Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-05-15

west as Tar as the foothills. and are
expected 10 note carefully three
things: First. the condition OF for
age for the sustenance OF a wagon
train: second. what forces OF FEEDER
al troops, II any. are along the Honey
WE'LL and third. the gath ering OF all in
formation obtainable as to the report.
ed consolidation OF guerillas for pur-
poses Of plumber between the lines. II
time sufice. you might cross over into
the valley of the Cowskin and learn
the condition Of forage there as well.
A guide will accompany your party.
and you are to avoid contact with the
enemy as far as possible. Your men
carry five days rations You under
stand fully?"
Il do, sir; presume | am to start
at once?"
Your squad. under command OF
Sergeant Ebers. is already waiting out
side"
Are you all ready. s6rgeant7"
asked OF the rather heavyweight Ger
man who stood fronting me. lis broad.
red face as impassive as though carved
from stone.
We yos. captain"
Where is the guide?"
Dot is him, NIT der mule, amt itT'
he answered, pointing with one huge
hand down the road.
Very well. we will pick him up
then as we CO."
cared so little as to whether or not
he accompanied US at all, that We had
advanced some distance before the
thought Of him again occurred to me.
knew the gentry fairly well. and had
experienced In the past so many evi.
dences Of their stupidity, II not actual
disloyalty, as to prefer my own knowl-
edge of the country to theirs. My
thought indeed, for several miles was
not at all with the little party Of
troopers Jogging steadily at my heels,
nor, In truth. was II greatly concerned
with the fate of the expedition. That
was but service routine, and | rode
forward carelessly enough. never
dreaming that every hour of progress
was bearing me toward the most i'm
portant adventure OF my life. It was
the German sergeant who recalled me
to the responsibilities Of command.
Captain" he exclaimed apologet
ically, riding up to my side and wiping
his round. perspiring face with great
energy. I'VE are riding too hard. amt
We? Mein Colt, but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
rs that so?" | asked in surprise al
his words A single swift glance
around convinced me he was correct
for the mounts were exceedingly soft
and already looked nearly played out
, from our sharp pace. Very well
we will halt here"
With a sigh of relief he drew back
and as he did so my eyes fell for the
first time upon the guide, AS live
it was Jed Bungay, and when | stared
at him IN sudden amazement he broke
into a broad grin.
"Durn If / didn't begin ter think al
how ye'd gone an clar forgot me
Cap"
Not a bit Of It, jed" and rode VI
to him and extended my hand. Blu
how came you here? Are you thu
guide?"
Sure thing, cap; know this YER
kintry like a bulk. faded horsemel
from the west. at evening to the castl
pressed BY gum, you put Beelzebul
an me through blamed hard jolt o
1t so fur"
''Beelzebub?"
'Ye bet. Their mule; reckon as hov
: ye amt gone an forgot him, hev ye?
"Bungay, what has become Of Ma
, ria?"
The little mans eyes suddenly file
> with tears.
81 jist don't know, cap" he answere
mournfully. "Whin | got hum the
oil cabin he'd bin plum burnt dowI
nary stick O. it left, by gum! an Ms
: riar she wuz clean gone. Hain't see
3 neither hide ner hair O. her since
3 thet's fac. An sorter drifted bac
1 ter you uns cause didn't hev nowha
else ter CO."
l Did you hunt for her among the oil
= plantations along the valley?" askeC
: deeply touched by his evident feeling
She very likely sought refuge
some OF those houses"