The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-02-01

iist now ever ye run up again. He's
plum mad, Red is, fer sartain."
He turned and strode of, without so
much as giving us a backward glance,
and, with hearty congratulatory kick
to the mule, | and my company fol
lowed him. A hundred yards further
in we passed through the fringe of
trees and emerged into an open space
from whence we could see plainly the
great white house still illumined by
the flames which continued to con
sumo the stables. Shots were flash
ing like flrefies out of the darkness
on every side of us, the smell of burn
ing powder scented the air, and j
could distinguish the black forms of
men lying prone on the grass in some
thing resembling a skirmish line.
Maxim a fight O. It, amt they?" |
asked of our taciturn guide, as we
picked our way carefully among the
recumbent forms.
Damn 'em. yes, a hell O. fight, "
he admitted bitterly.
Just beyond musket-shot from the
house. and nearly opposite the front
entrance, quite a group of men were
standing beneath the black shadows of
n grove of trees. In spite of the CLEAN
from the fire | could make little OF
them, but as we approached from the
direction of the rear, one of them ex-
claimed suddenly:
who comes thar? What body o
men is thet?"
Its mother party O. deserters, as
wants ter jine us" said the guide,
sourly. "They's Johnnies from Lees
army"
"Oh, they dew, dew they? Who's
ther boss O. this yere crowd?"
swung down from my seat on the
mules back, and stood facing him, as
he advanced.
I'VE uns hain't got no boss" | an
swered, but they sorter fell in ahind
O. me cause | wus astraddle O. this
muel. BE you named Lowrie?"
81 reckon; I'm Red Lowrie," proud
ly "'Spect, maybe, ye've heerd tell
O. me, an II ye hev, ye know ye've got
ter step damn lively whin howl.
Whut wus ye in ther army?"
Corporal"
The flames of the burning barn
leaped suddenly upward, as II fed by
some fresh combustion, and flung a
brighter glare over the rough faces
clustered about us. / saw Red Low
rie plainly enough now, as he peered
eagerly forward to scan my face. a
heavyset, coarse-featured man, with
prominent nose, and thick, matted red
beard. lie wore q wide-brimmed soft
army hat, under which his eyes shone
maliciously, and he grasped a long
rife in one big, hairy hand. AS |
gazed at him curiously, some one
hastily pushed Il way through the
group at his back, and the next In
stant tall figure stood at his side.
recognized the newcomer at a single
glance, and for the moment my heart
fairly choked me-it was Craig.
"Lowrie," he said, pointing straight
at me, "thar's somethln' wrong yere
That feller thar is Captain Wayne, o
my oil regiment"
All that occurred next was but the
impulse OF a second. stood with
hand resting lightly upon the mules
neck, his long head dropping sleepily
beside my shoulder | saw Red Low
rie throw up his gun, all his evil ma
ture written In his face, his cruel eyes
instantly ahame with anger, and, in
spired by the desperation of our case.
! stopped suddenly, and blew with all
my force into that long, pendant ear
Beelzebub gave vent to one snort of
mingled rage and terror. and then let
drive, backing into that cluster OF
choice rascals like very thunderbolt
OF wrath, cleaving his way by every
lightning blow Of those nimble legs,
and tumbling men to right and left.
There was yell of fright, wild
scramble for safety, perfect volley
of cursing-I saw Red Lowrie go
tumbling backward. a heel planted
fairly In the pit of his stomach, and
the next instant Craig. swearing like
pirate, was jammed down on top Of
him, red cash across his forehead.
1t was all accomplished so speedily,
that 1t seemed but a medley of heels,
Of wildly cavorting mule, of scram-
bling, falling men.
"Fire!" cried excitedly. Sock II
into them, lads, and follow mel"
There was a quick outburst Of
flame, thunderous report, and, with
out waiting to see or hear more /
sprang forward through the dense
smoke, and raced madly toward the
front door Cation painted at my side,
and | could hear the heavy feet of
a score of men pounding the turf be.
hind us. The rush was so rapid, the
noise so great and confusing. could
not distinguish whether we were even
fred upon from the rear, but marked
a red fash at one of the windows in
our front, and heard behind me q
sharp wall OF agony.
III any man drops. pick him up!'
| called, and at that moment we
| sDranR I'm the stems and hARan nfnlnd