The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-18
(Continued.)
CHAPTER VI.
A DESPERATE SITUATION.

4 DESPERATE Si4OA44ONs
q YEVER was there more sur
iNl prised look on any mans face
NJ than on Marks at the moment
l. I he discovered the men into
whose midst he had fallen. he knew
the range of the Confederate picket
line. and was unable to understand
how this party could be a part of it.
The men looked equally surprised at
his appearance. Indeed they seemed
more disconnected at his sudden COM
ing than he was at their being there.
When he made his leap among them
they were about to get into the boat
and one Of them. held the painter IN
his hand. Mark in twinkling made
I'D his mind that they were not pleased
at his appearance. He determined to
play q bold game. He had no defined
plan when he began to speak to them
it came to him as he proceeded.
sWhat are you men doing here?' he
asked in tone that none but SOL
der knows how to assume.
No one answered.
'What regiment do you belong to-?
J No answer.
'Is there noncommissioned othcer
mong you?
There was so much Of authority IN
Marks tone that it compelled an an
sWer, and a respectful one.
mo, sir"
'sYou men are away from your COM
mands without permission. I can see
that plainly
The men looked guilty, but said moth
5tng.
"You evidently don't know me. am
an officer of General Bragg's staff on
an important mission Of secret serT'
ce.'
he waited a moment to discover the
enect Of his words and then proceed
ed:
1T is a matter Of the greatest mo-
nent that I get across the river at
snce. l want you men to pull me
bver and then report Immediately to
7our colonel. Give me your names.
What regiment do you belong tor
"The -th Tennessee"
'sThe old story" said Mark severely.
you men are doubtless from east
tennessee. You are deserters, trying
10 get back to where you came from
Mark had hit the nail on the head.
Ehe men looked terror stricken. He
new, when he ordered them to pull
lcross the river, that they would obey
lin gladly.
"Get into the boat, every one OF you" :"
u Every man got into the boat and one
Of them took the oars.
"Now If you will get me over quick
" III see what I can do for you with
fyour commanding officer when I re-
turn
Jakey was standing on the bank with
his eyes wide open at this scene. Marx
ihad been hero with him; now he was
Ia little less than god.
"Do you want to get across the river,
Inv little man?" asked Mark, as If he
had never seen the boy before.
"Does want ter? Course does"
'1ump in then. quick. I've no time
ee.''
" came down and got in with
way" cried Mark, and the
shot out from the shore.
Not a dozen strokes had been taken
fore Mark, who was delighted at the
ecess of his assurance, saw sight
at made his heart sink within him.
boat shot around Moccasin point
Fom the eastward. It was full OF
armed men.
AS soon as they saw the skiff with
Mark and the deserters in it-for such
they were-they pulled straight for
them. In five minutes they were along
side.
81 reckon you're the men we're look
ing for" said an officer seated in the
stern.
"Who are you looking for?' asked
Mark. with as much GOODNESS as he
could assume.
sDeserters from the -th Tennes
see."
Mark knew it was all up with him
His assumption of being on General
Brage's staff, which had been so sue
cessful a ruse, suddenly appeared tc