The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-19

old days at Appleby Hundred. 30 whilst
the Major was reaching for the packet
nay. when he had 1t in his hand-I started
pack with warning cry. giving that imt-
tation of the ominous skir-r-r Of q rattle
snake which had more than once got me q
cuffing from my father.
In any crisis less tremendous I should
have roared a-laughing to see the doughty
Major and my good friend the Lieutenant
vie with each other In the skippinzp to a..
cape the unseen enemy. But it was no
laughing moment for ma At q flash my
sword was out and was hacking bither
and yon at the imaginary foe. In tho hur-
iy-ourly coDtrived TO sprawl all across the
workbench table. and the packet which
would have killed my plot-and. be-
like. the plotter as weu-was secured and
quickly juggied into hiding.
DAMNED see now what you.vs done;
you've split my breech-charger all about the
place!' rasped the Major. when all was
over. And then: Who the devil are ys.
anyway. and what do ys want WI mar
clicked my heels. saluted and gave him
the express from my Lord-ths right one.
this time. He tore OF the wrapping. sworc
nearly soldier cath when he read the fore
part OF the letter and clapped his leg Joy
1ui!y, like the brave gentleman that he wss.
when he came to the postscriptum.
"Yers a fine fellow. Captain; ySys
brought me good news he said. Then he
nade an aide call Captain dc Peyster. his
second In command. and In the Same breath
gave Tybee and me in charge to an ensi1n
for our billetins for the night.
1ou VIII conceive that I was oyer1oyvd
ut this seemingly safe and easy planting Of
the petard which was to blow INV IorA
Cornwallis's plans into the air; and In an,
ticipation I saw tho tde-turnins battle and
heard the huzzas OF the mountains vfo,
tors. But It's a good old saw that caut,ons
against hailooins before you're out of the
wood. Captain dc Peyster was coma and
Iyhee and I were taking our leave Of ths
MAJOR. when there was q sudden eommo-
tion among the guards without and q little
man In black. his wig awry and his cloth.
Ing torn by the rough man-handltnS Of the
sentries, burst into the tent,
Seize hirni seize himl he u q rebel suyFs
he shrieked. pointing at me.
As you would guess, all talk paused a
this dramatic Interruption, and all eysS
were turned upon me. Had thu little vipep
been content to rest his charge upon the
simple accusation. I know not what u,ieha
have happened; but when he got hi, breath
ne burst out In TRADE Of the foulest abupa
curans me up one side and down tho othsr,
and ending in q gibberins 1T Of rage thai
left him pallid and fosmins at The lips
and gave ms my cue.
lis the little mailman Of ouesnsboe.
oush. said coolly, explaining to the blufa
Major. His mania takes the form Of .
curious hatred for me, though know not
whV. Two days eince. he was put In arrest
by my Lords authority for threatening my
lie and that OF his masters daughter. Now,
II would seem. he has broken Jail and fol-
lowed mo hither"
lunatic. chr He looks It. every fnoh,"
said the Major: and the blackguard lawyer.
nearing my counter accusation. was doing
his best to give It a SAVIOR of likelihood by
fighting frant!cally with the two soldiers
who had followed him into the tent.
Out WI himi'' commanded this Major.
We've no time to foolish away VIZ a Bed.
laTnite. Take him away and peg him out.
and 81 him dash o. water to cool his
head -
Pensarvin fought like a fury. and
his venomous rage defeated all his attempts
TO say calmly the words which might have
got him hearing. So he was hauled away.
splitting and struggling like q trapped Wild
cat; and when We were rid of him the Ma.
Jor nade US good night again.
Iybee held his peace like a good fellow
I'll we had rolled US in our blankets before
one OF the camp fires. But Jus. as was
cropping asleep he broke out with, x
would you might tell me what piece of rebel
Slilainy this Is that I've been a winkins 40
1 laughed. "'Tis a thing to mako Major
ferguson rejoice. as you saw. And surely. IL
can De no great villainy to give a man what
ne thirstng for Bide your time, Lieute1-
ant ana you shall see the outcome"