The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-02

FI94tt, ''S&r@ay.2> '''''
t~~.->aIo I
THAT Teller Thar Is Captain Wayne,
o. My OF Regiment"
of him two years ago-he killed a man
in the Sixth North Carolina, and took
to the hills. Since then he has devel-
oped into quite leader for such scum,
and has proven himself a merciless
monster. You have no suggestion to
| offer as TO how we had better attempt
to get in?"
He shook his head despondingly.
What station does Brennan de-
fend?" l asked
The front of the house; the main
! point Of attack has been there"
We could distinguish the sound OF
firing by this time, and it's continuous
volume convinced me that Cations
estimate of the number engaged was
not greatly overdrawn. AS we topped
the summit of the hill a great burst
of red fire leaped suddenly high into
the sky.
Great God. Wayne! we are too
ldlS' Hc SIlcu hluly. Nose QSNllS
have fred the house"
With fiercely throbbing heart 1
gaZed down at the flames far below in
the black valley.
NO." l said with eager relief. 1T is
the stable which is ablaze. See, the
| light falls full upon the white side
of the house. Thank Heaven, we are
| not too late"
AS I sat my horse there, gazing
down upon that scene of black rapine
unwilling TO venture into its midst
until l could formulate some definite
| plan of action, fully a dozen wild
schemes thronCed into my brain, only
to be cast aside. one after another, as
thoroughly impracticable.
I'VE shall have to make a dash for
1t, and trust in Cod" said Cation,
| guessing at my dilemma.
NO" I answered firmly, there
would be no possibility of success in
such course. Those fellows are old
hands, and have pickets out. See,
| Cation, that is certainly a picket-fire
yoHder where the road dips. Every
man OF us would be shot down before
we penetrated those guard lines and
attained the house. We have got to
reach their inner line some way
through strategy, and even then must
risk being fred upon by our own peo-
pie before We get within cover"
Even as I was speaking evolved a
plan of Acknowledgements 1t certainly
was, yet nothing better occurred to
me, and time was golden.
| "Ebers," said, didn't I see an ex-
ira Jacket strapped back of your sad
dle?"
at is no good" he protested We
hemently. TT vos for der rain come"
"All right; hand It over to the Lieu
tenant here. Cation. throw that uni
form coat Of yours into the ditch and
don honest gray for once. Sands,
come here. Take your knife and cut
away every symbol of rank on my
jacket; tear 1t of, any way you can"
In another moment these necessary
changes had been accomplished.
NOW" | ordered, pile your sabers
there with mine beside the road; then
hobble your horses, all but the mule;
I shall want him"
Does we go der rest OF der way on
foot?" questioned the Sergeant, anx-
iously.
Certainly; and / desire you TO re-
member ono important thing: let me
do the talking, but If any OF you are
asked questions, we are deserters from
Hills corps, tired of the war"
Mem Gott!" muttered the German,
disconsolately. II hope It vos not long
! of, Captain; / am no good on foot in
| der dark. by Chlminy."
You had better manage to keep up
tonight, unless you are seeking to
commit suicide. Now, men. mark me
carefully Load your carbines. Are
! you all ready? Sergeant, see that each
man has his gun properly charged and
capped. You are to carry your arms
as thoroughly concealed as possible;
keep close to me always; obey my or
ders instantly, and TO the letter. We
are but twenty men pitted against
over two hundred, remember. and
when we strike, It must be both quick
and hard"
] mounted the mule, counted the
dim figures in the darkness, and then
gave the order to march. AS we
moved slowly down the hill was
aware that Cation walked upon one
side OF me, while Bungay plodded
along upon the other; but my mind
was so filled with the excitement OF
our adventure and all that depended
upon IT'S successful elimination, as
scarcely to realize anything other than
the part must personally play. GOOD
fortune and audacity alone could com
bine to win the game we we're now en-.
| gagged upon.
tall heavily beared mountaineer
stood squarely IN the middle Of the
road TO the north OF the picket.hre.
] could make out but little OF him as
| the light ahonn nYnnnllnL lhnl h.