Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-10-07

as the way was silent and seemed de-
serted gave the animal the spur. |
must have Hoped along thus for ten
minutes. all thought of pursuit already
dismissed. and my mind occupied with
plans for the future. when the woods
suddenly ended In bare ridge, the
ribbon of road revealing itself under
the soft glow OF the stars. know not
why heard no sound Of warning, but |
at the instant. q half dozen shadows |
doomed up blocking the path. bare
ly had time to rein in my horse before
we were intermingled. the surprise ev.
identity mutual. although one OF the
newcomers was swift enough to seize
my animals bit. and hold him plung.
ing in fright. / chung to the stirrups,
aware of the fash of a weapon In my
face. and an oath uttered in . grun
voice.
I'm Gods name! where did you come
from? Here, Snow, see what this fel.
low looks like"
The speaker haG a wide-brimmed
hat. drawn low over his face, and a
cape concealed his uniform. But
Snow wore the cap OF the Federal cav
airy, and l knew I had fallen into
Yankee hands.
Il have no objection to telling you
my name and rank" I said coldly,
"but lower that gun first; am in uni
form.
The rather contemptuous tone OF
voice employed had greater effect on
the fellow than the evidence of his
eyes. His arm fell to his side, al.
though he still retained grasp on my
| bride.
so | see," but with no cordiality in
the words. But that Is hardly con-
vincing. Federal officers are rare birds
who ride these roads alone. Who are
! you. sir. and why are you here?"
I Perhaps | may be privileged to ask
first by what authority you halt and
question me?
| He laughed, and waved the weapon
he still held toward the others of his
party.
| Our force alone is sufficient author
ity should suppose. However, | will
set your mind at rest-I am Captain
Fox, In command of a detachment OF
the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry"
"Oh, yes ! responded more pleas
antly, "of General Ramsay's command.
You know Major Harwood, no doubt?'
1--WE are of his escort" both suspi
cion and command lost before my cool
assurance. You are in the service
sir?"
Third United States cavalry; on re
cruiting detail. was to meet Har
wood at Hot Springs, but was told
he had gone to Green Briar."
by whom?"
"A scout l met by chance; he gave
the name Taylor"
The captain swore grimly. glancins
across my horse into the face Of ths
trooper opposite.
well, this stumps met" his voice
grown suddenly harder. 1T doesn'
sound straight. for we left him safely
in Hot Springs an hour before sun
down, and he had no purpose at tina
time except to wait there for Taylor
Do you carry any papers?"
drew the official envelope from m!
pocket, and held it out to him calmly
He opened the flap.
"A little light. Snow-yes, a mattel
will do"
} The fame lit up their faces-the off
Ger a thin-faced man with musta CHI,
/ and imperial, his teeth oddly promi
r nent; the trooper older in years. blu
| smooth-shaven, with deep-set eyes an,
/ square chin. Their uniforms wer
dusty and well worn. The others
clustered behind. remained mere shad
, ows. The captain took in the natur
: OF the document at glance. and
t marked a change In his expression be
! fore the match went out.
| "Oh. see--you are Lieutenant Ray
. nond. Got to us earlier than you Ell
= pected. Find many recruits north !?
2 NO." ! answered, taken completed
: by surprise, but managing to contro
|. my voice. That was why ! thought
. might accomplish more In this section
a Those counties have been combe
D | over" ] hesitated an instant, and ye
+ it was best for me to learn what
] could. Il was not aware. captain. tina
d my projected visit had been or
0 nouhced"
I He laughed. and the second mate
' went sut leaving US aSain In dari
/ ness.
Nor was II. officially; merely
+ friendly letter from an officer o.
y Heitzelman's stan to our major askin
q for you friendly reception. Cam
e gossip brought the news to me. Yo
4 knew Harwood?"
+ mo; Only General Ramsay advise
q me to confer with him, because Of hi
l. intimate knowledge OF this section. H
4 belonged, I believe. In Green Briar?
d Yes. we were at his place yestel
a day; south OF Lewisburg. What sol
g of a looking man was this fellow TAI
e lori"
1 described him infinitely. hoping 70
. some recognition, but the captain di