The Marshall republican., 1911-10-05

tnel came on picket he yawned. This
was the first sign of hope for Mark.
After awhile he sat down on the log
and yawned several times at intervals.
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 sank
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 II;
with Jakey 1t 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 TIL the
next relief would come. He looked at
the moon. which was now shining with
provoking brightness; he looked ut the
man and tried to make sure that he
was asleep. II was impossible to tell
with any certainty.
"rll risk H." 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 Mt 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 n dozen steps noiselessiy.
picking n place TO plant his foot at
each step.
Haiti
Was II the soldiers voicc2 Should
he turn and shoot him?
No. only an explosion Of n burning
brand in the campfire Mt the picket
guard on the railroad track.
He turned to look nc the sentinel.
The man sat there gazing straight st
him; ut least 10 he appeared to Mark.
The figure was as plain as day In the
moonlight, though too far for Mark 10
see the eyes. He cast n quick glance
down into Jakey's face. He. too. was
sleeping peacefully. While these two
were In Sunderland Mark felt himself
suspended between heaven aud hell.
And how still II was. Even the hum
Of insects would have been q relief.
All this occupied but n moment.
Mark turned his back again and moved
cautiously forward. Suddenly he trod
on a rotten branch. II cracked with
q sound which seemed to him like tho
report Of n pistol.
Again he paused and turned. de
saw the sentinel m~otionlcss. He bad
slipped farther down. and his hat had
fallen farther over his forehead.
Thank God!
He moved backward. his eyes Gxed
on his sleeping enemy. occasionally
turning to see where he stepped. He
was getting nea 10 cover. In this way
he passed 10 within a few steps OF
concealment. How he coveted the
o~verhanging bank near to him. yet far
enough to be useless should the sentl.
mel awake too soon!
Cachew.
This sound was real; Il was n sneezc
from the picket
Mark knew that II was a signal OF
awakening. He darted behind the bank
and was out of sight.
He heard the sentinel get up, shake
himself. give a yawn. a grunt. rs n
chilled, and begin to pace his beat.
Mark moved away cautiously, a
great nood Of Joy aud thankfulness
yelling up through his whole nature.
After going a sufficient distance to be
out Of hearing. he awakened Jakcy.
"Jakey! Wake up!"
The boy opened his eyes.
"we're beyond the picket"
"Whar's my gunr"
"Oh. blessed childhood" thought
Mark. "that In moments Of peril can
be interested In such trlaing things"
II 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 lists. Once
awake he 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 ros II.
Mark hunted nearly all night. He
could find no practicable route. He