The Marshall republican., 1911-10-12
VI.
A DESPERATE SITUATION.

how this party could be q part OF IL.
The men looked equally surprised ut
his appearance. Indeed they seemed
more Disconnected at his sudden com
ing than he was nc their being there.
When he made his leap among them
they were about TO get into the boat.
and ono Of them held the painter In
his hand. Mark In a twinkllng made
up his mind that they were not pleased
nj his appearance. He determined 60
play n bold game. He had no defined
plan when he began 20 speak TO them
80 came TO him as he proceeded.
"wbnt nre you men doing here7" he
nsked I'm n tone that none but n sol.
dier knows how TO ssume
No one answered.
what regiment do you belong tot"
No answer.
rs there n noncommissioned officer
among your"
There was 30 much OF authority In
Marks lone that II compelled an an.
swer. and n respectful n
mo. sir"
"You men IRE away from your com
mands without permission. can see
that plainly"
The men looked guilty. but said moth.
ing.
"You evidently don't know me. I nm
an officer Of General Brngg's stan on
an important mission OF secret serv-
ice
lie waited u moment TO discover the
effect OF his words aud then proceed
ed:
at is u matter of the greatest mo.
mcnt that ! get across the river NJ
once. l want you men 10 pull me
over and then report Immediately 10
your colonel Give me your names.
What regiment do you belong toT"
"Thc --th Tennessee"
"1lie old story" said Mark severely.
"You mcn nrc doubtless from east
Tennessee. You nre dcscrters. trying
20 get back to where you came from"
Mark had hit the nail on the head.
The men looked terror stricken. He
knew. when no ordered them 10 pull
across the river. that they would obey
him GLADLY.
Get into the boat. every n OF you"
Every man got into the boat. and one
OF them took the oars.
"Now II you will get me over quick
~ I'll zee what I can do for you with
your commanding officer when ] re-
turn"
Jakcy was standing on the bank with
his eyes Wide open at this scene. Mark
had been q hero with him: now he was
a little less than a god.
"Do you wan 10 get across the river,
my little mani" asked Mark. as II he
had never seen the boy before.
docs I want teri Course I does"
Jump In then. quick. I've no time
to lose"
Jakey came down and got in with
the rest.
"Give way" cried Mark. and thu
boat shot out from the shore.
Not a dozen strokes had been taker
before Mark. who was delighted at the
success OF his assurance. saw a sigh
that made his heart sink within him
A boat shot around Moccasin poin'
from the eastward. II was fun Of
armed men.
As soon as they saw the skin will
Mark and the deserters In it-for sucl
they w~ere-they pulled straight foI
them. In Ave minutes they were along
side.
~ reckon you're the men we're look
ing for" said an officer seated In tn
stern.
who are you looking forY' aske'
Mark. with as much GOODNESS as Ia
could assume
"Deserters from the -th Tennes
see,"
Mark knew It was all up with him
His assumption Of being on Genera
Bragg's stan. which had been so sue
cessful a ruse. suddenly appeared (
him a halter about his neck.
"Hand over your guns" said the OF
fcer.
The guns were handed into the boa
all except Jakey's shotgun.
'That other one too"
That's only a shotgun, captain" sal
Mark.
"weil, never mind the popgun."
Every moment the deserters locke
for Mark to declare his exalted pos
ton on General Bragg's stan, but n
such declaration came. 1t seemed POI
sible to them that perhaps he woul
not wish to disclose his identity to 8
many. At any rate they said nothinl
Had It not been for his assumptio
Mark would have applied to the cal
tain to. let a poor c0untryman and b
little brother pass. Had he done {
10 ii quite possible that the men ;
dad deceived. surmising that be wa
d refugee like themselves, would nj
have betrayed him; but Mark knee
Mat besides this danger the officer
having found him IN such compan'
would not let him 80.
Marks heart was heavy a. the boz
IN which he Sat YEA pQ!'ed aloW|