The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-01
BAYARD'S COURIER.
Continued from first page,

from Waterloo to Warreuton; once past
this road they could pursue their course
without great fear. but on this road Fed
eral cavalry had already been scouting;
they must yet be very cautious.
Dan halted the party. He numbered
his men, to 10, and ordered them to fol-
low by file at 20 yards distance. Then he
went forward.
From Warrenton to Waterloo is eight
miles; the road is wide turnpike. Nor
gan was striking this road almost midway
between the two places. He went sor:
ward, The west was at Morgan's left
hand; the last glow of day had gone; the
stars were thick.
Squire halted; Morgan halted; just in
front he could see a light; Armstrong came
on-he should have halted when he saw
Dan halt, but he came on-impatient.
What is it, Dan?'
"A campfire, think"
Joe Lewis had halted some 10 yards in
their rear. The others were closing up
and hating when they saw their leaders
motionless.
The light seemed in the woods, some
200 yards in front Perhaps it was by
the roadside; Morgan had dismounted.
Armstrong was for going on. Dan was
more prudent; handing his bride to
Squire, he started forward afoot. In two
minutes he saw an open space before him
"a wide road--and under large tree on
its hither side he saw the fire distinctly,
with horses hitched 10 the limbs of trees
near by. He saw no men, but needed not
to see them; he knew they were lying
about the fire, for, although Summer, the
heavy rains had cooled the air, and the
wet forest was chilly. The fire was dying
down.
The Sergeant returned and mounted,
and rode south, his men following at in
tervals in single file; he DETECTED to his
right: he would cross the road some 200
yards south of the fire; but as he got near
the road again he saw 4 new light and
halted.
Again Armstrong came up.
Charley" said Dan, you should keep
in your place."
Il know it, Morgan; but, my Godi how
can you expect me to go slow at such n
time, when my people may be in troubleY'
That is true, my friend, but the way
to help them is not by getting into trouble
ourselves"
You're right, Dan, as you always are
I'll go back"
No, not now; there's Joe right behind
you"
Dan, 1 don't believe we ought to be
losing time here. We ought to get to-
gether and ride on across the road"
Il should say the same thing if We
knew that there was no enemy beyond the
road. How do we know what these men
are here for? There may be a brigade of
cavalry over yonder."
Even as he was saying the words, the
notes Of bugle rang out, and there could
be heard the tramping of many hOofs. and
confused murmur as if of a hundred
voices, and the fire before them became
hfttr rf
and the sounds grew louder and swelled
into great volume, which the rebels
knew how to interpret-a column of cav
airy was passing on the road.
Now Morgan sent Squire to order the
line closed up, and soon he saw all his
men at his back. The column continued
to pass-going up the road toward War
renton. There could be nothing to do but
wait.
At length the noises ceased, yet the fire
remained bright. Armstrong again urged
action. and again Morgan decided on de-
lay.
Charley, you know that you cannot
well be more anxious than am. Restrain
yourself, man; We must not lose the game
at the very start
Morgan again dismounted and crept for
ward alone. Soon he was within speaking
distance of the fire; as before, he could see
horses, but no men. He feared that vi
Diet was here in the woods, very near at
hand. He returned to his men, mounted.
and led the way, as nearly as he knew,
in a direction that would strike the road
midway between the two fires. The little
was ready for the venture Nor
gan had yielded to Armstrong; urgency.
And Dan gave Jeb the reins and urged
for the crossing, his L1en follow
lowing two and two; the ground was yet
but there was little underground,
and the movement was rapid. A second,
and another second, and there was fire
at the right oblique, and another fire at
the left oblique, and the ground seemed
open between them; another second, and
'Halt!' ''Halt!' came from either flank,
and the rebels gave their horses the spur
and dashed at the road; then shots. and
shouts Of men mounting, and Morgan
heard the clatter of hOofs in pursuit, for
be was now riding at the rear of his men,
in front, going with all speed
toward the Orleans road. The rebels had
struck into lane where there was good
the ground was good for their
pursuers also, who continued to fire as
they rode.
But Armstrong, regretting his impa-
tience, which he feared had nettled Nor
gan into the haste which was foreign to
and took his place by Dams side. The
race was too rapid for talk. The Yankees
continued to fire, but did not seem to be |
gaining. The road to Orleans was reach |
ed. Here the Sergeant knew the pursuers |
would be puzzled; they must pause to lis |
ZEN, or it would be chance against chance. |
for they would not know which way the |
.ebels had ridden. And Morgan put spurs |
20 .Jeb's two sides and bounded on at a |
great run; and as he passed his men he |
ordered each to walk. Soon the noise of |
pursuit died away; the Federals had |
,eached the road, and had halted, and |
we're listening; but Dams men were pur- |
suing their way SO slowly that their |
horses hoOfs were not heard.
The Federals divided, and Morgan |
heard again the ringing hOofs behind |
hem. |
"Dan," said Joe Lewis, I'm a-thinkin' |
We are pretty near match for them