Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-05


not too late"
As sat my horse there, gazing
down upon that scene OF black rapine,
unwilling to venture into its midst
until could formulate some definite
plan Of action. fully a dozen Wild
schemes thronged into my brain. only
to be cast aside. one after another. as
thoroughly impracticable.
we shall have to make dash for
II, and trust in God" said Cation,
guessing at my dilemma
"No," answered firmly. there
would be no possibility of success IN
such course. Those fellows are old
hands, and have pickets out. See
Cation, that Is certainly a picket-firs
yonder where the road dips. Every
man Of us would be shot down before
we penetrated those guard lines and
attained the house. We have got to
reach their inner line some way
through strategy, and even then mus,
risk being fired upon by our own PEG
pie before We get within cover"
Even as was speaking | evolved a
plan Of Acknowledgements 1t certainly
was, yet nothing better occurred TO
me, and time was golden.
"Ebers." | said. didn't I see an ex
ira jacket strapped back OF your sad
dle?"
1T is no good" he protested re
hemently. 1T vos for der rain come"
Gan right; hand 1t over to the Lieu.
tenant here. Cation, throw that uni
form coat of yours into the ditch and
don honest gray for once. Sands.
come here. Take your knife and cut
away every symbol OF rank on my
jacket; tear 1t off. any way you can"
In another moment these necessary
changes had been accomplished.
Now | ordered. pile your sabers
there with mine beside the road; then
hobble your horses. all but the mule:
! shall want him."
Does we so der rest of der way on
foot?' questioned the Sergeant. anx.
iously.
Certainly. and desire you TO re-
member one Important thing: let me
do the talking, but II any of you are
asked questions. we are deserters frem
Hills corps. tired of the war"
"Mein Gott, mut;ered the German.
disconsolately Il hope It vos not long
off, Captain; am no good on foot in
der dark, By Chiminy."
You had better manage to keep up
tonight, unless you are seeking to
commit suicide. Now. men. mark me
carefully! Load your carhlnes Are
you all ready? Sergeant, soc that each
man has his gun properly charged ana
capped. You are to carry your arms
as thoroughly concealed as possible;
keep close to me always; obey my or.
ders instantly, and to the letter. We
are but twenty men pitted against
over two hundred, remember, and
when we strike. 1t must be both quick
and hard"
mounted the mule, counted the
dim figures in the darkness, and then
gave the order to march. As we
Il
aware that Cation walked upon one
side of me. while Bungay pjodded
along upon the other; but my mind
was so filled with the excitement OF
our adventure and all that depended
upon its successful elimination. as
scarcely to realize anything other than
the part must personally play. GOOD
fortune and audacity alone could com
bine to win the game we we're now en-
gagged upon.
A tail heavily beared mountaineer
stood squarely In the middle OF the
road to the north OF the pickst-fire.
| could make out but little Of him as
the light shone, excepting that he
were high coonskin cap and bore
long rife.
Stop right thar" he called out
hoarsely, upon hearing US. Who are
you uns?"
AS he challenged, a dozen others
sprang up from about the fame and,
guns in hand, came toward us on a
run.
WIS eAAt 0R6hVht4 AAAEo " MI
dierin', an a gittin' nuthin fer II"
aid in the slow Southern drawl. IAN
wanter jine yer gang, pervidin' thar's
any show fer 1t"
How many are ye?" asked one OF
the newcomers. striding forward be-
tween us and the sentry.
"A right smart heap O. bunch; bin
q pickin' o. EN- up ever since we left
Charlotte" returned eyasively.
They be handles ter fight, an I
eckon as how ye kin use 'em, can't
YEP
Maybe; who did ye want ter see?'
Wal, they sed as how Teller
named Lowrie wus a runnin' this we're
rang, an If thet's Their way o. II. l
reckon as how it's Lowrie we're after.
Be you Lowrie?"
Nav"
The answer was so gruff and short,
and the fI1low hesitated SO long In
adding Anything to 1t, began to think
L was all off.
wal" he consented to say at last.
~. wt, II nil ~