Year: 1862

hay-loft, 1t may be readily understood that
John, on his appearance found them fully
prepared to accompany them forthwith.
So, In few moments, they were nicely
seated in the best parlor of the worthy
German, with the pretty Miss katripa
pouring out large tumblers full of deli
cious currant-wine of her own making.


The evening thus happily inaugurated,
things were now going on most swim
mingly, when the tramping of many hor,
ses was heard, and body of cavalry rode
up to the house. By the noise made, it
was evident that the troop, whatever it
might be, was quite considerable,
aud not knowing whether they were
friends or enemies, it was deemed expe
dient that our small band OF heroes should
conceal themselves, to await further de-
velopment, for in their eagerness to ob
tain some knowledge Of the enemy. our
little party were pow far beyond the Union
"ines," and in what is called neutral
ground" that was as likely to be traversed
by the enemy as by their own forces--
AN ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure" says an old proverb, aud
although much against their wishes, our
five friends could not but concede to the
wisdom of the fair Katrina, who insisted
upon hiding them, until at least the mo-
tives and chatacter of the strangers could
be discovered


This needed but little time to evince
for soon the loud oaths and bois,erous
voices Of a numerous body of men rang
through the old honse-whilc their con
versation showed them to be rebels. For.
tuuately the horses of our friends had
been turned out into distant field on
their arrival, so that this means of detec-
ton was removed-for, had their horses
been in the stables, their presence must
have bsen instantly discovered


From where they were concealed our
party could see rebel officer and soldiers
enter the little parlor which they had just
left-and could see them eating the re-
mains Of the good things with which Il ey
had fondly hoped to fill the still existing
cavities of their unappcasable stomachs.


Of the rebels there were about twenty,
one of whom had been left as guard at
the outside door of the farm house, and
feeling perfectly secure, they now gave
themselves entirel y to the business Of de.
mollshlng the pretty little Katrina's pies
and cakes. evidently very much to the
girls complete disgust e..


Now it may readily be understood that
our brave boys of the Anderson Troop
had no idea of standing there quietly
while the rebel gluttons filed their vile
carcases.


fortunately the room in which they
had been so unceremOniOusly thrust, Oh
the approach of the rebel cavalry, was a
corner one containing windows at the
side; after whispered consultation, then,
it was determined that they should let
themselves drop from one of these win
dows upon the soft sward which surround
ed the house This they did, unobserved,
while the rebel soldier, who had been left
to keep guard, was pacing in front of the
house.


The next thing was to surprise and
overcome this not over wary guardian
and this was done so n0iselesSly that those
inside the house were not whit the wiser
Our heroes might now have escaped in
safety, but grand idea seized them, and
they determined to practice trick upon
the too confident enemy, that if success.
ful, would place them entirely at their
mercy. Fortunately fer the furtherapce
of this tuse de guerre, one of the party
was familiar with the bugIe, SO that he
was enabled to make proper use of the
one left by the rebel bugler at the saddle
bow-most luckily, too. the moon bad
hidden herself behind heavy mass of
clouds, leaving but little light to betray
their Stratagem. So leading the horses
of the enemy which had been careIessl,
fastened in front of the house, cautiously
away, taking care the while, that their
footballs were muf1ed by the messy sod
they got them some distance from the |
house, when, each mounting a horse and
leading two others, they charged with ,a-
bres clank;ng, and bugle sounding, up be-
fore the house.


The rebel crew, surprised, and immag.
ining that the Federalsts were in force,
attempted to rush down stairs and gain
their horses; but in vain, at the foot of
the stairs they were met by the gal ant
Anderson boys, who owing to the confined
and startled vision Of the surprised rebels,
looked to them like whole host of Fed
erals sen, down to trap them So, de-
ceiyed by the uncertain light. as well as
by the heavy tramp of numerous horses,
which they had heard, thev did not doubt
for moment bat that they were sur,
rounded. This idea was heightened by
orders. given in a loud tone. BIZ the hold |