The National tribune., 1902-04-24

| pint out the ford where he TO attack the
Yankee advance. He'll then fall back to
the forks o the road, where he expects
you to jine him. But you must attack
| right away, or the chance'll be gone"
/ There had been some doubt in the Col
OnePs mind when Shorty gave the order,
| but this was dissipated by the naturelnesS
of the proposed move and ShOrty's APP
parent intimate knowledge of what was
| going on and expected.
| Still. as the Colonel gave the order to
his men to mount, he took the precaution
to say to Shorty:
Ride right along with me, sir
| The Colonel put himself at the head
of his regiment, drew his revolver, and
| gave the order to advance.
! Shorty looked out OF the tail of his eye
| at the COlOnel's revolver, and began ar
ranging his tactics with reference to what
| the Colonel might do with it when he dis
I covered the trap into which he had been
led. He caught his gun in such a way
that at the critical moment he would give
| the Colonel such a punch in his breast
| with its muZZle as would take the breath
! out of him and paralyze his efforts to
| shoot.
| The way was rough and the pace rapid,
and in the rush down the ravine the Col
onel was SO upset by the branches and
vines that he dropped the revolver in
trying to save his hat and seat.
Shorty noticed this, jumped from his
saddle, picked up the revolver, and handed
| it back to the Colonel.
Thank yOu," said The Colonel, with
more of a look of confidence i'll his face
| than he had yet given Shorty. Then again
u shadow of doubt Obtruded
You ride exceedingly well for a rail-
road man and a former infantryman.'
I've rid whenever could get chance
all my life answered Shorty. "Thar's
your skirmish line, Cunnel, an thar's
place whar we'uns kin git right inter the
field behind they'uns."
They had come out on the brow of
low hill, commanding a view of the road
and the fields beyond. Shorty's quick
glance took in. the whole situation, from
81 and the rest standing in the road to
the Skirmish line at the edge of the woods.
You're right" said the Colonel, turn
ing his horse toward where a pair of
bars indicated the entrance to the field.
Forward! GallOp"'
The men behind him raised the long,
shrill, piercing rebel yell, as they dashed
down TO and across the road. Shorty was
first at the bars, and, springing to the
ground, snatched them out to make way
for the ColOnefs horse. The Colonel
dashed into the field, and Shorty, mount
ing, was Immediately beside him.
'Halt-front. Right dress shouted the
Colonel, as he reached far enough into
the field to deploy his men. The rebels
swung into line with fair precision, and
leyeled their carbines, waiting the order
to charge the skirmishers in front.
These, in place of dashing for cover,
faced about very coolly. and leveled their
muskets, while ST and the rest galloped
back to the bars TO close that avenue of
escape.
Surrender, you Yankee hounds, every
one of yOur' shouted the Colonel.
''SnPraDInF CourSnlvaS - Shnnta1 tho
Captain of the 1st Oshkosh. rising with his
men from behind the fence. surrender.
every whelp of you, this minute, or I'll
blow you to kingdom come"
Colonel, | guess we've got you," said
Shorty, resuming his natural tone, and
bringing up his cooked rife. III trouble
you for that pistol. You won't need it no
more"
You Internal Yankee spy, somehow l
misdoubted you from the first said the
Colonel sayagely. as he pressed his thumb
upon the hammer of his revolver. But
you'll never fool another Confederate. I'll
blow your sneaking head OFF, if it's my last
act.'
Guess not, Colonel" said Shorty with
n genial grin. Your intentions are all
right, but I've got the drop on you, as
you will see by look at the position of
this rifle, which is cooked, while yours
isn't. Try to raise it. and your name1l be
muu DIOp HeE lulS HlluuIe. L say.
With an oath the Colonel dropped his
revolver to the ground, and with another
look at the hopelessness of the situation
commanded his men to throw down their
arms, which they were already doing, as
they saw the lines advancing against them
from both sides.
The Captain of the list Oshkosh came
up, revolver in hand, and politely invited
the Colonel to dismount
Here, Lieutenant" called the Captain
to his subordinate, take charge of these
prisoners and march them back to the
line. Turn them over to the first troops |
that you meet, and come straight back as
quickly as you can get rid of them. At |
t-e-n-t-i-o-n-Skirmishers Rally on the
right"
The men ran over the road. up which |
the Captain led them, following 81 and
his squad.
We want to make for the forks of the
road, and cut off Col. Burritt's regiment !
when it gets enough of the men who are
crossing down below" 81 had explained to |