Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-12-30

/ her-or for the doctor.
And so, once more. but in broad
daylight now, and well up along the
heights, they came at last in view OF
the twisting mountain road that
pierced the range-Jackson's runway
from the Shenandoah down to Cor
donsville-and here again Fred iurked
in hiding. while Hector scrambled
down afoot to try the pass.
Ten O'Clock had come before Hee-
tor reappeared, big-eyed, painting.
There were 200 soldiers to the west
of the Gap digging forts. squad in
every farmhouse along the road. and
about as much chance of Yankee
officer crossing in daylight as there
was "of a needles eye a-gittin' into
heaven" Hector had been piously
taught at some time in his life-and
now he looked at the blue and the
brass buttons in dismay.
Benton thought it over. The guard
were to come for him at six. and long
ere this had discovered his escape.
Pursuit and search would of course be
made. Anybody own bloodhounds
around Charlottesville? he asked, and
Hector said NO" Still Dan had gone
back, Dan might be dashed and tor
tured until he revealed what he knew
such things had happened-and the
sooner Benton reached the upper wa
tiers Of the Rappahannock and secure
hiding places back of Warrenton,
known to Hector, the better it would
be for him-for all. He doubted not
that by noon couriers would come gal
Looping out from Gordonsville telling of
his escape and ordering guards and
along the Gap.
mot second to 1ose!" He sprang
to the saddle-bags and began search.
What had occurred to him would prob
ably have occurred to her, and it was
Miss Rosalie, Dan affirmed, who packed
them. With eager hands Benton pulled
at the contents of the nearmost-a
flask of brandy from the doctors store.
towel, handkerchiefs sponge, soap,
comb and brush, socks, shirt and IN
derwear-Jack's, of course, and prob
ably tight fit; small tin boxes con-
tanning ground coffee, sugar and other
things-no time to examine now! Then
came a shout from Hector, rummaging
on the other side, and over the broad
back of Marse Pelham's old Pyramus
came worn gray sack coat and waist
coat, of Richmond make, and pinned
to the lapel a scrap of paper on which
in pencil appeared in Roman char
acters, not script, these words: Map
and spectacles in coat pocket. Small
pistol also. Look out for federals about
Warrenton."
In less than half an hour, tall. pale
faced, studious-looking young man in
spectacles, SLOUGH hat and worn sack
coat of gray-thrown loosely over a
slung right arm-with a dark-brown
horse, a doctors saddle-bags and a
darkey follower on a nondescript nag,
turned deliberately from a mountain
path and took the highway to the east
ward. A few rods further the road
twisted to the left and brought him in
view of a mountain cabin, where a
squad of soldiers in Queer-looking
frock coats of dingy gray were filling
their canteens. Another of their num-
Der, sick and detected, was squatting
on the steps, his sallow face the pic
ture of woe. "Gawt any physic that
Will cure the cawlic, dawktuh? Z"
drawled a sun-tanned young fellow in
refined in, studied the patient attentive
ly one moment, then swung out of sad
die and stepped to his side. He grave
ly felt the pulse and glanced at the
coated tongue, fumbled a minute at
the saddle-bags, stirred compound
into a stone china cup that stood by
the trough-a compound whereof
powdered sugar, spring water and
spirits vini gallici were the sole in
gradients, and in three minutes had
the satisfaction of seeing the light OF
reviving interest in life in the dull
eyes of the invalid and receiving the
plaudits of half a dozen would-be pa
tents. Gladly would they have held
him, though from no hostile intent, as,
with apparent serenity yet with thump-
ing heart, he rode away. He had
heard enough to make it expedient
that he should move at once.
You're the first dawktuh we've seen
since we left home, 'cept those in the
army, suh,' said the young sergeant
Guess they need 'em all
You're not Virginian, them haz-
arded Benton. as he was mounting.
mo, suh-Fifteenth Alabama, Trim
ble's brigade, sub. We b'long down at
Gawd'nsville. but they sent a few COM
panies out this way last night"
know any of the Eleventh ?'' queried
Benton, rashly, yet thinking it not I'M
wise to display some knowledge of the
southern service Lieut.. Ladue, of
Mobile?" he continued at a venture.
mot many, sub. They're all with
Gen. Longstreet and Anderson down
toward Yorktown"
ssT ,ieuf Iadre ain'ffo said the sick