Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-07-13
Presently the ground began slowly IN

Presently the ground began slowly S4r
ing and the woods grew thick. II Only
they could reach them, Surely tas
union piekets must be close ct hand,
and now. as they drove in among the
clumps of stunted trees. they lost sight
of the troopers to the south. Now the
yells of those in e became exultaDt.
and still came no shot. Then, as they
struggled through a DOGGY slough, With
sickening groan Hector's exhausted
horse went down ana foundered nelp-
less in the mud. his wretched rider
dragging himself from underneath,
and, limping to the foot of a tree, fell
gasping and terrified. oh, Gawd,
don't leave ME. Marse Benton!" he
pleaded in agony. "Doan' leave me or
deyH kill me, suah." With one glance
at the cheering chase, one longing look
at the eastward slopes. Benton sprang
from the saddle. and with firm-set lips
and flashing eyes, he planted himself
between the yelling troopers and the
PROSTATE, helpless. humble friend.
Bursting through the trees, the fore
most riders drove straight at him.
Down with that pistol" shouted a
voice in stern command. Don't
shoot, men; he's wounded! Drop your
pistol, sub. We're ten to one!" And
realizing the hopelessness of fight,
Fred Benton tossed his puny weapon
away.
But what meant that sudden shot to
the southward?-what that sputtering
volley, that burst of cheers? THE
major!" THE Yanks!" Gene on,
come on!" were the shouts. Away
darted half the mu%d-spattered group,
and then, sudden as the shot, in
spurred a b%reathless young officer.
Mount, sur, instantly! Help him, cor
poral. Up with you, sun! We haven't
a moment" Rough, powerful hands
fairly lifted him into saddle, Another
hand seized the reins of his horse.
Come on now, lively!" was the order.
Get him back out O. range. We've
run slap into a brigade, general and
all. Off with you-to auckland, you
two! The rest of you come with me to
the major. Whatll we do with the
nigguh? Damn the n~igguh-we've no
time to bother with him!"
Daring and devoted, away went the
young gallants to the support of their
chief, only TO meet the riderless horses
tearing through the glade, only to see
platoon after platoon of a blue-jack-
cited squadron issuing from the south
ward woods. Charge as foragers,"
rang the distant trumpets, as the lead
er's eyes swept over the scene and saw
the pitiful few in his front, and, with
avid burst of cheers, and sabers
flashing on high, the long line sprang
forward, fan-like; then, every man for
himself, came tearing northward across
the field.
An hour later, defiant and superbly
disdainful of his surroundings, Maj.
Lounsberry was being Intercepted by
Capt. Carver of the division staff, while
three or four other officers in blue how
cred about the little frame farmhouse
to which the prisoner had been con-
Quoted.
you may spare yourself the trouble
of questioning me, sub" said he with
appropriate hauteur. Il decline to an
swer. Wait till you see DR.. Chiffon
he added, with sneering triumph, "if
he isn't already hanged for a traitor,
You've seen the last of your friend
Benton, / reckon. Perhaps he could
have told you."
Il reckon he could" said Carver, i'm
perturbably, as he glanced toward the
door at Lounsberry's back. How is
it, Benton, is Ewell at Gordonsville?"