The National tribune., 1902-04-17

vivid blue from the masses of men pour
| ing in by every road leading from the
south.
My eye. amt there going to be G
Ic-c-r-a-u-n-c-hi as the little boy said to en-
courage another going into the DENTISTS
remarked Shorty.
/ A couple Of regiments had already cross
ed the pOntOOn, and more were marching
/ down to cross, when the second section OF
Shad's train should get over. General
with his staff could be seen making his
way through the regiments in the fields,
to get to the bridge.
Forward seems the word over there, .
remarked 81. Lets get ahead, out of the
way"
They rode ahead rapidly for a mile or
more seeing only a few things thrown
away by the rebels in their fight from the
river, and finally came to another high
ridge.
Say, Sergeant" called out Sandy"
there's that same cavalry that we cut off
by burning the bridge. They're coming
along that ridge there, trying to head US
off from Barnwell."
There are some men over there" said
81, looking off to the ridge to the right.
How do you know it's the same cav
airy Sandy"
why. the man in fronts riding the
same calico horse. with black forelegs.
There. YOU can see him yourself
You're right, Sandy" answered 81.
And there's more than that cavalry.
They We found some friends somewhere,
and there comes a lot of infantry behind
them. They evidently have some inten-
TORS in regard to u.s.
He and Shorty made a quick survey OF
the lay Of the land as far as the steeples
of the churches of Barnwell, rising above
the trees in the distance.
This road runs down to n creek just
this side Of the town. thought 81 aloud.
Sure answered Shorty "And them
fellers are on another that runs down to
the creek, too"
"AnG they're making to get there ahead
Of us. and hold the crossing"
Sure. 1t lays up to US to beat them
ut that game or else pass out. That's too
big a crowd to buck against, when they
have the advantage of the creek"
From the way it appears from here,
they must be nearer the creek than we
are"
Right again. Then we must go heap
faster to get there"
''Our hoses is probably some fresher'n
theirs, but if we start for there and don't
make it, it's all day with us. There's
twice as many of the cavalry as there is
VI US NiAHbul tpuutlLS
fOllering up. They'll catch us against the
crick. and maui the daylights out OF u.s.
Then the only thing to do is not to let
EN- catch US, but kill our bosses in getting
there first"
Forward, Double-quick, Gallop!"
shouted 81, setting his spurs deep.
They dashed forward along the ridge,
with the camp-kettles on Otterbein
kramer's led mule making a great clatter
and the haversacks and canteens slapping
against his sides.
other for a few minutes by Intervening
woods. When they came out to the clear
fields at the foot of the hill the rebels were
4 clear quarter of a mile ahead 81 inn
nulSively drew rein at the startling sight
This wayl This wayr' shouted OF
terbein Kramer, who had caught sight of
4 dim woods road. which made a cutoff
to the left. He turned and rode into the
woods, leading his mule after him.
A glance satisfied 81 that Kramer was
right, and he shouted:
Halt! About face! Forwardw
They dashed through the woods after
Kramer. The limbs and brush whipped
their faces, but the road was tOlerably
good. and they maintained a galIop.
When the rebels saw them disappear,
they thought they were retreating, and
checked up 10 turn ana follow them. The |
turned into the woods to cut
across and intercept them. All lost time, |
before the rebel leader decided that the
best way was to go straight ahead for the |
ford.
In n rush of this kind the nimble-footed, |
soat-like Abednego, with his lighter |
weight invariably outstripped the heavy, |
more powerful horses that 81 and Shorty |
rode. Sandy was not usually far behind |
Pete, though.
As they neared the main road they came |
10 ditch crossed by a rude culyert of |
logs, now deranged by the flood. Abed- |
leGo unhesitatingly lifted himself, and |
eapcd across the whole thing, like a goat,
but Sandy's horse caught his leg between
he logs, broke it and fell, sending Sandy
over his head into the mud and water.
Seeing the mishap, the others plunged
IcrOss above and below, and made the
road. to see the rebels coming down it at
| gallop, several hundred yards away.
AS soon as Sandy could catch his
breath again. he shook the mud and water
rom him, snatched up his gun, and run