The National tribune., 1902-04-24

him. We'll dash on, and you follow as
fast as you can, to back us up"
As they came TO the top of the hill
they heard Il sputter of fire over toward
the lower ford, followed by Il crashing
voliey. Then another yoiey followed, and
the hiring ceased.
Apparently, Col. Burritt hain't lasted a
minute commented ii. Hes waited till
the line came up, and then fired into it,
ard its smashed him with two yolleys.
Wen ind the woods full OF his men run
ming"
When they reached the forks of the
roads they saw that leading from the
other ford filled with horsemen galloping
wildly away from the fight.
81 and the rest jumped down off their
horses and began firing at them. The reb-
els turned and dashed of, each for him
self, into the woods.
Let's after EN-, let's after en- shout
ed ST. springing back into his saddle.
Lets keep EN- on the jump till we run
EN- back to their main line
Sending Sandy back with the news to
the Captain of the LIST Oshkosh, and So
licitations to come on at all speed, 81 led
the rest in a gallOp down the road
They went ahead for n couple of miles,
when they saw from the turn of the road
a railroad a little distance ahead, with
one of the sheds that served for stations
on the desolate, lonely Southern railroads.
As usual there, it had no name, but a
large number, cOnspicuOuSly displayed.
Can that be the railroadE" asked 81 in
surprise. Where's Beauregard's armyT'
Its railroad, sure enough" an
swered Shorty. 1T has rails and ties.
But it can't be the railroad, or we'd see
Beauregard himself. 1t must be a little
branch. See. them fellers are rallying
behind it. Forward"
Hold on" said 81. Lets go slow.
Those fellers are catching their wind again
and propose to make a stand. They'r re
entirely too many to rush, when they have
such good cover as that bank. DismOunt,
and let's skirmish with them till the in
fantry comes up"
They had opened fire but a few minutes
when Sandy came back on the run. Say"
said he, them Oshkosh fellerS mounted
| them rebel bosses. and are coming up lust
behind. They sent me forward TO ask
you where they should go in"
Go back and tell them to cut through
| the woods over there somewhere, and try
to get across the road, behind these fel-
lers. Wen hold them there until they
can come around
Sandy dashed back, and 81 began to
advance his squad saucily on the rebels,
running from tree to tree.
This had gone on 10 or 20 minutes,
when they heard a yell, and saw the 1st
Oshkosh come tearing around the road
IN rear of the rebels, who gave one
startled glance, and threw up their hands.
II declare to goodness, Shorty" ex-
claimed 81, as he ran down to the rail-
road, and looked up and down its long,
straight length. This amt no branch or
switch. This is the railroad. sure enough.
There amt no other in this part of the
country"
That's what Shad said," answered
Shorty. Say, Johnny, is this the road
from Augusty to Charleston" he inquired
of one of the prisoners.
Yes" said the man surliIy, "or the
road from Charleston to Augusty, which
ever way you want TO put it."
-. Where's Beauregard's army?" asked
That's none of your business an
swered the man. '''Taint heah. wbar hit
oughter be. Go and find it for yourself,
you biuebeliy, If you're so crazy for hit"
Il must go back and report this to tho
General" said 81. after a glance TO see
that there was no danger about being able
to hold the position. The LIST Oshkosh
men had already set fire to the station
shed.
81 gallOped back. to find at length Gen.
Carlln riding in advance of his we'll
closed-up division, ready at any moment
TO swing into line-of- battle when the
skirmishers should develop the expected
line of the enemy.
Its all right, General" shouted 81,
waving his cap as he caught sight of him.
We've got the railroad
What's that? What's that? You don'k
mean itT' exclaimed the astonished Cen
eral
Ito be cOntinued.)