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

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
mea have your"
"Seven ct for duty"
will you ride forward, or go back
with u.s."
I'VE must send woodland the gal
liant fellows voice shook-"but God
knows, Wayne, want to go back. II
We both live l am to marry Celia
Minor"
II understand" said gravely.
"Ebers, who Is your best rider?"
1T vos dot funny leetle yellow Glen.
r Captain"
Glen, come here"
The trooper, a mere boy, with
freekled face and great honest gray
eyes, but why 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.
j am going to intrust you with the
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 II necessary, but stop for moth
Ing until your duty is done. You are
20 carry 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 hui
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.
II do. cir" he said but I'd 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 ono TO accompany me tonight who
docs not volunteer for the service
Seven Federal soldiers and four wom-
en-, three OF them Virginians, are at
tackled at the house we have just left
IHNr -,-fxr 1t Id
gucrillas, the offscourings Of hell
Every one of you knows what that
means. VIII you go with me to their
rescue?"
No one seemed anxious to be first
TO speak. I could see them look aside
uneasily at one another.
"Bungay," / said. Il feel sure you
will so, for your wife is there"
"Mariar?"
Yes; Miss Minor told me this after
noon, but l 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. "Ye bet I'll 60"
Come, Sergeant, speak up; what
do you men say?"
Il like not to fght NIT der yam
KEGS" he admitted candidly, but der
vomens, by Chiminy, dot vos anoder
ting. ! viii go, Captain; mein Colt,
yaw."
We're with you, sir" spoke voice
after voice gravely around the dark
circle, and then Sands added Wen
show them thar Yanks how the John
ny Rebs kin fight sir"
Zen minutes later Glen, bearing his
two messages TO tho 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.