inside tomorrer, an give you've
every day work, Ike the rest. Now, what
do you've want wild me? Don't you've know
very well who | am, an what me lay is?''
Can't tell just yet" answered Pete,
''but we're going to do our best to find out
Come right up here, without any more
back talk
Still grumbling, the rider walked up,
leading his horse, until Pete and Sandy
could see that he was a mere boy, probably
some years younger than Pete, and that
his only arms was a not-dangerous pepper
box revolver. Pete looked him over con-
temptuously, and demanded:
We'll, you little rebel brat, hand over
that pepperbox."
And that dispatch you're carrying
added the more practical Sandy.
Who's you've calm a rebel brat, I
wanter know?'' flushed the other hotly.
Then he studied the boys uniforms as
well as he could, in the indistinct light,
remembered their different speech, and a
thought flashed into his quick mind. Say,
eully,'' he asked eagerly, who is you've,
anyhow? Are you've YankeesY'
That's what We are" answered Pete.
yankees from Injianny, and Sherman's
army. Pass over that sprinkling pot. Not
that there's any danger liz it, but because
you're a prisoner"
AND tnat ulSpaIcn, added Sandy.
Say, Gully, shake" answered Patsy
the Kinch, delightedly, as be surrendered
the ancient weapon, and the yellow en-
velope. You've just the blokes I've bin
hopin' to strike. I've bin t'umpin' me
knowledge-box ever since we've got on to
you've bein' out dere, how to give these
corn dodger geezers, de grand shake, an
me an me pardner, Docsy, to get out to
you've. Weze-me an Docsy-don't be-
long to them hogan hominy buns, no
how. We've N'Yorkers."
How in the world did such kid as
you get down here, and into the rebel
army?" asked Sandy. But mount your
horse, and get in between Pete and me,
and you can tell us as we ride along We
must hurry up, for the Sergeants rush
ing right along"
They put their horses to the gallop, but
had to ease down presently for muddy
place, and then Patsy revealed:
You've see me mudder coolin' an wash
in fer de sailors, long de docks in N'York,
an at last she got steady job on a little
coaster, an de coaster got a load fer Sa-
vanny. But the blockade ketched her in
Savanny. an she couldn't 20 out agin.
Den de Confedrits seizes her fer de navy,
an sets me an mudder ashore. Docsy's
fadder was ketched de same way Docsy's
fadder was Second Mate on Il COASTER, an