The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-01-22
CHAPTER Nil.
BEL.EAGTFRED,

mics were preparing to carry out the
starvation plan. Several Of them went
In different directions, doubtless for
food. One Of them passed quite within
range.
I'm goin to PUNK that one" said
Buck.
| caught his arm, and gave him re-
proof which for a while at least caused
him to remember that l was in COM
mand.
81 wish they'd attack us again." said
the irrepressible boy. 81 could "a hit
that doggone 'butternut if somepn
hadn't joggled my arm"
There had been nothing to joggle the
boys arm, but l thought it best to let
him keep up his pride-it would make
him more seryiceable-So | said moth
ing.
Il aimed right at the middle of his
breast" continued Buck, "but just then
he jumped over a stone, an l missed
him."
q thought some one jogGled your
ARM"
"SOme one did. Ginger, yo' consarn-
ed old niger, what d yo' go joggle me
TO- just as l was goin to PUNK himT'
81 didn't joggle yo', Mars Buck"
"Was it you, Helm"
| "No."
Somebody did, or I'd "a hit him,
shor'
If ever party needed breakfast, It
was ours. Helen unroled the little
parcel of provisions. | directed her to
serve a half ration, or rather, half of
what there was and save the rest. She
did so, handing me my portion, which
1 declined, but she argued that it was
| important for all that should keep up
my strength and finally prevailed on
me to eat my share. Jaqueline and
Buck ate theirs ravenouSly. Each of us
| went to where the water was drip
ping from the cleft and caught the
drops in our mouths. Buck, when he
had finished his breakfast, like Oliver
| Twist asked for more. 1t made my
heart ache to refuse him, but there was
no alternative.
One danger was dwarfed by the
greater perils that surrounded us, yet it
was no less important. My wound was
| liable to put me hOrs de combat at any
moment Fortunately until my dash
from the guerrilla camp had not been
subject to any physical strain, and by
that time it had healed sufficiently to
| prevent its opening. At any rate, it
| gave me no trouble. The first thing
| Helen asked after a lull in the fighting
was about this wound. She insisted
on dressing it for me- and | permitted
| her to do so. She wound around it a
fresh bandage torn from my shirt
sleeve and was pinning it when, look
| ing up at me, she said
| you're not the first one of our men
I've assisted with bandages."
Her remark cut me like knife. 1t
was plain that she was making this
effort, mourning this danger, believing
me to be a Confederate.
| 81 can't understand all these troubles
that surround you," she went on.
"Why not eXplain?
| "You know I'm charged with being
| Ill league With the i aDkccS.
eyes, but your accusers are robbers
and murderers. If thought that
She broke off with frown and turned
away.
| "The guerrllas built fire and, after
| cooking and eating breakfast, loitcred
about, some chatting, some playing
cards, while others devoted themselves
| to their wounded companions, making
them as comfortable as possible on
beds of boughs covered with blankets.
| took advantage of their inaction to
learn how Buck had succeeded in de-
liVering his message to the scout he
was to meet at Huntsville. AS | could
not question him before the others
without giving up my secret, drew
him into the cleft behind us.
Buck, did you find the man sent
you to meet at HuntsvilleW
| "Reckon did"
"Tell me about It,"
"All right. AS soon as l got into
| town went right to the squar an stop
ped In front o. the hotel. hitched my
| pony to post an went inside. A man
In the office said, Sonny, what d yo'
wantY an | said, I'm goin up on the
gallery an he said, What for an
said. 'Fo' to see the town Then |
went up stairs an waited till heard
the clock strikin an counted thi'teen."
"Not 10, Buck. Clocks don't strike
49,"
well, don't yo' see, that clock at
Huntsville Is different kind. 1t
struck either thiteen or fo'teen,
couldn't tell which"
"Never mind the clock. You're in
venting all this. Go on"
"Well. just as the clock struck a man
he came out on to the gallery. He had
the doggonest eyes ever saw just
| like the VOLTS In Red Riding Hood.
At first he didn't take any notice o
me. lookin s If he was bothered cause
| was thar an he expected somebody.
Then he watched me with those sharp
eyes O his'n, an at last he said kind o.
| gruff, ''Tis fine day, boy an ] said,
! said What was 1t was to sayP'