Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-06
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Quick Reverse.
IoriginaL.l

Corporal" said the general, there's
a Confederate loose somewhere in our
rear that I want you to take. He met
an artillery sergeant on the Lebanon
pike this morning and got the drop on
him, taking his horse and his uniform.
That means a tour OF inspection either
OF our camps, our rear or burned rail-
road bridge, cutting our supplies. It's
no use sending a lot of men after him.
Try him alone. The sergeant says that
the last he saw of him he was winding
along up the road over Cedar hill"
had been the generals private scout
for months and knew the country well.
1 struck the road over Cedar hill FIVE
miles in our rear and questioned all
met if they had noticed a mounted
artillery sergeant. The people were
all Confederate and would give me no
satisfaction. 1 was feeling somewhat
discouraged, for night was coming on,
when L noticed horse tied in front OF
q tavern. dismounted and entered the.
tavern. There sat a sergeant of artilr
lery with the landlord at table eat
ing a supper that had been set out for
him.
"Got any whisky, landlOrdF" / said.
IF so, trot it out. How are you, ser
geant?'
well enough. Sit down and drink
your liquor here. I'll join you"
His accent was a pure southern and
was a dead giveaway. From the mo-
ment of his speaking l knew 1 had
struck my man. His nerve was per-
feet. His manner was that of one
pleased at having a comrade to drink
with. Nevertheless 1 noticed that I'M
der pretense of removing his revolver
to position more comfortable for him
he slipped the holster around on his
belt toward his front.
"Out here on duty?' asked.
"Yes. Are your
Looking for forage. The commissary
says he's running short, and I've got to
find some.''
That's my job. Our battery is down
to barrel of OATS
1--WE might hunt together"
$50 we might, only we'd have half
the chance together we'd have sepa-
rate. Suppose we meet here, say, to-
more than either needs"
l had hoped that he would think 1t
best to fall in with my plan for awhile
in order to gain my confidence, In
which case might run him into a trap,
but his argument was too sound to re7
flute, and L gave up that plan The
landlord brought some bad whisky. and
the sergeant and 1 drank together.
Then proposed that we remain where
we were all night and make a search
the next day.
'AIl right said the sergeant. I'm
Gle Sam doesn't pay me enough to hunt
for forage at night. Got rooms for Us,
landlord?"
Reckon
"WelI, I'll go out and stable my
horse" said the spy.
BY this time certain scrutinizing
looks 1 had given the man, an occasion
al trace of incredulity in my face or
something of the kind, had caused him
to know his critical position. It's sin
gular task and a singular feeling to be
chatting Familiarity with an armed man
whom you are planning to catch off his
guard. at any moment one or the 9th
er may have u bullet hole in him, and
it is very uncertain which will be the
man. In this case, over one dangled a
halter.
'"Take my horse in. too" l said,
stretching myself lazily in my chair
and lighting my pipe.
iii do it,
He went out into the hall. jumped
up the moment he reached it and fol-
lowed him, expecting to take him from
the rear with his back turned to me-
The moment he was out of my sight he
must have gone like lightning, for
when I saw him he was half way to
his horse.
Hands up!' yelled.
With two leaps he was at his horses
side and with another on him and away,
1 firing three shots, then mounting my
self and following him. 1t was clear
race over Cedar hill, and our horses
kept a gallop on the way up. Then
| came a breakneck pace down the other
side. Suddenly the mans horse Stun
| bled and hurled him a dozen yards
ahead. When 1 reached him, he was
| unconscious, and took his pistol, then
went to q rivulet beside the road, filed
my canteen and dashed water in his
face. That brought him to himself.
Say, Johnny Reb," 1 said, you're
the coolest chap 1 ever met and the
bravest. I'd give 500 if you weren't
spy carrying information, for you'll
hang. and it prevents my letting you go
| back to Dixie"
He pretended to be badly hurt, and
1 was very lenient with him, permit
ting him to sit beside the road till bet
ter able to mount. He took out white
handkerchief and made great display
of it. wiping the blood from his face.
| 1t was not long after this that, follow
ing his glance down the road, saw
troop of Confederate cavalry coming
| like the wind. In a second l was on