The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-26

busy making his dispositions for tho fight
was on tenter-hooks for fear he would have
the trees felled to belt the breastwork witt,
clear space
He did not do It, being restrained, rs ]
afterwards learned, by his uncertainty as
TO whether or the mountain men had
cannon. Against artillery posted on the
neighhoring hillocks the trees were his best
defense. and go he left them standing.
AS you would suppose. my situation was
now become most trying, and poor Tybees
was scarcely less SO. Knowing my name
and circumstances. and having, moreover,
a high regard for my old field marshars ge-
MUS, Major Ferguson was very willing to
mako use of my experience. These askinsS
from one whom l knew for brave and
honorable gentleman let me fall between
two stools. AS patriot spy, 1t was my
duty to turn the Majors confidence as
weapon against him. But as an officer and
q gentleman l could by no means descend
TO such depths Of pertidy.
In this dilemma l sought to steer mid
die course, saying that l must beg eXemp-
zion because my long hard ride had re-
opened my old sword wound-aS indeed 1t
had. So the Major generously let me be.
thus heaping Goals Of fire upon my head.
and 1 kept out Of his way. consortng with
Tybee, who. like myself. must be an on
locker in the coming fray.
AS for the Lieutenant, he was all agog
irked him most nettlesomely to have fight
in prospect in the which he was in honor
bound not to take 4 hand Time and again
he begged me to release him from his pa
role; and when l would not. he was for
fighting me a duel with his freedom for a
stake.
Consider of It. Captain Ireton," he plead
ed. For Gods sake. put yourself in my
place. Here am l. in the camp of my
friends, gagged and bound by my word to
you whilst your Internal plot. whatever
1t may be. works out to the coup de grace.
Ye gods. 1t would have been far moro
merciful had you run me through in our
wrestling match last night!'
"Mayhap.' said l. CURLY. Twas but
the choice between two evils. Nevertheless.
in time to come l hope you may conclude
that this is the lesser of the two"
No. Pm damned if l shalt" he retorted,
Tuning like disappointed boy, and minding
me most forcibly OF my hot-headed Richard
Jennifer. And then he would repeat: II
thought you were my friend
so l am. man to man. But this mat
ter concerns the welfare of cause TO which
/ have sworn fealty. Take your own words
back. my lad. and put yourself in my place.
Can l DO less than hold you to your
pledge?'
NO. 1 suppose not" he would say.
grumpily. Yet tbs hard: most devilish
hardr'
IT'S the fortune OF war. Another day
the shoe may be upon the other foot
The baggage wagons had been massed
across the broad end of the hill to exc out
the stone breastwork and the last of these
arguing colioQuieS took place beneath one
Of the wagons. whittier We had crept for
shelter from the rain. which was nov pour
Ing again. In the midst of our talk, Major
Ferguson dved to share our shelter. drip
ping like water spaniel.
"Ha! we're carpet soldiers. both OF yer
lie snorted. and then he began to swear
piteously at the rain.
Twill be worse for the enemy than for
u.s." said Tybee. I'VE can at least keep
our powder dry
Damn the enemy!" Quoth the Major.
cheerfully. so the weather does not put
the creeks up and hold Tarleton and Major
Gibbs back from Us. it's a small matter
whether the rebels powder be dry or
soaked
You have made all your, dispositions,
Major?" Tybee asked.
The Major nodded. "All in apple-pie or
der, no thanks to either Of we. 'Tis strong
position, this, Ell, Captain Ireton? I'm think
Ing not all the rebel bandits out Of he'll
will drive from it,
TITS good enough" I agreed; and hero
the talk was broken off by the Majors
diving out to berate some Of his Tory mil
! itiamen who were preparing to make a night
Of it with q Jug of their vile country
liquor.
The rain continued all that Friday night
and well on into the forenoon Of the Satur-
day. During this interval We waited with
scouts out for the upcoming OF the noun
tain men. At noon Major Ferguson sent
final express to Lord Corvallis urging the
hurryIng of the re-cnforcemcnts, not
knowing that his former dispatch had been
intercepted. nor that Tarleton had not as
yet started to the rescue. A little later the
scouts began to come in one by one with
news Of the approaching rifemen.