The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-07-08

IVES rather to dash down upon some
outpost or poorly guarded wagon
train. and retreat with q rapidly rem
dering pursuit hopeless. It was parti.
san warfare. and appealed to many
ill-adapted to abide tae stricter dis
c1pline of regular service. These Dor.
DE- - rangers would rendezvous under
some chosen leader. strike "A ounex-
pected blow where weakness had been
discovered. then disappear as quickly
a. they came. oftentimes scattering
widely until the call went fortl for
some fresh assault. It was service
not dissimilar to that performed dur
ing the Revolutionary struggle By
Sumter and Marion in the Carolinas.
and added in the aggregate many .
day to the contest of til Confederacy.
Among these wild. rough riders be-
tween the lines no leauer was more
favorably known of our army. nor
more dreaded by the enemy. than
Mosby. Daring to the point of reck.
lesSness. yet, wary as fox. counting
opposing numbers nothing when
weighed against the advantage Of sur.
prise. tireless in saddle, audacious in
resource. quick to plan and equally
quick to execute, he was always
where least expected. and It was
seldom he failed to win reward for
those who rode at his back. Pos.
| sessing regular rank in the Confed.
crate Army. making report of his on.
| erations to the cOmmanderin-chief his
peculiar talent as partisan leader
had won him what was practically an
Independent command. Knowing him
| as did. was not surprised that hs
should now have swept suddenly out
of the black night upon the very verge
of the battle to drive his Irritating
sting into the hard-earned Federal vic.
tory.
An empty army wagon, the ~. s.
A." yet conspicuous upon its canvas
cover. had been overturned and fred
IN front OF the hospital tent to give
light to the raiders, Grouped about
beneath the trees. and within the glow
OF the flames. was picturesque squad
OF horsemen. hardy. tough-looking fell
lows the most of them, their clothing
an odd mixture of uniforms, but ey:
cry man heavily armed and admirably
equipped for service Some remained
mounted. lounging carelessly in their
saddles. but far the larger number
were on foot their bridle-reins wound
about their wrists. All alike appeared
alert and ready for any emergency,
HOW many composed the party | was
unable to judge with accuracy, as they
constantly came and went from out
the shadows beyond the circumference
or the fire. AS all sounds of firing
mad ceased. l concluded that the work
Planned had been already accom-.
plished Undoubtedly. surprised as
they were, the small Federal force
left to guard this point had been quick.
ly overwhelmed and scattered.
The excitement attendant upon my
release had left me for the time being
utterly forgetful as to the pain OF my
wounds. SO that weakness alone held
me to the blanket upon which had
been left The night was 0ecidely
chilly. yet ! had scarcely begun to
feel Its discomfort. when a man strobe
forward from out of the nearer group
and stood looking down upon me- He
was a young fellow. wearing a gray
jacket. with high cavalry
boots coming above the knees. | no
ticed his firmly set jaw. and pearl
handled revolver stuck carelessly In
his belt. but observed no symbol OF
rank about him.
us this Captain Wagner" he asked,
not unpleasantly.
! answered by an inclination Of the
head. and he turned at once toward
he others
"Cass. bring three men over here,
and carry this officer to the same
wagon you did the Others" he COM
manded briefly. Fix him comfort,
ably. but be in hurry about It,
They lifted me in the blanket. one
holding tightly at either corner. and
'ore me tenderly out into the night
Once one Of them tripped over q pro-
Getting root. and the sudden jar Of hts
tumble shot spasm Of pain through
ne. which caused me to CRY out even
through my clinched teeth.
Pardon me. lads" painted.
Ishamed of the weakness. but It
slipped out before could help it."
Don't be after a mentionin' ~ II,
er honor" returned q rich brogue.
Sure an me feet got so mixed GUN
hat ! wondher I didn't drap 70 en-
0irely."
III ye had. Cheney" said the man
AIMED Cass. grimly. Il reckon - how
he Colonel would have drapped you.
At the foot Of narrow ravine, lead.
1g forth into the broader valley. W
anne to a covered army wagon. to
'hich four mules had been already At
ached. The canvas was drawn aside.
nd ! was lifted up and carefully %.
osited In the hay that thickly covered
,e bottom. It was SO intensely dark
thin ! could see nothing Of my TIM
lediate surroundings. but low moan
I'D me there must be at least one
Their wounded man present. Outside
hazard tho troa0 If h<rrnss