Middletown transcript., 1912-01-13

/ from the ure COulu mdho uLCIS v!
them, but as we approached from th'
direction of the rear, one Of them ex
claimed suddenly:
"Who comes thar? What body o
men is thet?"
"It's mother party O. deserters, as
wants ter jine u.s." said the guide
sourly. "They's Johnnies from Lees
army"
"Oh, they dew, dew they? Who's
ther boss O. this yere crowd?"
1 swung down from my seat on the
mules back, and stood facing him, as
he advanced.
I'VE uns hain't got no boss" I an
swered, "but they sorter fell in ahind
O. ne cause l wus astraddle O. this
mueI. Be you named Lowrie?"
Il reckon; I'm Red Lowrie," proud
ly Srect, maybe, we've heerd tell
O. me, an if ye hev, ye know ye've got
ter step damn lively whin I howl
Whut wus ye in ther army?"
Corporal"
Tie flames of the burning barn
leaped suddenly upward, as if fed by
some fresh combustion, and flung
brighter glare over the rough faces
clustered about US. I saw Red Low
rie plainly enough now, as he peered
eagerly forward to scan my face, a
heavy-set, coarse-featured man, with
prominent nose, and thick, matted red
beard. He wore a wide-brimmed soft
army hat, under which his eyes shone
maliciously, and he grasped a long
rife in one big, hairy hand. AS
gazed at him curiously, some one
hastily pushed a way through the
group at his back, and the next in
stant tall figure stood at his side.
recognized the newcomer at a single
glance, and for the moment my heart
fairly choked melt was Craig.
"Lowrie," he said, pointing straight
at me, "thar's somethin' wrong yere.
That feller thar is Captain Wayne, O.
my OF regiment"
All that occurred next was but the
impulse of a second. l stood with
hand resting lightly upon the mules
neck, his long head dropping sleepily
beside my shoulder. 1 saw Red Low
rie throw up his gun, all his evil ma
ture written in his face, his cruel eyes
instantly afame with anger, and, in
spired by the desperation of our case,
1 stopped suddenly, and blew with all
my force into that long, pendant ear.
BeelZebub gave vent to one snort of |
rage and terror, and then let |
drive, backing into that cluster of |
choice rascals like very thunderbolt !
Of wrath, cleaving his way by every |
lightning blow of those nimble legs, !
and tumbling men to right and left. |
There was a yell Of fright, a wild |
scramble for safety, a perfect volley |
Of cursing-I saw Red Lowrie go
tumbling backward, a heel planted
fairly in the pit of his stomach, and
the next instant Craig, swearing like
a pirate, was jammed down on top of
him, a red cash across his forehead.
It was all accomplished so speedily,
that it seemed but a medley of heels,
u WA4uAJ SdfO4 I4AS 4u4S5 VI SCI dAl-
bling. falling men.
"Fire!" I cried excitedly. "Sock it
nto them, lads, and follow mel"
There was a quick outburst of
lame, thunderous report, and, with
out waiting to see or hear more,
5prang forward through the dense
smoke, and raced madly toward the
ront door. Cation painted at my side,
and I could hear the heavy feet of
score of men pounding the turf be-
lind US. The rush was so rapid, the
loise so great and confusing, I could
lot distinguish whether we were even
ired Upon from the rear, but marked
! red flash at one of the windows in
'ur front, and heard behind me a
harp wall of agony.
IF any man drops, pick him up!"
called, and at that moment we
prang up the steps, and began pound
lg loudly against the door.
open up!" shouted the Lieutenant, }
Brennan, open up, quick!
t's Cation with help"
I though it never would open. A
-olley crashed into us, and Sands
itched down upon his face, clutching
t the man next him as he fell. l
lanced back anxiously-a dark, con.