Middletown transcript., 1912-01-13

Wayne" and he hesitated an instant,
at is right should tell you that Bren-
nan is there, and in command"
'T know 1t, but those women must
be saved nevertheless" answered
firmly, ny Mid fzz4aiisstA settled ..1hls e M
time for personal quarreling, and
whatever color of cloth we wear those
outlaws are our common enemies, to
be hunted down like wild beats.
have seen specimens of their iendish
cruelty that make my blood ran cold
to remember The very thought Of
those who are now exposed falling
into such hands is enough to craze
one; death would be preferable a
thousand times. How many fighting
men have you?"
Seven At for duty"
"Will you ride forward, or go back
with us?"
I'VE must send word"-and the gal
liant fellows voice shook-"but God
knows, Wayne, I want to go back. If
we both live l am to marry Celia
Minor"
II understand" I said gravely.
'Ebers, who is your best rider?"
ut vos dot funny leetle yellow Glen,
Captain"
Glen, come here"
The trooper, a mere boy, with
freckled face and great honest gray
eyes, but wiry and tough as steel,
pushed his way through the group and
faced me.
"Glen," I said, "your Sergeant tells
me you are the best rider In the troop
l am going to intrust you with the
most important duty Of all. The lives
of every one of us and of four help
less women depend entirely upon your
riding. You take two horses, kill
both If necessary, but stop for moth
ing until your duty is done. You are
to carry a note from me, and another
from this gentleman, who is an officer
in the Federal army, and deliver them
both to the commandant of the first
military post you find. Insist upon
reaching him in person. 1t makes no
difference which army the post be-
longs to, for this is a matter of hui
manity. The Federal outpost at Nc
MILAN is the nearest to US; make for
there. You understand"
The boy saluted gravely, all mis-
chief gone from his face.
81 do, sir" he said. But I'd a darn
afo not Cd Enrh4
you will be back in plenty of time
to take hand, my lad. Now, mem
and l turned to the dark, expectant |
ring about me-"this is no ordinary |
duty Of your enlistment, and l wish |
no one to accompany me tonight who |
does not volunteer for the service.
Seven Federal soldiers and four wom-
en-, three of them Virginians, are at
tackled at the house We have just left |
by large party of bushwhackinc |
guerillas, the offscourings Of he'll:
Every one of you knows what tina, /
means. Will you go with me to their
rescue?"
No one seemed anxious to be first
to speak. could see them look aside
uneasily at one another.
"Bungay," l said, 81 feel sure you
will go, for your wife is there
"Mariar?"
Yes; Miss Minor told me this after
noon, but I had forgotten to mention
it."
The little man sprang into the air
and came down with whoop.
The bloody devils!" he cried ex-
citedly. "Ye bet Ill 60"
Come, Sergeant, speak up; what
do you men say?"
Il like not to fight nit der yam
KEGS" he admitted candidly, "but der
py Chiminy, dot vos anoder
ting. l will go, Captain; mein Gott,
yaw."
We're with you, sir" spoke voice
after voice gravely around the dark
circle, and then Sands added: Wen
show them thar Yanks how the John.
ny Rebs kin fight, sir"
Ten minutes later Glen, bearing his
TWO messages to the Blue and Gray,
was speedingly reckiessly through the
black night northward, while my little
squad was moving cautiously back
over the road we had SO lately trav-
srsed.