Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-04-12

resource, quick to plan n equally
quick to execute. he WAS always
where least expected. ana IT was
seldom he failed to win reward for
those who rode at his back Pos.
sessing regular rank in the CShfed-
| crate Army. making report of his OPP
| eratious to the conmander-in-cnief. his
peculiar talent as a partisan leader
had won him what was practically am
i~ndependent command. Knowing him
as ] did, | vas not surprised that he
| should now nav swept suddenly out
| of the black night upon the very verge
of the Jattle to drive his irritating
sting INTO the ~hard-earned Federal vic
tory.
An empty army wagon, the u. s
A." yet conspicuous upon its canvas
cover, had been overturned and fired
in front Of the hospital tent to give
light to the raiders. Grouped about
beneath the trees, and within the glow
of the flames, was a picturesque squad
Of horsenen, hardy, tough-looking fell
lows the most of them. their clothing
an odd mixture of uniforms, but ev-
cry man heavily armed and admirably
equipped for service. Some remained
mounted, lounging carelessly in their
saddles, but far the larger number
We're on foot, their bridle-reins wound
about their wrists. All alike appeared
alert and ready for any emergency.
How many composed the party l a
unable to judge with accuracy. as they
constantly came and went from out
the shadows beyond the circumference
of The fire. AS all sounds of firing
had ceased, I concluded that the work
Planned had been already accom-
plIahed. Undoubtedly. surprised as
they were, the small Federal force
left to guard this POINT had been quick,
ly overwhelmed and scattered.
The excitement attendant upon nay
release had left me for the time being
utterly forgetful as to the pain OF my
wounds, so thai weakness alone held
me- teft. TFe~hAWr~~s ~Ihad
.hilly, yet ! had scarcely begun \-
eel it's discomfort. when a man strode
onward from out Of the nearer group
md stood looking down upon me. He
vas a young fellow, wearing a gray
jacket, with high cavalry
,oots coming above the Knees | nor
iced his firmly set jaw. and a peari-
revolver stuck carelessly In
lis belt, but observed 40 symbol OF
ank about him.
rs this Captain Wayne?" he asked.
rot unpleasantly.
l answered by an inclination OF the
read, and he turned at once oward
he Others.
"Cass, bring three men over here.
carry this officer to the same
wagon you did the others" he com
manded briefly. Fix him comfort
ably. but be in a hurry about 1T.
They lifted me in the blanket. n
tightly at either corner. and
1ore me tenderly out into the night.
once one Of them tripped over a pro-
root, and the sudden jar OF his
shot a spasm of pain through
ne, which caused me to cry out even.
my clinched teeth.
Pardon me, lads" painted
of the weakness, "but 1t
slipped out before l could help it,
Don't be after a mentionin' av It.
yer honor" returned a rich afogue,
sure an me teGt got SO HSfASu CUP
that / wondher didn't d2ap ye en-
toirety."
"If We had. Cheney" said the man
named Cass, grimly, Il reckon as how
the Colonel would have drapped you.
At the foot of a narrow ravine. lead
ing forth into the broader valley. we
came to a covered army wagon, TO
which four mules had been already at.
tached. The canvas was drawn aside.
and | was lifted up and carefully de-
posted in the hay that thickly covered
the bottom. 1t was so intensely dark
within | could see nothing of my i'm.
mediate surroundings. but a low moan
told ME there must be at least q
other wounded mar present. Outside
/ heard the tread Of horses hoofs. and
then the sound Of Mosby's voice
Jake" he said, drive rapidly. but
with as much care Is possible. Take
the lower road after cross the
bridge, and you will meet with no pa
trolls. We will ride beside you for !
couple of miles,"
lTo BE CoNTINuED.)
lad Ressop