The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-08-19
CHAPTER xxxlv.-contlnued.

Well, suppose shall be compelled
TO let you and Beelzebub go, but 1t will
prove a serious loss to the cause of
the South" I said. my thoughts in
stantly turned by mention of the mule
to matters of more Importance. II ex-
pect there will be lively times up
your way"
I'VE kin jist bet thar WILL" en-
Enthusiastically. It'll be nip and tuck,
reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful o.
Marian. Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down peg"
Sergeant" said. did you send out
party to bring in our horses and the
sabers?"
1T vos all done already; der horses
vos found und der swords"
How many men have we lost?"
Der vos Ave kilt, Captain: dot vos
1t. vos hit NIT der ear off; Sands
Is goin' to die. und maybe Elliott will
not get some better; some odders vos
hurled"
How many men does that leave us
ut for duty?" asked decisively, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere vos twelve; Captain, NIT me-"
That will do" I said. I'm half an
hour from now have the men ready
for the road" and turned and left the
room.
We must depart at once More than
ever now l realized the necessity for
haste. l hoped to meet the officer COM
handing the Federal detachment who
mad come to our aid. pay him the GUS
somary marks of respect, and get
away without again coming in contact
with Major Brennan. l felt myself
pledged to this course of action.
A sentry stationed in the lower hall.
way Informed me the officers were
messing together in the front parlor.
and at once headed that way.
paused. however. to visit the wounded
for moment. spoke cheerily to my
own men, and then. opening the door
quietly. entered the room which I had
last left In possession of the guer
rillas. With the exception of broken
windows and bullet-scarred walls IT.
tie evidence remained Of that contest
which had ragged here with such fury
but few hours previously. There
were numerous dark stains upon the
carpet, but much of the furniture had
been restored to place, while a cheer.
full wood fire cracked in the omen
CRATE Before 1t three men were sit.
ting smoking. while upon a small table
close at their elbows rested a fiat bot
tie. fanked by several glasses. A
single glance sufficed to tell me thew
were Federal cavalrymen. one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom I had
already met
Il am seeking the commander of
this detachment" explained, as
they glanced at me in surprise at my
entrince unannounced IL am Cap
tain Wayne, in charge of the Confed.
crate troop which was engaged in de-
Tense Of this house."
A portly man with strong face. and
wearing closely clipped gray beard.
arose from a comfortable armchair
and advanced with hand extended.
Il am Captain Moorehouse, in COM
mand." he answered, cordially. land
am very glad to meet you. VIII you
not join us? My second lieutenant.
who has positive genius in that line.
has unearthed few bottles of rather
choice whisky which, We will divide
most gladly"
Il thank you." replied, anxious to
meet him as pleasantly as possible |
but l am eager to get away upon my
duty as early as may be, and have
merely intruded upon you to explain |
my purpose"
Nonsense" he insisted. DUTY
IL never quite SO urgent as to require |
a waste of good liquor. Captain Wayne.
permit me to present my officers
Leutenants Ws:ren and Starr, Sec.
ond New Hamrshire Cavalry"
The constant haunting fear af the