Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-04-17

ing of firearms and the thunder of horses
hoofs shook the field of conflict.
Ferguson shouted to his dragons to
rally round him and disperse the rebels.
Some heard and attempted to obey, while
many sought safety in fight.
Forstall had resolved to mark the bear
ing of those about him in the hour of bat
tie, especially Of Dawson and Henderson.
The latter he now saw gallo2ing from one
part of the field to another in search of
Cyrus Dix. As for Dawson, he had kept
near him until he had charged through
the enemy, at which time he observed
that his mammoth steed was in advance
of all others, and growing more furious
every moment, but the rider was still self
possessed. Ben Rowan perceived that
the Quaker was foremost, and resolving
not to be outdone, spurred madly after
BIN, and Frank initiated his example.
Ferguson'S dragons had hastily form
ed in the rear of the broken line; their
muskets now bristled in the faces of Capt.
| Logan's compaEy, and Job Dawson seem
ed rushing madly upon their cleaning
| points.
Forstall wondered whether he saw them
or whether his horse was urging him on
| against his viii. He saw JOB grasp his
saber and rise in his stirrups; the next
moment sheet of fame and a stream of
| lead leaped from the ranks of Fergu-
sons dragons and Dawson was enveloped
in smoke and hidden from view. Frank
/ involuntarily exclaimed: Poor Job !"
and never expected to see him again but
the stern and bloody work now before
him engaged all his attention, for Fergu-
sons men made an obstinate resistance.
| The next glimpse which he caught of
Dawson revealed him fighting desperately
! over Ben Rowan, whose horse had fallen,
and he was now struggling to extricate
| himself. A half dozen dragons had clos
ed around him to dispatch him with their
swords and bayonets.
| Job Dawson's horse pressed furiously
among the Dragons, kicking, rearing and
| plunging, until he planted his mighty
body directly over Rowan's fallen steed
and laying back his ears, snorting and
| shaking his name, he was almost as much
an object of terror as Job himself, whose
! saber beat down leveled bayonets and
circling swords, and sheathed itself in
palpitating flesh
"Inexplicable man - cried Forstall, as
| he pressed his own foaming horse to the
| side of the Quaker others followed. and
| the fight ragged over Ben Rowan's head,
| but the PROUD, defiant breast of the mann
moth horse and Dawson's terrible saber
protected him from instant death by
sword or bayonet.
"Straighten up, you 'tarnal critters
| Strike hard, l tell you!" shouted Capt.
Nick, and the Fire Eaters" burst upon
those who yet resisted, in smoke and in
| flame. Ferguson gave way and Marion's
reserve laundering into action, the brief
battle became a terrible rout on the part
of the Tories. The shrill voice of Marion
was heard calling on the fugitives to sur
render; some threw down their arms and
complied, and others kept on, were over
taken and cut down.
ForstalI paused an instant and looked
over the field; John Henderson was still
gaIloping madly from place to place, seek
| ing Cyrus Dix.
In this engagement many prisoners
were made; several stand of arms, and
quite a number of horses changed hands
Mr. Martin was restored to liberty, and
Dix was spared the trouble of acting in
the comedy of the hero.
After the brief contest was ended a
strong guard was set, and the victors en-
camped on the field where the stirring
scenes of the action had transpired.
Ben Rowan, considerably bruised by
| his fall, was placed in tent. While he
was rejecting profoundly on the recent
occurrences, Forstall and Henderson en-
! tered and were soon after followed by
Job Dawson and James Adair. The light
of the blazing fire as it fitted over the
| formers features revealed no change in
his appearance. The eye was still mild,
the expression about the mouth gentle,
and his bearing quiet and unobtrusive
When he bowed to Forstall and Hender-
son there was something strangely fasci-
mating In the smile that fingered for an
instant about his lips.
Ben Rowan did not seem to notice as
he came in; bending his tai form he pass
ed to the most obscure corner of the tent,
and without unbuekling his saber, threw
himself upon the ground. The boxer look
ed steadily q another direction for a
time, and then gradually changing his Do
sition, began 20 cast furtive glanees at
the Quaker 1t would have been exceed
| ingly difficult to analyze the expression
Of Ben's face at that precise phase in his
existence. Both Forstall and Henderson
mentally determined that no reasonable
conclusion could be arrived at in regard
to what was passing within by attempt
| ing to study such a blank looking eoun-
tenance. If any inference could be pos
sibly drawn, it was that Rowan's ideas
had been thrown into inexplicable eonfu-
sion, and could not be formed again in
order.
After the excitement of the last hour
find it impossible TO Sleep" said Hen
derson.
Il labor under a similar feeling" re
/ piled Frank.
Let us walk in the open air." added
the first speaker quietly.
To this proposal Frank readily assent
ed and mutilated upon the ground.
These poor fellows sleep soundly
enough" remarked Henderson, pointing
to several inanimate bodies that lay hack
ed mad mutilated upon the ground.
| as it not lamentable that the passions
of men work out such accomplished hor-
rors as these?" Forstall said.
| "Lamentable indeed; and yet war has
prevailed in all countries, and in all ages
of which we have any history"
Very true" said voice near them !;
land yet you would not argue that the
fact furnishes us any excuse or justifica-
ton for the barbarous practice of WARP"
Henderson turned toward the speaker
and recognized Mr.. Martin.
You are right, reverend sir; would
not"
Il find it impossible TO content myself
here until the morning." added the pas
tor. 1T may not be perfectly safe to ia
tempt to return home; byt l know my
friends are deeply and sleeplessly anxious
for my safety"
| Il can very well understand the nature
of your feelings" said Henderson; vet
doubt whether you could safely return
to the other settlement at this hour; for
you might possibly fall into the hands of
our Loyalist friends again, in which
event, / fear you would fare worse than
in the first instance"
I =