The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-11-27

the branch. and they're firing at long
range where it amt doing a particle OF
good. Let's find some place where we can
get in some ticks. The suns getting high,
and the battle hasn't begun yet. If we're
going to get Fayetteville today things have
got to move livelier than they've been do.
ing
regiment, which can't be far away by this
to the road, ride back till you find the
regiment, and tell the Colonel what's up.
Report, as suggestion from me, that the
pioneers be advanced to shore up that
bridge over the branch, SO that the regi-
ment can move right on to the creek. For
ward-Trot" I'd
They rode rapidly along the ridge, until
they came to where they could cross the
branch, then struck over toward the main
creek, and presently came out on a clear
hillside overlooking the roads and the
bridge. They saw the regiment coming
up over the hill a mile to the rear, and also
| that the Chief of Scouts had succeeded in
passing the branch, and forcing the rebels
back to the last ridge in front of the
bridge. There they were making a most
obstinate stand, while some of their num-
Der were piling lightwood and brush on the
bridge, to burn it.
~
there were, between him and the end of
the bridge, high rail fence, overgrown
with vines, briers and brush, and another
wide, sluggish branch, made still wider, by
the water backing up from the swollen
creek.
Shorty ragged at the discovery, as if it
had been some malignant and wholly IN
military trick of the rebels to balk them
in praiseworthy design, but 81, always
striving to make the very best of every
thing, snatehed the fence down, and rush
ed his men through, to ponr a fearful vol
ley into the backs of the unsuspecting
rebels who were fighting the foragers adj
vancing by the southwest, south and south
east roads. They sprang up, and ran back
toward the bridge.
Shorty, there's Teller running down
from the fire with a brand to set fire to
the bridge" shouted the ever-vigilant 81,
in the midst of the shooting. xiii him,
while I'm attending to these Others
"Au right. l see him, and I'll fetch him
before he can get to the bridge" respond
ed his partner.
Take good aim, boys, and make every
shot count" 81 commended. Don't let a |
man Of them get back to the bridge The
more of 'em you fetch now, the less
trouble they'll give us later"
''DOd-gast that rebel whelp; what makes
him so eternal fiippity?" exclaimed Short
presently. That's the third shot I've
fred at him, and hain't fetched him yet"
The man had hastily snatched up a pine
knot from the campfire, only to find too
late that the hot resin was boiling out of |
the end in his hand. 1t was too late to |
find another, and he was dancing around
in excitement and pain. waving the brand
to make it flame up, and changing it from
one hand to another, as he made his way
through the rushing fugitives, toward
stuff piled on the bridge
Great Jehosephat! there, I've dropped
another innocent man," exclaimed Shorty,
after trying another shot '"And that feI.
ler's still a-coming. I've got to settle him
by plain bull muscle"
He sprang down the slope, waded across
the branch, and ran in among the rebels
pressing on to the bridge. knocking down
with his carbine such as impeded him. He
saw his man drop his brand, grab up some
mud to sOothe the pain in his burned
hands, pick up the brand again. and make
a final rush for the bridge. Shorty
strained himself to intercept him, but the
man flung the blazing knot into the tim
ier-like brush just before Shorty knocked
him down with his carbine barrel.
The stuff was instantly in a fierce
blaze, with Shorty doing his best to kick
he stuff off into the water. aided by those /;
-Oragers who had come up on the other
.oads.
Some of these had the fOrethOught to
freak Of cedar bushes, which they dip
led into the water, and beat out the
lanes.
Not stopping to help save the bridge. i.
he Chief of Scouts had rushed on with
M own squad after the retreating rebels. t.
81 remOunted his squad. and led them :
Jack up the hill. to get around the branch !
nd onto the bridge.
From there he saw the Chief Scout rush /.
II into Fayetteville. driving the rebels be- !;
ore him down the principal street, to a
uilding from which hung tavern sign. :
number of men. apparently officers, ran :
ut of this, jumped on their horses. and by ;
harp commands, forced the fugitive about. q
company of rebel cavalry galioped up +
nd joined them. There was n terrific n
fight. for minute or two. !
nth saber. revOlvers and carbine barrels, | r
] which the Chief Scouts party was sim :
ly overwhelmed. Several were killed, and q
e and the rest were knocked on their d
orcac nj Hs1i~E