The National tribune., 1902-11-13

we re coming on.
There must be some other places to
cross this crick, above or below here" said
Shorty, looking up and down. I'VE ought
to see what's on the other side, sure. May
be something of Importance to the army.
Things have been too quiet for several
days to be healthy. Tain't natural. You
stay here, 81, and monkey with those fel-
lers a little while, while take part Of
the boys and go down around that bend
there. 1t looks as if there should be a
crossing there. and l think one of those
trails We passed a while back led to it. If
I'm right, Wen come in right behind those
fellers and gobble 'em and get some in
formation from EN-"
"Go ahead. Shorty" answered Si.
pete, take a crack at that feiler you see
peeping through the brush. It'll occupy
his attention and learn him not to be too
curious abou: other peoples business"
Shorty rode off down the creek, with
Abe. Harry and Monty, while Pete and
Sandy, dismounting, slipped forward eau
tionsly, firing an occasional shot at where
they saw a movement of the brush, or
thought they saw one. They got no re-
ply.
'srhey are in there, all the same" said
81. They're hoping to toll US in. Let's
move forward to the edge of that next
bench, as if we're going across. Bring
Petes and Sandy's horses along. It's
time we were hearing something from
Shorty" he continued. rather anxi0usly,
looking in the direction his partner had
gone.
'See anybody yet, boys?" he called out
linpatiently, in a few minutes.
'.Seen one or two," answered Sandy.
"But they're all there. Tell that from the
way the bushes shake" -
"Can you see into the ford?"
'Yes, I've got good view from here.
It's all clear, with sandy bottom, Ike those
we've come over"
"We'll charge them, then" said 81 to
Alf and Gid, waiting another impatient
minute. "Our horses are fresh. and our
magazines are full If We go with a rush
they can't hurt US, until we're in amongst
'em, and then our repeaters will scatter
'em, no matter how many they are. Bring
forward the boys horses to where they
are, and we'll start the rush from there.
Follow my motions"
A sharp sputter of firing broke out on
the other side of the creek.
81 looked in the direction, aud listened
for an instant, and OWNED the cause.
''Shorty's got across the crick down
there" he said to Alf and Gid, "and was
coming up on the other side, and has run
into something solid. The shortest way to
him is to go right across here. Come on"
With his carbine ready. he dashed
straight at the ford, with Alf and Gid fol-
lowing. and Sandy and Pete coming after
as soon as they could spring into their
saddles.
The party first seen had left the ford,
to mount and go down to meet Shorty's
flank movement, and had called to a dis
mounted squad. to go in and take their
places. Shorty caught these in the act of
getting into position, and their confused
fire did no damage. as he and the rest gal
loped through them: and up on to the open
ground behind the ford. Pete, Sandy, Af
and Gid each fred a shot or two at the
rebels rushing to cover where they could
reload their guns.
Sis quick sweeping glance showed him
the road beyond the fields filled with
column of rebels marching toward the
right. "A squad of cavalry had been NOV
ing through the fields as flankers, and it
was this that Shorty, had encountered.
81 could not see his partner, but he
knew from the actions of the rebel cavalry
that he and the rest were in the edge OF
the woods, firing their Spencers in such
a way as to make the rebels believe that
there was quite force of Yankees in
there.
The infantry column had halted and
regiment was throwing down the fence to
come to the assistance of the cavalry. The
breaking out of the firing in Sis direction
turned their attention thither. and another.
regiment left the column, and started for
the fence.
| t0Eucu t1Ch lIOui Tue utiu, anu 4Ot-
lowed by the rest galloped through the
woods between the fence and the creek,
to join Shorty, firing occasionally. as they
went, to impress the rebels with the idea
that the woods were full of Yankee cav
airy:
he came up. ''Skip back across the creek.
Those are old soldiers over there. We
can't play this racket on them a minute
longer. Get, all of you"
He set the example, by turning his
horses head and dashing across the creek,
and Shorty followed his example, as soon
as he saw that Pete was safely across,
and could call in the others.
Say, ST." expestulated Shorty, as they
came together ON the high ground, and
halted for a moment to blow their horses,
what did you call me off so soon for. I
was just getting my mad up good, and
ready to lick that whole brigade
"Brigadew CALCULATED 81. I'm bet there
is whole rebel division over there. Joe
Johnston is up to his old tricks; and try
ing to cut out our trains, or break our
column in two and roll up both ends. He's
found out we're marching pretty loose, and
thinks he can shove that outfit in some
where. and smash things"
(which MEANS" said Shorty, ''that it
must be headed off and stopped somehow"
''Yes, and word got back to the General,
as quick as possible"
Exactly. If I'm not mistaken in the
lay of the land that trail there will take
us right to the main road"
Light out, then. This is no time for
Friday afternoon declamations."
The trail brought them at times in sight
of the rebel column pressing along toward
the main road. Presently they heard shots,
and coming to 4 rift in the trees, saw a
squad of foragers gallOp up to a cross
ing, and dismounting. open fire on the
head of the rebel column.
'Other folks have seen them too," said
Shorty. Lets go down there and help"
mo, it'll do no good" said 81. They
can only hold them few minutes, and
couldn't hold them longer with our help.
The rebels will soon Outfiank them. Let's
go on and find a better place for the for
ayers to rally on, when they have to skip
out. A little farther back we'll get more
Of the boys together. See, they're coming
in from all directions"
As usual, the prolonged firing was the
signal for all the fOragers in the neigh
borhOOd to rally upon it.
The f0ragers stuck gamely to their work,
but by the time 81 came down to the next
creek, which was more considerable
stream, he heard the rebel yell raised, and
the skirmishers came rushing back to es-
cape the rebels fianking them from above
and below.
rally here, boys; rally here" shouted
81. This is bully place. We can stop
them a long time here. Pete, gallop back
to the main road, and up it until you come
TO n regiment and foil them what's nm