The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-26

eyes on the rebel shore. They could see
men. who were evidently familiar with
he drift OF the currents, running through
the trees. skipping from log 10 log, making
to n point toward which the boat was
drifting. They were trying to keep from
view and lie in ambush for them.
Plank EN-; we can settle them, any
way" remarked ST. snvagely. with Il
glance at his carbine But don't pre-
tend to notice EN-. Let 'em believe we're
ready to be surprised and hauled in
The rest only looked around to see that
their Spencers were lying handy on the
deck.
They're making fol the big cypress
log that's caught in the brush up there.
Splendid place for EN- said Wash Lam
bert, indicating with his glance an i'm
merse fallen cypress, about as broad as
Il village sidewalk. whose great top had
caught in some young trees, and anchor
ed it there. This currentll take us with
i'll n couple hundred yards of it,
Shorty went down on the running board.
picked up the pole, and sounded the wa
ter.
rk-four.-No-botto i in
-the-lcad." he sloomily sing sOnged
Could've told you that before. by the
way the water comes up on them trees"
said Wash Lambert. But some folks
has to bark their shins against thing
before they see it,
The sinking of the brush showed that
the rebels were gaining the covert. San
studying the situation, but at Il word
from 81 apparently paying 10 attention to
the gathering of the rebels.
He disappeared, but presently came out
OH the stern. where Pete still sat patient
~ fishing. with two blankets fastened to
poles, the TX, and some spikes. Otter
bein Kramer was with him.
Here. Pete" said Sandy. handing him
Gre of the blankets, were drifting into Il
trap"
Whats that?" exclaimed Pete. Jerking
up his line. and awakening to the fact
that there was something beside water
and fish in the world. Whats that you
Say?'
mo time for debate. Young man." an
swered Sandy. You just take this
blanket and spread it out that way as a
sail. while | nail the corners to the boat.
and then you stand by it, and keep it
spread. kramcr'll do the same on the
other side
''Gwine to dry they'uns Blankets ex-
planned the leader of the rebels to his
men, crouching on the broad surface of
the log, behind the screen of branches.
Let they-all come bout 20 rod further.
Sim. bring up that thar canoe. SOS to 20
out an git they-all when they surrender.
Wen cut that thar grapevine. and fas-
ten hit to the boat an haul it in. Hits
probably jest full o Yankee stuff
The wind had died down considera-
bly,, and the boat made no response to the
banket-sails, but continued to drift on
ward. Sandy ran up to the upper deck
with the rest of the blankets, and Monty
Gid and ALI. They and Tom and Abe
he stationed around the deck, holding out
the blankets the full length, and so dis
posed as to catch the whole force of the
wind, which accommodatingly freshened
up to its former rashness. and the boat
yielding to its impetus, began stemming
the current and slowly receding from the
ambush.
The rebel leader ut length perceived the
meaning of the Yankee trick, and shout
ed
"Heah. you Abolition whelps. surren-
der, or we'll kill every one o yo'-all Sur
render tO-wunst."
Not much. That's not what we come
down here for, you contaminated rebel"
answered 81, snatching up his carbine like
flash and pumping" the whole eight
shots into the branches where the rebels
were concealed. Take that, and so home
and think about it."
And that, too" added Shorty. firing a
few shots for good measure. ''for not hav-
ing more sense than to be out in the
swamps on n day like this"
The boat was so unsteady that the aim
was uncertain. but the shots struck close
enough to send the rebels off the log into |
the freezing water behind it. which was |
little satisfaction to boys who felt that |
they were having Il large lump of the |
hardships of the war.
SANDY, yoa're genius" exclaimed 81. |
as a shot or two from the rebels who did |
not slip OF the log whistled harmlessly |
over their heads. "In my report of this |
affair, if l ever make one, shall give you