The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-12-18
BAYARD'S dbURIER.
tcentinusd from Ist page,

could help it. Who were those two
men who rode away from hereT'
Yankee cavalry" e
"What regiment?"
list N. " 1iHss
"What we're they aftssf'
taking exercise, they5Aaid, but 1 know
better; they were sent here for nothing
on earth but to spy on iai8."
Ever see those men, ;before?" asked
81 don't know. They've never stopped
here before" ~
Where are they goihe?" asked Nor
gan.
Back to their post, suppose"
''Where is thatY'
"Six-mile post"
Fright on the railroadT
"Yes-other side"
"In the woodsT'
Eyes"
Morgan was satisfied.
When the two rebels left the farmhouse
they bent their way southeast. They
must cross Back Lick again. below the
confluence Of Poplar Run. They must
cross the Orange and Alexandria Railroad:
the two crossing places were so nearly to-
gether that you might almost call them
one and the same crossing; Dan had been
there before. 1t was after midnight when
they stopped between the old railroad and
the new one, which, ut the six-mile post.
run parallel, and but a short distance
apart. They were ut the east-the rear
of a row Of tents; the cry Of q guard
had been heard at the camp, and they
had not dared to venture farther forward
Doubtless the horses were picketed in
front of the tents. and within a very few
PAGES. in conformity with the regulations
for cavalry in camp and in bivouac; but
they could as yet see nothing beyond the
white canvas in the moonlight. The
cleared space was quite small, not more
than four acres perhaps. They went round
the camp TO the west; from this new posi-
ton the horses could not only be seen,
but could be counted-34-all standing in
row with very little interval between
two, heads hanging, bIanketed. The tall
bay could be made out, near the center,
and next him, on the right, was horse
which Morgan believed was the one he
wanted; yet the blanket was a disguise,
and he might be deceived. How to get
them? Morgan knew not what course cir
cnmstanres would compel, but he did know
that in his own experience there had been
times " hen his own horse might have been
stolen by his enemies IL they had taken
the trouble; and he believed that success
was not impossible. 1t might become
necessary to hide in the woods for another
day. and find better opportunity farther
to the rear Of these men: but If he could
get half chance he was going to act
before daylight. which was yet some four
hours off. There was now nothing to do
but wait and watch.
But Charley was not so patient as Dan
From their position they could see the SEN
tinels, one at either end of the row Of
horses. The man on their right was stand
ing stock still, the butt ,pfy his carbine OF,
the ground, his arms folded, his hands no
doubt thrust into the sigeyses of his over
eoat; the other man Wasr marking time
to warm his feet; Armstrong crept nearer
TO this man, then retur1efbto his comrade
and whispered, Hes drinking hard"
did you see anybodyaefse?"
:can We get behind hinrs"
eyes" nis2
"Come on, Them, and0Dan began to
creep up to the sentinel, making wide
sweep in order to approach him from the
rear. Charley foliowedpls They reached a
tree two rods behind the Sentinel: he was
stiIl there, marking time For five min
rtes Morgan. kneeling. watched the guard:
in the five minutes the guard raised the
canteen twice to his month he was mum
bling words to, himself.f y Ban rose to his
feet behind the tree; he drew his pistol
from beneath his coat; he stole quietly
and stood just behind the guard.
who was stamping energeticaIly.
Turn FOUND" said Morgan in a low
voice.
The guard turned and saw the muzzle |
Of pistol within two feet Of his nose.
swat das tomfool, Yunior? Ply cholly. |
sou play desc dricks''-
Silence, or you are dead mani Look |
behind you"
Armstrong also, with his pistol presented. |
"Py chollyr'- Charley put his hand |
IN the Germans mouth: he did not strug-
gle; Dan relieved him of his weapons: they |
ed him away, stupefed, into the woods |
There his stupor left him; he insisted on |
+aJking.
"You play your yokes now, mein trent, |
but / will tomorrow get even NIT you;
you take me out of meiD post. und make |
you see hell tomorrow"
Armstrong threatened to gag the man |
Z he said another word; Keiser looked at |
Charley, whose presence was unearthly |
mystery, and was silent. But at Dan he |
shook his fist. and said:
"Vat you want nit me out in desc
roods?,
"Oh. I'm just going to take a ride"
said Dan.
"Py cholly, take ride! take ride! not
prevent you. But vat you take me out Of
rein post?"
I'VE will let you get back before the
-elief comes. if you will be quiet" said
Armstrong: "but il you say another word.
wen keep you."
The German submitted; he was fast
osing confidence in his first impression:
he rebels tied him to a tree using his |
,wn belt and carbine sling and stuffed a
into his mouth.
They then left him, promising to return
n 10 minutes and release him.
Then Armstrong took the lead. insist-
ng that it was his turn. and that Daa
,ad borne the worst part long enough
The second guard was approached, less
-ime being used. for this one had no sup
port; the rebels. separating and stealing
IN him from two sides at once. seized him
without his making any cutlery. They led
iim away and bound him near Keiser:
md Armstrong remained to guard them.
Now Dan went forward alone: there
was nothing to hinder: he crept up be-
-ween the two horses: with one stroke of
lis knife to each he severed the picket L
'opes and led the animals away. He had
heard no noise. except that made by a
'estless horse somewhere. IN the row and
hat Of heavy snoring Ia one Of the tents,
He had not risked sadhltSg although he
ould see accoutermentsi between the tents.
Armstrong bridled the horses: they
Mounted: each stopped. and released
'aptive; they rode awavqra-ifiy.
(To b continhed.)