Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-05-15
CHAPTER XIII.
BELEAGUERED.

- TRANCE that men will never
- learn the terrible advantage Of
~ force posted on an impreg-
nable position, protected by
breastworks and able to pour shot
down steep hull at an enemy. Two
men. two girls and a boy had defeated
the guerrillas and sent them back to
their camp. did not fear another at.
tack. What dreaded was starvation
Indeed, could see plainly that our enc
mics were preparing to carry out the
starvation plan. Several Of them went
In different. directions. doubtless Tor
food. One Of them passed quite within
range.
I'm goin to PUNK that one" said
Buck.
/ caught his arm, and gave him a re-
proof which for n while at least caused
him to remember that 1 was in COM
mand.
Il wish they'd attack as again." said
the irrepressible boy. II could "a HIT
that doggone 'butternut If somep'n
hadn't jogglcd 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 serviceable-so I said moth
Ing.
II aimed right ut the middle of his
breast" continued Buck, ''but Just then
he jumped over a stone, an 1 missed
him."
Il thought some one joggled your
arm?'
"SOme one did. Ginger, 70 consarn-
ed old niger, what d. yo' 60 joggle me
To- just as was goin to PUNK himY
Il didn't joggle yo', Mars Buck"
"Was it you, Helm"
mo"
Somebody did, or I'd "a hit him,
show
II ever a party needed breakfast, 1t
was ours. Helen unrolled 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
l declined, but she argued that 1t 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 Il
was no less important. My wound was
liable to put me hors de combat Mt 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 lull In the fighting
was about this wound. She insisted
on dressing it for me, and / permitted
her to do so. She wound around 1t q
fresh bandage torn from my shirt
sleeve and was pinning 1t 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 a knife. It
was plain that she was making this
effort. mourning this danger, believing
me to be Confederate.
Il can't understand all these troubles
that surround you," she went on.
"Why not explain"
you know I'm charged with being
In league with the Yankees"
Eyes, but your accusers are robbers
and murderers. II thought that
She broke of with frown and turned
away.
1.-THE guerrillas built fire and, after
cooking and eating breakfast, loitered
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.
l 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, I drew
him into the cleft behind us.
Buck. did you find the man I sent
you to meet at HuntsvlleY
Reckon did"
Tell me about It."
All right. AS soon as got into
town went right to the squar an stop
ped In front O. the hotel. hitched mr.
pony to post an went inside. A man