The National tribune., 1909-04-29

opening CT perhaps half mile in ex-
tent: a large plantation house stood at
the opposite side We had not passed
far in the opening until We observed a
few soldiers about the house. We were
uncertain whether they were friends or
foes. but Cap remarked: I'VE will go
on, and if they are rebs we will give
them the best we have" We had
passed over about half the distance,
wlieff g. SQUAD of soldiers marched out
FROM behind fiie house and faced US.
We could thru see they were provost
guards. CAP said We will now. de-
viate and try another course We
turned to the left, down path The
officervzof the guard called upon us to
come in but we paid no attention, and
continued on our course. The officer
then called upon us to halt or they
would fire upon us. but as we proceed
ed the guards fred a yolley, and the
batfs wi1izZed uTcomfortabfy near. None
OF the. boys changed or fastened their
step, except the one in the rear, who
turned, fred one shot, then turned and
followed us, remarking: Il did not fire
TO hit. but TO let them know were in
range The guards fired no more,
and we had gone about mile farther
when we came to another plantation,
fenced by a rock wall. there being a
large house on the farther side, We
started across the opening. but had
not gone far before we observed guards
in tfrat yard Cap remarked: I'VE viii
go up and try and buy something
Bur as we neared the house we discov-
cred lot with perhaps 20 hogs in ii.
and as Ii was directly in our course
told us We would pass by the lot.
and for the two rear boys to open GAP
In the fence. ti1e others to then turn
and rusi thru the lot and drive the hogs
out The instructions were followed,
and we soon had the hogs under fali
run \ civilian at the house began hol-
lerint,.fand the guards started in pur-
suit occasionally firing a shot. The
civilian outran the guards, but as lie
would gain on us Berdan man would
turn and Bring his gun to bear. and
the farmer would tarry till the guards
came up. The hogs ran almost like
deer and the Perdans were leaving me
in the rear. Fearing capture by the
guards and realizing that the hogs
would probably follow the wall when
they came toit. turned directly to the
right. and ran for the wall on the oD'
posite side As I expected the guards
followed the Berdans, and soon a mum
ber of shots were fred. whether by the
Berdans or the guards / have never
known AS ] reached the stone wal
four or five 0f the nogs came running
toward me. ] fred at the foremost. :
long ienk fellow. He fell. the bal
passing thru his head. thru the lengtl
Of his body, crushing the bone in thf
ham. ] ran onto him. but he put VI
such show Of fight that I, fearing 10
shoot again. resOrted TO pelting him
with rocks. and finally stunned him
Then. cutting his throat, ! lifted him
over the wall and dragged him into the
brpsh Soon 7 had his hams skinned
and was<on my way to camp. Nearing
camp. Tenet one of my mess. who in
formed me that camp guards had beer
put oa, with Instruction to arrest anS
soldier coming in with a gun. as the
provost guards had been fired on.
concealed my gun and pork under a log
covering them with leaves and leaving
my messmate to watch them. / went
into camp and got our shelter tent, re-
turned and by taking the gun apart
was able to cover it and the pork witt
leaves and carry all into the tent, pas
the guards, without detection.
\ / would be pleased to learn how tn
\ Berdan boys succeeded in their part o
the enterprise. NJ Doubleday, Co
ID. e0th Ind. Caldwell, Kan.