The National tribune., 1903-01-01

| to head them off. How fast were they
going, Sandy"
Eat walk, mostly. Good many Of
them was on foot"
I'VE have the inside, and can get there
before they do" meditated 81, taking in
| the lay Of the land. but we'll strike a
| trot as longs the roads good, SOS to make
sure"
After going a mile or more farther, dur
ing which Shorty noticed a red strip from
| another house, swinging out of another
window, they saw on rise far ahead,
| three scouts in blue overcoats, apparently
firing into the rebels on the other side of
the creek, which made long hitherward
bend in the direction that 81 was adyanc-
ing.
81 gave the order to gallop, and rushed
forward to the assistance of the scouts.
They cane up out of a swale several
hundred yards from the scouts before the
latter appeared to notice them. Then, to
Sis establishment, the scouts fired hasty,
long-taw shots at him, and whirling, made
a dash for a ford across a smaller creek
to the right and rear.
81 instantly comprehended that the
scouts were rebels in Union uniforms, and
dashed after them.
1t was a short rush. for the rebels
horses were caught in the deep mire of the
ford, and 81 and Shorty were instantly
upon them with leveled carbines.
ing their surrender with sharp imperative
ness.
One Of the rebels-the leader-had
jumped from his horse, but was founder
ing around in the mud, quite as helpless
as those who remained in their saddles.
and they all held up their hands.
They proved to be rather good-looking,
stalwart young fellows when mustered on
tho hDr l. nd md Dhnx- at,al
uniforms under the blue overcoats.
who are you, and where do you be-
long? 81 inquired of the leader. finely
built young fellow, with curling black hair
and flashing black eyes.
I'VE belong to the LIST n. G.. Cav, Gen
Buffers command. We're ON special
duty" answered the leader, scraping the
mud from his clothes.
What is that special duty?" demanded
81.
That's for you to find out. but not
from we'uns," answered the leader, pick
ing up another twig, to continue the re-
moval of the mud.
Are there any more of you around
here?" asked 81.
eff thar is. you'll find out in good time
If thar hain't yo'uns won't be bothered
by EN-" replied the leader coolly.
where's the rest of your commando"
''We'uns amt obleeged to tell yo'uns,"
responded the leader, knocking from the
twig the accumulated mud and resuming
scraping.
Look here. you whelp," said Shorty,
roughly, lowering his carbine. DO you
know that we have right to blow your
blamed heads off, having ketched you in
side our lines in Union clothes?'
Il ruther 'spect you have" calmly re-
piled the rebel, not ceasing his cleansing
operation.
And we'll do it in holy minute if you
don't answer our QuestionsT'
"Mebbe yo'uns will, an then ag'in meb-
be yo'uns won't" drawled the rebel indif-
ferently. Anyway, yo'uns amt a-gwine
to git nothin' out o we'uns. We'uns amt
obleeged to tell youns nothin'."
WHO are those men on the other side
of the crick?' demanded Shorty, leveling
his carbine at the rebels head.
Il amt obleeged to tell you." replied
the rebel, going on with removing the dirt
as if that was much the more important
matter.
Who was that you were shooting at
when We first saw you?" asked 81, raising
his carbine threateningly.
Il amt obleeged to tell yo'u ns nothin'."
answered the rebel.
During this unsatisfactory colloquy the
rebels horses had been cxtricated from
the mire by Abe. Tom, Harry and Monty,
and found to be in condition to travel.
Harry and Monty, take away all these
fellows cartridges" commanded 81, who
feared that he was losing time, which |
should be put in getting ahead of the |
rebels advancing on the column of
refugees. Mount your horses he adj |
dressed the rebels. I'VE hain't time to
hold a court-martial now. Coue along |
Well attend to your cases later"
He started off briskly TO the left to |
reach the creek lower down, hoping to |
find a ford by which to intercept the |
rebels on the other side.
Nothing was said on either side. until |
they passed another house. with a strip |
of red Haunting from its window. Then |
the leader muttered to one of his COM
panions:
.Look-ee thar. Bill Hull blamed gang |
o these turpentined hounds gwine over
to the Red Strings"