Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-02-20
CHAPTER v.-CContinued.)

the residence of the worthy pastor a de-
voted admirer of his daughter. Her fair
1deal had taken undisputed possession of
his thoughts, and he did not wish to
dispel it, or break the soft charm which
she had unwittingly cast over his spirit
Upon the following morning at an
early hour Halves company was parad-
ed. 1t was observed by all that the
captains manner was more stern and
dignifed than at the previous drill; but
what 1t portended, few or none of them
could tell.
I'VE shan't go through the marchin's
and firms this mornin' in the usual
manner" said Halves. There is some
business to be attended to, that can't
very well be put OF. l trust, feller-sol
diers, that not one of us is afeared to
meet the enemy in the field, KNOWN
him to be an enemy; but all on US is
afeard of informers and traitors, who
steal in among us to betray US to the
merciless Tories, whose way over our
country is marked with blood and fire
INeighbors and feller-soldiers, there's one
ron 'em among u.s."
Captain HAYES paused an instant, and
each man looked anxiously at his COM
rades.
IF there's any SIGH chap in our ranks
let's find him outw exclaimed Sergt. Da-
Wis and several others.
That's our business this mornin',"
added the captain. Il know the villain
he stands here before US, tremblin' with
the consciousness of his guilt"
Speak his name-speak his name!"
cried several.
what ought to be the reward of such
a scoundrel, who sells his neighbors to
"a band of murderin' rufians?" asked
the captain, sternly.
Death exclaimed twenty voices.
You are right, "eller soldiers" an
swered the captain; "sich wretch rich
ly merits death, and before the sun is
an hour older he'll be summoned to that
muster ground where nobody can prac-
tice eption-where nobody can carry
concealed weapons to strike at his Teller
critters life in the dark, when he amt
suspectin' no danger. The informer shall
die
Again the men glanced from one to
another, to see whose countenance indi-
Gated guilt, or fear, or both.
L will now pronounce the traitor S
name" added the captain, slowly and
impressively. His name is Joe Saw
yer!"
An exclamation of surprise and deep
indignation arose from the ranks. The
features of Joe Sawyer, which had te-
fore been exceedingly pale, grew abso-
lutely CHASTITY in their whiteness. For
an instant he appeared completely par
n n -, L
lips yainly essayed to form some words,
and his eyes stared fxedly into vacancy.
Take away his arms" said the cap
tain.
Joe Sawyer was disarmed, and his
equipment torn from him by indignant
hands, before he had recovered from the
stupOr which the terrible denouement
had produced. These energetic and sig
nifcant movements brought back the
faculties of speech and volition. He
wildly protested his innocence, and abb
jectly entreated for mercy in the same
breath
81 have always been true to you, and
I hate an informer. For heavens sake
spare me, and I'll tell you all 1 know
about the Tories!' he exclaimed, wiring
ing his hands and exhibiting a degree
of bodily fear that was truly pitiable and
yet revolving.
Bind him." said the captain, waving
his hands.
Instantly the order was obeyed, al
though the culprit writhed and strug-
gled desperately and shrieked for mercy.
Are we not neighbors and friendsT'
he exclaimed. Have ye no pity? This
is murder-this is butchery-this is hbr-
rible-mercy, mercyw
''Sergt. Davis, take n file of men and
march the traitor fifteen PAGES to the
front" added the captain firmly.
The struggling, despairing mortal was
dragged to the position indicated.
Joe Sawyer" added Halves, "your
time has come. We are about to give
you an eternal discharge from the armies
of airth. You know very well that you
amt fit to die, and that human critter
was never more unprepared for the
death march than you are. But we can't
help it; it isn't our fault, but yours. A
crime like yours can't be forgiven in this
world, although l can't say but it may
in the next. We will show you the mer-
cy of shootin' instead of hangin', which
had your villainy been successful.
shall now allow you FIVE minutes to
equip yourself for another world, so you
had better straighten up and make the
most ont"
The time allotted to Sawyer to make
his preparation for death was spent in
petitioning for mercy from his earthly
judges, instead of asking it of One who
does not despise the prayers of CON
trite spirit.
Lieut.. Anderson" said Halves, take
three or four men and load all the mus
kets, putting a blank cartridge in every
other one; then return them to the COM
pany indiscriminately."
This order was also obeyed.
Joe Sawyer, your time is up; stand
up like a man and meet the reward of
your treachery; though l reckon it's diff
cult to show much courage in a bad
cause"
The knave went stand up" said
Sergt. Davis.
Let him kneel down, then" replied
the captain.
He won't do that" rejoined the ser
geant.
HE won't do that, either" remark
ed the sergeant.
well, let him lie on the ground then
If he wants to, it won't make any great
Odds returned the captain.
He hasn't courage enough to do one
thing or the other" added the sergeant.
Tie him TO that little saplingi" ex-
claimed the captain, impatiently.
The terrible tragedy was about to be
brought to a close when the proceedings
were Unexpectedly interrupted. Kate
Martin suddenly appeared, mounted upon
& feet horse, which she had evidently
ridden at his greatest speed. She refined
up gracefully and fearlessly between the
soldiers and the pleading culprit, al
though the captain had given the order
TO 'present arms"
81 have come to prevent this terrible
retributionw she exclaimed. Il entreat
that this unhappy mans life be spared"
do not interrupt the course OF jus