The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-01-18

west as far as the foothills, and arr
expected to note carefully three
things: First, the condition of for.
age for the sustenance of a wagon
| train; second, what forces OF FEEDER.
al troops, if any, are along the Honey
well: and third, the gathering of all In.
formation obtainable as to the report.
ed consolidation of guerillas for pur.
poses of plumber between the lines. If
time suffice, you might cross over into
the valley of the Cowskin and learn
the condition of forage there as we'll
A guide will accompany your party,
and you are to avoid contact with the
enemy as far as possible. Your men
carry five days rations. You under
stand fully?"
Il do, sir; | presume l am to start
at once?"
Your squad, under command OF
Sergeant Ebers. is already waiting out
side"
Are you all ready, sergeant?" !
asked of the rather heavyweight Ger
man who stood fronting me, his broad,
red face as impassive as though carved
from stone.
I've vos. captain
Where is the guide?"
dot is him, nit der mule, amt IT.
he answered, pointing with one huge
hand down the road.
Very well, We will pick him up
then as we CO."
cared SO little as to whether or not
he accompanied us at all, that we had
advanced some distance before the
thought of him again occurred to me.
knew the gentry fairly well. and had
experienced In the past SO many evil
dences of their stupidity, if not actual
disloyalty, as to prefer my own knowl-
edge of the country to theirs. My
thought, indeed, for several miles was
not at all with the little party of
troopers jogging steadily at my heels,
nor, In truth, was It greatly concerned
with the fate of the expedition. That
was but service routine, and / rode
forward carelessly enough, never |
dreaming that every hour of progress
was bearing me toward the most i'm
portant adventure of my life. 1t was
the German sergeant who recalled me |
to the responsibilities of command.
Captain" he exclaimed apologet-
ically, riding up to my side and wiping
his round, perspiring face with great |
energy, we are riding too hard, amt
We? Mein Colt. but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
rs that so?" | asked in surprise at
ais words. A single swift glance
around convinced me he was correct
or the mounts were exceedingly soft,
Ind already looked nearly played GU!
rom our sharp pace. Very well. |
We will halt here"
With a sigh OF relief he drew back,
md as he did SO my eyes fell for the
irst time upon the guide. AS I live,
t was Jed Bungay, and when stared
nto broad grin.
"Durn if / didn't begin Ger think as
low ye'd gone an clal forgot me.
ZAP"
mot a bit of it. jed md l rode up
o him and extended m, hand. But
low came you here? are you the
uide?"
Sure thing, cap; know this yere
intry like bulk. 'Jadea horsemen
rom the west, at evening tn the castle
ressed.' By gum, you pus Beelzebua
n me through blamed herd jolt OF
SO fur"
"Beelzebub?"
"Ye bet, Their mule; | reckoss as how
e amt gone an forgot him, hev ye?"
"Bungay. what has become et Ma
LAP"
The little mars eyes suddenly Oiled
18th tears.
Il jist don't know, cap" he answered
"Whin | got hum ther
I cabin he'd bin plum burnt dowA
airy stick O. it left. by gum! an Ma
ar she wuz clean gone Hain't seed
either hide ner hair o. her since.
lets fac' An sorter drifted back
n you uns cause | didn't hev nowhar
Sc ter CO."
Did you hunt for her among the old
limitations along the valley?" asked.
eeply touched by his evident feeling.
She very likely sought refuge In
,me of those houses"
|