Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-02-27
CHAPTER VII.

Frank.
He's a humbug."
"Didst thou address me. good Benja-
min?- said Dawson. Verify thou art
irascible"
shall want you 70 hold my coat,
hat and other fxin's," continued Rowan
to Frank.
What for?" inquired the latter.
w lille l pulverize him"
think that would be ungrateful; he
saved your life" demonstrated Forstall.
mat s the very thing" said Rowan;
he saved my life and won't own it. l
don't like TO be fooled and have the wool
pulled over my eyes. There's nothing
Ike pulyerizing such chaps; it does EN-
monstrous sight of good; it deepens
their religious convictions and keeps
'em in their place"
Thou art in the gall of bitterness,
friend Benjamin" observed Dawson.
IL l was a regular saint / couldn't
bear it," said Ben. in the tone of
person conscious that he was practicing
the sublimest forbearance.
And In the strong bonds of iniquity."
added Job, mildly.
To think that such humbug should
- 0N'S my me- II udAeS udu
enough to eat my own saber," continued
Ben, sentimentally.
The brigade encamped at its former
position on the Santee. At that place
Gen. Marion spent several days drilling
tne men, while many FASTENED to join
ms ranks. One morning the general was
informed that man from Rocky Greek
wished to see linn; and in few moments
10
cred into his presence.
I'm cap'n Of the Independent Fire
Eaters" said Halves. 1--WE hearn of |
your gallant explites, and have come |
down to jine you with my fellers and |
they're 'tarnal critters for a tussle as |
any you can find anywhere in these |
diggn's"
Just such fellows as I wantw ex-
claimed the general, with a smile. 'You |
think they're made of the right kind of
materially
Warrant 'em to whip in az cases."
reJoined Halves, laconically. "Ive got
EN- Strengthened up in line jest out yon-
der, and if you'll step out III put 'em
through the gamut a few times to show
you what they can do
The Independent Fire-Eaters were m
raded, and Halves proceeded to exercise
them IN his own peculiar manner
Attention the huli 5traighten I'D.
you tarnal critters. Dress to the front.
and no squintin'. If any on We hain't
been to breakfast, say so. This man
that you see here is Gen. Marion, and
as you ali know, he's arter the Britishers
with a sharp stick. and he means to
follow em like the ceaseless footsteps of
everlastin' death. Toe out you 'tarnal
critters. Endeavor to rise with the sub
Ject and feel that each on We has enough
OF the real grit to make a dozen heroes
and a good dog, besides leaven' a small
remnant at that. Stand firm-hold up
throw out your chists! Corporal Hig- I
gins, there's kink in your section. /
John Smith, try to look an inch and a I
half taller. houlder-freocks. Very
well; dew it agin. Work little faster,
boys. Perkins, you amt quite orthodox /
enough yet-your toad-sticker is on hind 6
side afore All eyes to the front Pre-
sent-arms. Let the muzzles fall lit I
tie more; that'n do. Charge-baganets. {
BE brisk, my lads, and imagine the enc G
my Is right afore you. Very we'll done G
--perwidin' you ell had baganets. Shout 7
der EN- up again. Lieut.. Anderson will t
now shove you through the firms, march '
ms and wheeln's" {
The captain ceased and Gen. Marion J
expressed himself pleased with the per- {
Torrance. :
Tonight" he added, II intend to sur
Prise company of Tories under Can't. =
Barheld, who are posted not far from Z
here, between Us aud the Pedee. If I r
am successful, shall have horses enough 8
to mount you ali tomorrow. You have
heard OF Cunningham's escape, l sup n
poser
yes, and he's collectin' men in the
neighbOrhood of Rocky Creek. You NAV =
depend ont, he means to do mischief"
replied Halves.
He cannot do more than equal the
enormities of Tarleton and Wemyss" !,
said the general. -
Il should like to have a hand in this !,
Barfeld affair."" added Capt. Nick. h
Il shall be glad to have your COM 2
pany, captain, with what men you can q
mount" answered Marion.
The contemplated movement was car r,
ried into effect successfully. Frank For NJ
stall took an active part in the engage n
ment and attracted the particular at "
tention of Gen. Marion. He was prom- y,
ised leutenancy as soon as n vacancy -
should occur. This was very gratifying .,
to Franks laudable ambition. and he ~
wondered whether Mis- Ruth Strickland U
would feel any pleasure when she heard "
that he had conducted himself in a SOL .,
dier-like and becoming manner. 9,
NO one watched the progress of events -
with deper interest than Forstau Cen
Marion's high qualities as a leader had -,
inspired him with confidence, and he g.
looked forward with hope to new and ~
more brilliant achievements. During the
engagement with Barfeld's band Of ~
Tories Job Dawson had again been seen 81
to ride furiously into the ranks of the -
foe, but he affirmed that his horse was
unruly, and he had been carried into dan.
ger against his will st
This version of the affair Ben Rowan Is
would by no means accept, for he stout W
" and perseveringly asserted that he p'
had seen lin spur his horse into the r1
teeth of the enemy, overturn two Tory Ell
horsemen and cleave a third with his lie
huge saber. When honest Job assured III
his somewhat choleric friend Ben that IN
there must be some illusion about what
be professed to have witnessed he flew al
INTO violent passion, and if Forstau es
had not interfered he would doubtless to
have proceeded to extremities, as he was Is
greatly in favor of tue pulverizing sys-
tenn in all cases of "humbug'' and OBJ ri
'unacy, or what he chose to consider as til
such.
There was evidently some mystery cy
about the character of Job Dawson II
which neither Frank Forstan nor any he
If his acquaintances could solve. The II
peeuliarities of the Quaker had attract nj
I'd the attention of not only the men.
1ut of the officers, and even Marion him IA
'elf regarded him with much curiosity. TO
1t seemed singular to Frank and 9th
RS that Dawson should linger after h. hi
lad concluded the ostensible object of
MS appearance among them. If he re- tn
lily hated bloodshed" why did he not
cave the hriCa6e rs Snnn &c h 49, -. | ",