The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-28

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
Christmas morning broke clear and cold.
The newly arisen sun shed a brilliance on
the scene as absent Of all warmth as moon
light. The little band OF fighlsnders. num-
bering scarce "A hundred all told, were mar
shalcd in front Of the Stockade, and all the
inhabitants had turned out to see them off.
The river. which ran at the foot of the
, stockade, was now silent, having put on a
sheath OF armor which glittered like steel
in the cold rays of the early sun. Although
II was the 18th of December there was no
snow IN the ground. which rang hard as
cast iron under the heels of those who trod
on II. The bare knees OF the Highland
company were as red In the shrewd air. as
the skin OF the foe they expected to meet.
The kilt seemed a most unsuita Bile dress for
such an Indictment climate. but Captain
Donald Nlaclean surveyed his company with
satisfaction as he strobe before il. He knew
every man was to be depended upon, and
srch knowledge brings comfort to an Of
hcer. Angus Moray, talented musician and
composer. was tuning his pipes, and the
shriil notes of the wild instrument sound
ed clear-cut and sharp in the still air.
For several hundred yards around the
stockade and on the further bank Of the
river the thick forest had been completely
cleared and the stumps blasted away, so
that TO cover might be left for the Indians,
who would hesitate. even If they besieged
In overwhelming numbers, to cross the clear
space that exposed them to rife fire from
Behind the palisades.
People from within the paIlIsade looked
with admiration at the brave display: all
but one man, who stood aside. a frown on
his face and a brown, nervous hand gently
pulling the gyatee that hung down from his
sharp chin. lie was tall and lanky, dressed
in buchSkin jacket ard leather leggin-s,
with deerskin moccasirs Oh his feet, while
his other extremity was covered by a cap
fraia IRON, tho lie % d, ,apgaa a.. ..gy
hanging down behind over his shoulder.
\ knife was sheathed in his belt, ready to
his right hand, and careiesSly resting on
his crooked elbow, lay a dilapldated looking
rife, the butt seemingly fastened to the bar
rel by thongs of buCkskin. a poWder-horn
slung at his side and some pouches COM
pletcd his picturesque outfit. His counte-
nance might have been a model to any ar
list for = picture of a parsonage not vet
born, to be known ultimately as Uncle
Sam.
; Amos Stebblns stood a!oof from all those
present, for he was u stranger who had
but just arrived. He watched the parade
gloomily, and yet he himself was the
cause of it. for the night before he had
made his way through the thirty miles of
forest from Fort Charlotte. bringing to the
stockade the news of its distress and a cry
for help. 1t is some indication of the en-
durance of the man that he had been tray
ellnS al rl@nI ana Hdu bafelN an hOlf :
sleep. but was now ready for the war path
again.
To this lone figure Captain Maclean turned
and said brusiusiy.
Well. my man, are you ready?"
Ready for WHAT" asked Amos. with a
slow drawl.
Ready to guide us TO Fort Charlotte, of
course" rejoined the officer. impatiently.
THAT is what you are here for. 1 take it."
Before I answer your question: replied
Stebbins. Il must ask you two or three OF
my own"
Excuse me. my good fellow" said the
officer. tartly: at is my place to ask ques-
tons and yours 10 answer them. l am in
command here"
You are not in command of me-" said
Stebbins. unabashed. Il am a free man. I'M
der the orders of none. L did not come to
this place by command. but as an oblige-
ment to my friends at Fort Charlotte. They
knew that l was probably the only one in
their company who could get through. 1
have got through, and here l stand. will
ring to do an obligement, but not to be
moved by threats"
Captain Mac!ean looked him UP and down,
anger in his eyes.
You are a free man, are you? / would
have YOU know that personal liberty must
always give way to the general safety. and
so far as power goes / am in possession of
II. / can order you out to be shot as a
rebel to authority, and will not even be
court-martialed because of it."
THAT can you not" said Amos, calmly,
..hecause at the first move to lay hands
nm me I'll send a bullet through your heart.
and all your men cannot save you"
'rwho. INDUCES in threats now?' asked
she Ca'tai" ="parently unafraid.