Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-08-31

waiting ludl was wearing MIN out.
In perhaps an hour after the SEN
tinel came on picket he yawned. This
was the first sign OF hope for Mark.
After awhile he sat down on the log
He got up and paced for awhile. but
at last sat down again This time he
sat longer and his chin sank on his
breast. He reused himself and SAM
away again. He would not go to
sleep comfortably in accordance with
Marks muttered prayer, but took short
maps. Mark considered the feasibility
Of an attempt to escape between these
maps. Without Jakey he could do It;
with Jakey it was too hazardous.
At last the soldier slid down on to
the ground. stretched out his legs and
rested his back against the log.
Marks heart went up into his throat
with a sudden joy.
AS near as he could guess there re-
NAMED a quarter of an hour till the
next relief would come. He looked at
the moon. which was now shining with
provoking brightness; he looked at the
man and tried to make sure that be
was asleep. 1t was impossible to tell
with any certainty.
"I'll risk it." he said.
He took Jakey up in his arms very
carefully. hoping not to waken him,
fixing the boys limp body in the hol-
low of his left arm. In the right hand
he took the squirrel gun, cooked and
capped, using the arm at the same
time to hold the child. When all was
ready he rose slowly and fixed his
eyes on the soldier
The man did not stir.
Mark moved slowly forward. his eyes
riveted on the sentinel. A few steps
convinced him that the man really
slept Mark turned his back on him
and walked d dozen steps noiselessly,
picking a place to plant his foot at
each step.
Halt
Was it the soldiers voice? Should
he turn and shoot him?
No, only an explosion Of a burning
brand in the campfire at the picket
guard on the railroad track.
He turned to look at the sentinel.
The man sat there gazing straight at
him; at least so he appeared to Mark.
The figure was as plain as day in the
moonlight. though too far for Mark to
see the eyes. He cast a quick glance
down into Jakey's face. He, too, was
sleeping peacefully. While these two
were in sunderland Mark felt himself
suspended between heaven and hell,
And how still it was. Even the hum
of insects would have been a relief
All this occupied but a moment
Mark turned his back again and moved
cautiously forward. Suddenly he trod
on a rotten branch. 1t cracked with
a sound which seemed to him like the
report of a pistol
Again he paused and turned. He
saw the sentinel motionless. He had
slipped farther down, and his hat had
fallen farther over his forehead.
Thank Cod.
He moved backward. his eyes fixed
on his sleeping enemy, occasionally
turning to see where he stepped. He
was getting near to cover. In this way
he passed to within a few steps Of
concealment. How he coveted the
overhanging bank near to him, yet far
enough to be useless should the senti-
mel awake too soon!
CacheW.
This sound was real; it was a sneeze
from the picket.
Mark knew that it was a signal of
awakening. He darted behind the bank
and was out of sight
He heard the sentinel get up, shake
himself. give yawn, a grunt, as if
chilled, and begin to pace his beat
Mark moved away cautiously, a
great flood Of JOY and thankfulness
yelling up through his whole nature.
After going a sufficient distance to be
out of hearing, be awakened Jakey.
"Jakey! Wake up!"
The boy opened his eyes.
Were beyond the picket"
"Whars my gum"
"Oh. blessed childhood" thought
Mark, that in moments of peril can
be interested in such trifling things"
Il have your gun here in my hand.
It's safe. Stand on your legs, my boy.
We're going on
Jakey stood on the ground and rub
bed his eyes with his fists. Once
awake be was awake all over.
They moved on down the river to-
ward the base of Lookout mountain,
soon leaving the river margin and
striking inland behind some rising
ground. Finding a convenient nook in
a clump Of bushes wherein to leave
Jakey, Mark told him to lie down and
stay there while he reconnoitered to
find a way to get down the river and
to cross it.
Mark hunted nearly all night. He
could find no practicable route He
did not know how to proceed around
Lookout mountain. and could find no
means Of crossing the Tennessee near
where he was. At last. looking down
from a knoll. he could see the margin
of the river at a place where the bank