Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-12-01

NNihs 40 OlutI tCi uilHuS at u
org tree whose Spreading top could
dlmly perceive Swallowed against the
SKY Along it were tethered the
horses, few impatiently champing
their bits and pounding with their
noofs on the trampled ground, but the
majority resting quietly, their heads
hanging sleepily down The one near.
est me appeared finely proportioned
animal OF dark color, and was
equipped with both saddle and bride.
OF the soldier in charge | could dis
tnguish nothing-douDtless he was
lounging on his back, half asleep upon
some soft patch of grass.
| turned when it suddenly occurred
to me that the deserted hut might
contain something l could use to ad-
vantage firearm, perhaps, or even
stray box of matches. | felt about
me cautiously, creeping along the
hard earthen floor until l had nearly
reached the opposite entrance. The
light from the fire without leaped up
and its glow revealed saddle, with
leather holster attached, hanging to
nail just within the doorway Nov
ing noiselessly | managed to extract q
revolver, but could discover no cart
ridges.
| was yet fumbling in the holster
pocket when the lieutenant rose from
his seat without, knocked the ashes
from his pipe, yawned sleepily, stand
Ing directly between me and the fire,
and then, turning sharply, walked
slowly into the open door of the hut.
| sprang to my feet, or he would GER
tainly have stepped upon me, and be-
fore he could realize the situation
had him by the collar, with the cold
muzzle Of my stolen revolver pressed
hard against his cheek.
"A single word or sound, and l
f1re!" | said sternly.
l have no recollection of ever see
Ing any one more completely as
founded. He gasped like fish newly
landed, and l doubt If he could have
made utterance even had he dared.
Come in a little farther" l COM
manded. Now look here, Lieutenant,
you do exactly as l tell you and you
will get out of this affair with q whole
skin; otherwise-weh, I'm playing
this game to the limit. Now answer
me: How many men have you mount
ed this side the ford?"
He glared at me sullenly, and l
drew back the hammer with an omin-
GUS click, cycling him fiercely.
Well" l said shortly, do you
choose to answer, or die?"
Two"
"On the other bank?"
None"
Lieutenant" I said speaking low,
but in a tone which left no doubt as to
my exact meaning, Il am an escaped
prisoner. and shall not hesitate to kill
rather than be recaptured. 1t is your
life or mine tonight, and l naturally
prefer my own; but I'll give you ono
chance, and only one-obey my orders
and | will leave you here unhurt; dis
obey, and your life is not worth the
snap of finger. Move back now IN.
till you face the door, and don't forget
my pistol is within an inch of your
ear, and this is a hair trigger. What
Is your sergeant's name?"
"Handley."
Order him to take ten men on foot
one hundred yards west on the pike,
and wait further orders"
"Handley," he called out, his voice
so choked with rage as to make me
fearful it might arouse suspicion,
take ten men on foot to the cross
roads, and wait there until you hear
from me-"
could plainly note the dark shad'
ows of the fellows as they filed out
past the fire, but | never ventured to
take eye or gun off the man | watched.
How many remain there now?"
Seven"
ANY non-com. among them?"
"A corporal"
Have him take them all south on
the crossroads"