The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-12-21


more"
"Pervidin' alters thet ther Jobnnies
don't skedaddle fust," commented an
other tartly "Whut in thunder is
ther matter with them hosses?" he
asked suddenly, rising and peering
over into the bushes beyond the hut
where a noise OF squealing and kick
ing had arisen.
"Oh, the bay f1lly is probably over
the rope agin," returned the ser
geant, lazily. "Sit down, Sims, an be
easy you're not on hoss guard ter
night"
'1 know thet," growled the soldier
doubtfully, but thet thar kid is no
good, an | don't want my boss all
banged up just as we're gofn' on
campaign. 'Tain't no sorter way ter
hitch em anyhow, to a picket rope;
ruins more hosses than ther Rebs
dew"
This gave me inspiration, and be-
fore the speakers sullen growl had
wholly ceased was again upon hands
and knees, silently cropping my way
along the bank toward the rear OF the
hut. II proved to be a tiny structure,
containing but single room-prob-
ably mere fsherman's shack, with
out windows, but possessing a door
at either end Meeting no opposition
| crept within, where I felt some
what safer from observation, and then
| peered warily forth into the darkness
extending between II and the river.
The picket-rope stretched from one
corner of the hut where II seemed to
be secured around the end of a pro
| jecting log. out into the night, evil
IDENTIFY finding It's other terminus at a
big tree whose spreading top | could
dimly perceive shadowed against the
sky. Along II we're tethered the
horses, few impatiently champing
their bits and pounding with their
hoofs on the trampled ground, but the
majority resting quietly. their heads
hanging sleepily down. The one near
est me appeared finely proportioned
animal OF a dark color, and was
! equipped with both saddle and bride.
OF the soldier in charge could dis
tinguish nothing-doubtless he was
lounging on his back, half asleep upon
some soft patch of grass.
turned when 1t suddenly occurred
to me that the deserted hut might
contain something | could use to ad.
vantage-a firearm, perhaps, or even
a stray box of matches. | felt about
me cautiously, creeping along the
hard earthen floor until | had nearly
reached the opposite entrance. The
light from the fire without leaped up,
and its glow revealed a 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
fire." | said sternly.
=. have no recollection of ever see-
ing any one more completely as
founded. He gasped like a fish newly
landed, and | doubt If he could have
made utterance even had he dared.
Come in little farther" | COM
manded Now look here, Lieutenant,
you do exactly as | tell you and you
will get out of this affair with a whole
skin; otherwise-well, I'm playing
me: How many men have you mount
ed this side the fofd?"
He glared at me sullenly, and
drew back the hammer with an omin-
GUS click, eyeing him fercely.
Well" | said shortly, do you
choose to answer or die?"
Two"
On ne otner DankI
None"
Lieutenant" | said, speaking low
but in 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 | naturally
prefer my own; but I'll give you one
chance, and only one-obey my orders
and | will leave you here unhurt; dis
obey, and your life is not worth the
snap of a finger Move back now un
till you face the door, and don't forge
my pistol is within an inch of youi
ear, and this is hair trigger. Wha
is your sergeant's name?"
"Handley,"
order him to take ten men on foo
one hundred yards west on the pike
and wait further orders"
"Handley," he called out, his voice
. so choked with rage as to make m'
fearful 1t might arouse suspicion
take ten man on foot IN tho crOas