The National tribune., 1903-11-26

Il done seed him too many times" said
the old man, but he obeyed orders and
took his place.
Now" said West, everybody must
halt whenever he sees his leader halt,
and whenever the rear is obliged to make
any report you must whistle and every
man must repeat and halt and then close
up, and every man must take his cue
from his leader; each man must follow on
and do what yOu see the front man do
Then there followed a display of wood
craft that had been learned in perilous
experience. West mounted and rode up
the river bank under the dropping trees,
ms horse sometimes up to the belly in
water. East was a great field, with road
fenced on both sides running toward the
mountain through the open. No distant
eye must see this procession The leader
went on, frequently making progress with
great difficulty, until he reached a point
opposite the northern boundary of the
field; here he halted. He looked back and
saw that Baxter had halted, Sauire's
horse almost at the side of his own. He
dismounted, gave the negro his bride,
and went forward afoot, commanding
Squire to be still. He was gone long,
possibly half an hour. but when he re-
turned he seemed satisfied. Remounting.
he led on again, eastward now, flanking
the field. slowly ascending the wooded foot
hills. At one place where the trees We're
sparse he dismounted and walked for
ward. so handling his bride that the body
of his horse intervened between himself
and the open ground. Squire initiated tie
movement. Ever winding about-south,
east. north, sometimes even west-the
leader went on, his speed varying in ac-
cordance with thesnature of the ground
and according to his estimate of the de-
gree of security from observation COM
pound of conditions evasive of mathema-
ties and void of resolution to everything
but experience coupled with delicate in
stinct. AT length he halted and ordered
Squire to ride back and tell all the men to
close up.
Then he spoke to the signal men. "YorI
see that bald spot over y0nder across the
gulch! From that place your flags can
be seen by Your men over the river
But how the devil can we ever find
that spot again?"
BY this tree said West: "I've come
ont of the way to bring you to this big
pine; it's the biggest one about here.
noticed that spot and the pine when we
left your men back yOnder / suppose
You'll have no trouble if you can get here?'
Oh, no; If we can get here. we can
get over yonder; but we must look out now
for more guide-posts.''
Yes. all we've got to do is to find other
points from which you can see this tree;
but. mind you, don't go to blazing any
path"
And the winding way was resumed.
Armstrong, here in the woods, keeping
bravely up.
Now they We're at such a hight that
when vision was open to the southwest
the smoke of Lees great camps was visi-
bic above the Limestone Range. and once.
when the prospect was north. Morgan was
almost sure that he saw smoke rising from
Meade's. near Harper's Ferry, an opinion
he was ready TO revise on the next day
The sun was setting but the crooked march
continued. with now and then a pause
in which West showed some natural way
mark to the signal men. Sharp ascents
were made, the riders dismountins.
Though the peaks We're still in the sun
light, West knew that darkness would
fall quickly. He was yet far from the
point he had wanted TO reach: but as the
gloom came on he stopped in a heavily
wooded gulch, where a clear streamles
was trickling over the stones, and ordered
all to close up.
Got to camp, Morgan. Can't go any
farther tonight, unless we all take it
afOot."
Morgan readily assented; he was more
than willing because of Armstrong. They
had brought forage and ratiOns. and West
allowed fire, for the rnvine was so en-
yironed with wood and peak that little
fear was felt. Squire made great bed
Of leaves for Armstrong, who. now that
the stress of the days journey was over,
had scarcely strength to move. The halt
had not come too soon.
After hurried meal, West took Nor
gan aside.
81 ought to see tonight what's on the
Hillsboro and Harper's Ferry road.
and I'd better take old Squire with me-"
Hard work. Usher; better rest and
90 on tomorrow"
mo; you see I know where to find
nan. The Major keeps man on the
ookOut in these parts. don't know
who's there at this time, hut there ought
% be somebody. And if anything has
you know we can't get word
back too sOOn.''
"Can You find your way back?' asked
Morgan.
Not tonight. See that moon? She'll
le down long before | can start back
But it won't matter, I'll get back before
'un-up."
"All right. Do what you think best
iaid the Sergeant.
Armstrong was asleep. Usher West
,ade Squire to follow, and started across
hc iuouuiuiu ne WIS apparently
and Mosby's men wore no uni
Orm-except upon occasion. For half an
lour West went on as rapidly as possible. !
making the most of the moonlight, now
md then pausing to look at the stars
The way was extremely rough. but at
ength he Struck into travelled road, |
md here their further progress would be
descent They had reached the great
st elevation of this obscure gap.
Ill l
cad now"
The speech had hardly ended when from |
ar away came to their ears familiar
from the east it foated-
he sound of bugle.
Squire muttered a prayer.
Yes" said Usher. they're there but |
ve must try it. Go ahead. Squire, and go
mighty slow; as soon as you see anything
kerry slip back and let me know
The old mans teeth chartered. but he |
vent forward down the road, Usher fol
owing at 20 PAGES.
On this day four of Meade's infantry |
orps had crossed to the south side of the |
'otomac, and his cavalry had advanced |
ar into LOudoun. Capt. Freeman's COM
any was OIL the HillsborO road.
(To be continued.)
This Will Interest Many.
F. w. Parkhurst, the Boston publisher,
ays that if any one afflicted with rheu-
s,, .I,.s-