The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-04-13
Il know 1t, but those women must


be saved nevertheless" answered
firmly. my mind settled. This Is no
time for personal quarreling. and
whatever color OF cloth We wear those
outlaws are our common enemies, to
be hunted down like wild beats.
have seen specimens of their fiendish
cruelty that make my blood run cold
to remember. The very thought OF
those who are now exposed falling
into such hands Is enough to craze
one: death would be preferable
thousand times. How many fighting
men have you?"
Seven fit for duty"
"Will you ride forward. or go back
with u.s."
I'VE must send word"-and the gal.
liant fellows voice shook-"but God
knows. Wayne. want to 60 back. II
we both live l am to marry Celia
Minor"
Il understand" said graveIy.
"Ebers. who is your best RIDER"
1T vos dot funny leetle yellow Glen.
Captain"
Glen come here"
The trooper, mere boy, with
freckled face and great honest gray
eyes. but wiry and tough as steel.
pushed his way through the group and
faced me-
Glen" / said, your Sergeant tells
me you are the best rider in the troop.
I wi no
most important duty of all. The lives
of every one of us and of four help
less women depend entirely upon your
riding. You take two horses. kill
both If necessary, but stop for moth
ing until your duty is done. You are
to carry a note from me, and another
from this gentleman, who is an officer
in the Federal army. and deliver them
both to the commandant OF the first
military post you find. Insist upon
reaching him in person. 1t makes no
| difference which army the post be-
longs to. for this is a matter of hu-
mainly. The Federal outpost at Nc
MILAN is the nearest to us; make for
there. You understand"
The boy saluted gravely. all mis-
chief gone from his face.
Il do, SIR" he said. But I'd a darn
sight rather stay here and fight
You will be back in plenty of time
to take hand, my lad. Now. mem
| and | turned to the dark. eXpectant
ring about me-"this Is no ordinary
duty of your enlistment, and | wish
no one to accompany me tonight who
does not volunteer for the service.
Seven Federal soldiers and four wom-
en-. three of them Virginians. are at
by a large party Of bushwhacking
guerillas,. the offscourings of hell.
Every one of you knows what that
means. Will you go with me to their
rescue?"
No one seemed anxious to be first
to speak could see them look aside
| uneasily at one another.
"Bungay," l said, Il feel sure you
will 60, for your wife is there"
"Mariar?"
1cS, MloS MllOI lOIu uC IuIo oAlCA
noon. but ! had forgotten to mention
it."
The little man sprang into the air
and came down with a whoop.
The bloody devils!" he cried ex.
citedly I'VE bet I'll 60"
Come, Sergeant, speak up; what
do you men say"
Il like not to fight NIT der Tan-
KEGS" he admitted candidly. but der
vomens, py Chiminy. dot vos anoder
ting will 60, Captain; mein Colt.
yaw."
We're with you, SIR" spoke voice
after voice gravely around the dark
circle, and then Sands added: Well
show them thar Yanks how the John
ny Rebs kin fight. sir"
Ten minutes later Glen, bearing his
two messages to the Blue and Gray.
was speedingly recklessly through the
black night northward, while my little
squad was moving cautiously back
over the road we had so lately trav.
ersed.
CHAPTER xxx.