The National tribune., 1902-08-21
HE TRANsMIGRATEs TO JAwJY."

| States would at once begin fighting among
| themselves"
"Well, they amt going to get the
| to keep the peace. l amt bOthering about
that just now. but where to find some
grub for the regiment If we don't get
back tonight with something the boys will
be in n bad way, as the wagons can't get
up to them"
'And we hain't got enough so far to
bait catfish hook" said Shorty.
And the suns past the noon-mark,'
added 81. Il don't believe there's a
that we ought to take, and we haven't
seen hoof for hours.'
From the looks of that old cock at the
last house / should say that he has a lot
of stock hid around here somewhere" as
serted Shorty. Hes not the kind of a
man to contribute his goods and chattels
to the Southern COnfederacy. or to any
thing else that didn't pay spot cash. He's
managed to dodge all the pressing agents,
and likewise kept his stock out of reach
Of Wheeler's men. l took n look at his
grounds, and saw that he had been feed
ing good many, and had forage for a
lot He hain't all those great stacks of
fodder there for show. He has them to
feed for the rest of the Winter"
''ShOrty, sometimes l think you're al
most intelligent" remarked 81.
'"Thankee. You do me proud. The
shortest way to the meat market is to find
cattle. He's smart enough TO hide 'em
well, or he wOuldn't've kept 'em as long
as he has"
Il suspect you're right, Shorty"
Suspect? Great JehOsephat; Of course
I'm right / admit it myself"
well. we'll soon find out. II he has
any cattle hid they're over there in that
swamp. No place else handy to the house
and. that feed. Wen go back to near the
house. and deplOy and follow up every
path leading this way. The first one that
They formed an irregular semi-circle
near the house, and each moved on diff
ferent path.
81 and Shorty started down the broader
paths, examining them carefully for di-
verging trails. The others took any traces
that seemed promising, with Sandy and
Pete, as usual, wandering around on the
flank, according to their own sweet will.
Sis path terminated abruptly at the
now tenantless hog-feld. The others had
similar ill-luck, though some of them were
still following the .'nigger-paths," with
which every plantation in the South
abounds, made by the slaves in their con-
slant visits to neighboring plantations.
III that old fellow has hid any cattle
he's done mighty good job of hidin," re-
marked 81, rather discouraged, as he and
Shorty met for consultation. 81 can't find
hoof mark anywhere, a dropped ear of
corn nor n sign of fodder carried out"
Neither can /, responded Shorty. GAN
the same. he's got lot somewhere that
he's feeding. Look at that fOdder-stack
You can see plainly he's taken some away
not longer ago than yesterday"
THAT'S so. declare, Shorty, you're
getting smarter every day."
'Tm going to be smart enough to beat
that old snooZer, who's Outwitted his own
people and thinks he can beat even the
Yankees. I'm more anxious for that than
l am to get the meat"
A significant low whistle arrested their
attention, and looking in the direction they
saw Pete. who had run over toward them,
beckoning them his way.
Come over here; come over quick. but
don't make no noise." called the boy ex-
citedly, in n loud whisper, as they came
within car-shOt.
'Must've struck a layout of guerrillas,"
thought 81, bringing his carbine forward
ready for action and motiOning to the rest |
to do the same and slip forward noiseless- |
ly.. o., :.
Whatve you found, Peter 81 whis- |
pered, as he came forward; but Pete was
slipping forward so full of excitement that |
he coud not answer, but merely continued |
to beckon them to move on silently.
''S-s5s-h!" said Sandy, stepping back,
with his face lighted up, to make room
for 81 to look through the opening in the
bushes. There he saw most surprising
sight. 1t was the mating seasoa for wild
turkeys, and two magnificent wild turkey
cocks we're preparing for a battle royal
iOr the favors of a flock Of hens, who were
gathered to see the entertainment, and
exhibiting the customary indifference Of
female animals as to which Of the cham