Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-11-03

son chose the top OF a f~orest-covered
hill, the last and lowest elevation in the
spur named that day Kings Mountain.
In some respects the position was all
that could be desired. There was ROOF
on the fiat hilltop for an orderly dis
position Of the fighting force: and the
slopes in front and rear were steep
enough TO give an attacking enemy a
sharp climb. Moreover, there was a
plentiful outcropping of stone on the
summit, scantiest on the broad or out
er end of the hill, and this was so dis
posed as to form a natural breastwork
for the defenders.
But there were disadvantages also,
the chief of these being h heavy
wooding of the slopes to screen the adj
n of the assaulting party; and
while the major vas busy making his
dispositions for the fight, / was on ten
textbooks for fear he would have the
trees felled TO belt the breastwork with
a clear space.
He did not do 1t, being restrained. as
/ afterward learned, by his uncertainty
as TO whether or no the mountain men
had cannon. Against artillery posted
on the ~neighboring hillocks the trees
were his best defense, and so lie left
them standing.
AS you would suppose, my situation
vas now become most trying, and poor
Tybee's was scarcely less so. Know
ing my name and circumstance, more
over, a high regard for my old field
marshars genius, Major Ferguson was
very willing to make use Of my ex-
p%erience. These askings from one
whom l knew for a brave and honor
able gentleman let me fall between w
stools. AS a patriot spy, it was my
duty TO turn the majors confidence as
a weapon against him. But as an Off
Ger and a gentleman / could by no
means descend to such depths of per-
fdy.
In his dilemma / sought to steer a
middle course, saying that l must beg
exemption because my long hard ride
had reopened my old sword wound-as
indeed Ii had. So the major generously
let me be, thus heaping Goals of fire
upon my head; and / kept out of his
way, c~onsorting with Tybee, who, like
myself, must be an onlooker in the
coming fray.
AS for the lieutenant, he was all agog
to learn more than l dared tell him, and
1t irked him most nettlesomely to have
a fight in prospect in the which he was
in honor bound not to take a hand.
Time and again he begged me to re-
lease him from his parole; and when l
"Oulu liOls lS "a SOl Al6AiNAAAo In q
duel with his freedom for a stake.
Consider of it, Captain Ireton,' he
pleaded. For Gods sake, put your
self in my place. Here am l, in the
camp of my friends, gagged n bound
by my word to you whilst your internal
plot, whatever ii may be, works out to
the coup de grace. Ye gods! it would
have been far more mericful had you
run me through in our wrestling match
last night"
"Mayhap," said I, CURLY. "'Twas
but the choice between two evils.
Nevertheless, in time to come / hope
you may conclude that this is the lesser
Of the two"
mo, I'm damned il 1 SHALL" he re-
torted, Tuning like a disappointed boy,
and minding me most forcibly Of my
hot-headed Richard Jennifer. And then
he would repeat II thought you were
friend"
so / am, as man to man. But this
matter concerns the welfare of a
to which l have sworn fealty. Take
your own words back, my lad, and put
yourself in my place. Can 1 do less
hold you to your pledge?"
mo, 1 suppose not he would say,
grumpily. yet it's hard; most devil
ish hard!"
IT'S the fortune OF war. Another
day the shoe may be upon the other
foot"
The baggage wagons had been
massed across the broad end of the hill
to exc out the stone breastwork, and
the last of these arguing colleagues
took place beneath one of the wagons
we had crept for shelter from
the rain, which was now pouring again.
In the midst of our talk, Major Fergu-
son dived to share our shelter, dripping
like a water spaniel.
"Ha! we're carpet soldiers, both of
yet" he snorted, and then he Le5an to
swear ~piteously al the rain.
Twill be worse for the enemy than
for us" said Tybee. I'VE can at least
keep our powder dry"
Damn the enemy quoth the major,
cheerfully. so the Weather does not
put the creeks up and hold Tarle-
ton and Major Gibbs back from us, it's
a small matter whether the rebels
powder be dry or soaked"
You have made all our dispositions,
Major?' Tybee asked.
The major nodded. "All in apple-pie
order, no thanks TO either of We. It's
q strong position, this. en-, Captain Ire
ton? I'm thinking not all the rebel
banditti out of hell will drive US from
It,"
"'Tis good enough 1 agreed; and
here the talk was broken off by the
majors diving out TO berate some of
his Tory militiamen who were
ing to make a night of 1t with a jug
of that vile country liquor.
Continued Next Weekly