The National tribune., 1902-08-07

shouldered and stocky man took his seat
| beside Shorty. but only nodded his head
| in reply to ShOrty's remarks upon the
cOldness of the weather and the badness
/ of the roads.
Shorty took n survey of the crowd, and
was more puzzled than ever by their ap-
| pearance. Their faces were not those of
Eastern men, and they certainly did not
, look like Westerners. There was an in
| lescribable something about them which
lid not belong to either section. Shorty
| next noticed that they had no regimental
| numbers or letters on their caps. The
places where these had been were still
evident from the higher color of the pro-
tected spots, but the letters and figures
| were gone. 1t struck Shorty as queer
| that all of them had lost their marks.
Then he noticed that there was a new
| conner beside each of the boys, with the
surplus seated to the left of 81 and near
! est to the stack of guns.
81 seemed too busy answering the cross
eyed mans questions to notice anything.
The rest were equally engrOssed with
renew his attack upon the roast chicken.
He turned from his uncommunicative
companion to take another capaciOus bite
at the food.
Otterbein Kramer came back from the
creek with kettle full of water. AS he
was hanging it on the pole to heat for
dishwater he caught the sound of the
cross-eyed mans voice, started visibly,
and looked at the speaker. The latter
had noticed him, too, and when their eyes
met gave him such 4 dark. menacing look
that Kramer trembled. The cross-eyed
man made a significant movement toward
revolver hidden in his breast TO warn
Kramer to keep silent. As the leader
raised his hand to his breast, each one of
liS did tho frIr-
lively looked out of the corner of his eye
for the next signal.
Kramer" called 81, haven't you got
enough to give these boys something! Cut
us short a little, if necessary. Then, if
you haven't enough, you had better cook
up some more. They hain't had anything
to eat all day."
Il think we have good deal left
mumbled Otterbein Kramer, white with
terror, as he shuffled around among the
kettles. He picked up his ladle. and il
ratified against the side of the kettle from
the shaking of his hand. Better have
some of this skilligalee first, gentlemen.
It's both warming and filing"
Il must have another cup of coffee.
Great Jehosephat how ali this tastes" ex-
claimed Shorty, setting down his plate,
picking up his cup, and starting to rise. 10
his surprise he found a strong hand laid
upon his thigh to hold him down, and
turning to look at his companion almost
brushed with the end of his nose the muz-
dered stocky man had snatched from his
breast and thrust in his face.
sit still, you drafted Yank, or off |
comes yer roof" hissed the rebel.
Shorty turned his eyes just far enough |
to see that every one of the boys was |
similarly covered by a revolver in the
hands of man by his side. 1t was a |
lightning glance, but it took in the look |
of amazement and chagrin ON his part
ner's face without revealing his intentions.
Before even quick-witted Shorty could
formulate his-plans, Otterbein Kramer, in
frenzied desperation, had flung a ladlefuI
of the scalding skillagalee full in the face
of the cross-eyed man, who gave howl
of pain.
81 took instant advantage of this to de-
liver blow with his mighty right, which
caught the cross-eyed man ON the ear and
sent him over to the ground. 81 wrenched
the revolver from him, sprang to his feet
with the agility of a cat, and before any
of the rebels could reach theirs, he shot
down the one who was nearest up and
commanded those to his left to stretch
themselves out fiat under pain of instant
death.
Without attempting to rise or even
raise his hands, Shorty had suddenly bent
his head and butted the stocky man square
in the face. This brought his head and
body inside the range of the muzzle of the
revolver; the rebels face was deluged with
blood from his spOuting nose, and Shorty
instantly bore him over against the
ground, possessed himself of the revolver,
md springing to his feet caved in the
.ebel's side with couple of awful kicks,
md then turned his attention to helping !
lis comrades out.
The fight had had varying fortunes I
With the rest. Alf, Gid, Harry and Mon
y had been so completely covered that
hey had not dared move. Abe Grimstead's {
acc was full Of stinging powder and he