The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-02-23
CHAPTER XXXIv.-Ccntinued.

We'll, / suppose | shall be compelled
10 let you and Beelzebub go, but ii will
prove a serious loss to the cause of
the South" ! said. my thoughts in
stantly turned by mention of the mule
TO matters Of more importance. Il ex-
pect there will be lively times up
your way"
"Ye kin jist bet thar WILL" en-
Enthusiastically. It'll be nip and tuck,
] reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful O.
Marian. Tibet dern muel he needs ter
be took down a peg"
Sergeant" said. did you send out
a party to bring in our horses and the
sabers?'
1T vos all done already; der horses
yos found und der swords"
How many men have we lost?"
Der vos five kilt. Captain; dot vos
IL. | vos hit NIT der ear off; Sands
is goin' TO die, und maybe Elliott will
not get some better; some odders vos
hurled"
How many men does that leave us
ft for duty?" | asked decisively, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere Yos twelve, Captain, NIT me-
That will do" | said. "In half an
hour from now have the men ready
for the road" and / turned and left the
room.
We must depart at once. More than
ever now | realized the necessity for
haste. ! hoped to meet the officer com
manding the Federal detachment who
had come to our aid, pay him the Gus
tomary marks OF respect, and get
away without again coming In contact
with Major Brennan. l felt myself
pledged to this course of action.
A sentry stationed in the lower hall
way informed me the officers were
messing together in the front parlor,
and | at once headed that way. |
paused, however, to visit the wounded
for a moment, spoke cheerily to nv
WI men, and then, opening the door
quietly, entered the room which | had
last left in possession of the guer.
rillas. With the exception of broken
windows and bullet-scarred walls lit
tie evidence remained of that contest
which had ragged here with such fury
but a few hours previously. There
were numerous dark stains upon the
carpet, but much of the furniture had
been restored to place, while a cheer
full wood fire cracked In the open
crate. Before 1t three men were sit
ting smoking, while upon a small table
close at their elbows rested a flat bot
tie, fianked by several glasses. A
single glance sufficed to tell me they
were Federal cavalrymen, one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom l had
already met.
Il am seeking the commander of
this detachment" / explained, as
they glanced at me in surprise at my
entrance u-nannounced. 81 am Cap
tain Wayne. in charge of the Confed-
crate troop which was engaged in de-
tense of this house"
A portly man with a strong face, and
wearing a Glossy clipped gray beard,
arose from a comfortable armchair
and advanced with hand extended.
Il am Captain M~oorehouse, in COM
mand.' he answered, cordially, land
am very glad to meet you. Will you
not join us? My second lieutenant,
who has positive genius in that line,
has urearthed a few bottles Of rather
choice whisky which we will divide
most gladly"
Il thank ycT." ! replied. anxious to
meet him as pleasantly as possible,
but ] am eager to get away upon my
duty as early as may be, and have
merely intruded upon you to explain
my purpose"
Nonsense" he insisted. DUTY
is never quite so urgent as to require
q waste OF good liquor. Captain Wayne
permit me to present my officers
Lieutenants Warren and Starr. Sec
nnd New Hampshire Cavalry"
The constant haunting fear of Thu
NrvrrFFVWrfTErfy aF t