The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-23

attain the ford was certain 20 require
all the good fortune ! could ever hope
for
But despair was never for long my
comrade, and ! had learned how de
termination opens doors 10 the coura'
geous--it is ever he who tries that en-
tiers In. IL took me ten minutes. pos
sibly, creeping much OF the way like
a Wild animal over the rocks, but at
the end OF that time | had attained
position well within the dense Ihicket.
and could observe clearly the ground
before me and some Of the obstacles
10 be overcome.
AS | supposed. IL was cavalry out
post; could distinguish the crossed
sabers on the caps OF the men, al
though IL was some time before was
able to determine positively where
their horses were picketed. There
must have been all OF twenty in the
party. and could distinguish the lieu
tenant In command. a middle-aged
man with liyht-colored chin beard.
seated by himself against the wall OF
a small shanty OF logs, pipe in his
mouth and an open book upon his
knee. His men were gathered close
about the blazing fire, for the night
air was decidedly chill as II swept
down the valley; a number were
sleeping. few at cards. while little
group, sitting with their backs to-
ward me. yet almost within reach OF
my hand. were idly smoking and dis
cussing the floating rumors OF the
camp. | managed 10 make out dimly
the figure OF man on horseback be-
yond the range OF fame. and appar-
emily upon the very bank OF the
stream when some words spoken by
an old gray.beared sergeant Interested
me.
Bob" he said TO the soldier loung-
ing next him, "whut wus Il thet stan
officer sed ter ther leftenant? didn't
Just git Their straight OF It..
The man, a debonair youg fellow.
stroked his little black mustaches re-
fiectively.
"Ther cove sed as how Coles d.
vision wud be along here afore day
light. an thet our fellers wud likely
be sent out ahead Of EN-.
"Whar be they a goin'?"
The leftenant asked him an the
cove sed as Il wus gineral advance
70 meet oil Hancock at Minersville.
"Thets good nough lads. chimed
in the sergeant, slapping his knee IL
means a dance down the valley after
Early I'm a guessin Well have
bang.up oil fight fore three days
more"
"Pervidin alters tibet Their Johnnies
don't skedaddle fust." commented an
other, tartly 'Whut in thunder is
Their matter with them hosses?' he
asked suddenly, rising and peering
over into the bushes beyond the hut.
where a noise OF squealing and kick
ing had arisen.
"Oh, the bay Ally Is probably over
the rope agin," returned the ser
geant lazily Sit down. Sims, an be
easy; you're not on boss guard ter.
night"
Il know thet," growled the soldier,
doubtfully, but thet thar kid is no
good, an ! don't want my boss all
banged up just as we're goin on
campaign Tain't no sorter way ter
hitch EN- anyhow, to a picket rope
ruins more bosses than her Rebs
dew"
This gave me inspiration. and be-
fore the speakers sullen growl had
wholly ceased ! was again upon hands
and knees. silently cropping my way
along the bank toward the rear OF the
hut. II proved to be tiny structure,
containing but single room--prob.
ably mere hsherman's shack. with
out windows, but possessing door
at either end Meeting no opposition
! crept within where | felt some
what safer from observation, and then
peered warily forth into the darkness
extending between II and the river.
The picket-rope stretched from one
corner OF the hut, where II seemed TO
be secured around the end OF pro
iecting log. out into the night. evi.
IDENTITY finding It's other terminus at
big tree whose spreading top could
dimly perceive Swallowed against the
sky. Along IL were tethered the
horses, few impatiently champing
their bits and pounding with their
hoofs on the trampled ground. but the
majority resting quietly. their heads
hanging sleepily down The one near
est me appeared a finely proportioned
animal OF dark color, and was
equipped with both saddle and bride
OF the soldier in charge could dis.
tinguish nothing doubtless he was
lounging on his back. hair asleep upon
some soft patch OF grass.
turned when IL suddenly occurred
10 me that the deserted hut might
contain something ! could use TO adj
vantage firearm. perhaps. or even
n stray box OF matches. | felt about
me cautiously creeping along the
hard earthen floor until | had nearly