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

serted gave the animal the spur
must have loped 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, half dozen shadows
doomed up blocking the path. I 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 weapon In my
face, and an oath uttered in q grufY
voice.
"In Gods name! where did you come
from? Here, Snow. see what this fel.
low looks like"
The speaker haG q wide-brimmed
hat. drawn low over his face, and
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 a grasp on my
bride.
so / see." but with no cordially 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?"
| Perhaps | may be privileged to ask
first by what authority you halt and
question met"
| 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" l 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 COO
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 tolt
he had gone to Green Briar."
by whom?"
"A scout l met by chance; he gave
the name Taylor"
The captain swore grimly. glancini
across my horse into the face of th'
trooper opposite.
We'll, this stumps met" his voic,
grown suddenly harder. 1T doesn'
sound straight. for we left him safel!
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 Zap.
"A little light, Snow-yes, a mattel
will do"
The fame lit up their faces-the off
Ger thinfaced man with musta CHI,
and imperial, his teeth oddly proml
nent; the trooper older in years, blu
| smooth-shaven. with deep-set eyes ant
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 a glance. and
marked change In his expression be
! fore the match went out
"Oh, ] see-you are Lieutenant Ray
nond. Got to US earlier than you ez
pected. Find many recruits north !?
No" | answered. taken completed
by surprise, but managing to contro
my voice. That was why / thought
; might accomplish more In this section
, Those counties have been combe'
} | over. ueSltdIcQ al iuStdHt, anu yC
: | 1t was best for me to learn what
could. Il was not aware. captain, tina
, my projected visit had been an
J nouhced"
t He laughed. and the second matll
' went cut, leaving US aSain In dafi
! ness.
Nor was It, officially; merely
= friendly letter from an officer o.
= Heitzelman's staff to our major askin
. for you a friendly reception. Cam
q gossip brought the news to me. 70
4 | knew Harwood?"
+ mo; OILY General Ramsay advise
4 me to confer with him. because Of hi
i intimate knowledge of this section. H
( belonged, believe, In Green Briar ?
1 Yes, we we're at his place yestel
q day; south of Lewisburg. What sol
3 of looking man was this fellow TAI
e lor?"
l described him infinitely. hoping 10
0 some recognition, but the captain d.