The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-19

just DeyOnu muSKet-Sn0t from the
house, and nearly opposite the front
entrance, quite a group of men were
standing beneath the black shadows Of
a grove OF trees. In spite of the CLEAN
from the fire l 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 u.s." 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 l wus astraddle O. this
muel. Be you named Lowrie?"
II reckon; I'm Red Lowrie," proud.
ly "'Spect. maybe, ye've heerd tell
O. me, an If We hev ye know ye've got
ter step damn lively whin howl.
Whut wus We 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, q
heavy-set, coarse-featured man, with
prominent nose, and thick. matted red
beard. He wore a 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 ono
hastily pushed way through the
group at his back. and the next in.
stant a tall figure stood at his side.
recognized the newcomer at q single
glance, and for the moment my heart
fairly choked met was Craig.
"Lowrie," he said, pointing straight
at me, "thar's somethin' wrong yere.
That feller thar Is Captain Wayne, o.
my OIL regiment"
All that occurred next was but the
impulse Of a second. I 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 afame 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
or wrath. cleaving his way by every
lightning blow OF those n!mble legs,
and tumbling men to right and left.
There was yell Of fright, q wild
scramble for safety, a perfect volley
or cursing--I saw Red Lowrie 20
tumbling backward, q heel planted
fairly in the pit Of his stomach, and
the next instant Craig, swearing like
a pirate, was jammed down on top of
him, q 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 Il
into them, lads, and follow me!"
There was quick outburst Of
flame, thunderous report, and, with.
cut 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
score OF men pounding the turf be-
hind us. The rush was SO rapid, the
noise SO great and confusing, l could
not distinguish whether we were even
fired upon from the rear, but marked
red flash at one of the windows In
our front, and heard behind me q
sharp wall OF agony.
IF any man drops, pick him up!"
! called, and at that moment We
sprang up the steps. and began pound.
ing loudly against the door.
(TO Be CONTINUED.)