The Cairo bulletin., 1912-06-07

! Ola Man Kelly, an their gangs of Pine
Robbers, are making the fields red:
sometimes they get down this far
raiding the farms, but mostly, we're
| lighting foragers out of PHILADELPHIA.
and they're not much better. Half the
houses In this country have been
burned, and mercy isn't very common
on either side. Those lads yonder ara
not pretty soldiers to look at, but
they're wolves to fight, and hungry
for it."
They are called on whenever Far
rell wishes?"
Well. yes: those come who can.
They're not always the same bunch
You see Farrell covers quite a bit Of
country, with a lieutenant In each Sec
ton who Is In touch with the neigh
bors there. ! belong In Camden and
don't go outside very often. but there
is a sort of organization all the way
between here and New York, When.
ever there Is a big fight on, the most
OF us get into 1t somehow Washing
ton counts on us In a pinch, but most
ly we're raiding or cutting off British
supplies. Say, Major. isn't that those
fellows coming?"
He pointed into the east, in which
direction the road ran, barely revealed
by the faint light Of the moon for DER
haps a hundred yards. looked eager.
ly and could dimly distinguish
vague shadow on the summit OF dis
tant rise of land. The shadow moved,
however, and as we both stared In un.
certainty, there came to our ears the
far-off crack of whip. We drew
| farther back against the bank, paus-
ing to make sure there was no decep-
ton One by one we could perceive
those vague shadows topping the rise
and disappearing. | counted ten con.
WINGED they We're covered wagons.
and then the night wind brought to
us the creaking of wheels, and the
sound of mans voice Duvals hand
gripped my arm. and to the signal we
crept back beyond the crest and then
hurried down to where Farrell had
concealed his men. He was awaiting
us in the middle of the road his short
broad Inquire almost laughable in the
moon shadow.
Well are they coming?"
Just over the crest" replied Duval
brusqnely II counted fifteen wagons
Quite a convoy, an worth fighting
for. Take the left, Duval; Major,
come with me-"
We drew aside under the protection
of boulder, from where we could see
clearly to the top of the ridge, Only
for moment was there silence, the
men all about US lying low In their
coverts, breathless and intent. Then
we heard horses hoofs and the muir
muir of approaching voices.
We could see them quite clearly, as
they topped the crest, the moonlight
revealing men and horses so distincts
ly could even guess at their uniform.
Those In advance rode slowly, four
abreast, down into the black shadows,
iolling In their saddles, voices MUIR
muring, seemingly unconscious OF any
danger. 1t was easy to comprehend
their state OF mind. Delavan had been
left alone for a week. permitted to
sweep the countryside unmolested.
He and his command had naturally
grown careless, never suspeeting their
every move had been watched by
keen-eyed scouts. Now, guarded by
Grants troop. they believed them
selves sufficiently strong for any
emergency; that no force the scat
tered enemy could gather would ven
ture upon attack. By daylight they
would be within sight Of the Phila-
delphia outposts. and sereneiy conf
dent In their numbers. the night
march had therefore become mere
routine. | heard Farrell chuckie grim
ly to himself as he observed the care
less approach Of those advance rid
ers. f.
They we're the Queens Rangers,
the white facings OF their coats con.
spicuous, their guns swung at the
shoulder In reckless confidence, A
slim young lieutenant appeared to be
in command
Ten wagons passed without move
ment or sound from the men lying
concealed almost within arms reach
OF the unconscious guards Farrell
never stirred. and / scarcely ventured
to breathe. Then there came SQUAD
ron OF Rangers, an officer riding alone
In front, the black shadow of another
section of the wagon train looming
over the ridge behind them The
horsemen passed US, the officer turn
ing In bis saddle with an order to
close up their ranks. | recognized
Grants voice, and then. sharp as a
blow, rang out Farrelfs whistle at
my very ear. ..I
There was a leap of fame from
both sides the road, lighting up that
cash In the clay bank as though 1t
was an inferno, the red and yellow
glow cleaving the night asunder, with
ear-splittlng roar. / was on my feet.
my rifle splitting. yet hardly conscious
OF any act, stunned by the suddenness
OF tho reports, confused by those
black figures leaping forward through
the weird glare. / saw and heard, and
yet 1t was all confused medley, In
IA tiph an}l 80 -