The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-15

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! MARX MOVED SLOWLY FORWARD, Els EYES
RlYEIED ON THE SENTINEL.
was innocent childhood. unconscious OF
danger, sleeping sweetly, the boyish
face lighted by the moon.
At last Mark heard the relief COM
ing. The sentinel took his gun and be-
gan to pace bis beat. The usual form
was proceeded with, and the relief
marched to the sentinel up the river.
Mark observed the man that had been
left on post.
'I hope this fellow will be more in
clined to rest he mused.
But he was disappointed to see the
man begin to pace. his beat energetical-
ly. He seemed to fear that If he did
not keep moving be would get drowsy.
A half hour passed with scarcely
rest, tEen another half hour. It was
tramp. tramp in one direction, turn
and tramp, tramp back again.
The clouds which continued to pass
over the moon became heavier. If the
sentinel would only relax his vigilance,
these periods Of comparative darkness
would be favorable. to fight. But Il
the soldier was to Keep proper watch
the clouds might die away. Then there
was the morning to come. Mark be-
gan to lose that GOODNESS which thus
far had characterized him. 1t was the
waiting that was wearing him out
In perhaps an hour after the SEN
tinel 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 1t;
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 till the
next relief would come. he looked at
the moon, which was now shining with
provoking brightness; he looked at the
man and tried to make sure that he
was asleep. It was' impossible to tell
with any certainty.
'l'll risk IT," be 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 at the same
time to hold the child. When all was
ready he rose slowly and fixed MS
eyes on the soldier.
, Ine man QlQ not SLlr.
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 a dozen steps noiselessly,
picking a place to plant his foot at
each step.
Halt!
Was it the soldiers voice? Should
he turn and shoot him?
No, only an explosion Of burning
brand in the campfire at the picket
guard on the railroad track. 3,
He turned to look at the sentinel.
The man sat there gazing straight at
him; at least so be appeared to Mark.
The figure was as plain as day in the
moonlight. though too far for Mark to
see the eyes. He cast a quick glance
down into Jakey's face. He, too, was
sleeping peacefully. While these two
werein Sunderland Mark felt himself
SUSPENDED between heaven and hell.
And how still it was. Even the hum
OF insects would have been relief.
All this occupied but moment
Mark turned bis back again and moved
cautiously forward. Suddenly be trod
on a rotten branch. 1t cracked with
a sound which seemed to him like the
report Of pistol.
Again be paused and turned. he
saw the sentinel notionless. He had
slipped farther down. and his hat had
fallen farther over his forehead.