Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-09-16

maculate blue, buckling the belt about
my waist, and securely hooking the
saDer. Then scooped out a hole in
the soft dirt and buried the old uni
form, tearing my pass into shreds,
scattering the fragments broadcast.
1t was SO lonely and still all about
tnat l felt a return of confidence, a
renewed courage. The house behind
me, and the stable before, were mere
outlines, scarcely discernible through
the gloom. Once safely in the saddle,
circled the gloom of the house ST
lently, and followed the roadway to
the gate.
Not light cleaned in any direction
and l could recall no other house near
by. While it remained in view could
not remove my eyes from the mansion
l had just left, or forget the dead body
lying there in the dark The shying
OF my horse at the gate caused me to
note the black something lying
against the post. At first 1 deemed it
mere shadow, but the animal would
not respond even to the spur, and I
dismounted better to ascertain the
cause of his fright. The negro lay
there, dead as his master, a knife
thrust in his heart. Then it was Tay-
lor alone who had done the foul deed.
There was nothing could do but flee
swiftly through the night. My own
70 TOR 70 20
permit Of my giving any alarm, or
seeking to trace the murderer. To fall
into Union hands would be my death
warrant, irrespective of Harwoods
fate, and my duty lay in carrying out
the orders of "Old Jack" To allow
myself to be captured would spoil
everything.
l rode toward Hot Springs as rap
idly as I dared, watchful of every
deepening shadow, until I came to the
hrst struggling houses. These were
dark and silent, and not so much as a
dog barked as I walked my horse eau
t1ously forward toward the main
street. I saw but one dim light stream
ing through an uncurtained window Of
what looked like a law Office, and
passed close enough to learn that a
group Of men within were playing
cards. 1t was highly probable these
belonged to the majors escort. I
passed the place unobserved and rode
on into the night, feeling had escaped
from immediate danger. At what
took to be the tavern corner I discov-
cred the road leading to the left and
turned in that direction, assured that
it would lead directly into the heart
of Green Briar. The road ran through
thick woods, the darkness intense, and
as the way was silent and seemed de-
serted l gave the animal the spur.
I 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 i 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. L chung to the stirrups,
aware of the flash of a weapon in my
face, and an oath uttered in a gruff
voice.
"In Gods name! where did you come
from? Here, Snow, see what this fell
low looks like
The speaker had a wide-brimmed
hat, drawn low over his face, and a
cape concealed his uniform. But