Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-08-24
By RANDALL PARRISH

A lFifai@th Anniversary Y

I sprang aside, tripping over the boy
and striking against something which
rendered me for the instant helpless
Yet l managed to reach my knees and
fired twice at the dim figures leaping
toward me through the smoke Then
1 went down. grappled by a dozen
hands. but struggling desperately un-
til pinned to the floor.
The hubbub ceased. the roar and
shouting. the rattle of guns. The
smoke blew out of the door in a
cloud. The elder Daniels boy was
backed into a corner, the black muz-
zle of a gun at his breast; the younger
lay on the floor apparently uncon-
scious. O'Rrien was just getting up.
his clothes in rags from the fierce
struggle. while Maria sat on the bed.
gun still in hand. glaring about her.
but without a shot left A fellow
struck my arm 4 nu1nbinG blow. caus-
ing the revolver to drop TO the floor.
| had seen nothing OF Dunn during.
that fierce rush. but now he stood
fronting me. sword in hand and eyes
canning in triumph.
Surrender. You dirty Yankee spvs"
he shouted seve've got ycd this time"
In my excitement laughed at the fell
low. despising the cowa rdice of his
words and scarcely realizing the power
he possessed.
"AIl right. lieutenant" returned.
holding out my hands This happens
70 be your turn"
Two cavalryn7en strapped me up IN
til | lay like a log on the floor. yet
the full significance of this did not
burst upon me until their work had
sight of Dunn'S face.
What does this mean?" insisted
Indignantly. Am ] not to be treated
as a prisoner of war;"
You'll be treated for what You are.
You've done the work OF Il spy. and
you end as spy"
But l am not one. and you know it
| came here as scout in uniform.
have made no attempt whatever TO as
sumo Disguise. l am in uniform now"
That he was by disposition mean.
spiteful ard cowardly had ample rea-
son to know: now lie p,,sss.>,stsd means
for revenge without danger To- himself
"Eieutenant Dunn. called after
him. Il might think you in earnest IL
You We're not u soldier but | cannot
believe this of a Confederate soldier"
Without even looking at me he pass
ed out through the door. ana | lay
there on my side, Watching the ser
geant oversee the removal OF the 9th
ers. Maria and the older boy were
apparently unhurt. hat q Brien had TO
be supported by two of the inen-~w bile
the younger lad was swung In bIan-
ket. After they had disappeared i've
troopers remained. lounging in the
doorway. with guns in hand. and the
sergeant took time to come over and
examine my fasteninGs.
Your lieutenant is something OF a
joker. isn't hep l questioned.
Not thit ever l heard about" he
returned gruffiy. I've suspected him
of most everything else, but never of
that"
You mean he really intends to hang
me?"
Il reckon he does. We all are sol
diers." he replied finally. IAN reckon
what the lieutenant says goes. Far as
I'm consumed. stranger. a Yank's a
Yank. and I'm willin' ter string 'em
all up if them's the orders The boys
mostly feels like that"
They set me up where could lean
against the bed. my hands and feet
strapped securely, my limbs numb
from the tightness of the fastenings
The sergeant sat opposite me in a
chair tilted against the wall. his eyes
partially closed. but his jaws busy on
the tobacco in his cheek. the guard
blocking the doorway
Dunn had reason to hate me-great-
er reason perhaps than he knew. and
sufficient certainly to make him anx-
fous TO get me out of the way for all
time. He. might not be aware Of