Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-02

coiIar INTO the { With. and crowned vii
an ancient, tall hat Of beaver, gave IT
backbone. An idea came to me.
would rob the scarocrow and hide m
Uniform. I ran out and hauled 1t owe
and pulled the stuffine out of II. Tn
coat and trousers were made for
stouter man. drew on the latter. fat
toning my figure with s.raw TO fl
them. That done, quickly doomed
the coat. Each sleeve-end tell to mJ
fineer-tips. and its firth would hav(
circled flour barrel and buttoned with
room to spare. But with my sturine o
straw II came around re as snug a
the belt as the coat of bear. tcot
alarm as closed the buttons. For ball
a minute had heard a drum-tap com
ing nearer. IT VAS the measured tap&
tap! tap-tap-tap. so familiar to me
Now could hear the tread of feet COM
ing with it back of the hill. How soon
they would heavc in sight was unableX
10 reckon, but 7 dared not run foH|
cover. So I thrust my scahbard decu|
in the soft earth, pulled down the big
beaver hat over my face, mulyled my
neck with straw, stuck the stake inV
front Of me TO steady myself. and stood
stiff as any scarecrow in Canada. Be
fore | was done column scarlet
coated. came ont In the level beyond
the hillside. Through q hole in the
beaver | could see them clearly. They
came on. rank after rank. They de-
ployed, forming an open square, scar
let-sided, on the green turf, the gap to-
ward me. Then came three, walkingI
stihhy In black coats. squad leadingI
them. The thing ! had taken fer al
white visor was blindfod. TheirI
heads were bare. could see now. they
were in shackles, their arms behind
them. They were coming to their death
some of my unlucky comrades God|
pity them! A spy might as well make|
his peace with heaven. II he were|
caught those days, and be done with
hope. Suspicion was enough to convict
on either side of the water that year.
As my feet sank deeper in the SOFT
earth felt as if were going down to
my grave. Tho soldiers led them into
the gap. standing them close together,
backs to me. The squad drew off The
prisoners stood erect, their faces turn
ing up a little, as If they were looking
into the clear blue sky. could see
them waver as they stood waiting The
sharp-shooters advanced. hating as
they raised their rifles To my horror,
| saw the prisoners were directly be-
tween me and them. Great God! was
| also Of that little company about to
die: But | dared not move a step.
stood still, watching, trembling. An
officer in shining helmet was speak
ing to the ritiemen. His helmet seemed
to jump and culver as he moved away.
Those doomed figures began to reel and
sway as they waited The shiny barr
rels lifted a little, their muzzles point
inS at them and at me The corn
seemed to duck and ,remble as it
waited the vOlley. A great black ball
shot across the sky in a long curve. and
began to fall. Then came the word,
fash OF fire. cloud of smoke, roar
OF rifles that made me jump in my
tracks heard bullets cutting the corn,
l felt the dirt fly up and scatter over
me, but was unhurt. a rigid, motionless
man of straw. | saw my .countrymen
reel. their legs go limp as rags. their
bodies fall silently forward. The SOL
diers stood q moment, then squad
went after the dead with litters. Form
ing in tours, they marched away as
they had come. their steps measured
by that regular rap! rap. rap-rap-rap.
Of the drum. The last ranl. went out
Of sight. | moved a little and pulled
the stake. and quickly stuck it again.
for there were voices near I stood
waiting as stiff as poker. Some men
were running along the beach; two
Others were coming through the corn.
They passed within a few feet Of nae
on each side. heard them talking
with much animation They spoke OF
the wreck. When they were all by me
faced about, watching them. They
went away in the timber, down to
rocky point. where | knew the wreck
was visible.
They were no sooner out of s!eht
than pulled the stake and saber, and
showed the latter under my big coat
Then | lifted the beaver and looked
about me. There Was not q soul in
sight From that level plain the field
ian lar TO thick wood mounting over
the hill. moved cautiously that way.
for was in the path of people who
would be coming TO see the wreck.
got near the edge OF the distant
wood. and hearing noise, halted,
and stuck my stake, and drew my
hands back in the sleeves, and
stood like scarecrow, peering
through my hat. Near me, in the
woods, | could hear the cracking OF
sticks and low voice. Shortly two
Irishmen stuck their heads out of l
BUSH My heart gave leap in me,
for | saw they were members of my
troop.
Hello, there" called in a loud
voice.
1t startled them. They turned their
heads TO see where the voice cama
from. and stood motionless. | pulled
my stake and made for them on the
run. should have known better.
for the sight Of me would have tried
the legs of the best trooper that ever
sat in saddle. AS they told me after
ward. 1t was enough to make lion
yelp.
Holy Mother!" said one. as they
broke through the bush, running for