News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-01-01
CaptaiD r. A. mitchell,
Author of Chattanooga" "Chickamauga,1 Etc.

VA1aeEpaEaA lsZAgS St0REa6G dE3'
Gathering the guns and putting hal
dozen cartridges that remained ii
my pocket, we all left the fort that haC
served us so well and started down tie
decliVity. Without the inspiration OF
those bugle notes we could scarcely
have cr8wled away. Now we not only
walked, but walked rapidly. Once past
the thanking rocks we turned TO The
left, skirted the base of the hill and
made straight for the road led and
so great was my anxiety to get the
others forward that | was constantly
getting ahead of them. saw that
Buck was tagging, and | started back
to help him when Helen stopped, took
him up in her arms and threw him over
her shoulder. He kicked so vigorously
at this indignity that Helen put him
down, and, his fury lending him
strength, he at once took the lead be-
side me. We hurried on, now and
again looking back to make sure that
we We're not followed, climbing over
socks, through ravines, around project
ing points. | directing the course to-
ward the spot where had seen the
passing troopers. We had traversed
half the distance when there came an
other bugle call. 1t was the order
Forward"
| could not represS an exclamation of
ehagrin. | knew the guerrillas heard
all we heard, and this last bugIe order
would probably arrest their fight and
bring them back after us.
Come" | cried. I'VE are still in
peril"
| dashed on for a short distance, then
turned and east a glance behind me.
Helen was marching firmly. Jack was
staggering. AS looked she pitched
forward and fell. Before | could reach
her Ginger had picked her up and,
gathering her limp body in his arms,
Der head resting on his shoulder, car
ded her on. The burden, SO precious to
die faithful old slave. seemed to give
him fresh courage, and he pushed on,
hough with lettering steps.
"lll relieve you presently, Ginger"
said. Hold out as long as you can"
We came to a depression in the cen
Ter of whchran a mountain stream. The
descent and the ascent on the opposite
side were both rocky and covered with
a thick growth of low timber and diff
ticult to pass. | glanced hastily to the
right and to the left but, seeing no bet
ter passage, plunged down the decliv-
Ity. Buck was now stith az to me like
q leech, Helen WIS just Iehind, u'ldlo
q hundred yards back Ginger stagger-
ed along with Jack l waited a mo-
ment for him to come up and then led
the way into the ravine, intending to
take his burden from him when we
mad passed the stream. Once at the
creek. we N.aded across. In the mid
die Ginger stumbled and dumped his
Burden into the water.
The effect on Jack was marvellous.
The cold water brought a reaction
which, if not pleasing. was at least
beneficial. She flew into a towering
passion at Ginger for dropping her and
when | attempted to take her up, gave
ME a box on the ear that made it tin
gle. Dripping, she dashed up the rise
IN the ground storming as she went,
and gained the summit before the rest,
Pushing through a level wooded
space, we soon came to the road. A
buglc ahead sounded the order to trot.
Scarcely had its echoes died away
when from the direction of the outlaws
deserted camp came a shrill whistle.
The guerrillas"' | cried. 1T is now
a race between life and death"