pYENTURE-^eWAIl%^UNION, VC^T 7 i NOVELIbl PLBLI^HlNOi ' ^^i^» • . 1 No IS Ro-E -TIlFtT NEW YORK. r^^i'^or.Mfu '^^""^ NO . 252. mi (lie Patider : "' Bullet and Bayonet on Missouri Battlefields. By Captain Mark Wilton. Zagon3a's famous charge. THE WAR LIBRARY. FREMONT, THE PATHFINDER; lullet and Bayonet on Missouri Battlefields. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. There was a bright flashiug in the air, a steady tramp as of many ft- et, a clear, terse command, and a liody ot men came march- ing through a rooky pass. The bright suu strucli upon polished rifdo-barrel and glisten- ing bayonet, which sent out strange lights here and there, and in every point and feat- ure the appearance of the men bespoke stern resolution. It was a time of excitement and warlike alarm in Missouri, this memorable day of July, 1861; but the men to whom attention has been called were,saTing their leader, with- out uniforms. Dressed as ordinary citizens, they would have looked peaceful enough, had it not been for their array of weapons, their stern faces, and their military precision of movement. Eighty men they counted, and at their head was a flne-looking man, who seemed to be their leader, though he was not more than twenty-five years of age, while some of those who followed had many threads of gray in their lieards and hair. "Silence in the ranks!" he commanded, sharply, as two of his men began hurling sarcastic badinage the length of a line. "No loud talking." The pass was a dark and gloomy place, de- spite the fact that it was ]ust then touched by the rays of the sun. The rocks on either side were black, moist from a recent shower, and scarcely further apart than the width of a narrow road. Captain Barlow scanned the front with a keen gaze. He expected no oppoeition to his march, but affairs were very uncertain in and about Missouri at that day. This umertuinty was soon shown. Without any warning a roar ran along the face of the rocks— a sound once heard not easily forgotten, for it was that of muskets — and Captain Barlow, instinctively looking around after a shower of bullets whistled past his head, saw the ground plentifully covered with dead and dying of his gallant command. Another moment, and the rocks seemed to be alive with men. High above their heads they were on both sides, and the bleak walls bristled with muskets. The little baud had marched into an am- bush! It was no time for tedious formalities. Barlow read the truth and planned the rem- edy. He saw his remaining men standing in consternation, but he knew their mettle and what he might expect. "Fire!" The terse command broke fleraaiy from his throat; his sword, glistening iis a ray of the sun fell through a break in the rocky wall, pointed to the men aliove, and with startling quickness the ordi-r was ulji yed. Up went the weapons— tin- inujuiity of them long rifles — and a tinil.].' voil.-v went hurtling through the air. .N.i systeuiiuie dis- charge was that volley ; e;icli man had fired after his own fashion, but the effect was most terrible to the ambushers. There was a commotion all along the rocks, and men were seen to clutch bUndly at tlie spurs of stone, at each other, or at I'uijity air. Vain attempt for many of them, and a tbiill ran through Barlow's nerves as several slipped over the edge, and, after whirling for a minute in space, fell on the soil of the roadway with a dull thud. Strange to say, the little band, though sur- prised, had struck back harder than they had been hit. Barlow, however, was not done. He rec- ognized the men who had thus ambushed him. They were Confedei-ates, and his com- mand had been assailed because they had taken sides with the defenders of the Union. " Up the rocks — charge !" Once more Barlow's voice rang out sharp- ly, aud the gallant Missourlans responded with a yell and a rush. The rocks arose steeply before them, but they were almost as skillful as chamois hunters. They struck the base and began to climb amid a scatter- ing volley, Barlow leading the way on one side and Dave Harney on the other. "For the Union and Sigel — strike!" shout- ed Captain Max ; aud then he deftly dodged a blow from a clubbed musket and sent his sword home to the man who would have struck him. The impetuosity of his men had carried them quickly up, and then the flght became general all along the rocks. The sound of revolvers, the clashing of op- posing steel, and the shouts of f urioiis men made a din strange to the pass. The deadly enemies grappled and fought, aiming to kill or throw each from the rocks. " For the Union and Sigel !" Again and again the cry sounded on the air, and before those hard lighters the Con- federates gave ground. Captain Barlow was always found where the destruction was the greatest. A tine swordsman, he was battling with a blade wet with blood. One thing he marked, even then. The Confederates seemed without a leader. No commaiKiing voice arose to encourage or direct them; it seemed to be each man for himself. Suddenly the confusion turned to alarm. turned and fled in disorder, Pursued for some distance, others fell by the way, but Barlow finally called off his men and, all returned to the scene of the ambush. A decisive victory had been won, but at a cost which threw a gloom over the whole command. Thirteen of their eighty men lay dead in and beside the pass, and others were severe- ly wounded. To offset this loss was the fact that nearly twice as many Confederates had fallen. Barlow, who had been glancing about, saw something which at once held his atten- tion. Near the base of the rocks was a man in the uniform of a Confederate captain. He walked to his side and, looking down on the still, white face, understood why the enemy had been without a leader's voice. "This is a sad and strange business," he said, aloud. "I do not understand why these men were here to intercept us. Was it chance, or — or was there a traitor among those who knew we would to-day march to join Sigel? So cunning aud systematic an ambush bespeaks careful study. Can it be our plans were carried to our enemies ?" " It looks mightily like it," answered one of his men. " Who could have done it?" Barlow sharp- ly asked. "Now you ask too much. Only a few beside our own number knew of our inten- tions." "I believe they were known by one too many. Drayton, if I ever know such to be a fact, I will tear the traitor limb from limb. Look on these dead men ! They were our neighbors— almost our brothers. Did they fall through the treachery of some vile dog who betrayed us ? I must and will know." "It is a sad work." " The saddest ever seen in Jasper county. And this is the Fourth of July! Ah! we have little occasion to rejoice." Just then, Dave Harney came up, aud sa- luted his superior. " The bodies are all cared for, cap'n," he said. " Then let us get in motion once more," said Barlow, with a start. '• Stay ! this offi- cer may have important papers on his per- son." He bent over the Confederate captain and searched his pockets. In one he found a package of folded documents which he put away for examination at a future time. Then the httle command formed into ranks, and moved on, leaving the Confeder- ate dead where they had fallen. Who, and what were the men thus led by Max Barlow on that July day of 1861 ? The cival war, which at that time was startling the people of the United States, was beginning to show its venom. From Texas to Maryland the Southerners were gathering for the fray. They had re- solved to secede from the Union, they had flred upon and captured Fort Sumter, and on all sides were seen and heard signs of the great struggle doomed to occur. In Missouri, all was confusion. Some men were for the Union and others against it. FamiUes were divided, and brothers in arms against each other, while those who would have remained neutral were in an unenvia- ble position. Companies and regiments, loyal and dis- lant Union leader, drove the Confederate forces of Price and Jackson from Booneville; but they at once turned th»ir faces south, and sought to form their own forces and that of Ben McCulloch into one Hnited army which would rule that part of Missouri. There, however, they found a new oppo- nent. Colonel Franz Sigel, ever vigilant to guard the interests of the Union, did not fail to perceive the danger of the coalition of those who would tear down the old tlag. Consequently, although possessed of but a handful of men, compared with the num- bers of the Confederate chiefs, he resolved to strike at least one of them before a junc- tion was effected. So, on this Fourth of July, Sigel was march- ing to attack Price, who was at Pool's Prai- rie, near Neosho, and the prospect of a bat- tle grew great. The blow did not fall where expected, however; for Price fled from his quarters to Elk Mills, some miles further south. Then Sigel resolved to attack Jackson, who was further north, and his little army was accordingly headed for that point. That evening, he encamped with his force on the south fork of Spring River, only wait- ing for a needed rest to push on toward Lamar, aud strike at Governor Jackson. CHAPTER II. UNDEK FIKE. Captain Ma.x Barlow and his handful jf men were marching to join Sigel, and render all possible aid in this crisis. They loved the Union, of which each and every one was a son by birth, and -were willing to risk limb and life in the work of upholding the old flag. All were from one neighborhood, all bound together by ties of friendship. Barlow was one of them by birth and connection, but a superiority of mind had ever made him a leader from the day when he used to array his schoolmate friends on the prairie, and march to the whistling of Jim Otis, with crooked sticks for muskets. Fifteen 5ears had passed since that day. Barlow had become a man ; and, in the sum- mer of 1861, there was ample need for him to do more than play soldier. When he and his loyal friends had joined hands, and resolved to march to the aid of Colonel Sigel, Max had been made captain by acclamation; and as a result of these preliminary movements, we find them that day before the battle on their way. After the ambush and flght iii the pass, they saw no more trouble, and a little after dark they reached the camp of Sigel. Barlow was soon before the colonel. For- malities were little observed at that hour, and the Union leader, so embarrassed by a lack of proper aid, was glad enough to enlist all loyal men who would come to his stand- ard. The two men were on the open field, and Barlow made known his wishes. " Take your place in the camp somewhere, captain, and on the morrow march as you see fit. After the battle, if we survive, there will be a chance for formal enlistment, and 1 will give you all the chance I can. As I said a moment ago, I have heard the name of Barlow before." " I am anxious to form a party of iude- ' pendent rangers," said Max. "There will soon be material enough. Men are arousing everywhere." "They need to, colonel." " Indeed they do," soberly replied Sigel. " Look at the situation here. Jackson, Price and McCulloch are roving rough-shod and making life uncertain. They must be beaten off or our chances are despeiatp. "Youhev saddled a big boss, knrnrl." A new voice broke in upmi ih. turned to see a man who diil nut troubled by the fact that In- rupted officers of the army. In not look like a man who would let anything | worry him to a great degree. He was a man of medium size, but com- pactly built, his form being rounded out by bone and muscle in a way to excite admira- tion. There, however, ended all his just claims to beauty. Clad in a suit of ragS, he presented an appearance almost comical. His hair and beard were of a yellow-: color, the latter sparse and tangled, and the former long and coarse, and his complexion was of a ruddy, flame color. Both Sigel and Barlow smiled at seeii this red-faced, red-haired recruit, and " '\S. THE WAR LIBRARY. the former answered his unasked-for re- mark. " So you think our chances desperate, my good man?" " An ordinary man would never come out •' the muss alive ; but I know your timber, kurn«l, an' I reckon we won't see a slaugh- ter. Still, 1 tell ye Jackson is goin' ter lick us to-morrer. Why? Bekasehis force is so much bigger than ours that we can't get any show." ** And who are you, sir?" " Sharpshot is my name, kurmel. Some- times they call me Sharpshot, the scout, an' agin the sharjishooter. It's all one to me." "Sharpshot, the sharpshooter," laughed Barlow. ** Not a bad name. Do you come from Sharpville, Sliarpe county?" " Now you are laughiu' at me, cap'n. Don't do it. I ain't ter Ijlame fur my name." " What are the numbers of the enemy?" Sigel asked, abruptly. " I don't know, kui-uel ; but ef you want ter find out, you liad better do it 'arly to- morrer. Ben McCuUoch an' Price will be around heie before another sundown, au' then whar would we be?" " In our boots, dead or alive?" said Barlow, with a reckless lauj;h. They questioned the man wlio had claimed so odd a name somewhat further; but, as he did not seem to possess any actual informa- tion, finally set him down as a croaker, and, walking away, left him to himself. The night passed without further events of importance, but, ou the following morning, the little army was early astir. An advance was begun as soon as possible, and the devoted band moved on. In all, they counted but fifteen hundred men, but their strength was greatly increas- ed by two batteries of artillery, each con- taining four pieces. Moving nearly northward, the Unionists were not long in sighting their opponents. Barlow's command had fallen iuto line near Major Bischoff's laniioii, l.ir many of the men seemed attracted tn tln^ pit ~; l'>ut, na mounted riflemeu liegau to In- .-.-.ii in ad- vance, they pushed ahead aud ai'tid as a skirmish line. The horsemen before referred to did not eeem inclined to do much fighting. They skurried aljout in the dashing man- ner peculiar to mounted men, but all the while kept at a safe distance from the Union rifles. "What are the critters drivin' at?" de- manded one of the men. "In my opinion, they are merely watching me," replied Barlow. "You see they give ground as fast as we advance, and, in this way, they will soon know just what our strength is." "That don't seem right." "It ain't right, an' I want to know why you allow it. Why don't you drop the mis- erable creeturs ?" Barlow turned to see Sharpshot. "Aha! are vou here?" "Whar else'should I be?" "I don't know why you should be in my command," said Ma.x, "a little sharply. "Lord! I ain't here fur any harm. You say them creeturs can't be hit from hyar, do you ?" " Possibly they might if we were to halt for that purpose." "Nonsense! Let me show you a point or two." As he spoke, the sharpshooter threw up his long rifle and took aim for a moment. Barlow noticed that the barrel did not tremble in the least, and admired his nerve, but he felt more pleased when, following the crack of the piece, one of the horsemen i reeled in his saddle, and then went down helplessly. "Told you so," said Sharpshot, with a chuckle. "Lord! it ain't much o' a trick ter throw lead. Try your hand, cap'n, will I you?" "Not now, my good man, May be we will get at those fellows in force by and by." 1 The scout reloaded while in motion, but, ' with his gaze fixed on the enemy, seemed deep in thought. "Cap'n," he finally said, "ef vou will take twenty men an' toiler my lead, I'll show them fellers a trick they can't swaller with- out chokiu'." "What is the trick?" "We are movin' uncommon slow, now; what is to hinder our ruunin' around to their rear an' lay in' au ambush for them?" "Can it be done?" "Why not?" " I for one, don't know the country well t'uough." "I do; I know every foot of it. What vict'ry Sharpshot spoke eagerly, and for a mo- ment Barlow remembered that he was a stranger, and doubted the wisdom of trust- ing him . Just then, however, they reached the spot where lay the sharpshooter's victim, and that seemed to settle the question of his good faith. "I will consult Colonel Sigel," said Bar- low. He did as he said, received the required permission, aud then twenty of his men de- tach 1 themselves from the others so cun- ningly that the Confederate scouts did not suspect the ruse. Sharpshot led the way, and they were soon on the left flank of the Union force. Still, on they went. The gi-ound was hilly and liroken, and the guide led the way wliere they were for the most part screened by trees aiul higli laud. Now anil then they saw the horsemen off atth(.' cast, Imt tlifir own movements seemed gives a boss aiaecc,- ho added. " Don't cook your game until it is caught," cautioned Barlow, who was not wholly at his ease. "We're goin' ter have it," said the scout, confidently. Just theu, a cry arose from the men at the rear, and Barlow wheeled to see a startling om around the head of a hill, a body of dry had suddenly swept, all clad in Con- federate gray, and armed to the teeth, and cavalry had suddenly swept, all clad 'erate gray, and armed to the tee they dashed straight toward the Union scouts, there was an ominous clanking of scabbers. Barlow saw the danger and prepared to meet it. Tlie eiieiiiy were two to their one, aud when it conu-s to close (piarters, cavalry have a vast superiority over foot soldiers. These men were their deadly enemies, and must be dealt with accordingly, while the first blow aiways tells. "Boys, it's doordie!"hesaid,quiokly, and in the fashion familiar to them in Indian warfare. "All together— fire!" It was not so elaborate an order as the stereotyped one of military form, butalmost as one" man the brave fellows aimed and fired. Destruction followed the discharge, and men swayed blindly in their sadales, and then fell heavily to the ground. Ten Confederates would ride no more, but they still outnumbered the Unionists, and had the advantage ot being mounted. Seeing that they were not checked in the least. Barlow was for a moment at fault. His force were armed with rifles which were without bayonets, and the enemy must be met at a disadvantage. CHAPTER III. HARD FIGHTING. It was a critical moment, for the Confed- erates were near at hand and coming at a gallop, their sabers glistening in the air, but Sharpshot did not seem to be long at fault. He sprung to the head of the column and waved a long bowie-knife above his head. "Here's a chance fur fun!" he shouted. " Meet 'era on your own gi-ound au' cut your bigness. Hurrah fur Sigel an' the old flag !" His words and example thrilled the men, and they cheered in the face of the danger. Barlow aroused and became the stern war- rior in a moment. "Revolvers and bowies!" he shouted. " Empty every saddle you can before they close, and then use the steel. Every man for himself!" There was no time to say more. Already the Confederates were but a tew yards away, and their horses covered a great strip of ground at every leap. Out came the smaller weapons of the Unionists. All their lives had been passed in desultory fighting with the Indians, and when the closiug order from Barlow reach- ed their ears Hiey knew how to act. There was a sudden cracking along their whole front as their revolvers began to play, aud at that distance they were not men to miss their mark. They fired, and other Confederates went down from their saddles, and other wild-eyed horses went bounding bayonet, a horse and rider loom up tre- mendously. He sees the horse, his eyes wild and flash- ing, his feet dashing up the earth in little, spiteful jets, and above him towers the rider, saber in hand. The picture is a startling one, we say, and so all the more glory to those loyal sons of Missouri for the way in which they met it. Like bloodhounds they sprung forward to The sabers of the cavalrymen flashed brighter than ever as they were swung aloft, and then down they came with a sweep meant for loyal heads. Some of them found their victims. Two or three brave men sunk to the ground ter- ribly gashed, but the majoritv dodged the stroke, and then tluii- r.volviis began to crack again. Look at Captain Bailo^v-: [lis powerful hand lias -insiK'd the biidk-reiu ot a black llOlSO. 'I'ln- animal b..uilds lifts biiii from his feet. At tlie rider strikes. Barlow anil the saber whistles Then, still holdinii- the struggling horse with his left hand, he thrusts his revolver past the neck and above the shoulder of the animal. Again the saber goes up, but it is too late. A little puff of smoke, a sharp crack, and the blood gushes out over the gray coat of the trooper. He throws up his hands, reels and falls. from his saddle. Look at Sharpshot. He is fighting with his clubbed rifle. No rider seems able to reach him, but the rifle is always busy, and where it falls, it falls to The scene is wild and impressive, but It Is soon over. The contestants separate, as thoiifrh mutually tired of the fray, aud what arc lilt of tlie troopers gallop away in head- great. Far better have the Unionists fared, but they do not care to pursue their advantage. Five of their own number are down, and others have hard knocks to attract their at- tention. Stained by smoke and blood they look grimly at each other, silent thus far, but the irrepressible Sharpshot finds his tongue very soon. "Hurrah!" he cried, tossing up his old cap. " Told you thar was fight In your crit- ters, Cap'n Barlow. They've did It, an' they kin do itag'in." "We have lost five men," said Barlow, sadly. "An'theyhev lost four times five. It's the way o' war. But, cap'n, I reckon our ijee Is knocked In the head. We can 't lay no trap fur them cavalry, fur they know w© are on the hoof." 'It looks to me as though we have ru» '" " ' -si-ivos,' said the captaui, into looking a "Whogoi th< wu-^i out? Ireckon them critters won t caio to laokle us ag'iu. ' "lamiueliuudto think that if we don't get back to our army before long, we will be attacked by a force we can't defy. Our game is up, at anyrate. We will fall back and avoid losing more men." They slowly retraced their steps, waiting for Sigel and his braves to join them. Sharpshot had grown strangely silent. Suddenly he aroused and weut to Barlow's mi^dity quiet an' sly, luiii troupers, so scat- eiiuld so (luicklyget and looked like one able to penetrate niote and plans. ^ Barlow remembered, too, his suspicions in regard to the ambush in the pass, and one great question arose in his mind. Was their a traitor in their midst? He liad not made his answer when those of his own command who had remained THE WAR LIBRARY. Tvith the army, began to arrive, auil the smaller detaclimeut fell iuto line. ■• What Inck, eap'u ?" asked Sam Stiles. "We reluin minus five brave souls; let that lie my aiiswii ,' said Barlow, moodily. They \v.iil nii, diiviug the mounted Cou- federati's b, r,,n- thi-m. Tile l:iT!ri luatk' in* stand, and seemed cou- teut to wall li. On went.Si^ers army. Dry Fork L'reek was reached and passed; but, three miles further on, Sharpshot, who had pressed well to the trout, fell back in some haste. He came to say that he had found the ene- my, and that they were halted, and await- ing the Unionists on a rise of ground a little beyond. Sigel stayed the adrauee of his army, and the Seoul, with ..ih.is of his eratt, were sent out to reeouuoiter. When they returin-il, it was to report that Jackson's force greatly outnumbered theirs, and tliat he was well provided with cav- alry. " How about artillery »" Sigel asked. " I can answer that." said Sharpshot, quickly. "Thar's whar they are weak. They have only a few old pieces, and what they hev ain't o' much use. They are loaded with trace-ehams, bits o' old iron an' the like." "Then we will make our cannon do the work. Major Bisehoff, get your guns into position and open upon them." The order was executed promptly, and the deep b0om of the guns sounded along the Iront. The return fire was weak, and it was soon seen that Sharoshot had spoken truly iu re- gard to the enemy's artillery. " Who IS this man ?" Sigel asked of Barlow, as the sharpshooter Happed his arms, and be- gan crowing, which woidd have put a farm- yard rooster to shame. "I never saw him until he interrupted us at the camp last night, as you will remem- ber, colonel." " He seems well informed, and all he has thus far told mo has been proven true. It almost seems like an empty form to send my own scouts to verify what he tells me, but ft willnot do to trust a stranger too far." For three hours the work of the Union ar- tillery went on. Bischoil s!i""l grimly at his post and dispatchcil sin.; alter shot, some of which seemed cllcitnc, and, as at the start, the re- they were making it warm for the cavalry ; but they showed a giveu purpose to hold their post and guard the road. Thel The result pr.,vcd the c^irrccm -ss ,,f his judgment. It was louua that the fuuteder- ate cavalry, imder Rains, was moving urou ml both flanks of the Unionists, and pushing south. As this would never do, with Sigel's bag- gage-train at Dry Fork Ci ■], i;: .;;,;i^.r, 1 i,c order for retreat ran :il"-,_ ' ihc ;Wheull.!"r!>ii'l',-dI'r''u.'' prorapth' lulicwcd. i>. 1 Bischolfs;:„us; hall!,. the little arinv uimfi, , Itwasea,i..rle vvi.ii i ■still thel Have soMicr. a to lie disregarded, y Fork Creek, Sharp- tli an air of one \*ho he led tiic I back track : son prcs>cil t non were Ice As they ,1. shot canic Ic has made a discMVery. "^ye'regoin' ter liave a brush over yon- der," he said. "Where?" " At the crick. Them troopers have got around to our rear, and are waiting at the bluffs. You know that place— the road is narrer an' right throught the bluffs. The Confeds 4cnow it, an' thar they are waitin' ter give us a try." It was important news, and Sigel was not slow to beneUtbyit. As they noared the creek, his guns were brought around to the front, facing the bluffs, and as they saw the gray troopers drawn up to receive them, the cannon were turned upon them. "Ha, hal" laughed Sharpshot; "that teches them. Oh, they are jewels, them boomin' babies ! " He referred to the cannou ; and, indeed. CHAPTER IV. STARTI.IXG DISCOVEBl- ligel's Quick eyes f«iw that one was needed. He turned, and inick, l>ut calm oiders. The re- ^•reek gathered '^ ■ ■ Barlow been at 111, their weapons firmly tcruiiiied gleam iu their rd came. With a f-naiid sweep they dashed forward, breakniu rr..iii lOver and along the road. The Coil tederatc cavalry saw what was com- ing, but they had no way of averting the blow. None of their own wretched caiiuou were near, while, as the Unionists dashed down the slope and across the bed of the creek, Bisehoff sent shot after shot over their heads. The southern bluff was reached by the eager boys in blue, and the boys without blue, who had loyal hearts. Then up they went impetuou.sly. Before that siLdit the cavalry wavered. Bisehoff was still plnvnii; on their precious band, and the iufantiy liade fair to sweep them from existence. The hurricane struck. The Confederates were brave, and they tried to hold the pass, but the dash of the Unionists was resistless. The enemy wavered, struck back feebly and then turned and fled, leaving some of their men dead on the disputed gi-ound. Then the army proper and the guns came over ijiiiekly, and their faces were turned toward Carthage. Sigel could no longer doubt that he was menaced liy a toe too strong to be fought with a leasoiialile chance of success. His scouts agreed that Jackson had three men or more to every Unionist, and to face this army, liable, even probable as they were, to soon be reinforced by Price and McCul- loch, would be madness Accordingly, with the Confederates hang- ing on their rear and flanks, and with nu- merous skirmishes to enliven the occasion, the loyal troops went on in an orderly man- ner as far as Carthage. There, Sigel had hoped to rest, but rest was fraught with danger, so away they went to Sarcoxie, and before that place was reached the pursuit was abandoned. On the whole, the expedition had been sucessfiil. The Union troops had faced and Contedeiates admitted over i number on the list, besides wounded. til Sarcoxie was reached that lered the papers he had taken -t of the dead officer in the e time h.- left the jjlace of i ineii very busy, and, not lime that they would be of 1 tliat lie held the documents lU without interest. This was what he read in the coarse, bold and scholarly handwriting on the paper: '•N.B.— Will probably march on P. M. of fourth, to ^Probably not over seventy-five or eighty in It wasa douuieut which told a good deal. Coupled with the fact that Barfow's men hail inarched on the afternoon of the fourth, eighty in nimilier and, by way of the pass, and that they had been ambushed by men among the rocks, it left no doubt but that the letter referred to them. So far, all was clear, and so, too, was the fact that some one had betrayed their plans to the Confederates and sought their destruc- tion. The plot had only failed because the gal- lant band showed themselves men of un- common mettle. But who had betrayed them ? It seemed a useless question, for at the end of the letter was a name plainly written. It might have been an assumed one, but it was not. Captain Barlow knew "Edgar Peterson" well, and it was this fact which sent the blood from his face to give place to a look of unutterable horror. One moment he hesitated, and then a sud- den impulse assailed him. "I will hide it!" Even as the thoi voice spoke quickly "Aha! sot/i(i( is't Barlow wheeled a Sam Stiles and allot over his shoiddcr. " Dogs : ' he cried, furiously, "how dare you play the sjiy on my actions?" The men stood dumtounded. They were old neighbors of thecaptaiii. and his remark- able outburst almost sliiuned them. Other men drew near, and Stiles apologetically re- plied : "We meant no harm, cap'n." "Then why were you reading private pa- pers? 1 am tempted to " Barlow realized that he was making a seri- eutered his mind, a lie captain's elbow. Kline of the traitor!" id like a tiger to see man. They had read ous mistake, and paused abruptly. "lam sorry if I c" ^ " meekly. : am sorry if I did wrong," said Stiles, " What did you say about finding out the traitor? Does that paper explain any- thing?" asked another man, who had not forgotten how Barlow put them away for future inspection. "Yes, it does!" cried Stiles' companion. " It is the letter writ by the man who be- trayed us, and caused the death of our brave fellers in the pass. His name is at the bot- tom, and that name is Ed Peterson !" The man spoke indignantly, hotly, and a murmur of like character ran along the line. All there knew Ed Peterson, and, for reasons of their own, they accepted the truth of what Johnson had told them. " It may be a forgery," cried Max Barlow, like a man catching at a straw. " It is in Ed's writing ; I'll swear to that." " He would not be so base." "And why not? Ain't he the biggest drunkard in Jasper county ? Ain't he a mis- erable, shiftless vagabond?" ■' 'te never become a murderer of his own friends and neighbors." Barlow spoke with warmth, but Sam Stiles took up the other side with a gloomy shake of his head. "I don't blame you fur wantin' it other- wise;; but look at the evidence. Ed knew all our plans, an' this letter tells them in his own writin'." " Yes ; and why did he refuse to come with US ?" cried still another man. ' ' He professed loyalty to the Union, and swore never to touch another drop of liquor; but he wa'n't at all rabid to march out and face the dan- ger." " He always was a sneak. ' " And now he's a traitor and murderer." " A drunkard can't be trusted, anyhow." These and similar cries arose about pooi' Barlow, who had strong reasons for wishing different things of Edgar Peterson; but, though his men seemed on the eve of mu- tiny, and their looks were dark, he faced them calmly. " Friends and fellow soldiers," he said, "1 beseech you be slow in condemning him ut- terly. I acknowledge that his past life has been full of mistakes, but a fortnight ago he took a solemn oath never again to touch liquor, and I believe he will keep that now. I honestly think, too, that his heart is all for the Union. Men, I have been of good cour- age of late, for I thought he was sure to re- form. I am so sure of it now, that I ask you to suspend your judgment until we investi- gate." The majority of the men were affected by this appeal. Their anger had arisen hot anH blindly against Edgar Peterson, as the be- trayer of their brave friends who fell iu the pass, but Barlow's influence was still strong. Little opposition was made to his will ; many of the men went quietly back to their places, but there were those who grumbled, and still thought the fatal letter a wall cf evi- dence which nothing could demolish And who was Edgar Peterson ? A resident of their own township, and a man of about Barlow's own age; a man brave in his way, and as good a shot as could easily be found in Missouri. In their former border troubles he had often done good ser- vice, while the fact that courage ran in the family was proved when an elder brotbsr went with Colonel John C. Fremont in hia memorable march through the heart of th« continent as an explorer. THE WAR LIBB,ARY. This brother, however, had died in I860. Edgar, wilh all his gifts of uature, had one fault which had made him despised by many, and pitied by those who would have beeu his friends. He had fallen into the habit of reckless drmkiug when a mere boy, and during the last seven years his life had been one tenible to contemplate. Strong liquor was his mas- ter, and, as Is always the case, it was a mer- ciless one. Poor Edgar went down hill rap- Idly. Going from bad to worse, he lost all control over himself, and thought of nothing except to pour the demoralizing fluid down his throat. True, he had periods of struggling agaiust his master, but they always ended in the same way. Even the women and children came to look with indifference at the sight of Ed Peterson staggering through the streets, or lying, completely intoxicated, wherever he chanced to fall. Well might he be spoken of as "Poor Ed!" Of late there had been a change, and Bar- Neai- the village lived two sisters whose names were Olive and Lena Somers. Barlow had long been on terms of intimacy with them, and for a year Olive had been his be- trothed. Of late, Edgar Peterson had been much to the house. People saw if, and woudcre.l that these two girl>i. ;n;aill^t wlinuin.it a whisper of reproach liad evt-r Ihch I ;iisc.l, should thus welcome tlie ilruuliard ct t)ie towu. Blind as people usually are, even when they think they know all, they did not suspect that Lena had turned her attention to saving Edgar; they did not suspect that he had sworu to abandon drinking, or that between him and Lena had sprung up an in- timacy which was worship on his part, and — well, we will see how it was with her. CHAPTER V. THE 3£0B. The small but beautiful house of Abram Somers looked peaceful and inviting enough to attract any one, as it nestled near the road with a held and wood at the rear; and the picture was made doubly inviting as fair-faced Lena moved about to perform the last duties of the evening. Supper had beeu eaten, Abram and his elder daughter had gone to the village, and Lena was left alone tor the time. We have said that she was fair-faced. De- scriptions are dull reading, but let us pause to say that this girl with her small form, golden hair, blue eyes, and sweet but intel- hgent face made a rare picture of innocence. People who knew her always had good words for the younger daughter of Abram Somers. They knew her to be pure, tender-hearted, earnest and self-sacritloing at all times. This they knew, but even those who had watched her grow from childhood, did not suspect the depth, strength and devotion of her woman's heart. A step sounded at the door as she was put- ting the finishing touch to her work, and she turned quickly. Then a slight flush arose to her face. "Edgar!" she said, softly. "Yes, Lena, it is I." And then the man who had entered, moved forward a step and took the hand she ex- tended to him. It was indeed Edgar Peterson, the man about whom the interest of our story now centers. He did not look like a man of depravity. Young, gifted by nature with a fine face aiid form, he would have been called handsome by any one, though there were some traces of dissipation still visible on his countenance. "Yes, it is I," he added, smiling. "I've come back to you in my right mind, and I can say more : Not a drop of liquor have I touched since I went away. Lena, those dark days are past. Your love has drawn me back from the awful gulf where I trod so long, and, by the help of Heaven, I will henceforth be a man !" He raised one hand aloft and his face was full of a resolution and glory which went straight to her heart. "lam so glad, Edgar!" Simple words, but as she crept to his arms there was a peace and happmess between them which passes description. They sat down together on the old lounge, and their words soon became more practical. ' ' Have you heard the news from the front ?" he asked. "They tell me Sigel fought bravely, and then diew back through a force many tinn's his own nuni- ber." "So he did, all honor t.j him and liis l)ravc men. Lena, you should liave see!i our rol- onel. Brave'Sigel ! he is a king among men and I felt like kneeling at his feet' " You were there, Edgar ?" "So I was, though I lietrayed the fact thoughtlessly. Yes, I was with the army, Jightinirasl.'esl I cnM." " Willi .Max l:aih.w-sni,-n?" "Nil. I i\ islirii (,, hold to my resolution to redeem niv name lieluiv I asked to flght among my nci-lihors, and not a sight did "At S|iriir;;liclii. We retreated through Cartlui^e, fiarci.xie and Mount Vernon to Springtield. Tlieie Sigel hopes to soon be joined by General Lyon, and the united bodies will oppose Price, MoCuUoch and Jackson." "There will be hard fighting," sighed Lena. " So there will ; but, at all costs, the Union must be preserved." An hour jiassed, and still the two sat in Despite the dark war-clouds, Lena was very happy. Peterson looked so noble and manly since he had thrown off the miUstoue of intem- n his neck that sunshine ly j preserving the Union, and i alii trusting him so .vas but just be- iman's confidence fully, forhisrefi gun, but she had in the man she 1 In the midst of their conversation came a sharp knocking at the door. They started from thcii- lovers' position, but neither had a llamLdit of trouble, and Lena turned toxvai.l the entrance with a composure whicli dieil aw a\-all too soon. She opened llic dnei . Before her weie a score ,il men. all armed, and with a fierceness in their inanma- wlncli startled her, though slic reiotriiizcd lliciii as peopleof the village, and Sam stihs i\as at their head. "Good-eveuin'," said the latter, abruptly. "Is Ed Peterson hyar?" The question came so quickly and sharply that Lena changed color in perceptible un- easiness; but Edgar pushed forward before she could answer. " Yes, Sam, I am here," he said, quietly. "Glad on't, for we are arter you," said Stiles, sourly. " After me ? And what is wanted ?" The speaker saw that every face bore a scowl, but in those days of warfare that was not -^ He did not for a moment suspect that any- thing was wrong. Stiles shifted his gaze away so that he would not meet Lena's close regard. He saw that she was frightened, and he had enough manhood to respect her feelings. "The boys are goiii' to have a war-meeting, an' we want everybody there. Max Barlow said he reckoned you was hyar, so we come to ask you ter go with us." Styles was lying, but he did it like one ac- customed to the business. " Of course I will go. Wait until I get my rifle and 1 am with vou." '' Edgar stepped back into the house, and then Lena caught his arm. "Oh, Edgar!" she said, nervously, "1 fear —I fear " " What?" he asked, in surprise. " I fear those men mean you harm. Did you see how they scowled at you V Sam Stiles was never your friend, and I fear he has not told the truth now." "ludeed Lena, you are mistaken. Their scowls are only shadows of the war, and though Sam and I have never been friends, this crisis erases all little troubles of the past. Besides, he is one of Barlow's men." " Still, I wish you would not go. I shall not feel easy, for I cannot rid myself of the impression that they mean you harm. Re- main here, Edgar, and only go to their meet- ing when you have Max Barlow to assist you." It was a woman's appeal, based on a wom- an's fears, but Edgar only kissed her trem- bling lips. Surely, his old friends and neighbors could mean him no harm. He and they had joined hands to aid in lis lie explained, holding her hand, en she saw how anxious he was to eriii uiMid spirits, she managed to id .i:iiiid-liy and they parted. idsaidtliat lie would see her again eiiin-, but the future was concealed in,-d tlc'iii. rille in hand, tidl into line ■^tiii-. and away -vv.-nt Ihi- wliole body iiions, and and kept lie iia 1 llltelvd a p aimed si-iial, and at the won suddenly liv ll'i.'-ai 'Disarn Olio ot (1 snatoliod ■d iiiid'iii' ■St. lie loll liehiiid Peterson rille iroiii his grasp, «o others seized him od a prisoner, raj., liosl. Hid quietly, liter amazement 11/' he asked. "■■ ^v'h'at ii/.l'-Vhi'.,' lie: ■■ So y, 1 doni ki .w ■ snorted Stiles, his i"ll!I!'''l''t t Ol vll v'f ■'rHi:"^o^^y?u^^ln^? guess wll I't it' nie'ai s. an you? Y'ou 'ain't done no hill- wroi ev ye? You are an angel in uf'HmrJI nt Tlie in t his bitter sarcasm with a v tauniTwh ell dumfounded Edgar, but he s ill stood lui •tly and proved his remarkal. ec " I am wholly at fa lit. ir this is a ioke, count me in to carr y i on; I don't like to spoil any man's pie ISUI e. But, boys, if you are think mgme a ninal of aiiy kind, I am without a clew r "How about the m en 'who"" fell- in the pass?" "Ihav • neard of th: t tragedy, but i was 1m1 I'l-lersoii, you were not so careful of the men who had beeu your neighbors." " I am still in the dark " " Come inter the light ; come inter a blaze that shall show you up as you are. Read that, will you?" The prisoner's hands were still held tightly. did read, and the words almost paralyzed him. The note Avas the one read by Max Barlow in the camp at Sarcoxie; the one purport- ing to be from Edgar Peterson, to some one who had afterward laid the ambush tor the Unionists, acting on the information con- tained in the note. Edgar read ; and, as he finished, a look of horror was on his face; but it quickly gave place to indignation. " What base forgery is this?" he demanded. "Who ilaios to sign my name to such an in- famous loiter?" " It J.-, ill your writing." "Slill It IS a forgery. Sam Stiles. Abe Taylor— what do you know of the matter? Are you joking or " "That letter, Ed, was found on the body of the man who commanded the ambushers at the pass," said Abe Taylor, gi-avely. Then the whole businessflaslied upon Peter- son. The Barlow squad had 1 >een ambushed by means of information contained in that note, and not only was it signed bj- his own that it might have gone safely through a court of law. All this he saw, and plain it was, too, that deadly passions and danger for him had not wonder that yon look at me darkly, but I swear by all I hold sacred that I never saw that paper until to-night." CHAPTER VI. KEELEK'S BAND. A hoarse murmur arose from the crowa, and then excited exclamations followed which were none too choice in their word- ing. "But how do you explain it?" asked Abe Taylor, who seemed to be the coolest man there. THE WAR LIBRARY. " Simply by saying that it is a forgery. My hand never penned those words, nor do I know their author. I swear it. How it was done, I cannot guess, but I do see in this that I have an enemy somewhere, who purposely imitated my writing and signed my name ta that infamous paper. But, friends, he over- stepped himself in one partieular. You see that the wording of the note is somewhat vague, while tlie identity of the man ad- dressed is concealed imder a maslf. Who is 'A. B.?' I, for oue, cannot imagine. But. friends, amid all this vagueness, one name stands out plain and clear— my own." " What of that ?" snapped Stiles. "Simply this : The forger there gives him- self away. If there had been no trick in the matter, the name would be hidden lilse the remainder of the note; it would be vague, like the name of the man addressed. There, I say, the forger betrays his plot. My name was written there, so Sistinotly, simply for the purpose of ruinmgme." He had made a strong argument, and, coupled with his bold and persuasive ad- dress, it touched some of the men ; but Stiles broke down the barrier by an unbelieving retort, and again the murmur swelled among the men. " You can't lie out of it; yourown writing betrays you." said Stiles, savagely. "Boys, what is the verdict?" "Guilty!" "Kill the traitor!" "Hang him!" These .shouts arose fiercely, but half the men did not jciiii in thf hueaud cry. They ^vii-.' all of r.:[ilow's command; they inteu(ieil lo do wlial was right, and though Peterson's past was against him, and the evideuri' in the \iicscnt case terribly strong, Abe Taylor was alioutto raise his voice in favor of (Iclav and an investigation. He was too lalo. however. At the last »or-as not so to ho. Either through de- sign or ehaiici- Koilor kept out of the way. For some siine flic liglit went on, but the leader of the Centaurs clearly per(^eived that his baud was being roughly hamllcd. Too many were falling to maki- amonds ibr pos- sible plunder, aud he resolyod til withdraw while he could, and come again wlieii the village was not so well defended. One thing he aspired to do, however, be- fore lie went. If he could capture the Union raptain it would be a creditable e-xploit, and would iu a degree make amends for the gen- eral defeat. He called to two of his men, and the three precipitated themselves together upon Barlow. The latter was glad to see Keeler, and tried to get at him, but one of the men caught his sword-arm and clung like a mastiff. Another moment aud Ma.x was lifted clea' off the ground and laid across Keeler's horst just in front of the rider. With such odds struggles availed nothing, and a cord was wound around his hands. " Be quiet, now, or I will shoot !" Keeler sharply said. Then, raising his voice, he shouted a brief command to his men. They heard it with joy, aud obeyed promptly. It was an order for retreat ; and at the word the Jasper Centaurs shook off their foes, wheeled and dashed away from the scene of strife, followed by a few stray bullets. The villagers had won the battle; the guerrillas had received a disastrous check, and, as they fled in haste, the Union cheers caused them to curse in concert — but Max Barlow was a prisoner ! He lay across the back of Keeler's horse in :i:i niuomfortable position, his feet hanging THE WAK LIBRARY. off one side and his head the other. This fact, however, gave him an idea. He looked keenly about, and, seeing that all was favorable if the first step could be taken, proceeded to try the cords on his hands. They had been hastily applied, and he had cunningly held his wrists a little apart when being bound. Now, he found by experiment- ing, they were in a condition to be easily cast off. His scheme of escape was a desperate one ; but he had no desire to become a captive of the baud, and if he moved at all it must be promptly. He twisted his hands about stealthily, and the cords fell off. So far all was well. Then , without stirring his body, he reached down and laid hold of the saddle-girth. He wished to unbuckle it, but it had been drawn so tightly that he almost abandoned hope, as his flugers encountered the taut strap. "It's do or die; I must unbuckle it!" he muttered. So he put forth all of his strength, tight- ened the girth still more, loosened the buckle and slowly drew it through the longer end of the strap. Thus far, all was well. Keeler sat on a saddle which could easily be thrown off, and Max had his hands to himself. They were well at the front, too, for the fuerriUa chief rode a horse remarkal)le for is speed— even then he was holding him in to avoid distancing his followers— and all seemed ripe for "' ' position with surprising agility, aud, as the surprised guerrilla raised his hand to strike him, he received a push which swept him to one side. Never suspecting that the girth had been tampered with, Keeler tried only to hang fast to the saddle. In this attempt he succeeded only too well for his own good. He hung to the saddle, but the saddle did not hang to the horse. lustead, it went off as though greased, and, accompanied by Keeler, fell crashing to the ground. Barlow barely saved himself from the same fate. He caught at the horse's mane, however, and, being a good rider, succeeded In holaing fast. Then he grasped at the bridle-rein aud was safe in position. This little event had excited the horse into a mad gallop ; aud, looking back, as he shot rapidly away. Max saw the discomfited guerrilla just regaining his feet and pouring out a torrent of curses and orders to the men. Max shouted triumphantly, waved one hand in farewell to the men who had had no bullets to annoy him, and theu the interven- ing space rapid'ly widened ig space rapuuy wiUeuecl. The Unionist had heard much about the speed of Knt'ler's horse, but uever Ijefore had he tlmuiilit that it would ever be used to hisbeuelit; ;uid he ftlt a natural triumph, mingled with jnv at his own escape, as he left the guen illa.-i behind. Pursuit was made, as a matter of course, but it was like chasing the wind, aud in the rapidly gathering shades of night, the hos- tile riders were soon lost to each other's sight. Somewhat later, he saw the guerrillas pass on his right hand, but they were too distaut to be observed closely, and when they were gone he resumed his way. His course carried him to the very wood where Keder's band had first struck "' Taylor and Dave Harney come out and stand in his path. " How de do, cap'n," said the latter, in a manner which showed that he knew noth- ing of Barlow's brief captivity. " Is all quiet at the village?" " I suppose so ; why not ? What are doing here, Dave?" Harney wiped his forehead with his sleeve to a nervous manner. "Ain't you heered what happened hyar to-night?" he asked, in a manner equally nervous. "No. What do you mean ?" ♦'Abe— you tell." "No," said Taylor, curtly. "I ain't a coward, an' I'll face the music ; but you agreed ter tell the story." Dave told the captain all that had trans- pired. " What can we do ?" Dave asked. "Search!" was the terse reply. "Abe Taylor, if you had the honor of being one of the lynchers, go over the ground again and look for a clew." It was done, but nothing came of it. Ed- gar Peterson, dead or alive, had disappeared as completely as though buried, and the lynchers' rope was also beyond their sight. Abe had made a full explanation of the tragic affair, and Barlow decided that it must be the guerrillas had returned and cut down the victim— or it might be some strag- The possibility that Edgar might be alive and at the Somers' cottage, caused Barlow to go there on a feigned errand. He saw both Olive and Lena, and when he inquired for Edgar, Lena told how he had gone to the village with the other men. She was calm in her mein, and, satisfied that she knew nothing of the tragedy, he rejoined Harney and Taylor, and the three went to the village. Barlow retaining the captured horse. His anger against Sam Stiles was at white heat, and he at once sought for that person. In vain, however, for Stiles had disappeared as completely as Edgar had done. The captain devoted all his attention to earing for those wounded in the fight with the Jasper Centaurs, but his mind was al- ways on the lynchers' victim. He felt so sure that he had been on the road to re- formation and honor that it seemed a terri- ble thing for him to be thus cut off at the beginning of his brighter career. CHAPTER VIII. "THE PATHFIXDER." Barlow expected to solve the mystery of Edgar's disappearance on the following morning, but in this he was disappointed. Edgar did not appear, and all attempts to solve the mistery of the gallows-tree were futile. The ground in the vicinity was plowed up by the hoofs of Keeler's cavalry, and even Dave Harney, who was a skillful trailer, failed to And anything bearing on a solution of the mystery. The captain was very much perplexed. The great question in his mind was whether Peterson was dead or alive. If the latter, he seemed to have tied from the neighborhood; if the lormer, what had become of his body ? Mature retlection convinced Barlow that he had not been cut down by the guerrillas. It they had done the work, it was not likely they would have carried oft the rope. Some of the victim's enemies suggested that he might even then be riding with Keeler's band, but there was no proof in support of the theory, and Max did not for a moment believe in it. The news of the hanging went abroad, and reached the ears of Lena Somers and her friends. The former wept bitterly, and be- sought Barlow to solve the mystery, but he could not gain any clew. Days went on, and the mystery remained as deep as ever. Edgar Peterson was seen no more in the town, and people came to speak of him as one dead. Barlow saw that Lena was grieving deep- ly. She seemed to have forgotten how to smile; and the captain longed to get his hands on the man who had started the lynchers. Sam Stiles, however, was seen no more about the place. During the weeks that followed. Barlow led his men on many dashes against the Confederates. At times he lost men, but the vacancies were quickly filled, and the band was making for itsett a name through- out all Missouri. Somehow, he could never encounter Keel- er's guerrillas, much as he desired it. That active chief was like a will-o'-the-wisp; and, despite his superiority of numbers, he seem- ed reluctant to meet the man who was riding his horse all along the Ozark district. It may be mentioned here that, acting on a hint from his superiors, Keeler had learned to discriminate between friend and foe, and he was more of a soldier and less of a com- mon robber than when he first took to the saddle. Still, he was wild and lawless in his wav, and, between his force and others of the same kind, Missouri was sadly scourged by irregular bands. Many of these were without uniforms, aud, dressed in home-made, butternut-colored suits, and armed in every conceivable fash- ion—they made anything but dashing look- ing defenders of a growing cause. Toward the last of July, occurred two events which produced a material change in Barlow's plans. The first came when the band, acting in concert with another, was attacked by a superior force of Confeder- ates and nearly annihilated ; and the second may be learned from a conversation be- tween Barlow and Dave Harney the follow- ing morning. ''How many men are fit for duty, Dave?" " About twenty, cap'n." " Ah ! that was a fatal fight. I warned the major, but he would have his own way. Now our band is cut all in pieces." "They died facin' the inemy." "They died nobly, but they are lost to the Union." " And, cap'n " "What?" "The rest say they are sick of irregular war. They want ter jine the army, an' they are lookiu' toward Giueral Lyon with greedy eyes." "Let them go; I am glad of it. Dave, I, too, am sick of this life. Relying ou our- selves for resources, we have to plunder too much to suit me. To-day I will disband the troop, and then I am off for St. Louis." "What for?" Dave asked, in amazement. "To offer my services to General Fremont. You know I told you yesterday that he had been appointed to the command of the Western Department. Dave, I had lather serve under that man than any other in this country. He is a hero, if one ever lived. Remember how he led that gallant baud of adventurers through the ice aud snow of the Rocky Mountains. They suffered fearfully, but the pathfinder's brave heart never quailed." " He's a man o' a kind I like. None o' your carpet soldiers fur me. John C. Fremont has Ijeen a man araoug men, an' when he gets soldiers an' weepous he will cut his bigness right through Missouri. But, Lord bless you, he ain't got the material now. He lacks men and guns, big an' leetle, an' I reckon he won't find money plenty ter pay his volunteers." " He will be crippled until he gets them ; but to the soldier-explorer I am going. I cast my fortunes with his, if he will have me." So that day Max Barlow bade farewell to his band, made a last visit to Olive and Lena Somers and started for St. Louis, where he arrived on the last day of July. John C. Fremont, who had won such de- served honor in the West by crossing the Rocky Mountains with a band of gallant ex- plorers—an exploit which will live in the history of our country as long as the repub- lic is mentioned among men — had been S laced in charge of the department in which [issouri was contained, with his headquar- ters at St. Louis. His work began under discouraging cir- cumstances. The three-months men were leaving the service, and money was lacking to pay new recruits. His cannon were to be sent from Wash- ington—but they went to the Army of the Potomac— and the brave Pathfinder was be- set on all sides by trouble and embarrass- ment. Such was the condition of affairs when Max Barlow arrived in St. Louis. By chance he had a view of the Pathfinder sooner than he had expected. Standinp in the street, he saw the brave explorernde past, accompanied by Adjutant- General Harding and others, and Max Uf ted his voice to join with those who cheered the riders. " It's a proper good sight, ain't it?" said a voice at his elbow. Barlow wheeled, and then put out his hand as he saw the well-remembered face of Sharpshot, the scout. "You here'?" he exclaimed. " I should remark that I am. I'm most al- ways 'round somewhar," said the sharp- shooter. " I have not seen you since Sigel's battle." " That's because you ain't been in the right place. I ain't been idle durin' that time. Ask Kurnel Harding or Gineral Lyon— or Fremont, fur that matter." " Do you know General Fremont?" "I am his scout!" The red-haired sharpshooter drew himself up to his full height, aud looked as proud as the peaks of the Ozark. " I am going to offer my services to him." '• Be you ?" said Sharpshot, eagerly. " Good fur you ; go right in an' win. "Thar air*t an- other man in Missouri like him. When I say this I allow Gin»ral Lyon ter be as brave a 8 THE WAR LIBRARY. man as lives, but Fremont is my fuvoritp overall." " And mine. Man, I lovi- that i;all:int i-x- plorer. Think of his hunlshiij.s aii.l bravery in the extreme West, au.t think what lie lias done for his country. All honor to him, I Barlow spoke with enthusiasm, and Sharp- shot Anns liis Iiattered cap into the air. Diffcrciitas flic two were m looks and Character, they were unite,! in then tion lor the I'atlihieler. admira- Tlic metropolis ol the ,Muntry i.eyeii.i iiie Father of Waters is iiev.'i- a .lull eiiy, anil on this occasion Ma.\ found enon,i;li to interest him. , , What he saw need not l.e iclafea liere, ex- cept that part wlncli teriiiinated Ins c\ enin« ramlilc, and laid a direct bearmg on his past As ciianei. w (uilil liave it, he saw no one that he knew, tlioinjli he had some acquaint- ances in 81. l^uui.s; but, though he was in citizen's dress, he did not fail to attract at- tention from at least two men who were upon the street. , . .. . , ,,■ These persons started at sight of him. "Max Barlow, liy the fiends!" said one, who wore a lona red beard. •■80 it lie sure as shootm, replied the other wlio was lilesscd with a black bearO of C'nialinoiiortions. The red-bearded man did not answer. He was lookiupc thoughtfully after Max as the latter walked dowu the street, and Ins hand, thrust inside his coat, was working nervously around some object which was in- visible. "Zounds!" he muttered, after a pause, I am tempted to do it." "To do picions in itself, and Barlow ceuld not doubt but tliat they intended to attack him in the He smiled grimly and drew both revol- vers from his i.oeket. soiiiuleil eliise beliiniriiim. He measured tlieir advaure by the noise, cautious as it Suddenly lie wheeled,' and the assassins, pausing abruptly to avoid running full upon him, found a glittering revolver frowning at each of them. "Good evening!" said Barlow, Ijlandly. ••('an I lie of any service to you, gentlemen ?" ■• \Vliat the fiends do you mean?" demand- ed (lie led-liearded man— tor it was the pair witli tlie profuse hirsute growth— recovering i\ its with surprising liniekness. do-1 Tie in almost hissed the ry but ill-concealed. any hitch and be r the well you nin- if there Come!" Then the would-be assassins strode away after Max Barlow. CHAPTER IX. KNIFE AND KEVOLVER. Our friend, the captain, had the air of one whollv at his ease as he sauntered down the street' and an observer would have said, too tied be Knew nothing of what was transiiiiin^ about him except what occur- 4ei iiig way, bu , but coolly. 1 dogging me fo He was speaking i Barlow interrupted "Then why have ■ the last fifteen minutes y "We have done nothing of the kiud, de- clared the red-bearded man, angrily. "I say you have. I ve ero-sed the street four times since you fell in behind me, solely for the pur)iose of testing you, and you've followed as straight as though I was a tuiboat. Now, here I am, and if you want anything of nie, don't be bashful about asking. Spit it out!" ■■ 1 tell you it is a mistake " It ix one, forvon to think you can takeme unawares like 'a eountryman. That part, lio\\i\ el, is iiiiniaterial. 'Will you sho-n- your hand 01 thiow up the deal?" 'riiepairof lutHans hesitated. He, of the lilaek beard, ^^■as ambitious to cast off the giupiiling-irous, metaphorically speakiu;.', antl leave Captain Barlow alone, but his companion was less inclined to give iip. For reasons of his own, he hated this quick- witted man and aspired to end his career '.luM"'tliei'i', wiien (lie deadlo,-k was at its zendli, oicMi-ied one of those I'ommon but, iVi this el-.' nnluek\- a..iil.-nts of a city. T»-osi,,all b..\-s, ou.-i'n iinrsiiit of the other. away, cap i said the latter. " Come quickly. "Wliy?" "Them boys hev described you wal. an' ef people get ter lookin' at you, there'll be an arrest, an' yon will languish in prison." " I've done nothing to be arrested for." " Still, you may lose three mouths o' sar- vice at the front ef you don't save your head." ^ , ,, It was a convincing argument, and Max followed the shaiiishooter away from the crowd and the vicinity. „ ^, ... Barlow gave a clear account of all that had occurred under his observation. Then they weiglied the fragments of evidence, and tried to form a theory as to the motive of the attack. , ^ The most reasonalde idea was that plunder had been the sole object, but the fact that Barlow was plainly dressed rather disturbed that theory. Two questions remained unanswered. First, why had he been attacked ? Secondly, what had become of the man he had shot f The last conundrum was not less dense than the first. The black-bearded man had gone down viiomiitlv when shot, and when last seen bv Ma.x, 'had been stiuggling in what seem.'..l his death aiiony ; but, in spite of that, he ha.i uiysleiiously disapi.eaicd. Not to weary the rea.ler with an aeeount of Mil thi'lr -uiiiiises and siieeulatious, let US llv-a\-tliat Ihev d.-ei.led thev did not w'tli..'eaiiseottlieattaek, th.it 't he black- ■ded man mi.. lit have in et.nde.l to be hit i.g hi yoiid the curb to the street iiroper. It was an interruption which gave the red-bearded man a thrill of joy, and he leap- ed forward, knife in hand, to attack his enemy. fill the parts ol The folk. was made I of a note found had hour by a i lly was. ad not d with • bade in refiectioii ; and, after- ■' ' exaggerated dreams in ed-bearded men played Rect read 1 viu" moniiug, the veil of mystery jieker than ever by the arrival rhich, on due investigation, he leeu left at the hotel at an early iiall boy. this note, Barlow sat dowu and n-ords, which were written in a regular hand : , night . liickUj- bafflud tliera yourself ,vin be further pvith worse than tliiiikiiig, the critical observer ' 1 leen mistaken. Barlow's peace- ;;s deceptive as the purring of a 'fn'iviii" his life, he had seen a good deal of ough work. Through Missouri he had :oue with his rifle, an.l many an adventure lad he passed through amid (he (izark Moti pen sesonth • iilaius beaver i, and swapped of Kaiis ■ to be caught w was streets too safe at the lonjr iu discoT- iSSH^Sr'SirS'E^ lowed ? It might be done for any of several reasons, but the explanation most reasona- ble was that they intended to rob him. " This riddle must be solved," he thought, ■with perfect calmness. " Plainly, if thej^ in- tend me harm, they will do nothing while I am on so public and well-traveled a street. A narrow, dark alley would suit them bet- ter. Gentlemen, I like to aid in a good cause, and I'll help you over t "linking, he first looke.l Londi tion of his knife and ed to the right and sanui.iv.i ai..iig a sueeu which was poorly hghted and bin little used at that hour by pedestrians. As he had thought, the two men followed him, and he was no sooner clear of the crowd than they begun to close up rapidly. In so doing, they used a caution whicti was sus- n the ground, death agony, away with shri aroused, and, with his see.md revolver half leveled, he dashed after the runaway, order- ing him to stop. .,. , ^, • , tK The red-bearded man did nothing ot the kind, and he jiroved to be so good a runner that Max eould not gain a foot. .\sa result, he was about to give him a clniiee betwi-.n sb.iiping or receiving an- other shoi, win n, su.ideuly, the prisoner dodn-ed into a veiv small and obscure alley. Barlow a little disturbed by the darkness before him, followed more cautiously, but, iu spite of this, he made a misstep, and fell rattling down three or four stone steps. When he arose, a thoroughly demorahzed man, it was to find that the fugitive had made good his escape. ,,,,,., The alley led to another street, and he had been effectually thrown oS the trail. Not much time did he spend there, but, retracing his steps, he reached the vicinity of the first trouble to find the two small boys the center of an excited group of men who had collected to learn all about the murder the boys claimed to have seen com- mitted. Barlow looked for the man he had shot. On the sidewalk was a small pool of blood, but no further sign was to be seen. While puzzling over this fack Max felt a haBid laid on his shouldd, and turned to see Sharpshot. the saout. liad greeted this extraordinarj I a ivhistle of amazement, but it til after inquiry had convinced leie was no way of finding out the II wliicli it had emanated, that he jr serious reflection. plunged deeper than ever into perplexity. Who was the writer ■' The scrawl showed signs of an I disguise it; but, though signed .d a iuiine, there was nbthiug to c of the writer. Friends do not .su. h obscure warnings; enemies writer ? referred to. strongly felt Qg bade him reason, but •a. So far as it social Ufa CHAPTER X. THE ItCiB OF BATTLE. Barlow had planned to visit General Fre- mont that morning, and, without allowinjg any new complieation to interfere with his plans he went as jirojccted. The I'ltlihii.ler received him cordially. alelter from Colonel Sigel, and, .iiiont had heard of him iu con- ith the iiregulai' warfare in the on. He was glad to meet such a soldier. lis encouraging welcome, the cap- 1 to feel that he had presumed much iu his course. He had a sort of wor- ' shipfnl feeling for the brave man who had crossed theheartof thecontinent under such great dinieulties; he had always regarded him as one fitted by his bravery and nobility to stand high among all men. Now, on his own part, '■" small fa ituch companir Max b. besides nectioi Ozark 1 prom is Desp he seemed very THE WAR LIBRARY. being tired of irreeu to offer his sword to the ex-explorer. Tremout looked at him keenly- He noted the flue, robust form and firm face of the applicant, and a look of pleasure stole across his face. Daring adventurer that he had been, his nature was still amiable aud his heart large. "I am glad you have come to me," he said, "though I have no vacancy just at present, or, rather, we lack the means of organizing the troops who are ready to pour to our aid when we can pay and arm them. When that day comes, I shall be glad to give you a position. Just at present " The Pathrintl.i- i.misrd, reflected for a mo- ment, ami tliiii tur 1 tn :ni orderly. "Send .Major /.a^onvi lieiv," he said. Barlow stalled sH-Iitlv. He luid heard of Major Zajreiivi l.elor,.. ' A Hiuigariau, who had been a soldier in liis iialive land, lie had come to tlie United .'Stales as an exile. Men said that he was luave and true, and that ■with hiui the art of war was a, trade wherein he was an adept. It was known, too, that he had offered lii> ^word to Fremont, but just what was in store for the Hungarian, few knew at thai period. He came in inoniptlv, asoldier in look and bearing, and Baiiou' did not find it lianl t.i believe the reports lie had h.'ard of liis valor. The Pathfinder introiUie.Mltlie two. "I shall be glad to have met Captain Bar- low, for of him 1 have lielore heard," said the Hungarian, in his peculiarly worded En- glish. "And I am glad to meet the patriot of Hungary," added Barlow, ])romptly. " Ah I you shall not flatter me now, for my small deeds sound poor to great words," remonstrated Zagouyi, with the modesty of a truly brave man. "Don't, quarrel, gentleman," said Fre- mont, smiling. " Save all that for the ene- mies of the republic. This soldier, major, wishes to see service. Where can we flnd a place for him?" The Hungarian looked first at Barlow and then at the general. " There are places," he quietly said. " And he would flll any vacancy ?" "Well, general, well, 1 make sure." "We understand each other, then. Cap- tain Barlow, voiir offer is favorably re- ceived, and yoii shall see service near my own banner. .Jn^t at present, as I said be- fore, there is uotliin;; to he dune here; but there is one plaee where you can use your sword with eneel." "Is with L\on. As you are probably aware, the iiieuij is marching on Spring- fleld, aud aliattle must ensue. If you wish, Sou cau go there aud aid the cause. When le fight is over, return here and I will find a permanent plaee fur you. I shall offer j-ou a choice hetweeii two "]iositions. Major Za- gonyiand !ii,v>einKn e a jilan in view which will call for soine siioii,-, active young men, and anions thesi- yon ivill be weicome." "I choose tliat position, then." "Asa private?" "As anything?" " You shall have your choice. Now, I will write a letter to General Lyon, which will probably give you a position near him dur- ing the battle, iiid mav von win glory." Half an hour later Uiiiiow left the two ofB- cers, duly provided wilh a letter to Lyon. Before leaving ^t. houis. he called on Sharpshot, and had a eon\ ersalion with him m 1 but all their surmises I'aile-I n, l,t da\ lisht into the mvsterv. Theseout e.xi.ie-^ ,1 the idea that the note from ■■ ( i/ark was only intended as a scare from the ball led ro I titers, but Barlow was not so san'.;uine. Putting together the tin. ad., of ev ideiiee, he was inclined to think he really iiad au enemy, who deliberately tried to a'osassiuato him ; but "who it was, aud what was the cause of his enmity, could not be conjec- tured. In conclusion. Barlow told the sharp- shooter of his proposed journey to Spring- field. " Mebbe I'll be thar, too," said the latter. "Hike the smell o' smoke, and I want ter get a crack at the inemy. I never was made for flghtin' by w( They separate journey. He had mui-h up fleet. The military situatii ture, the vague words ut tht night assault, the mysteri( came iu for a share of atten Like the lull between the he thought at times about Sharpshot. The and Barlo hich to re- his own fn- athflnder, the . warning— all of a play, man seemed to be a peculiar character. A veteran borderer, he was uncouth enough of face and dress, but his heart seemed to be true ; and, somehow. Barlow was drawn to- ward him. Brief as their acquaintance had been, he was treating him as a friend, and he felt sure the confldence would not be mis- placed. Our soldier arriveit at Spriiiglleld ou the seventh of AiiKUsl. H was a erili<'al peritnl with the Union forlnne- in Mi.ssonri. gen- eral Lyon hi'ld the plaee with ll\-e thou.^and troops, anntuu' whom was si^el, w hile a (.'on- federate arniv of lonr limes that strength was uiarehin- a-ain>l Iheiii, led by Gcnej'als iiUl hope to hold ousand soldiers , even when led nd was quickly assigned learer, and final s (^reek, but they were tiiditiou. During their n on half rations, and \i\ the\vay; they were many eases only half (111 the ninth lA'on held a eouncil of officers to deeide whether Spriu.slield should be evacuated iti- battle siveii theenemy. Neith- ei- plan proved satisfaetory. To retreat was to lose valuable ground and Itreeil deiuorali- zation among the loval men (d Mis.-onii; to fight, was to risk the whole army. Still, the defenders were Itrave-heaited, and they finally decided to risk all against their foe, outnumbered as they were. Ou that day both armies were busy. Mc- Culloch proposed to at once push forward on the town ; while Lvon resolved to go out and m eet his rival at Wilson's Creek. Better fight there than be hemmed in at Springfield. Lyon formed his little force into two par- ties, the larger of which, led by himself, was to strike the Confederate front, while Sigel, with the smaller, was to operate against the rear. At five o'clock that evening the army moved, but it was au hour past midnight when the Confederati' fires were sighted, and four hours later when the battle began. The riii(tn skirmi>lies s.nt the pickets back sts moved with • igor after the ill. A small force was creek at a bend, to ink, aud then the main 1. lilly and broken, aud, .iiitalile for a stand and men, every moment, .|.|iiments in force. plaet"d at the head of rank of captain. His wholly of new recruits, Leeustomed for years to ous tliey bore, having Indians and border I no fears as to their lew strode near Barlow •■They don't tected. Keep r-rs, cap'n, an' aud often veil sensible that tl "Et they kii let alio' these your eye open ef they tries tl wildcats pav 'i Barlow d'id lar^e number-, and awaiting tl "Etarnal li-vrs!' said the ' we got t.>r swalnr all on them?" "If wiMht. we ean't keep them down,' said a man at Ins side. " We'll be lucky ter get them down at all,' added still another. CHAPTER XI. While his i with conside the front. I Fairlv Unioui Thel the artillery yawiiiug , looked grim enough, orce woiild crush the latter army, however, ■were wise enough to go slow. The battalions of Major Osterhaus, with several companies of Missouri volunteers, which included Bar- low's, were thrown forward as skirmishers. SimnltaHeitnsly with this movement, sev- eral gonsof 'roii'en',. Battery, under Lieuten- ant Sakal>ki, I tcL'aii a heavy firing, and, a little later, tliewhitle battery'coming into posi- tion, the slaughter of the Confederates be- w,l support 'lev" 'I'l'iei ng a ly ai ■ lea into rifle d rapid, t in the ler, who its scab- thrilled liar n ly nj>'tl dly 1 an ob- it on his loadiug The lishlim;- eontiiined with varying for- tunes, Itut no il. ■elded advantage to either; but an event was at hand whieh was calcu- lated to deal a great blow to the Union army and the North at large. On the extreme right, three regiments of Union soldiers were fighting against great odds, and though they showed undiminish- ed valor, it was plain that fatigue, thirst and the press of numbers was telling upon them terribly. Genei'al Lyon saw their danger, and or- dered the Second Kansas to their support, himself accompanying it. A desp.Tate strug- gle ensued. The brave general rode along the line in the thickest of the fight, encouraging his men, and not heeding the bullets which whistled past him as though they had been common hail. Then Colonel Mitchell of the Second Kan- sas fell severely wounded, and the soldiers faltered. They were without a leader when one was most needed. Lyon saw their peril and spurred to their front. "Come on!" he cried, iu tones which thrilled them ; " I will lead you !" They rallied at his words, tor all loved the brave soldier, and he looked like one sub- limely gifted then, but they never followed him to victory. From the Confedei-ate line came a rifle- ball which found a path to a target too sacred and noble to have thus stopped a speedily, anil among the ly rs who had died for their r'diug angel wrote that of ed. was the calamity, but upon whom the command i,:;ed to hold the ,.nemv iu news of Lyons death'wasv strong foiee uf Confederate holoemeu swept from a wood and charged down upon them. Barlow ordered his braves to stand firm, and many a saddle was emptied as the gray riders eame. .still, they V,-, re not eh. eked, and with a fe.^iiii^ akin lo.l.^.pair, Ma.x saw that they uiii,-l .M^a-e ill a haii.l to hand tight. 'I'lio'la.di ol I avalry had s.'parated the li.r 1. i . I - 1; ..i.) III.- army jiroper; and, hem- 111. d 111 a!. .II.' ill a small valley, they must li^lii :iu:iiii,i I. .111- times their number of nionni. .1 lii.n, ..I take to flight and be cut Terrible, indeed, were the odds. The horse- men were well armed, and their evident ex- pectations of ([uiek and complete -victory ' well grounded. 10 THE WAR LIBBARY. Barlow's band, however, were resolved to die bravely, if, iudeed, they must die at all. "Meu!" lie shouted, "show your border fighting now. Up and at the euemy ; and, reuiembei-, you hght for Missouri aud the Union. " Don't let them see our backs!" His meu responded with a cheer, and then came the rush of the cavalry. Witli sabers gleaming they swept on, planning to carry all before them, and this time there were no keen bayonets to dread. The rihes were for shootiiig, not for close quarters. What a surprise awaited the exultant foe! As their horses' feet flung the turf into the borderer's faces, the latter sprung for- ward like tigers. Each man seized a horse by the rein, and few there were who did not manage to avoid the downward stroke of tho saber. It was a grand picture, despite its horror as a feature of w;ir— grand because of the lofty courage of the ex-Iudian fighters. The greater part of them had dropped their empty ritles, .and when their left hands (jlosed on the rein, their right was busy with a long-bladed bowie. Some struck at the necks of the horses, others at the riders, and others, still, vault- ed into the saddle beside the gray riders and clutched at throat or saber-hand. Such a scene had not been observed at any previous stage of the battle, and it can only be likened to the leap of the forest panther which springs on his prey, and then is busy with tooth and claw. Barlow himself, armed with his sword, had taken a firm stand to fight while life lasted. The rush of the troopers seemed sure, at first, to sweep all before it, but, as they came, the Union officer first beat aside a saber stroke, and then, after a brief exchange of blows, thrust the rider to the heart. Tlie fight went on. Ten of the bordermen lay dead on the ground, hut every one that lived had scored It was a wild, ferocious struggle, such as is rarely seen lu battle. The ex-Iudian fighters were truly human pautlieis. At tliis critical moment, when it seemed as though the In-ave fellows must every one die facing the enemy, came another of those fickle turns in the tide so often seen in war- fare. Without a word of warning, a body of Union infantry charged along the level of the valley. Their mc-eraeuts made no sound on the soft grass, aud the Confederates did not sus- pect that ;i force fully their eijual in uum- It was a i|.ii|.nvi' -il. n. .', I)iit firm resolu- tion wa> 'x |.i, lac. ■* of the new- comers, and till' ,L'li:-ti'iiiii.i; lit the Sim upon their bayonets sho«-ed how they were going to attack. The blow came. Like a mighty, turbulent sea, the rescuers dashed themselves on the troopers. This time it was man tu man. and as the bordermen saw the tuin (.1 fin- till., tin v rallied afresh and began t.. li-lit Iiki< li- mis. Ah! then how busy wen- tho^e (inii'-I.Ti,;;lit bayonets, always so terrible a weapon of war. The alarm spread quickly ; they faltered, gave ground, broke aud fled. A short ilistiince the wieklers of the bayo- net went ill imisnit. Imtit would be fatal to venturi- far li'.un tlif mam I i.uly of theUnion force ami tin-v lurmMl \,:u-k. The l)iiiilianii-n, tiri'd at last of cheering, suddeuly saw that their leader was not among them. Alarmed, they looked among the dead, but he was not there, and they could only conclude that he was a prisoner. He was seen no more during the fight. Let us see what became of him. Hard pressed bv an enemy. Barlow did not perceive the "charge of the infantry until their blew was dealt, and he was still Thii sadil ,'hich he versary, hail i-auseil ) from lii.- hanil. anil, ; he hail nut a wi-ai.on plai-c lii^ lianil.-- His struuLili .- « .IV in vain, for the Confed- erate hail till vtiiiijith ol an ox, and Barlow wasfoiii'il li.lii-in impotent rage while the troopers lieat their disorderly retreat. They went, and with them went Max, a CHAPTER XII. MAX BECOMES A GUEKUrLLA. lattlei It was madi the destruction was often great, and, as long as life lasts, will those engaged remember the battle of Wilson's Creek. Outnumbered as they were, the Union army would have been cut to pieces and hurled back to Springfield, only to fall com- pletely into the hands of the enemy a little later, had it not been for the artillery Those great guns saved the day. Totten, Dubois and Steele were at all times busy, and, where they used the cannon, the loss to the enemy was great. These batteries saved the Union army at the last grapple of the day. Deceived by a trick of tlie enemy, who showed a flag captured from the boys in blue, consteriiatiou had seized upon the lat- ter, when Totten and Dubois turned their guns upon the deceitful foe, and, aided by a stout charge of the infantry, drove back the Confederates with heavy loss. It was the last fight of the long series. A nominal victory had been gained by the Union arms, but the foe had only retreated a short distance. A council of officers being held. Major Sturgis resolved to retreat to Springfield. They went, and on the way were joined by Sigel and three of the fwelve hundred men he had lead to attack the Confederate rear. Where had Sigel been during all the fight ? The story was soon told. He and his men had been deceived by the same low strata- gem which nearly ruined Sturgis' command at a later period of the day— a large body of Confederates had shown a Union flag and so drawn Sigel's force into a trap, where the majority of them were captured. The junction effected, as before related, Sigel, who ranked Sturgis, assumed com- mand, and the broken army went steadily on toward Springfield. Max Barlow did not accompany his friends. A prisoner in the Confederate camp, he had been huddled together with others, among whom were some taken from Sigel's command, and they were left in sus- pense while the battle raged at the front. Barlow was disconsolate enough. It was not in his nature to relish inaction when his efforts were needed in the Union cause, and since his capture he had seen with his own eyes how overwhelmuing were the odds against the little army. When Sturgis retreated, his enemy had no heart for following him. They claimed the battle as theirs, but their loss was heavy, and they allowed the Unionists to go m peace. Captain Barlow, as he lay among the other prisiineis, kei.nly watched the scene around him; ami, aumug other things, he discover- ed that K.-.'ler. the guerrilla, was on the a«a\, iMit till till' iait that he was thus watched. I'll.- sicue had not changed materially wilt n Mitrht fell over the battlefield audits \ iciuity. Some of the prisoners were deep in despair, while others, among whom was Barlow, were inclined to take matters as easy as possible. lie was weary enough after the day's figlilin^', anil, lalinly lying down, he pre- pai.il In t;i'l a litti.' sli-eii. Close at hand lia.iil a -iiai.l. Harlow watched him indif- tiTi nily lora f.y minutes ns he walked his beat, anil llnai i-IomiiI his eyes. Fi\ .■ ininiitis later he opeued them sud- deiiix , 111- had felt a touch ou his arm, and, as III' Ii.oImiI, 111' saw a man lyiug close be- side liiin. B.f..ie he closed his eyes, the man had not been there. " Hush ! " the latter whispered. " Be silent, for your life!" Max made no reply, but used his eyes well. Thevoii'e sounded familiar, but the ■■II.. yon know me ?" continued the other. •■ No,' ' Mallow answered. ■■ lin Shariisliot, the sharpshooter !" 'I'll.' laiitaiu could not ayoi.l a start, aud aL'ain the last speaker comiiu.ml.il sihiHc. His tai .■ now began to be in..i .• .iistin.t, and the i.iisoner saw that it wa^ in. hid the " Are you sharp enough ter kerry out my plans?" " I'll try," said Max, promptly. "I'm hyar ter rescue you. I'll cut your bonds, ef you have any " "I am not bound." "Good! Well, I want you ter roll saf tly an' slowly toward the thicket yender. Go mighty slow, or you will be seen. I'll stay ill your place. When you reach the trees, look at the foot of the biggest tree an' you'll see a Confederate uniform rolled in a bun- dle. Put that on over your'n jest as quick as possible. When you have had time ter dress, I'll roll the same way an' jine you. Then we'll both be in gray, an' we kin easily escape from the camp. See?" Barlow did see, and, though the undertak- Sharpshot's hand and then began the work. Once, only, did he roll over at the start. Then he paused and looked about. The _ ■ . ,.. - . -g ]jgat, the scout lay like one asleep and no one seemed watching the captain. Again he rolled over. All remained as be- fore. It was a terribly exciting moment, but it was not Max Barlow's first adventure. He turned again, and yet once more, and still no alarming thing was heard or seen. He was half way to the bushes. They seemed to stretch out their branches like the welcoming hands of a friend. He was in the midst of his venture— how would it end ? Steadily he moved on. Now and then, some of the other prisoners stirred restless- ly, but no one seemed to notice his own movements. He steadily neared the bushes, and then, at last, reached their cover. Arising to his feet, he looked back and saw the guard at his best. Sharpshot lay perfectly still on the ground. "Brave fellow!" muttered Barlow. "He is a jewel of great value, just at present." It was no time for delay. The captain en- tered the thicket, searched for the bundle, aud found it as the scout had said. He felt a momentary fear that it would not be large enough, but Sharpshot had made no mistake. In went on over Barlo-o-'s own uniform and fitted well. He was then ready for the next step in the venture, and had only to waitjjfor the scout. At that moment, however, voices sounded at the edge of the thicket, and he felt a thrill of apprehension. The uuseen men began pushing through the bushes, and Max knew not which way to turn. Trusting to the darkness, he stepped be- hind a tree and awaited in dead silence. The men advanced, muttered among them- selves, and paused, so that Barlow was actu- ally among them. He was seen. One of them addressed him carelessly, he answered with a rude dialect, and then stood firm, trusting to luck. "How many are here?" one of the new- comers asked. A count was made. " Seven, besides yourself, captain." The count included Barlow. "That is enough." Max realized that, owing to the darkness, the men had not suspected but what he had come with them, and as they had previously been uncertain as to their number, there ■was a chance that the deception might be continued. Somehow, the voice of him who seemed to be the leader, sounded familiar, but Max could not place it. "I have a little work on hand which I wish to do secretly, and then return to camp without our absence being discovered. Of course, we can go anyway, for we are under no man's orders; but I want to keep the matter dark. Tou seven are ready to foUo^w me, are you ?" Several of the men answered affirma- tively. "Th( keep close to my heels. Come ou. rhen follow me at once. Walk in pair He started from the thicket, and the men began to execute his orders. "Jones, 1 reckon you an' I kin walk 'long- side each other, an' not quarrel." A burl V fellow addressed the remark to Barlow.' It showed that the Unionist was mistaken lor a man who bore the melodious name of .loins, ami it also showed that the couuterfi-it ( 'oiiledeiate must either fall into line or invite comment, aud possibly dis- covery. He longed to decline the honor tendered him, but dared not do so. " I reckon we kin," he said, in reply. Then he and the burly man strode from the bushes, side by side, with men in front Barlow was in a state of mental demorali- zation. He was starting on an expedition of an unknown character , he was hopele s« THE WAR LIBBARY. 11 leaving Sharpshot, and if the venture did not end in his discomfiture it would be a wonder. Surrounded by these men, who were his deadly euemies, if they had but known it, he walked through the Confederate camp. Other men looked at them, but none in sus- picion. Beyond the heart of the camp, the leader paused. " If any of you are short of weapons, help yourselves from that pile." he said, pointing 1 he spoke. " We want to go well armed." Iti chance Barlow did not fail to i life, but from the pile he took a musket, pair of revolvers, and a saber— the lattei' be- cause he saw that his companions were simi- larly armed. " Now for the horses," said the leader. "Follow me." Barlow had been studying the last speaker, and trying to remember where he had seen him before, and now he made a discovery. He was Keeler, the guerrilla ! Truly, the Unionist was in dangerous com- pany. Rapidly he tried to form a plan of escape. He had heard that since the Confederate had lost his horse, he had sworn to kill the man who had confiscated him, and discovery would probably result in worse than ordi- nary captivity. Once, Barlow was on the point of trying to dash away, but second thought showed him that the attempt would probably result to h issorrow, and he resolved to bide his time. Going a little further, they reached a num- ber of horses, and the guerrillas began to select such as pleased them, without a per- ceptible regard for previous ownership. Barlow fouud one which he judged to be fleet-footed, and when the other men swung into the saddle he was not far behind. Keeler gave another order, and the party started at a walk, their faces due south. They were fairly off on their, to Barlow, unknown expedition, and he was far from feeling at ease. Why he was not already detected he could not guess, but had he known how much he resembled the genuine Jones, he would have felt more at ease. This fact, together with the darkness, was greatly in his favor. CHAPTER Xni. KEELEE'S LITTLE GAME. Not far did the guerrillas go before Keeler put his horse into a sharp trot, and the eight men swept away down the road. The leader and another man were at the front, while the others rode abreast in threes. Barlow was a good deal interested in this mysterious expedition, but he could only conjecture that Keeler saw a chance for plunder.and when anythiugof the kind was to be secured the creed and practices of the guerrilla fi>rbade inactivity. Whatever was in store for them there was at present no chance for him to escape. Rid- ing as the center man of the first trio, he was literally surrounded by his enemies, and as long as that lasted he must think himself lucky if he was not stripped of his false honors. As Jones, he was safe ; as a Unionist, among such men and so far from others, he would probably get a send-off on his final worldly journey. The country was as familiar to him as the palm of his own hand. Hundreds of times he had passed over it as a boy, and in his maturer years : while only a few miles to the front was the village where the greater part of his life had been passed. This fact suddenly occurred to him with startling force. They were heading directly toward the village. Was that the objective point of their expedition ? The fear became a strong suspicion, and developed into conviction. Nearer and nearer they rode, until only halt a mile lay between them and Barlow's old friends. He became greatly excited internally, for it seemed certain "that the village, or some of its inhabitants were menaced. a handful of men, and if they should run upon any Unionists, they might fare badly. True, the village was in the nominal posses- sion of the Confederates, but no force of sol- diers was near, and many of the people were loyal to the old flag. They did not enter the village, but, keep- ing to the east, rode slowly jKist, and in a short time entered a small piece of wood. Bai-Jowfelt varied emotions at this stage of their journey. It was in this very wood that Edgar Peterson had been hanged, and the mystery surrounding his subsequent disap- pearance was still unsolved. Had he been taken away with life extinct and given secret burial, or had some friend rescued him in time, and enabled him to es- cape the clutches of Judge Lynch? Whichever was the case, it had been a sad affair, and Barlow shuddered as they rode under the trees. His mind soon wandered to another sub- ject, however. A hundred yards beyond the wood stood the house of Mr. Somers, and there was all that was tender in Barlow's life. He thought then of Olive, and won- dered if Lena and herself were still astir or sleeping, unconscious of the enemy so near. Ho! what means this halt in the wood so near the Somers' cottage? " Dismount!" said Keeler. His men obeyed, and stood grouped aoout him. " I will now tell you the work in hand," said the guerrilla chief, in a subdued voice. "In yonder house are two girls who are wanted by certain men. I want ore, and another man wants the other. With your help I am going to take them now. Are you witlime?" " Yes," several of the men answered to- gether. Barlow, however, was silent. The an- nouncement had fallen upon him like a thunderbolt. Hostile nations might arise in arms, battles might be fought, earthquakes might occur, and floods come, yet, to a con- siderable degree, his mind would be easy so long as Olive Somers remained safe and un- injured. To him, that cottage was the most sacred spot on earth, for it contained the woman he loved and hoped to one day call his wife. Now, as he heard the cool and villainous plans of the guerrilla, his blood seemed to chill. " Good !" said Keeler, in answer to the re- sponse of the men. " I knew I could count on you, and you shall not go unrewarded. We shall meet with but little opposition. Only the girls and Abram Somers are there, and he is too old to do much harm." "We will hang him ef he proves ugly," said one of the guerrillas. " Let a knife or revolver do the work as circumstancesrequire. Of course, if heshows fight, we must not leave him alive. Now, hear my plan, which is simple: We will sur- round the house, and I will knock at the door. Somers will open, and then in we go. Next, I will state my errand and carry it out. The two girls, Olive and Lena, go with us ; the old man remains— dead or alive!" The cool villainy of the plan astounded Barlow, who clearly perceived that he had work to do. He blessed the lucky chance which had made him one of the party, even while he did not see how he was to success- fully oppose Keller's plot. With seven men against him, it looked as though he was doomed to fail, if not to be slain in trying ; but not for an instant did he think of failing to do his uttermost. Olive Somers should be saved from these ruflians, or he would die in fighting for her. Keeler gave his directions plainly, and, leaving their horses in the wood, they stole from cover and approached the house. All there was peaceful and quiet, though the dull light from a curtained window at the rear showed that all the household had not yet retired. Barlow knew the light shone from Abram's own room. Keeler moved first to this vicinity and tried to peer within, but the closely-drawn curtain battled him. "Jones," he said, in a subdued voice, " re- main at this spot, and don't let a soul escape, Hardy and Eaton, each of you take an end of the house, and the rest of j-ou follow me to the front. Don't harm the girls, for I want Olive for my wife, but if the old man is ii;:l\ . siiilv li'nd as soon as you please." lli'^'pil.- ilic lil>M,d-curdling way in which he (ini^liiMl, i;:iiIo\\- was pleased at the plan. By cliaiii c, In- lia.l been given just the posi- tion lio ivuulil have desired, and he was re- solved to move quickly when once free from observation. The next few minutes were destined to be important ones in the lives of Olive and Lena Somers. Either they wnnldbe rcsrucd through the strange chancf tliat had niaili- Barlow a temporary fullnwi-i- <.l Ki-.l.-i, or else they would be in the imwer ol llial law- less man— in his own words, lie "wanted them." Significant words, though, as yet, not wholly explained. An observer would have said that Barlow had no hope of saving the girls. With seven men against him, his chances were indeed small. The genuine guerrillas went to their sev- eral posts, and Max had the rear of tie house to himself. He strode forward, and was about to tap on the window when a hand was laid on his shoulder. He wheeled like a flash, and saw the rebel who had been called Eaton. " Don't be alarmed," said the latter, quick- ly ; "I will be your friend, if you will let me." " Ain't you my friend already?" asked the Unionist, recovering his wits quickly and using his disguised voice. " I am. Max Barlow !" This time the captain started even more than before. Significant and ominous the name was that he heard pronounced, when spoken by one of Keeler's gang. " Hush ! not a word. I say we are friends, and I will prove it. You are for the North and I love the South, but I am no blood- hound to dog women. I will aid you to thwart Keeler, if you will let me." The man spoke quickly, and Barlow felt that there was sincerity m his voice, but it seemed so strange that he suspected a trap. " Who and what "he began; but the other interrupted him impatiently. " Max Barlow, will you ruin all ? Keeler's knock may sound at the door any minute. Once and for all, will you trust me !" "Yes," said the Unionist, quickly. "Then do as I tell you. Let those inside alone, and trust to strategem. Let each one of us fire off one of the two revolvers we carry, in a rapid though irregular way, and rush around the house, one on each but will put the guerrillas to flight. Iknow their mettle, and, my word for it, they will go in haste. Will you do it?" The manner of Eaton was so convincing that, for the moment. Max did not think that all this might be a trick to get his re- volver emptied. He felt sure his companion was acting in good faith, and was willing to go with the tide. "Then, begin!" They separated and each went to his old post. A minute later, just as Keeler was about applying his knuckles to the door, a shot sounded from tlie eastern end of the house. A second followed, then one from the rear, and close on their heels came half a dozen in an irregular way. The guerrilla had paused at the first shot, muttering a curse at what he thought an accidental discharge of Eaton's revolver, but, as the fusillade continued, his views changed. "The game is up!" he muttered, with a Then around the corner of the house dash- ed Eaton, at the top of his speed. "The Unionists!" he shouted, at the top of his voice. "They are on us in full force. Run for your lives !" Swinging his revolver above his head, the speaker dashed toward the wood, and the guerrillas began to follow. Keeler shouted a command tor them to hold their ground, but he might as well have called to the wind. When they fought, they wanted the odds in their favor, and they had no desire to figure as prisoners. So, finding himself deserted, the chief briskly bn.u^lil iiji Hn' rear, and they went atfulls]KT.I loiih,. IV.HhI. Twoorlliii'' shnts s.iunded in the rear, and one bull'-i \vlnsth-d close to Keeler's head, thus giving fresh fuel to the strat- agem. They reached the woods, gained their horses, and leaped into the saddles; and, as they did so, the sharp crack of a rifle sound- ed in the rear, and a bit of lead tore through one fellow's arm. No more was needed to complete the rout ; but, as a side-show, several more bul- lets whistled ])ast them, and they were all in ai-cnid as tliHV spurred away in retreat. Xu mil- w a^ sn surprised at the last firing as I'.aii.ii. Ill' saw that Barlow, alias Jones, was iiiit aiij.iiig them, but he had not ex- 1H( t'd luni to loUow so far. In fact, he was siiii' hr liail not, and the sharp, keen report wlii( li l»-gan the firing in the wood was that 111 a ililTeieut weapon than that carried by Bail.iw. Who. then, had fired the shot? Captain Barlow had carried out his part of the plan, so far as the firing of his revolv- er was concerned ; but he delayed so long ia 12 THE WAR LIBRARY. joining in Eaton's alarm, that when he turn- ed the corner he saw the guerrillas already ki flight. Perceiving this, ; oeeureil t,i hira that it , fall out o( such (hiuirci- OUbUouiiJ.iuy. Discovery lucaiit troiihlc, it not an abrupt farewell to Ufe, and, besides. he was needed at the house. Consequently, he paused near the house, and saw the gang continue their flight with- out any regret on his part. The possibility that they might return, caused him to hasten to reload his revolver, and he had just fln- ished the work when they disappeared among the trees. CHAPTER XIV. ZAGONTI AND THE GUARD. At the same moment the window of Som- ers' room was thrown open, but Max did not look that way. He heard a rifle shot among the trees, followed by several reports in a different key, and the fact caused him fresh wonder. . Just then, however, Abram s voice sound- ed behind him. "Who's there?" he sharply asked. Barlow tui-ned toward the window. " It is I, Ma.x Barlow," he answered. '■ What is the trouble ?" . , „ The captaiu went closer and took the set- tler's hand, at the same time beginning a hurried e.\plauation. He was not through, when he saw a man approaching in the darkness ; but, cocked his revolver, the comer spoke " Hold up. thar ; don' sling any lead— least- wise not at me. Spare your friends. Max Barlow, fur frieuds are skeerce." The voice was familiar, but Barlow stood in uncertainty uutil the speaker came near- er, aud he saw the blooming face of Sharp- ghot, the scout. , . , ,, " Quite a little picnic you ve ben havin , was the genial observation. " How in the world did you get here, Sharpshot?" Barlow asked, in surprise, as he w ung the sharpshooters hand. He drew a long breath. " I'll be shot if I skeercely know," he an- .Tiist thfu th'- voice of Abram Somersagain emaudiug the the I id Max turned toward the they would be a trifle safer than in the lone- ly dwelling. To this they at first objected, but Sharp- shot sided with his companion aud they car- ' ''vbi'le tlie'y talked Max frequently looked at Leua aud" thought of Edgar Peterson. She showed fewer signs of sorrow than he had expected, but occasionally a look of sadness settled on her fair face, and he suspected she was thinking of the tragedy in the wood. The matter ended in the closing of the house, and the whole party went to the vil- lage together, where Soiucis sought shelter for himself aud daughters iu the house of a friend. Max urged them logo te tSt. L.mis as soou as possiljle, and so get entirely clear of the dangers of war, aud they promised to consider the matter. Morning was near at hand when our two friends set out on their return to the army. A horse had been found for the scout, aud they went in good condition. Keeler and his band were not again seen. The Union army, despite the tact that it had fought so bravely, found itself in no condition to hold the disputed territory. The command had devolved on Sigel, as the next in rank after the death of Lyon, and he de- cided to evacuate Springfield and move to a safer place. . His successful retreat to Roila is a matter of history, aud though McCulloch claimed a victory at Wilson's Creek, he made no at- tempt ♦" capture the rich train which went aiiili']- the ;i:invs protection. Wlieii KelUi Was reached, Barlow prepared t,, keeii his « ..III to Fremont. He started ler SI [...uis, accompanied by Sharpshot, who said he, too, wished to see the general, and they arrived there in due time. The captain remembered his adventure when last in the city, and wondered if he would see anything more of his mysterious assailants. Sharpshot was of the opinion that the attack had been nothing more than one of city bravos, but when the letter was eeusidered, he was wholly at fault. If it had come from a friend, his identity was well coucealed. Barlow reported to General Fremont, aud heard the project to which the general had referred on the previous visit. It was proposed to form a command some- thing after the style of the Old Guard of the great Napoh " -'= """'' '""° *" So, to Major Zagonyi was given the duty of forming and drilling the guard, he to act Sks its leader when once organiared. This scheme had been working when Bar- low first saw Fremont and Zagonyi at St. Louis, but the project was not fully ripe. On the occasion of his second visit, how- ever, all was explained to him, and he was given a choice between a captain's commis- In the regular volunteers, or a position in the guard. If he chose the latter, he would be no more than a private, perhaps, for so small a force did not afford room tor many Still, he did not hesitate. The idea of the organization thrilled him. He remembered the " Old Guard " of Napoleon, aud believed that Aluell.UH sol.liers w.-,e e.,ual to Freneli; lie « ;is f^oniiated by the jdea of bein- ne;ir Fvuu^uU nv1i..,„ he .e greatly admire,!; and t..» uid Za;:oi,y, he « a. dia by thi brave He made his of the guard. , ^ , Theu'followed drilling which would have broken down less hardy men. Early and lite Z;e'ouvi had his eomuiand at work. ite'dniii'iig on exeelleiit material, he pushed tliMii raiiuily. Good riders at the beginning they were made better; they were taught how to best use their various weapons; aud in drilling they were made remarkably per- fect. , .,, The guard belongs to history, and we will not tire the reader with an account of their lite before active service. Suffice it to say, the work went bravely on. Aud while they worked, Fremont was only awaiting for guus, men and other necessaries to push forward against the Con- federates, who were riding rough-shot over the greater part of Missouri. ispokeu boud which is bctwee choice, aud became a memlx E.vplauations ensued, and Somers was told how near he came to seeing his whole family in trouble ; after which the scout related his ^ When Max left the battlefield with Keeler and Ids men the sliarpshooter was not ignor- ant .'it he Male of affairs. He had promptly followed and Hiieiithev in.uiuten and rode away, lie, too, iiiouiited'aiid hung as closely on thi'ir rear as he dared. Befor.' tlie villace was reached, however, aud while ^'oiun at full speed, his horse fell with a bio'keu fi-i; aud left him on foot; but, ■jotiutlie least disx'ouraged, he played the oedestr-au so well that he reached the Som- the wood, revolvers; ;-hile ressed ; tout and Max w deal more would ind take so strange-, risked his life in the Confederate camp astonishing, Such were the views he expr Kiarpshot only laughed. "Nonseuse!" he said. "Why should we be chickens all o' asuddeu just acause we are ightin' the white inemies o' the old flag in- it^ad of Injuns ? What I did was uothin'." Bo til men entered the house. Olive aud Leua had retired early, but the filing had ii-oused them, and they at once appeared. Oli re met Barlow in a manner which jlcased him greatly. They were to join their fortunes iu life some day, if they lived, and ue was not one to stand on ceremony or liilse modesty. ^ ^ ^ ^ Lena stood looking at Sharpshot, who had ■emoved his hat and thrust it under his arm. I'hcre was admiration on his face as he dies ibh they were something iL- .- . . "Handsome as Pocahontas herself, they be," he said afterward, to Max. An hour passed iu rapid and important conversation. The dwellers of the cottage were told of the peril from which they had so narrowly escaped, and Barlow urged an immediate removal to the village 6ic„.^,..i. , this cotumand was to act as a body-guard for Fremont. They were, however, to be something more. War was gathering force and venom throughout the South. The people of the states which had seceded from the Union were arming everywhere, and as matters then looked, hard fighting seemed in store for the defenders of the old flag. To meet this emergency, only a compara- tively few regular soldiers were to be found in the United States. The remainder of the defenders must be gathered Irora the people at large, and the majority of them knew very little about war, the use of arms, or the proper handling of forces when iu the field. Many ofBoers, too, must be chosen from among these inexperienced patriots, and, like everything else, the true soldier is only formed by a complete knowledge of military matters coupled with experience. Hence, another reason for the guard. In forming the commaud. it was proposed to make use onlv of lueu of good character and sufficient iirtelligenee to act as officers if ever occasion deuiaiided. They were to be carefully and thoron-ldy drilled and made into perfect soldieis as soon as possible. Then, as new .•oiiipaiiies aud regiments were formed, and olluers were ue'ided, they were to be taken lioiu the guard, which would then be kipt intact in numbers by enlistiii- o(hei>, and they, too, were to be pushed lorward to iierfeetion. , Such was the plan of Fremont and his friends— to have a small but select cavalry »oop, perfect in all things that go to con- stitute the soldier, aud with tiaeh member capable of assuming responsiluTTty when oc- casion required In putting this plan into effect, the Path- finder turned to one man whose past e.x- perience and soldierly qualities made him esiieeiallv fitted for the work of forming and jierfeeling the new organization. This man was Charles Zagonyi. As has beture been stated, he was a Hun- garian, aud had seen active service iu his own country. Bor*i with all the iuclina- tions of a soldier, hefhad added expenenee to his natural gifts, and stories of his dashing valor had drifted across the water to the country to which he turned for refug I political reasons made hi" '' here 1 Hungary. CHAPTER XV. THE P.^SSAGE OF THE OSAGE. It was not until the last of September that Fremont's army was ready to move. Even then, it was not what thegeneral wished, but he had used all the means at his command, aud made it as strong as possible. Frequent calls began to be heard for an advance on his part, aud he prepared to go forward with what he had. . . Several Confederate armies were in Mis- souri, (ieneral McCulloch had abandoned that fielil of operations and gone to Arkan- sas, but Hardee was at Greenville, Pillow at New Ma.bid, and Price, who had besieged and captured Lexington, held that post. Guerrilla liauds, prominent among which was that of Jefl Thompson, roved here and there, and Keeler's work was frequently seen as he aud his rough baud dashed about with no authority but their own lawless Tin- guard was to aeeompanv Fremont's arniv,a"el, .if eourse, Baiiow was b. be with tlieii'i' Hi- <..ldierl\- ■inalitie., had so recom- mended hiin to Zagonvi. that lie was already about us far as he to advance while a seigeant, wuici could reasonably ith the guard Every Say was increasing his admiration r Fre'mont aud Zagonyi. The grand Path- he had the Ko esteem in every i forgot those long tramps ugh the ice and snow of uterval, he had seen or heard nothing^ from the men who had attacked ■ him in the street, aud, ha\ nig decided that they were no more than bravos, lie had al- most forgotten the circumstances lu the ex- citement of the new life- Occasionally he heard from the Somers, family through letters from Olive, though many she wrote never reached him. He had urged them to take refuge in St. Louis, but Mr. Somere was mildly obstinate and would uot leave his village. Since the night of his discomfiture, Keeler had for some reason given the place a wide berth. Tlie ii-is-iu" days had thrown uo light ^of Kiltrar Peterson. From the -It hanging by the Ivnchers, . have '"c-oinnletelv vanished. up. exile from Kno'tvi'i'ig' how Leua Was sorrowing over him. Barlow hoped to some day meet Sam Siiles, who had led the mob, aud square the account. The Union armv was at last ou the road. Comi.osed of twenty thousaudmeu.ot' whom five thousand were cavalry, it was divided iiilo live divisions Avhieh were commanded bv (ieiiei als sii:tl. Hunter, P*po, McKinstry river, the army THE WAR LIBRARY. 13 September 28, causing Price to evacuate Lexington, wliich place lie had held since wresting it from Mulligan. Fremont pressed on, and somewhat more than two weeks later reached Warsaw, where he was stopped by the swollen waters ©f the Osage River. Sigel, being at the advance, ciu.-ised the stream by swimming his hoisi's, liut tlie footing for tlu'iV passage; s.i, t'lu-i.' hnii^ no help fi)rit, the army halted tn luiilihi briilgp. The forests were attacked, the ring of the ax echoed instead of the voice of the rifle, .md everything |was done that was possible to expedite the work. At this point came a rumor that a partv of Confederates were hovering along the srruth- ern banks of the Osage, presumably as s]ii(s on the movements of the Unionists, and Sergeant Barlow was directed to take twenty of the guard and investigate the matter. They swam their horses across the river and, striking harder soil, set off ou the ven- ture. A hardy and noticeable lot of men were they who followed our hero. Great care had been used in selecting them, and with their fine faces and ioinis, their dress a simple one of imadorned blue, no one could have found A fault in their appearance. Not long had they been on the way when they were overtaken by Sharpshot, who bore a brief note from the Pathfinder. It simply said that, at his own request, the scout had b.-en added to the party. Barlow was j.loas. .1 at this, for he had learuoil to tiust th.-inan and believed in his sagacity, and c more they went forward. Their atbntion had been directed to a small villat-'c ( i-ht miles south of the Osage, and they wcic not long in nearing the place. Ko enemy had Ijct-u .seen on the way. Just to the iioitli of the village was a hill of someelevalioii, and as they arrived at the top, Barlow lialtid his nun and looked down en the houses iio.l f li,- >ini-ts. All looked im:i,, till and ciuict, and he was beginning to think tliat lio soldiers were there wlieulir t au^;l]t si-lit of an old, familiar He had so.)i ,-ono'iliinir v.-ry liiuc'h like it before, though h.> nii^ilit !.<• 'niistakeu ; he believed it was tin- idliitioii of a light striking on a bayonet. l!a\oiiitv, however, when they move aliui^' a stioot a^ ilds glim- mer was doing, nsuallv li;no a aian near them, butin this case noiluni; wa^ visible. Only for a moment was Max at faidt. The glimmer, which was composed of several Soints, went steadily along the street, and e soon suspected that there was a hank of earth near it, just high enough to hide the men, just lo w enough to reveal the bayonets. "Nine or ten soldiers, I reckon," thought the sergeant. He had hardly arrived at the decision when the party emerged fi-oin cover and he dis- tinguished scvoial iiion ill i 'onfederate gi-ay marching aloii^' m i; 1 order. Sharpshot loolv.ilat lii~ leader anxiously. That look stn^nn-d to ask j)ermissiou for an immediate charge, but Barlow desired more time. He watched the enemy. They marched forward for nearly a hun- dred yards and then halted in front of the largest private house in the village. Then one, who f)ore a sword instead of a musket, walked to the door and applied the knocker. It was opeiinl, thou:.:h Barlow could not see bv whom; a ImIiI pause ensued; and then the othcci cut. aid the house and the other men nianhcd around to one side, where an outluiildiiig hid themfromview of the watch,) s, and all w. re out of sight. All this was ,,r ii.toirst to Barlow. He slowly tu]-iiod in t ho sharpshooter. " What do v- II iiiako.if it?" "Oh! them wasthoiritterswearehuntiu', sure enough," was the reply. "A few more questions: Do you suppose there are any more in thevillage? Why do you supptise they have gone to that house? Are they worth catching?" " I opine thar arc only them, an' it's my idee they are among friends. M.-bbc, the owner of the mansion is goin' ter give them a feed. Et thar ain't any more o' the kind 'round hyar, it would Ije a proijer good idee ter gobble them. Scch are my sentiments." " You touch hard-itan every time, Shari>- shot. I am inclined to think you have tuld the whole truth, and nothing else. Now, I think I will leave you all here, while I go on a scout, and learn if there are really any more men about the village." "That's my part o' the work," said the icout, eagerly. " Just as you say ; I'm too lazy to object. Away .vou go, and we'll wait for you here." So the scout, who was clad in the butter- nut-colored garments which told no tales, went quietly away, and Max drew his troopers a little back out of sight and awaited. Halt an hour later, Sharpshot returned. He had not seen a soldier during his ab- sence, but he had heard it said that Mr. Yeatou, the owner of the mansion before oliserved, was entertaining a dozen Con- federates in his house. Barlow's resolution was ipiickly taken. He again inonuted his men, and they moved from the hill down into the village. Their an aval creatco iiiur,' timid observers. Quite a nuiiiliei- ol hardy men were visible, for Mis- souri had many men not then in arms, but the greater j)art of the inhabitants seemed to be women and children, with a generous All \v,re ;iiixious to see the T'nion soldiers. Nolio>iiriiv was shown them. Someblack looks \veivl.esiowed as >u I ist i t lit es f or blows, but r.arlo«-shivw,llysiis|ieeted that half the jieople were friendly to the cause of the Union. Without addressing any one, the guard marched to the mansion. Not a person was ■visible. It had been expected that the com- mon soldiers of the party they had seen would be outside, but they had either enter- ed the outhouse or the mansion proper. Directing his men to surround the house, and allow no one to escape. Barlow rode near the door, dismounted, and applied the knocker. It fell dully on the heavy door. He waited patiently for a response, but none came. Again he knocked. Once more all was dead silence inside the house. Outside, the mem- bers of the guard sat quietly and awaited the result. For the third time Barlow raised the knocker, and this time he sounded a double An i a gr them " Who dar?" demanded the man. "A friend and a brother," said Barlow, with a sudden rush of facetiousness ; then, more earnestly: "I want to see your mas- ter." " He am not in, sah." " Open the door, or I'll burst it in !" shouts ed the angry Unionist, at the same time emphasizing his remarks by a kick at the ■■ llok .Ml, .i;ii , hoi' ou!" cried the negro, in altiiiii. ' Irii I spile de paint, sah. I'll let yon ill, but .laramno sojers here. Jest you see fur yourself, sah." CHAPTER XVI. B.\KL0W GETS INTO TROUBLE. The win. low closed, there was a period o* silence, an. I then a shiilllini; ..f feet sounded bey. .11(1 tlm do..r, a k.-y was applied, the lo.'k cli.-keil as it shot back, the door swung open, and Barlow again saw the old negro. He was a dilapidated lookiug old fellow of advanced years and evident bodily weak- ness, but iSarlow, looking at his wrinkled face, was unable to decide whether he was an honest man or a rogue. " 'Fore de Lord!" he said, "Ihatesa^vfuUy to let you uns in. Ole massa will skin me alive." The Unionist was on the point of remind- ing him that beauty was but skin-deep, but he checked the unkind remark and substi- tuted another. "lam not so sure that your master is ropi. bi..ii'^hl th.-iii inside. The venerable negro h.'hl up his haiiila in horror at the prospect- iv.' sa.iil.-g.-, but his period of remonstrance Barlow weut about his work systematic- ally. The house was composed of two richly furnished Hats, a rough attic, and a spacious cellar. All tiiese places were examined, one after the othur, but not a human being was The aged negro seemed to be the only oc- cupant of the house. Next, the outhouse was searched, but that was simpler than the first, and offered no possible hiding place. they could hide from a possible enemy, and he believed such to be the present ease. Possibly the Confederate soldiers had slipped away, but he believed they were still about the premises, " Uncle," he said, confronting the negro, " you have been deceiving me." "No, sah; dat is not so. lis only a poor ole niggah, but I is a gentleman ob my word. Dar is no sojer-mans hyar, an' dar was no- body hyar butme afore' you come." The assertion was stoutly made, and the man seemed anxious to be believed. Still, Barlow was not convinced. Matters seemed too clear for doubt, and he would have been willing to bet a good sum that the house had a secret room, or that a sec- ond cellar adjoined the first. " Lead the way to your master's library again." he said. "Not to any great and you will Hn.l m Thenegrobegaiiai Max cut him sh..i when they first visi 1 1 iutoseeonlvl k-1; .i,.ii:" ii-tiaiiee,but .il.,i...l that .• I. a.l looked id scant fur- ioser inspec- n only went uiture, butthepla. I'.h-, tiou; and the slav. s . to increase Bai lows su- Slowly the negro le. 1 1 he way to the librai-y, and they entered. Barlow paused and looked around. As has been said, the room was simple In all except its display of books. These were numerous. Shelves ran around and around the walls, and ever.v niche was packed with the precious volumes. It was the largest private library our hero had ever seen. The furniture consisted of a wi-iting-desk, atableand three chairs; tli.' wallsweremod- estly iiapered, and on tlm II. ...r was a rich, yielding carpet, curiously limn. .1 with large squares and small scroll-w.nk b. I w.-eii. All thisseemed simple cn.nigh.aud more like the den of a student tlian that of plot- ters, but Barlow had come to test the ques- tion. Going to one of the shelves, he saw before him copies of Shakespeare, Milton and their class, while just above were the heavy scien- tific works of the great thinkers of the "Don't touch de books, sah," said the negro again. The s.'i g.aiit lii.l ii..t answer. He made a circuit.it tlier.i.im, sounded the walls where he coul.l an. I r.tl. .ic.l somewhat. He looked wi.sc while doing so, and theblack manmust have be.-n deeply impressed. Still, he was soon obliged to confess to himself that there was no sign of a secret room, or any siie.ies of Ih.liug place. The mystery grew deeper. He began to feel angry, and inclined to make the negro t.-u the truth. He turned toward thi- old fellow with afrown (fu his face, but it was fated that he shotdd never press 1 1 As h.' ji' walls began to move, ■. i\ed him, and then he ige sinking sensation. All tor his first thought was -.1 by dizziii.-ss, a"-trauge IX Harlow: bar, b.ll.iwing •alization of 't'lii' truth. " When he fully perceived this, he threiv out his hands in an attempt to grasp some- thing soli. 1, but only empty air was svithin The portion of the floor sank quickly and surely, and then Barlow shot downward. The tall was one of twelve feet, but he was fortunate enough to strike upon his feet, and though he lost his balance and fell, he was quickly up again and uninjuied. A strange scene was before aud around him. He had entered a room wtiich was twenty feet sciuare and well lighted, but the only furniture was composed of two chairs ; the floor and walls were of heavy planks, and nowhere was there any sign of a door. He did not see all this at first glance, fop his gaze at once became fixed upon a mai» 14 THE WAR LIBRARY. -who, with himself, made the sole occupants of the room. This man was most peculiar in his appeal^ auce. Of middle age, he was rather below the average size, but his frame was compact *iid sinewy, and age had uot seemed to de- crease his strength and activity. His face was thin and dark, he wore a long mustache which pointed bacls toward his ears, and a long goatee, both of which were coal-black ble point of interest. Large, black, spark- ling — they had a glitter and wildness which might have come of auger or mental dis- turbance. Even then. Barlow thought how much he looked like a French sword-master he had once known in St. Louis, but little time was given for reflection. "Ha, ha!" laughed the unknown, while his open lips showed snow-white teeth which looked ominous, somehow. "You take a sti-ange way of entering my abode, but I am right glad to see you." "And who the dickens are you?" the as- tonished soldier demanded. " Don't you know me?" "No." "Well, I might claim to be Cicero or Plato, or Alexander the Great, but to come right down to business, I am named Yeaton, and am the owner of this house." "Ah! I have been lookingfor you." " Well, you've found me, haven't you ? " "Yes." " Are you satisfied?" " Partially." " What more do you want ?" "I have found one secret room, with an occupant, and now I want to find another. I want the soldiers you have concealed here." " Go and find them, sir." The man spoke with all the calmness in the world ; but as Barlow looked around, he saw only the plain plank walls. There was no sign of a door. He looked back at Yea- ton, to see a sneering smile on his face. " You will first have to explain your trap tome," the soldier bluntly said. " Easily and quickly done. I have no in- tention of hedging you iu with mystery. I am a Southern man and true to the cause. My whole life and hope is bound up in the grand struggle my fellow citizens are mak- ing for liberty. Such being the case, I love those who are fighting under the new flag, and hate those who uphold the old. Believ- ing that war would, sooner or later, surge around this region, I had a secret room made for a place of refuge. Here it is! You have called it a den— how do you like it?" " It is well enough for you," said Barlow, dubiously. " Ah ! 'But you don't like it ! Good ! Ton have cause to dislike it, for it is poison to all of your faith. Now, I'll tell you more. I have Confederate soldiers in this house, but they cannot be found. I concealed them when I saw you coming, and then, myself, retired to this den, leaving Pompey to do the work above. But, young man, you were too inquisitive, and that is why you are now a prisoner in my den." CHAPTER XA'II. FIGHT WITH Barlow was beginning to recover his wits. The fall he had received, coupled with the encounter with this strange man, had for the time bewildered him somewliat, but as his self-possession came back, it was accom- panied by anger at fluding himself iu such a situation. "Am I a prisoner?" he demanded, in an- swer to Yeaton's last remark. "Yes." "My opinion is different. With my wea- pons "iu my hands and a score of soldiers outside, I consider myself master of the situation." Yeaton's eyes flashed with new wildness. " Ha— ha ! You never uiade a greater mis- take, young man. You are like a silly fly iu the web of a spider. Very likely you think my den no more than a romantic whim which " " On the contrary, I know of others " "Wait. You know of none equal to this. The trap through which you fell is in itself a marvel. See ! The door has sprung back in plaoe, and if one of y^our soldiers enters the room above, he will suspect nothing. Did you notice that the carpet was marked in squares? One of these is just the size of the trap-door. The latter falls, the piece of carpeting goes with it ; the door springs back, and the square of carpet fits into place. Is that cunning, or not?" Middle Ages, but it is all in earnest. Young man, when you entered here you were doomed. You are now the same as dead. rible and unnatural. His eyes glittered like coals of fire, his parted lips revealed his teeth, his expression was like that of Meph- istopheles in his sneering, triumphant mood. Barlow was alTected but not frightened. One thing was certain — the man was as crazy as iiny lunatic iu a straight-jacket, and he would have to be dealt with accordingly. " I object to that part of the programme," he coolly said. " You mustn't sadde a horse you can't ride, Mr. Yeaton. I hate to inter- fere with your plans concerning the plant- ing of your crops, but I prefer to be counted out." The smile vanished from Yeaton's face. "We shall see," he said. He strode to the shelf on which stood the lamp which lighted the room, and from its further part produced a sword. He rested its point on the plank floor, and proved its wondrous material by bending it almost double. " You are to fight against that sword," lie said. "You see that you cannot break it; I will soon convince you that you cannot pass my guard, while if it comes to a ques- tion of strength of wrist, I will surprise you. Draw!" Barlow was not reluctant. He was tiring of the delay, and anxious to rejoin his men. He drew his own sword with a spiteful hiss as it rubbed along the scabbard, and threw himself into the easy position of a practiced swordsman. "Thisia to 1)0 to the death," said Yeaton, who had sudd.-ntlv ^-rown ,aliii,-r. " To tlic ileath !"■ it," ivtnrti-.l Barlow, in- wardly vcnviufr, even as 1k' spoke, that the man should live to guide him from this pen of his mad braiu's creation. Yeaton moved forward and looked his op- ponent fairly in the eyes. In his own black, glittering orbs was still a strange fire, and Barlow was more than t'vei- lonviiici'd that hewasmentally dciaiiL_'.'il. Hclore that jxlari-, one less strong of mind than hiiosi'lf would have quailed, but Max liarlc.w had looked into the eyes of a forest iianther just before they closed in deadly combat, and he was not one to tremble before man. Still, he saw how perfect was Yeaton's position, and suspected that warm work was ahead. Yeaton struck heavily, then made a cunning feint, so closely followed by a lounge that, as Bai-low passed it ofif, one of the buttons of his coat was touched. His opponent smiled grimly. Self-confi- dence, and a complete belief in his destined triumph were expressed in that smile, but Max did not waver. His narrow escape had taught him caution ; and, realizing that he had met a skillful foeman, he put every nerve into action. Yeaton pressed the fighting. His move- ments were quick and the acme of science. His hand moved easily at the wrist, and his strokes were l^ewilderiug. He drove Bar- low slowly around the room, and with feint and thrust strove to ship through his guard. Grand, indeed, was his work; but before the Unionist there seemed to be a wall of dea^ skill and coolness. Such a combat, if made in an arena, would have aroused the enthusiasm of the specta- tors to wild applause. Yeaton warmed to his work, llis play still neither had received a s.ratil His want of success served lo in ton, but it did not lessen his ill- He began to utter a cry ativiay heaped offensive terms upon his fo lauglied aud snarled alternately. If th»re had been any doubt as sanity before, it was now gone. was as mad as a lunatic could be. Never before had Max Barlow been so hai-d pressed, and he knew that his life hung on a slender thread. At any moment the madman might penetrate his guard ; while, on his own part, he was mlling to conf ens he could not draw blood.. His only hope lay in his superior strength and youth, and these things, opposed to the unnatural prowess of a maniac, might not avail him anything. It was a grand, but terrible, flght— a battle for life between men who were masters of every device known in the use of swords. At last Barlow began to feel its effects. He had not spoken a word since beginning, but his breathing was not so clear as at first, and his arm ached from shoulder to finger-tips. Neither could, by any law of nature, hold out much longer. Yeaton's fury did not for a moment abate, and the other had pood cause to remem- ber that he had said it was to be a fight to the death. The crisis came when neither of them was looking for it. While giving way. Barlow suddenly felt his heel strike against some- thing. He reeled back, but, making a gi-and effort, would have recovered his balance had not the madman, seeing his accident, sprung forward like a tiger. He made a desperate lunge — one which Max barely parried— and the effort necessary to turn it aside completed the Unionist's misfortune, and he lost his balance entirely and fell to the floor. Then Yeaton once more sprung forward, his sword ready for the fatal thrust, only to have Barlow raise himself on one elbow and parry his furious effort. Then began another desperate struggle, this time with the odds all against our hero, for he could neither gain his feet nor, in his present position, long hope to beat off the maniac. It looked very much as though Zagonyi was destined to lose a sergeant of the guard. CHAPTER XVIII. THE POOL OF BLOOD. Meanwhile, matters bearing on Barlow's fortunes were transpiring outside and with- in the house. When the sergeant went with the old negro bisl left the remainder liii;.' Sharpshot, so far ]!■ tia] it hat they heard .Just outside the house, however, was one of the guard, who had been left to protect the front door. Other troopers were near at hapd, but he, only, stood near the build- ing. It was at least half an hour from the time when Barlow and his searching party enter- ed, that the guard began to hear strange sounds. What occasioned them, and where they came from, he was for some time at a loss to know. The noise was a little like the dull clank- ing of machinery, but though the soldier looked around to the four points of the com- pass, he could see nothing which explained their source. He grew puzzled and interested, and care- fully analyzed the sounds. As a result, he finally decided that they must proceed from the cellar of the mansion. So far, all was clear; but, what caused them? He listened further, and gained a sudden suspicion. Dull .and muffled as the sounds were, be came to believe that men were fiirhting with swords in a subterranean place. Having arrived at this suspicion, he be- came anxious for the safety of those within; and when he saw Sharpshot through a win- dow, apparently perfectly serene in hia mind, he hastened to call to him. The sharpshooter came, heard, was him- self at first puzzled, but finally ended by fall- ing into line with his companion's views. He, however, was at once alarmed. Unless the signs of the times were out of joint. Max Barlow was in trouble somewhere. He turned and darted back inside the house. . ., , "We've sat still too long!" he muttered, angrily, "an' this is the result. The var- mints are pilin' outer the segeant hot, I'm Taliiu^'aflairs into his own hands. Sharp- shut .sent three men to the cellar, while, with two others, he went to the library, to which room he knew Barlow had gone when ho left him. . The apartment was unoccupied, and, aa before, no sign was there of the treacherous trap ; but up from the depths still came that THE WA.R LIBRARY. 15 dull, clanging sound. It seemed to be di- rectly beneath the library. A man came up from the cellar to say that the claueing was to be heard there, but toat beyond the solid cellar wall. • red the scout, ay, but before here- turned the elangiug ceased, and all was dead silence beneath them. "The aght Is over," said one of the guard. ' "How has it ended?" asked one of the others, with a gloomy air which spoke plain- er than words. "Death to them devils ef they have done the sergeant harm !" hissed Sharpshot. The ax was brought, and, without hesita- tion, he attacked the flooring. The carpet was torn up, aud the boards lienejilh found to l>earmuged in the same deceptive s^juarcs that formed the figures of the cai pet. Mad Yeatou had planned cunningly. Sharps h .It, however, used his.i.x promptly, and soon made a breach in the floor. Two layers of boards he removed, and then, be- low them yawned a black hole from which came no light. A lamp was then brought, attached to a cord and lowered. It went down something like twelve feet, and revealed a square room, the floor and sides of which were of plank- ing; but the place had no occupant. sun it was evident that the fighting, if fighting it had been, had come from there, and Sharpshot resolved to investigate furth- ev. The secret den was in itself suspicious. A ladder was found and lowered, after which the scout and one other man descend- ed. They looked about, but there was no sign of any human beings except themselves. They sounded the walls, and found them ap- parently firm on all sides. " Shoot me, ef it ain't queer!" muttered Sharpshot. His companion silently shook his head. A rigid search had failed to find any sign of Barlow or the old negro in the upper part of the house, and the fighting and its ending gave the matter a dark aud ominous aspect. " I'll burn the house down ef he ain't found," continued thesharpsbooter. '■ Aud so burn the sergeant also.' "Sure enough; I didn't think of that." The speaker looked keenly around the room. If there had been fighting there, it might have left some sign. "Ha!" Sharpshot uttered a cry, and strode to one side of the den. Upon the plank he had seen some object which showed redly on the dull- white floor, and the sight aroused a sus- picion. " What is it ?" the latter asked. He strode forward, and then, after a brief survey, turned a pair of startled eyes on his " Blood!" almost whispered the scout. Then they stood together over a dark, red pool of something which was certainly blood, and which looked terribly suggestive just then. "They have murdered the sergeant!" gasped Sharpshot. "One moment's silence reigned in the den, aud then the second man raised his head. " Bring spades aud picks !" he said, husk- ily, "and we will tear this place in pieces. It will never do to have men say thatZagon- yi'sguard was thus outwitted !" Meanwhile what had become of Max Bar- low ? Had he really been slain and left his llfebloort on the floor? ■\Velctt him fighting the maniac, irZaRich- ard lit., resting nil his liip and elbow, and onlv beutiiiir nif tliat fiirinus attack with the utmost ilitliculty. He believed iliat his hist moment had oome. He could not long hope to success- fully oppose Yeaton while in that position, and every blow would serve to exhaust still further his already rapidly waning amount of strength. Still, he fought bravely, and as the maniac eut aud slashed furiously above him, met each thrust with admirable skill. If he eould only regain his feet. Acting on a s\iddeu idea, he watched his opportunity, aud made a thrust at the mad- man's legs. His aim was good, and he felt his sword pierce flesh, but Yeaton did not spring back as he had expected. On the contrary, he merely uttered a curse and pressed the fight more hotly. Barlow began to feel terribly weak. He was almost tempted to abandon the bat- tle and meet his fate, but he did not yield to the weakness. He fought on. Suddenly, however, the scene changed. Yeaton receded from the front, and Barlow thought he had leaped back, bnt as the ser- geant seized the opportunity to regain his feet, he saw the madman struggling iu the grasp of a third man, who had seized him from behind and saved Barlow ; but the movemeut had brought himself into a des- perate struggle where he seemed likely to get the worst of it. "•Quick, here!" he said, to the sergeant. " Give me your help, but do not injure him bodily." Barlow did Hot recognize the speaker, hut he hastened to his aid, and they united their strength against Yeaton. The result proved the unnatural prowess which madness gives to men. Y'catou was a middle-aged man, who would weigh less than a hundred and fifty pounds, while both of his opponents were years younger and twenty pounds heavier. Still, with these odds against him, the maniac made a long and desperate struggle, and when they finally succeeded in over- powering aud" holdiu'g him on the floor, they were panting like'chase-tired hounds. Evideutlytbe new-comer had been look- ing to the future, fur he at once produced a quantity of cords which were wound around the madman until he was helpless. Then the uuknowB went to the eastern side of the room, manipulated the planks for a momeut, after which they receded aud revealed a narrow opening like a door. This done, he turned to Barlow. " Let us bear him through," he said. It was done, though Yeatou ground his teeth and looked the personification of fury. As their lifted him. Max saw on the plank a pool ot blood, which had dripped from the wound iu his leg, but it was not alarming, and a subsequent examination showed that Barlow's sword had merely pricked the fiesh. Passing through the opening, they entered another room, which was ten feet square. At one side stood abed, and upon this they placed their prisoner. The stranger closed the door, and, retirrn- ing to the bed, looked sadly down at the maniac, who had grown calm if not recon- ciled. The light was dim, but, despite this, it seemed to Max that he had seen this man before. Face, form and voice were familiar, but he eould not place them. He was, how- ever, prepared for anything, and he looked calmly on, while the man began to pass his hand caressingly over Y'eaton's forehead, at the same time murmuring to him as though he had been i child. you before, but I cannot " the sergeant answered. the .Somers' cottage the CHAPTER XIX. THE GDERRIT.LAS APPEAR. The causi- and effVct of tlie strnugcr's singular actions were soon .seen. Under his efforts, Yeatou at first struggled as fhcnigli to throw off a millstone, then wavered, and, as his eyes lost their wild glare, grew gradu- ally calmer, until, with his face peaceful, his eyes closed, aud he seemed to be falling asleep. Barlow silently watched. He was past be- ing surprised. The place was like an old feudal castle, where all things possible were liable to occur. He would watch and wait. Anon, Y^eaton seemed soundly sleeping, aud Ins mesmerizer turned to the Unionist. "Do yon know me. Max Barlow?" he asked. "I have place your " Y'ou saw nil- night we trickt-d "Ha! You arc iv.;, ,,." " Eaton or I'eatuu- i; is all one. The lat- ter is my name, but the iH.ysdid not catch the first letter when I joined the army, aud I am known by the former. This man is my !0f 1 engagf.l iii f lir li-hi. we will siiil' cull 'I'liin. '-l',!. ranged. He h:\^ ' . u -li^ and has done in; i ^ ; i. ., his books. Sill,- I h,. 1. ,11 has gone from IimI i.i i>.(mm'. liever in thcjii.~ii. . ii ili.> i , he has gone wilil m, , i tin- • wrought iu the Soui h. ,-]„., Y^ou have sren ili.>>i> inn They were madf luuiir lii; are the creations ot a madr when they were being coustructed, but I little thought they would ever be used, and humored him in his whim." -in Missouri. round dens. ■ections, and was h( "lam sorry to have drawn my sword upon him '' "Don't mention it, sergeant. Of course yen could not stand still and be cut in pieces. I say this assuming that he began the fight. T.ll uic about it." Barlow olii-ycil. Eaton listened attentively, and then sighed licavily at the end. "Poor father!" he said. "He deserves pity iu his mental affliction. Now, a word of explanation to you. The soldiers you saw' enter here are gone. They only stopped for a bite of food, and had left the village before you came. One thing more, to explain how I came upon the scene when I did. I was in the house during all your search ; but, with my knowledge of the place, I easily evaded you, aud, when I heard the clash of steel, I hastened to the scene to end it. Now, Bar- low, I am your ^irisoner. Y'ou have a score of men here, while I am all alone. Shall I go with you to your camp ?" Ma.x looked at him with astonishment. " Do you expect me to say yes ?" he asked. " We are enemies of war." "But not at heart. We serve under rival banners, but I would deserve hanging if I made you my prisoner now. No, Yeaton, you are as fiee as the air. You have saved my life to-day, and at the Somers' cottage you " "Helped to save one dearer to you than your own life," finished the Confederate, smiling. " That is it, exactly. Now, you cannot ex- pect me to be so base a villain as to make you prisoner." " Have your own way, my dear fellow, but it is only right that I should tell you I have only been repaying a del)t. Y'ou remember the ambush m the pass?" "Yes." " I was there, and a fall from the rocks knocked me senseless. Wheu I recovered, oneofyonr soldiers placed a knife at my throat, to end my career, but you dragged him back and administered a severe reproof. Y'ou saved my life that day, and I am not ungi-ateful." " Then we are even. Your hand, Baton !'' They crossed palms then aud there, and from that hour neither would do the other an injury. "Eaton," said Barlow, suddenly, "can you tell me who wrote the not« that brought that ambush upon us?" The Confederate hesitated. " I am not sure that I ought to tell so much," he said, " but as it is a personal, not a national afl'air, I will inform you. Captaiu Keeler wrote the note, using information given him by Sam Stiles." "Curse that dog ! " " He deserves more than a cursing ; he ongVit to lie hung liy the heels." ■■ 1 src sii imirli iilaiiily. Stiles was iu my liaiiil ami kii.w (.iir secrets, but he was a traitnr iind i;ii i i( d the news to Keeler, who wroiH the 11. .ti-. But. Eaton, that note was in the handwriting of Edgar Peterson, and was signed by his name." " Keeler is a cunning penman and imitated his writing.'' The Stiles had 1 hastened tt come of tl than itb.' iiirs a tall'.' Unknown to you, r liipiiiiMiitorfurthehaudof A-liil.'Saiii Stilus was equally h her sister, Lena. Neither ssi-d his jiassion, so you had .■ vuu wheu you tried to think iiommittedtheforgery. The t hoiight to remove both you y their plot. Y'ou were to be s by dill' nf their tools, who 111 lia\i- the letter where it 1, ami iai~i' a hue and cry •at last. amlliekuewwhvSain this to be a fact?" e so, and it was from his the other information I e, too, that I have never sill I e the night attack on s ri 111 a ted villainies were liiai. He is no true sou of "Didhesiispirt you that night?" "No. I fired oiie shot of my revolver throui-'h my sleeve, and, as it chanced to graze my arm, he thought I had narrowly escaped death. But, captain, this talking 16 THE WAR LIBRARY. ■will not do. Your men will be worrying about you, and I arn not sure but you are liable to be surprised by Confederates. How do we part?" " As friends, and hei-e. I will lead my men from the house and bacli to camp, leaving you with all good wishes." He glanced at the elder Yeatou, who was sleeping serenely. " I can easily care for him," said the son. "My control over him is complete, and when he awakes he will be as calm as ever. Go, mow, and look for yourself." ; At this moment they heard excited voices in the larger of the two dens, and opening the door. Barlow saw Sharpshot and his men grouped around the pool of blood. They greeted him with cheers, some ex- planations were made, and then Barlow bade Eaton farewell, and led the way to the upper part of the house and then outside. Nothing was seen of tlie ;iji-d iieprro. The men were called to^>t In r, tlii-y iii.nuit- ed, and all was ready l.ii IIm- ^t;M l. l'.ailo\\ had recovered his sclf-pu--. -shin mimI ii.iii ly all of his strength, and in Ins i)la(iil manner there was nothing to tell that he had just passed through the most desperate adven- ture of his lite. He was about to put his command in mo- tion when a cry from Sharpshot attracted his attention. The scout stood with one Barlow looked, and then he did not need to ask the cause of the scout's words. Up at the further end of the street he saw a body of cavalry, two score strong, and garbed on Confederate gray. More than that, they were coming down at a trot. "Two to our one," said Barlow, cooUy. " I think we will take to our heels, since one can gain nothing by fighting. Face the other wav, liovs— forward, quick trot !" TheordiT was (.iH.yed, and the boys in blue sw.pt .Imwh tlu- strret. A series of ■Vel's ca li.iin tia- ( '..nfcderates above, isit th.-v i,-main.-a nnauswircd. The village uas small, and the members of ifce guard would soon have been beyond it, ( but they had not gone fifty yards when, ,from behind houses and other places of con- ( cealment, came a second body of Confeder- ates, who systematically placed themselves directly in the road. Being thus placed between two fires, Bar- low looked for another avenue of escape. The life of every memberof Zagonyi's guard was a precious thing, and he could not afford to lose men by a brUliant but useless charge. He looked to the north, but there, too, was a squad of troopers, and at the South a fourth party was forming In line, all in Con- federate gray, all well-armed and mounted, and all drawing in toward the handful of Unionists. It was an exciting and ominous situation, for they were hemmed in, and with only twenty men to oppose to at least six times that number. It was a time, too, for prompt planning and equally prompt actiou, for, unless they were to .surrender tamely, they must speed- ily cut their way through or be annihilated. way in which it dashed forward to the en- Plainly, the two forces would meet at full speed, and then Well, what then? Armed alike, with sabers in their hands, and revc.lvers in tlicir belts, it was plain that neitluT inteudrd to use carbines just then ; but with the force of numbers against them, the outbreak was not promising for the In dead silence they rode until near the enemy, and then a great shout pealed from their thnmts in tones of thuuder: '■Fivmontatid tlie I'niuu!" It was a \t'n whii-li mi^'ht have sent terror to Iocs ir^s 1 ,rav.' than llie Confederates, but thev wi-i<' madi' of tlie same blood as the Unionists, and they sent back a defiant shout. . , , Then, going at full speed, the rival forces met. Tlic shnnk wns terrible— the encounter was line whicli cairnot be properly described. So in mv iH.inlsmi^'ht be touched upon, though nnni- . l,ai Iv, that we may well hesitate what ones tnpartiinhirize. When thev struck, some horses were thrown down, and a few riders lost their seats; horses reared high in air, often strik- ing out with their forefeet, and, afterward, viciouslv kicking with their hindmost ones ; sabers gleamed brightly in the setting sun, revolvers cracked, and, above all, arose the deafening shout of the guard : "Fremont and the Union!" It was a terribly grand scene, for such men fight only like heroes, but it was one too confused to be described. Men and horses were mixed together in utter confu- sion, and it almost seemed as though none would ever come out of that grapple alive. Yet in war, aa everywhere else, strange things sometimes happen. One minute it looked as though every man must go down under the shock, the next, as though all were hopelessly tangled, while at the third minute twenty men rode out of the confused knot, their faces toward the North, their sabers red with blood, and their faces curiously streaked and spattered with black and red— the combined results of smoke and blood. ^ T- • These men wore uniforms of Union blue, ves liad cut their way CHAPTER XX. Sergeant Barlow had no thought of sur- render. It would never do for it to be said that, so soon after their formation, a portion of Zagonyi's guard had been cut off and cap- tured without a blow in defense ; while such a calamity would prove the death-blow to his own hopes (luviHK the war in Missouri. No ; thev nnist e.^ aj r die lighting. "Boys!" lie erie.i, heliling his sword on hi"-h, '"' we are gein^ thrun^h those fellows like a hurricane. Remember we belong to Zagonyi's guard and tight like tigers. Let your battle-cry be, ' For Fremont and the Union!" The gallant fellows answered with a cheer. Brave were thev as men were ever made, and eaeh une w as anxious for service— anx- ious ' -■ 1 there, though three iud, and leaping into ate horses they hud own death-smitten Zaganyi's braves i through. Stranger y.-t. all wei, or four vfurv a little bel the saddles of Contcile secured to leplace theii ones. . , , Ay, the score of men had gone straight through their foes without losing a though more than one gallant fellow Southern gray lay silent ■" 'i-.-.+i- "" ground. death the The ad beeu shorter than the time ti^x^^^^,^^ .^ telling of it; but, aU-eady, the Confederates were fast closing in and the de- cisive moment could not be averted. Barlow gave a clear command, and the guard swept away toward the North at their tolJmost siieed. This eoui se bad the effect of leaving three of the In.stil.' detaehments somewhat in the roar, against the four eedilv luni them eh was twice their own numbers ; and that this party was not Barlow's heart thrilled with joy. It wa far more than he had dared to hope, but th. other divisions of the enemy were fast ad vanclng and only awaiting a chance to fir without hitting their comrades. "For Fremont and the Union -;- run / shouted Bai-low, in excusable exultation. It was an order not to be found in like words in any book of military tactics, but the troopers understood and obeyed. They gave their horses the spur, and away they went, this time with all the enemy m the rear. Soon, bullets 1)egan to whistle around them, but the distance was too great for ac- curate shooting, and one man only could afterward show the effects of the shooting. He had received a scratch on his shoulder, the insignificance of which he afterward la- mented. Wounds, in the opinion of the guard, were an honor in such a cause. Sharpshot looked around, waved his hand and shouted a defiant cry, and then the race fairly began, for the enemy were not dis- posed to let the Unionists escape so easily, and in a confused body the hundred odd men came sweeping after them. Danger was not yet over by any means, but Barlow was full of hope. AH depended on the quality of the horses, and the sergeant knew what theirs were. In forming the guard, Zagonyi's supervision and care had gone so fai- that not a horse was accepted until he had personally exammed it. The fugitives had taken to the road leading toward the north, for, although it was not a direc^t course, the footing was good, and made accidents less likely to occur; and along this way they went in an orderly man- ner which would have delighted Zagonyi. Many of the brave fellows had wounds re- ceived in the hand to hand conflict, but they had received no such marks of honor looked disappointed and troubled. Was the Old Guard of Napoleon made of better stuff? Two miles were passed at the same rapid pace, but, good as their horses were, it was plain that those of the pursuers were neai-ly, if not ipiite, their equals. They kept pro- vokingly close and Barlow did not feel at More than this, he suspected that the en- emy were of Keeler's lawless band. He had been unable to catch sight of that man him- self, and he Avho rude at the tiout and di- reeteil nio\-eiuents was a .stranger; but, just the same, our heio l)eli.'\-e,l them to be of !• >ami' Liana whieh had already given him The Unionists swept around a long bend the road, and then started with apprehen- L)u. Diieeth- in their path, half a mile vay, thev saw another body of graycoats. bese men were moving about in a way hieh at once explained their movements. An officer was directing sundry move- ments, and Max comprehended all immedi- ately. They were of the same party then in pur- suit, hut, by riding across the fields, m a direct route, had gained the front, and, if appearances went for anything, were then engaged in forming an ambush for the Un- ionists, little suspecting that the friendly lay of tlie land betrayed all their movements There was but one way to avoid the new aanger, and the fugitives turned promptly from the road, set their faces toward the Osage and rode on rapidly. Up to this time they had not been seen by _ . the ambnshers, but as thev palloped over a firm, wide prairie tlcie was a sudden com- motion anioini ill" i ontcilerates ; and then the ambnshiini scheme was abandoned, and they came ilashing across tlie held in a course intended to intercept the Union riders. " Do they want ter get hurt?" demanded Sharpshot, as he nervously fingered his rifle. " I should say their purpose was to do the hurting themselves," said Barlow. "Will it work?" " I reckon not. There are no more than forty men there, and if we don't make mat. ters unpleasant for them, I am no prophet. We will give them a taste of lead." He spoke to his men, and they looked to their fire-arms. They could shoot as well as ride and use saber, these men of the Path- finder's guard, and their movements were all in the line of business. On came the Confederates, and it was evident they would be intercepted unless the enemy was given a cheek. Sharpshot opened the ball. His long rifle went up to his shoulder, remained station- ary for an instant, and then, as he pressed the trigger, sent a bit of lead on its mission. Close on the heels of the sharp crack came an unmilitary movement on the part of one of the Confederates. He reeled, clutched violently at the horn of his saddle, and then went tothe ground in a heap. The shot was a sitrnal for the other Union- ists. TlicN in -au to hre inan iiienular way, each picl;nc^ hi. man an.l pulling the trigger when it sniti il hiniseU. ami the result was more deadly than Barlow had dared hope. The gray riders were hetivily stricken. They tumbled off their horses, one by one, and the front rank seemed shaken as by a tornado. reluctant to meet them was shown by the | laughed at the flowing blood, and those who CHAPTER XXI. ON A SCOUT. The Confederates were heavily stricken, and they wavered and lost heart before that deadly discharge. Still, they were brave men, and he who rode at the front was seen giving them words of encouragement. Sharpshot saw what was needed. He had reloa.led his iitle. and, once more glancing along the ban el, he covered the leader and firedr t^eeminglv, he never fired in vain; for, at the crack", the man went down in a heap. The last calamity was too much for the other men. They pulled in their horses and stood in a body over their fallen leader, whUe the Unionists swept on tlieir way. Danger was not yet past, however. The main body of the enemy was still thundering in the rear, and the course the Ingitives had been obliged to assume was taking them to the Osage, some distance east of their camp. K the pursuit was coutinued, the passage of the river might be made an unpleasantly warm one. under the combined influence of lead and the rapid, swollen waters. I Barlow was never more in earnest in his THE WAR LIBTIARY. 17 life. Thus far he had brought his command without the loss of a man, and he wished to report to Zagonyi with the whole gallaut force at his back. They rapidly neared the river, but not one of the boys in blue knew the country well enough to know the nature of tlje iiussiiig they were about to undertake. They iiiit;lit strike the river where steep blufls wuuUl prevent any passage whatever, or where tlie water ran so swiftly that their horses would lose headway and expose the riders to the shots of the enemy. There only hope lay in chancing upon a spot where they could quickly enter the stream, and then meet only tolerably tran- quil water. • Sharpshot turned to Barlow as they ncvred . the river. " Serjeant, I hev a proposition. I'll drop out o' line — hide, au' arterwards watch the Coufed'rites a bit. Ef Zagonyi will come, cross the Osage jest below the bridge, an' thar I will join you, explain whar the guer- rillas be, an' lead the guard against them. See?" Barlow comprehended and was convinced. He said as much, and Sharpshot looked for a chance to drop out of line unseen by the pursuers. He was going to venture much, ■but Max had oontldence in his sagacity, and spoke no words of caution. The fugitives swept through a hilly wood, and the scout turned sharply to the"left aud made for cover. His chances for Ijeiiig un- observed were good, for, not only was the character of the ground favorable, but dark- ness was beginning to settle over the scene. Barlow and his troopers went on, and the Confederates thundered in the rear. The critical moment was near at hand. A hun- dred yards ahead rolled the waters of the Osage, and all depended on the nature of the river and its lianks. The sergeant looked eagerly ahead. A line of trees fringed the stream and kept him in suspense ; but he began to feel sure that there were no bluffs. Still on — then through the Hue of trees. The Osage lay before them. In the rear <':ime the pursuers. They knew the country bcttcT- fl];ni the rninnisfs; and they knew, tiM,. tluil thcii- nnlv lidpc lav in flriug on tlic utile \,:\\u\ wliil.. tlicy were crossing. Bcvuud tlH' (_isu;;c they dared not go. Half way across the Unionists heard a se- ries of yells in the rear. Then the bullets began to spatter in the water. They came hissingly, and each one as it struck sent a spiteful little jet of water, splashing the ri- ders, and making echoes to the dangerous music of tlie carbiues. Still, the good fortune which had all day hung aromiil the il.'voted band did notdesert them thin. 'I'lneu-h f h.; sh.iwer of lead they The gruwiug daikuess served to bother the marksmen, and that same darkness served to add to the picturesqueness and wildness of hearn eh. , 1 , and tleii, u itiiout delay, dis- appeared amune the tree.-. Baffled, the Conlederates stood for a mo- ment on their own bank, and then went sul- lenly back. Wherever he may have been during the chase Keeler was then there. The guerrilla band was his, and his curses arose warmly as he led them away from the scene of their final failure. He had lost many a man by the day's work, and none of those left under his banner dared address him at that moment. He led the band a mile back from the river, and encamped in a wood. Whether he was foolish enough to believe there would bene return movement against him, or whether he was reckless of consequences, is uncertain ; but he went into camp for the night, merely throwing out pickets as a pro- tection against surprise. They made their supper of food already in tJ«eir hands. Then Keller called one of his fen. He came, and proved to be Sam Stiles, our old acquaintance of lynching fame. "Sam," said the chief, "you are a bold man." "Wal, sorter," the fellow acknowledged, lookin.;;: curiously at his leader. "Licutenaut Mooney was killed to-day. You shall liave his office on one condition." ■'Name it." " It is merely that you kill Max Barlow." '• Why didn't you do the deed to-day, if you hanker'^" It was a timely question, but the man's ' laclied respect. Keeler frowned. ;sp' eproof trembled on his lips, but he better of it and swallowed his and a r thought choler. "I had no proper chance, as you well know. But, in regard to Barlow : You know my reasons for hating him. He is my rival in war and love. While he lives, I can hojje for nothing ^vith Olive Somers. If you will place him under the sod, I will make you my lieutenant." Sam grinned like cue win i sees a joke of broad and e.xi.aiisn.' lu'epeiiiens. "I don'l hanker," he tiankly acknowl- edged. " 1 lia\e rnl a snie sp.it in my ribs to-night, which re.alls a scene which oc- curred a few weeks ane in SI. Louis. Tw.i men, one with ai-ed In a id an' fetlic-r \vith a black one, tried te jici the best of a sin.^lc man. He lookeil ever Ins shenlihi' at tin-ir the Uesnlt was, I go prove my htness "The office i Barlow is killed. ead ])ill in my lur life. No, Max Barlow, though, ter Ke,.|,a- i;laied al him anurilv, but made no reply. Sam « as n.Ncr duly respectful to piece el ra>. alitv together and might again ,\s Sam s iv.irds have shown, they were the invsti liens night assailants of Barlow, in St. I.miis, where they were operating in dis- stlles had received a bad wound, but he manafxed to getaway from the scene of the atli ay and, in due time, wholly recovered except for the " sore spot in his ribs," as he called it. Before further words had been spoken, two of the pickets entered the camp with a third man walking between them. One g'anee was enough to show him a prisom-r, e did not wear Confedeiate -ray, ami bonds were on his arms, ihon.uh he walked boldly and held his head highei', it anything, than his captors. Keeler started and thrilled with surprise. This man was no stranger to him, though he had never seen him luitil the beginning of the wjir. He bad seen him tirst wlien, iii the pre\ions.Inne. Lyon amljackson fought I ottenseen him skulking an ominous mauner. whom he knew to be a our friend Sharpshot, the ■ had ventured too near land had been overpower- I observe, kurnel," said the scout, lit sp(.k-e with a blaudness which able, lad he knew very well that 1 ( lose ( oiner. Keeler was a man ,y be the creed of his captor. Sharpshot, however, was resolved not to play the coward. " I suppose you were with Barlow to-day," answered the guerrilla. " You hang around him all the time. Probablj', you are trying to absorb style from Fremont's high-toned guard." " That same guard will some day absorb your whole gang, head and heels." " I only want to meet them," said Keeler, boastfully. " They would swaller you at one mouth- ful. You don't know Zagonyi. See that you don't get acquainted with him." " Enough of this talk; I am going to deal with you while I have a chance. Stiles, bring a rope." The man stalked away, followed by a sar- castic comment from the prisoner, but soon returned bearing a rope. It was noosed over Sharpshot's head, and the loose end flung over the branch of a tree. "Now," said Keeler, "if you have any prayers to say, they will fit in well right here." " That's a matter between me and Oneyou don't know," said the scout, still calmly. " You pull your oar and I'll pull mine." " We pull roiiCS here," sneered the guer- rilla. "Then, pull away." The words were spoken calmly, rather than boastfully, but they stung Keeler, and he gave the signal. The men at the rope pulled sharply, and Sharpshot went up and hung dangling in mid-air. CHAPTER XXII, AKD. o the Union Ige was pro- id was near, he following anie in, they hauling logs,. Barlow led his men a camp. The work on gressing at all hours, b and the leaders hoped I day. As the s.outin.ii passed imprompdi w. Max 1. Hiked tor Zaiionyi, but, failing to hiid him, went at once to Fremont. The i;reat c.Npl.u'ei' and soldier was at his humbh' iiuarfeis, and withhim, in close con- versation, were Sie,-! and Zagonyi. ".\h! .scrgeaut Barlow, is it you?" said the Pathfinder, looking up. " Major Zag- onyi was just saying that it was time for you to r "Thci ".A.nd acquit t "Nob many d: have m minus o "Bra^ tell ym man ki they i^rhfiug, general " he -nard-how ,lid they Za.uonyicpiickly asked. They have inline through ■ssfully ; and, while they lan, the enemy will be- lt roll call." " .rave fellows: Did I not al Fremont. And not a —good! But, sergeant. spoke anxiously. "Two-thirds, at least, can show outs and bullet marks, but no one will be incapaci- tated from duty a single day. We cut our way through twice our number, and th& guard dashed back the foe as a rock scorns the waves." Barlow had dropped into bombastic lan- guage unconsciously, but it was done be- cause he kuew that Zagonyi's whole heart was with the guard. "Brave men— brave men!" commented the major. "lain]iroud of you, and of the guard," said I'leniout, " but the result does not sur- prise me. 1 kuowthematerial of which that band is made." "They are like the 'Old Guard.'" said Zagonyi, looking at the Pathfinder, " and they never forget that they have their Napoleon," " Don't tiatter me. major; I warn you, do not do II, >ahl I'leniout, good-naturedly ; then, I- I,: . I 1 irlow: ^'We will hear liaiiev. -,:,, i iiief account of all that had liaiipeiied. ihoniih reserving an account of his liglit ^\ iih Yealon for a more favorable time. He also explained the latest position of theguenillas, "Ah!" said the Pathfinder, "I think we have a chance to strike them in turn." "Let me at them!" said Zagonyi, quick- ly. " I will take the guard and scatter their whole force." " So be it, major ; take what men you wish, and report to me on your return." The Hungarian motioned to Barlow, and they departed together. Several minutes of activity followed, and then the guard, to the number of one hundred, was ready to march. Zagonyi would have laughed at the idea of more being rerpiired. The stai't was made, and they swam the thiv hardly knew ■ ed every moment to had promised to meet existing doubt as to rtierrillas would actu- iled any definite un- his I among the guard exjiressed the opinion th" the ilouds would soon break awaj', ai'f when the moon arose, the weather and ['• night would be fine. Having no better plan in view, they rod 18 THE WAR LIBHARY. toward where Barlow had last seen the ea- , and Barlow on his left, and behind them came the guard. A finer body of men had never crossed the soil of Missouri. In form and face they were Not far did they go in this compact order, however. Zagonyi had no intention of run- ning into an ambush, so half a dozen scouts were sent out to examine the ground in ad- Tance. Barlow asked for and received per- mission to malie one of this squad. Before they reached the place where Bar- low's men had crossed the Osage under fire, one of the scouts fell back and reported that the guerrillas were encamped in a wood at the southwest, so away in that direction went the guard. They approached the wood cautiously, though it was long, and the enemy were said to be at the further end. The policy of a good soldier is to be extremely careful when care is needed ; and when the time for action comes, to go in with every nerve strained for effect ; and Zagonyi was a master of the art of war. Entering the trees, the major threw five men forward on foot to feel the way, and the remainder followed as silently as possi- ble in the rear. Barlow was one of the scouts, and, as he crept throimli tlii> Ipushc:;, lie put into use all the ways Im- li:iil IruiTU'd during his career amon^''tlir Iinliaus, ;iiiil his progress was re- markably skillful ami noiscli'ss. AsIkuII II iniiplipsicd, the clouds were breaking a\v;iv, an^l the newly-risen moon shone bri-htlv at times. Its light, however, was liikh' ini'l uiicritain.as dark clouds ever and anon ci. issi-il its face. Still it helped the scouts on their way. Barlow had gone a mile without seeing a sign of any per.son, foe or friend, when he experienced one of the most singular adven- tures of his life. He had reached a place where there was a break in the trees, formiBg a little glade, and, as the moon shone brightly withm, he paused at the edge of the bushes to look ahead before thus exposing himself. Then it was that he saw a strange and startling sight. At first he drew his revolver, for he be- lieved that a man— a Confederate— was be- fore him, but he did not raise the hammer. Instead, he stood like one paralyzed. The object before him stood like a statue, and, though it was formed like '-- face, so like the dead, he recognized the feat ures of Edgar Peterson ! Ay, the resemblance was i)erfect. In every way the strange object was like that unfor- tunate man, as he had appeared before Sam Styles led his lynchers against him ; all was natural except the death-like pallor. Barlow stood dumb with amazement and iniiuentaiy terror. He had never been a be- li vi-r in ghosts, but at last he had unmistak- a'Ai' proof that the dead did sometime come back. Edgar Peterson was buried; he had been for two months numbered with those who had crossed the mystic river; but here was his form, his face, all— in spirit shape. To add to the terror of the situation, the eyes of the specter were fixed upon him with a steady stare; and, as the sergeant gazed, the creature put up one hand and made a motion as though to warn him back. Just then a dense cloud swept across the face of the moon, and the glade was plunged into darkness. Perhaps a full minute elapsed before the light again came, and during that interval Barlow was recovering his scattered senses. Whatever the object was, he must advance upou it The cloud passed on, the light came again, but when Barlow looked the glade was va- cant. The specter had vanished ! CHAPTER XXIII. THE SURPRISE. On the heels of this last discovery came a rebellious feeling from the sergeant. A thoroughly practical man, he had never be- lieved iu anything supernatural, and with the fact that the object had gone, came a conviction that it had been no phantom, but a creature of flesh and blood. Reckless of consequences, he broke from cover, rushed across the glade, and entered the bushes at the further side. He glanced keenly about, but there was no sign of any one, human or otherwise. He searched thoroughly for several min- utes, alarmed lest he had seen one of the guerrillas, and allowed him to escape, but failing to find anything, went back to the glade and paused to reflect. Who, or what, had lie seen ? It was a hard question to answer, but as he remembered the lace of the object, and how distinctly he had seen it, he grew more and more amazed. Either the croatnn> bad possessed a re- markable liki'iii'ss to Eiljrar Peterson, or else it was that man liinis.lf, iu bodily condition or as a spirit. \Vliilanees, and, situat- edas thevM, ■e, Ihev .■oidd onU-exiieCt tO be cut down i tiieV remained b.li-lll. Others join, 1 iu'tlie wild ili,-lit ot those wholia.l in St led, and Keeler's v,.leefeU OU uuhei-diii-eai .. lie waslr.viim- desperately to stem 1lie 1 de, bnl jii.-t then a stalwart kid bini, knocked his sword from bis I'laii'i! and would have secured a prisoner Iheii m.l theie, hadnotthe rush of other men >ep iiatcd them. Then the el, ef saw the guard turn about, saw his own ii en iliiig down their weapons and reali/e,! Ihai the day was lost. He wheeled bis ior>c, applied the spurs and dashed awav, avin- himself bv luck and the aidof theilarkness. The triumph ot the ."uard was complete. One half of the guerrillas had snrr.iidered, and the rest were in ili,-onlciiy lli.^'ht ; the band had been completely broken up, and this, too, without the loss ot a man ou the Union side. A portion of the victors, under Lieutenant Majthenyi, pursued for a short distance, but they had no desire to run into a trap, and, after a few minutes, they returned to the scene of the surprise. Zagonyi had brought order out of confu- sion. H'is meu were in perfect form, and the prisoners were rcad.y for the march to the Union camp. Xolhintr remained to be done except to go, and tlic,\ \veiit aeeordiugly. _■■■'" into line bi'side Barlow, goodceiuling to the day's sport, ser- geant," he said. " I think Keeler's band is pretty well brok- en," said Max, exultantly. " Reckon it is, for sure. It'll be a scant force that answers at roll-call to-morrer. Ef Keeler was not such a plucky critter, I should say very likely he would never lead another raid." " But he will. He can find plenty of vaga- bonds who will not attach themselves to a regular army, and with these he will soon be in the field again." " I had a leetle adventure ter-night, ser- geant," said the scout, abruptly. "Did you? How was that?" Sharpshot told the story of his hanging ex- perience, aud, from the point of interest, we will use his own words. "Jest as the critters got ready ter string me up, I heard a voice whisper iu my ear sayin' as how he wa'n't so bad as he seemed, that he was a Union spy iu disguise, an' that • he would try ter help me out. So, sergeant, he got charge o' the rope business, an' I'll be ' shot ef, arter the noose was put around my neck, he didn't take it off an' hitch it around my shoulders instead." "Didn't the guerrillas see him?" Barlow asked, iu surprise. "They seed him fumbUn' about me, but they thought it all right, an' it was so thun- deriu' dark that nobody seed the cheat." " You may call the fact pure luck, then." "Luck and providence, sergeant, the same which has befriended me more nor oust in the past, but it was the darkness that fooled the guerrillas." " Well, but how did it end ?" " I stood thar, mute as a mouse, with the noose about my shoulders, when Keeler give the word, then up I went in mid-air. Of THE WAR LIBRARY. 19 course the strain was not great, but I had a ' " ' — ' ' ^ ' — " " " to save r ■ you bet. struggled as I thought a hangin' man nat^ ui-ally would, first desperately and then eas- ily, lettin' up gradually until I hung with only a jerking of my heels an' a quiver o' my body." "It was a terrible test of nerve," said Bar- low, shuddering. " You can swear ter that right along. I've been in manv a tight place, but never one that require.l so much uarve as that. But I did it, sergpaut, an' I think 1 did it wal. At any rate 1 fooled the critters, an' as 1 hung thar, nice an' easy, Keeler hadn't a susnicion but what I was hung by the neck until I was dead." " And what came then ?" " He finally ordered me cut down, Keeler did, an' agin my friend puslied himself for- rud. He cut tlie rope, felt o' mj' heart, said it had ceased to beat, an' no cue appeared ter dispute him. Keeler ordered the ' body,' as he called me, ter be dragged away in the bushes, an' my friend seed to that, cut my hands loose an' left me alone. "They had dragged me heels first, but I never made a sigu, an' when they left me alone in the bushes I was as satisfied as though they had left watchers." "You didn't stay there long, I suppose?" "You bet I didn't. I only waited a bit, au' then 1 arose, scooted out, an' j'ined your critters as they come down." "And your rescuer?" " I don't know anything about him, but ef he is the boy I took him ter be, he has cared for number one. I think it w.as " Sharpshot ended by pronouncing the name of a spy well known to Fremont's army. CHAPTER XXIV. ACKOSS THE OSAGE. The guard reached the Union camp in safety, swimming the river below the bridge- builders, and taking their prisoners into camp. Zagonyi reported to General Fre- mont, some further work was done, and then the tired soldiers sought their blankets. It was near morning before Max Barlow fell asleep. He had just gone through such a series of adventures that he had food enough for thought, but his mind dwelt mostly on the strange sight he had seen in the wood. Had it been a specter 1 Again and again he asked himself the question, but there was no satisfactory an- swer to the riddle. He found it hard, with his firm and practical mind, to believe that such things could be, but the subject was one which baffled him at every turn. There were three ways to look at the mat- ter. Either he had seen Edgar Peterson in the flesh or his spirit, or else it had been a man who greatly resemliled his old friend. Keeler had said that Edgar was dead and buried, but tlu- guerrilla was not a man of strict veiacity. He might have lied, and Edgar might still be living but, if so, why was his face so strangely pale 'I More like a ghost than any- thing else had the object appeared. If it had been a person who strongly re- sembled Edgar, who was it, and how had he Bo mysteriously disappeared ?" With all these questions rushing through his mind. Barlow lay awake until nearly morning and rolled and tossed on his blan- ket. The following day the bridge was to be completed, the Osage passed, and the march resumed. The delay had been vexatious, but it was one iif the fortunes of war, and not to be avoided. So, after Barlow turned out, he chanced upon Sharpshot and a man he knew to be the favorite spy of the army. It was his name the sharpshooter had pVonounced on the previous uight, and Max joined them, anxious to see if his suspicion had been cor- rect. It WP.S as Sharpshot had thought. The spy, with the dariug peculiar to his class, had entered the Confederate camp, and, in the darkness, mixed with them unsuspected. Fate had brought him and Sharpshot there at the same time, and liy the use of great skill and bravery, he had siueeeded in sav- ing the life of the sharpshooter. Barlow and Sharpshot wandered on to- gether. " Do you believe in ghosts?" Max suddenly asked. It was a question which would have given him a slight start, but the scout met it cooUy. " Sartinly," he answerei. Seed one yourse; "No, but I didn't know but what I should, such strange things are occurring just now." And then Barlow changed the subject, and their whole attention was given to the bridge as they arrived. Our hero's mind, however, dwelt on his late encounter with annoying perseverance. He could not solve the mystery. He would have been glad to believe Edgar Peterson alive, but, if it was so, why did he not show himself to one who would have been his friend then, as in the past? Barlow reflected ou the subject until he was tired and angry ; and it was a great re- lief when the bridge was finished and the order came for an advance. The army crossed, now thirty thousand their destination being Springfield, by way of Bolivar. Not to dwell ou the events of this march which are not of importance to our story, let us go forward to an incident which oc- curred just as the army was nearing the Pomme de Terre River. A scout returned to camp at noon, and, findiug Barlow, handed him a letter. "What is this ?" Max asked, in surprise. " I came upon a man a mile south of here, and he gave me that paper and asked me to deliver it to you. That's all I know about it." The sergeant broke the seal, unfolded the paper, and saw writing in a bold, mtisculine hand. He read the contents rapidly. " MAX Barlow ;— If you ciin get away from your_post, it would be well for yuu to go utonce to Springtield. in disguise. Olive and Lena Somers have been stolen ; Euard trounced liim s ( disgusted with 1 SS reason to suppose they 9 Keeler bring dis baffle them when So i-an the letter, and though Barlow after- ward thought of the noble nature of the man who had written, he could just then think only of the peril which menaced the woman he loved. Olive Somers in the power of Keeler ! Good heavens! the knowledge was maddening. She, with her tender breeding and nature ; he, a man to whom honor was unknown. Barlow was almost wild. Only one thought was in his mind— to secure leave of absence and then hasten to Springfield. It must be done — he must go to the rescue of the woman he loved. All thoughts of the glory of the battlefield which he would lose were then gone— he thought only of Olive. He was about to go to Zagonyi when he was summoned to that officer. He went and heard news which electrified him. The guard had been ordered to march on Such was the welcome news which met Max Barlow as he reported at Zagonyi's quarters. CHAPTER XXV. THE PRISONERS. Leaving Zagonyi aud the guard to make that renowned march to Sjiriugfleld, let us go on ahead and look after the fortunes of those, who, if Barlow's information was cor- rect, were in a bad situation— Olive and Lena Somers. The friendly Confederate had spoken truly when he said they had been stolen by Keeler. Mr. Somers, though considered a man of good commonsense in other re- spects, had persisted in remaining at the village in the face of all the warnings he had received, and the already abundant proof that Keeler had designs against the peace of his daughters. The result was what Barlow and others had feared. After Keeler had been frustrat- ed in his first attempts, he swept through the Ozark country and along the Osage un- til so severely handled by Zagonyi ; then he gathered the survivors of his band, added some new recruits, and one night descended on the village and kidnaped the girls. Mr. Somers was left at the house witk a wound which bade fair to keep him in the repair-shop for at least a month, which would give him time to consider whether he had acted wisely. Having secured the girls, Keeler headed straight for Springfield, where he arrived at dawn the following morning. He made no conversation with his prisoners on the way, but e.xplanations were not needed to show the girls that they were in extreme neril. . They were taken to a house near"the cen-' ter of the place and given in charge of a man and his ivife who seemed fit tools for Keeler. To that house, an hour later, the guerrilla chief came, accompanied by Sam Stiles. Olive and Lena were surprised to see the two together, for the chief, despite his vil- lainy, was a man of education and fair ex- terior, while Stiles was amere "poor white." They had known him well at their native village, had never liked him, and, since he led the lynchers against Edgar Peterson, their feelings were of a type which can easily be imagined. Keeler bowed before them with grave po- liteness, which showed his skill in grim irony. " I trust, ladies, that you are enjoying yourselves in your new home," he said. " We are not, and we would like an explan- ation," Olive said, quickly. " Easily done. You already know that you are my prisoners, so I need not state that fact. The reason i-s next in order, and that may be quickly given. I am human, Miss Somers ; I have seen and admired you, and it is my ambition to make you my wife. It was for that purpose that I brought you here." Olive grew very pale and lost her compos- ure for a moment. Lena, equally disturbed, turned her head away from the burniufe re- gard of Sara Stiles. "The idea does not seem to please you," added Keeler, in tlie same bland manner. " It does not, sir. " Olive plainly said. "And why not ?•' "Because, sir, I liave no desire to become your wife." " I had an idea the wind would blow th!.t way," said the guerrilla, yawning with as- sumed laziness. "That's 'why I stole you. Deuce take it ! I didu't get enough sleep last night. Too much hard work in this busi- ness." " Do you mean in the stealing of women ?" retorted Olive. "Well, that comes in as a part of my trade " " I thought as much, sir. I have heard that you are really an outlaw ; that the Con- federate generals refuse to recognize you as a soldier, and that they deplore the fact that such men exist in Missouri." Olive spoke with cutting bitterness ; but Keeler remained unmoved. " You mustn't believe half what you hear. When General Price finds himself hemmed U]) in Springfield by the Union army, he will be glad to extend his right hand and let the tiger of the Ozark strike in his be- half. But we are wandering from our sub- ject. Do you know why my friend. Stiles, ap- pears in this case?" "No." " Because he, too, is in the field as a lover. He has felt the tender passion, and his heart is riddled like a sieve. He has been like a schoolboy tor several weeks, has written poetry, and sung songs to the moon. He goes libout in deep thought, and has lost a good deal of flesh. All tor love ! And, la- dies, the object of his affection is Miss Lena Somers. Ain't that so, Sam?" "That's till' i(iciitii-le idee, cap'n," replied theriMlian, ivitli a -liu. It was s)H.rt tor them to torture and frighten tlifsc iimoceut and helpless girls, for they felt that the game was all in their own hands, but the pleasure was all ou one side. Poor Lena turned terribly pale as she heard Keeler's declaration. She lacked the outspoken bravery of her elder sister, and, though possessed of a good deal of latent courage, had not the nerve to hear such an assertion calmly. And what girl would have? "Sir," said Olive, with spirit, " why will you persist in insulting us?" "Bless me," said the unmoved villain, in assumed surprise. " I never looked at it in that light. Where does the insult come in? I tail to see. It can't lie in the fact that two worthy young men are sighing and wooins 20 ■i.-I£l WAS, LIBRARY. at your feet. Look at lis Won't we make loyal and uoble brothers-iii-l;iw V" He waved his ham! draniiitirally at his grinuiufi ally, aud tJie iriiis wi^iv di'iveu to desperation. Their hearts wrre liki- lead, and tliev could no longer retain their talmness, "For Heaven's sake," said Lena, faintly, "go away!" ••What, so soon? And our wooing has only begun! Fair Lena, I am surprised. Sueh coldness is not due, so far as time is eoucerried, imtil at least three mouths after marriage." ••Captain Keeler," said Olive, "do you rail vfinrself a gentleman to use sueh words .said Olive. but never mind. We ■I' going now, but I trust will show you the way '•Silence, you idiot!" growled the chief. And then they said good-by and went away. The sisters were left alone with their trouble, but they knew at last just what to expect. Keeler had shown his hand, and they knew he had the will to carry out his plans. " What shall we do?" Lena iisked, turning for advice and encouragement to herstrong- er niitided sister. •• \Ve nuist in some way get word to Gen- eral Price," was Olive's decided answer. " If we can do that, we are saved. He is a soldier, and such men will never see women persecuted. It is well known that he does not countenance the acts of Keeler, and I suspect he would be glad to have a case pressed so that he coulil (li-|)iivi' him of liis command. The Soutlinn (oiilodorai y is not an upholder of wanton ,ruelly ami depredation." " But we have no way toget word to him." " We must find a way '" and V Lei They door wind. provi else." lilt her as she spoke, lu which had but one eked, while the single ed on the inside, and y blinds on the outer side. A small lamp" lighted the place and the furniture was scanty and plain. " I repeat, we must find a way," said Olive. " The Union army is marching on Spring- field." " Yes, and the brave Pathfinder will reach here ; but our enemy will take us and flee before they arrive. We must aid ourselves. I wish that Max Barlow knew of our situa- tion." " You are proud of him, Olive." " I am, Lena, and I expect to see the Path- finder's body-guard accomplish wonders. Lena, sister, I wish it was as well with you. Edgar Peterson justice done Edgar, and, sooner or later, man will be glad to put a lofty monument over his grave. I know it!" CHAPTER XXVI. : MARCH OF THE GUABD. 1 the Pathfluder'.sguardleft the arm iugtield, much ■my left led that Ml' and is tlirec- Wh- and started f o; to the discreti. Geutial Fiv thetoivn Avas four linndrrd tious -vvorr loi- tho ,-nard to rf.onn..itcr the place while, if the lead.-r ooiisidi-red it ad- Jvisable, hi; might attempt the capture of the "whole. And so the guard started on an expedition which was to win for them great glory and give their names a place iii the history of the United States as long as the republic exists.* j Few words were spokcu by tho.«e warlike I men which were not necessary ' "' " ° probable that, in the niiud ning one thought ~*A full account of the guard may General Fremoat's litUe volume, '• The Story guard was but a romantic idea, and the men only fit for parade and show. At last, though they had proved their courage iu miuor coiilli.is, tiny were going forward to stiiko ilicii lirst 'loul blow lor the cause they uphold, nnd in overy man's mind was a sottloo ]mii|»i>o to show the world of what niatoiial lho^ ^^ , iv made. M;l,|ll Wo.^l.ibor- and lio lollowcd were gonyi's adjutant, II Ilio I o:i.lri' !:iiiv 1,1 liud the latter's name on t lie list o I ]i:nii( ipnnts in the expedition, it will 111- nndoislood that we are covering a real charaitci ninlora liititiousname. This, an author must tioijuonlly do. With the guard wont another famous cavalry troop, of wliicli we have before made mention. This was Major White's company, called the " Prairie Scouts." United, they numbered upward of three hundred men— as gallant a force as ever trod the soil of Missouri. They made good progress, but, to Barlow, they seemed to creep. He remembered the note he had received in regard to Olive Somers and her sister, and, to save his life, he could not fix his mind on the work be- fore them. Well, perhaps, it was for the guard, that the unhappy sergeant was not tlieir leader that day; but where is the man who can wonder at his feelings ? Sharpshot rode with the guard for ten miles, then, after a few words with Zagonyi, he gave his horse the spur and dashed on ahead. The night was cold, and, hardy as the men were, they shivered occasionally as they rode. Not one had an overcoat, and when a slight rain descended, officers and men had to boar it alike, but they did this without a nnii iiiur, and went on as fast as convenient. Si.iingfield lies well among the Ozark Monii tains, but the troopers made use of the ]!oliv:n' 1 oad whin possililo, anil in this way Hill low i\iisan\ion> tor soivioo, and deep it he again set eyes ou Kicler, oue of them would never come out of the combat alive. He still rode the horse he had so strangely acquired from the guerrilla, and he hoped to ride the noble animal when fighting his master. Over fifty miles lay between the Pom me object. He had gone in advance to look the town over and give Zagonyi points, and as it was necessary to hear from him before ven- turing too near, their pace was at last mod- erated to a degree that nearly drove Barlow wild. A little past noon, word was leeeivedfrom a Union man that the Confederates were iu aha lorce as was uiai-cuiug agaiust ii, out luis news instead of pleasing the guard served to disappoint them. They wanted a fight, a hard one, where one side or the other lin;:iTs, so Jofihe 1'' 11. Zagonyi was afraid the rnu and slip through his ft the "Prairie Scouts," and with Ills own command crossed over to the Mount Vernon road where he would be in the Confederate rear. While executing this maneuver, Sharp- shot made his appearance. "It's did," he said, abruptly, after salut- ing the major. " I've ben nigh enough ter the inemy ter see the whites o' their eyes, an' they are thar!" He pointed toward Springfield. " How many?" Zagauyi quietly asked. "They count above two thousand." The Hungarian looked surprised. "All things are possible," he said, "but are you sun- of this? Four or five hundred is what we liavo heard." " riii\ vo iioon reinforced by fifteen hun- ilrod inoio, nigh about half o' which is i-avaliy. Thi-iv are big guns, too, an' I tell ye, major, they looked formidable." The s(«ut spoke earnestly. It was not his lace to advise, unless invited, but he be- ieved the enemy too strong to be attacked, and knowing the mettle of Zagonyi and his guard he feared they would do something rash. Consequeutly, he wished to Impress the major with an idea of what was before them. " Two thousand— and we are one hundred and fifty!" Zagonyi spoke thoughtfully and looked in the ilirection of the Bolivar road. Some- where there. Major White and his "Prairie Scouts" were moving, and the Hungarian wished all were together then. " Two thousand," .said Sharpshot, "an' all ablecze with weepoiis and gewgaws. They are armed to the teeth, an' I reckon Fre- mont won't find it easy ter clear Spring- field." Cunning words he spoke, but Zagonyi did not seem to hear them. He sat still on his horse and looked steadily at vacancy. Once his lips moved, and Sharpshot caught the words : " Two thousand !" It was a fateful pause in the history of the fuard. EveiN- man was looking at IZagonyi. t had bo.-ii' tlitir ambition to capture Sprin^hold. ;nid it was hard to turn back. Two tlKHifaiid men, however, were very dif- ferent from four huudred. The odds were terrible. Still Zagonyi deliberated. What passed in his mind, for and against each plan, is best known to himself; but Barlow, spurred on by thoughts of Olive, and the knowledge that the reputation of the guard was at stake, had a wild hope in his mind. At last the leader turned to his men. "Soldiers," he said, "we are iu front of our first real enemy. We have now to de- cide whether we advance or retreat. If we go on, it is to meet terrible odds. They are two thousand and we one hundred and fifty. In spite of all, I now ask you to go forward. If is for us to make the fiitnie reputation of the guard. Men have said that we are but parade soldiers, but if you will follow me we will achieve a viitoiy. Shall we ad- vance?" A shout arose from the men. Every eye was glistening— all were eager to strike for their good name, for Fremont and the Union. "I do not ask any man to go who does not wish to. If any one is sick, or fatigued by marching, let him step forward and I will excuse him." Not a man moved. All were worn out from marching, but not one was willing to turn back. The eyes of Zagonyi glistened iu turn. He was a veteran, used to war and its terrors; but these voniig soldiers were all men, who, a few moiltli... before, had not had a thought of sueh work. He bad learned to love the body-guard, one aud all, and to think them of rare excelleuce; and now, as the proof came, it was the proudest moment of hie life." " Lead us to the enemy !" said one, and all echoed the lequest. "There will be hard fighting, for they are many in number; but if you will keep to- gether and look to me, and do as I expect you to do, we will teach them to remember the bodyguard." Another shout, and Zagonyi was satisfied. All were ready, all were anxious for the venture; ill all the command there was not one coward. But think of the odds! One hundred and fifty men against over two thousand! If a novelist, out of the lesources of his own in- ventive power, wrote of such a thing he would be denounced as having outstepped the bounds of reason. To veiify what we write, let the reader turn to the pages of his- tory. Zagonyi said little more. He placed the guard once more in motion, and they moved on at a trot. Sharpshot fell back to Barlow's side. "SeiL-eant," he said, "these brave critters uudnniitedlv lire ;;(iin' ter their death." "Some ot' tlirm are, I have no doubt," Barlow answer, d. "It is not well t.i sacrifice sech lives." " Say nothing on that score,! for you are as lirave as any here. To-day, the guard either clears its name from traducers, or yields up the ghost in fron.. of the foe. If we fall, it shall be with our faces to the rown. Say no more." "They are sons of Missouri!" said the scout, lifting his old cap. " Not all. Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa —these and other States are represented; but we are one iu our devotion to the Union, THE WA.R LIBRARY. 21 felt his heart throb ii lant fellows. " You are here,' don't you turn l>ai:k "Ten hunilic.l h, back," sail! thr ^r,ui( and conquer, ur dif \ Barlow lookt-d at h Perhaps he w:is tliiul, the band, thf sharpsl riflce his life: but spolven for several iii Then Sharpshot l)r. "Ithiuk, ser-eant. an idee whar the fiirl get iuside Sprinsflelil ter them." "Ifeartliat Kp^ler at the first ..pii.Tliuii elooiuilT. "Ef wesiK-.-.v.i, til emy will t;o so (|ni( time, an' vou an' in.' fur this thiii^. luj h an', seein' a.s h.nv K honor of hang one or twt> good raps e, I with these gal- added. '■■Why ng that, not lieing of loter ought not to sae- lo more words were lUlteS." ke tlie silence, said he, "that I have are hid. If we once I'll try ter lead you is hope that the iu- tliat thar won't be U hrv our eyes open 1 you iu the business, .1 oii(|. did me the iliall be glad to get ; him iu return." member the body-guard. Draw sabers! By the right flank— quick trot^march !" At the word they started, a small but ste-.uly mass of Union blue, the guardians of '■ 1 Hag. They were starting on a charge ulii-li lias a parallel only in that of Napo- CHAPTER XXVII. THE CHARGE. The guard went on at a quick trot. Not much furtlier did fliey hare to go to reach Springfield, and thi y wished to move quick- ly and take tin- oiiHniy by surprise, if possi- ble. When this is done, a small force will often put a mil. li lai'ier one to flight. Aceor.lin;; to I In- observations made by Sharpsliot, tin- i on federates should be in the center of the town, but the sequel proTed that enough time had been given them to allow them to come out and meet the guard on ground more disadvantageous to Zagonyi's braves. The latter nuierged from a wood, and saw before tluiii a scone which would have dealt terror to In-arls less lirave. A few hnndrod yards away, another wood faced thoni. In front of this second wood was a lull ; and, in front of tlie hill, a hollow throuirh ^vhi.li lan a tiiiiv I. rook. Upon tho hill, 11,,- frronnd .-ould scarcely be seen linanse of the Confederates that were there. The enemy's infantry was awaiting ihere to the number ot twelve or thirteen hun- dred, while, u little to oneside, four himdred troopers wpi-e si-eii. And this ainiv was drawn up iu battle array to i t and iiusli the little handful of Unioni-is. \Vli\ they had come in such force, «lon bail a- many Would haveseemed to mako vioioi ■■ oi-iiain, is not cloai-, but it may In- thoi- ha.! :i -nspioion of tho mettle of tho-ii;r,l. "Can %oa ■^.. i^r (ilivo throu-h th.-m?" Sharpsh^l ^^ :ii-|i.'i-d in Harlow's oai-. "Thnumh a. million n( th.-ni, if need I)e," was tin- an-vviT, .jnicklv uivon. "Many a man will ut-vi-f -jin through alive. See! Wo mu-t liiar^o tlnou-h that narrow lane, acr..ss tlnoii.kan'iii) tho hill. At the ■ the straight for the thr iilry The SI -out spoi;.. with porfeot coolness, and it was cvidi nl that, llamgh seeing all the dangers, he was not alarmed. " we will not be shattered; we must not," said Barlow, fiercely. " We must carry and clear the town." Zagonyi turned to his men. "Comrades:" h.. said, "when 1 rooniited you, I said the I.ody--n;ird was not for parade lint foi- wa I'. 'i'hoonom\- isl.ofoiv us, two thonsaiiil Mionu. and mo' aio l.ul ono hundred and fifty. It is )iossil.lo not (.no of Ws will come hack, and if any soldier here thinks the enemy too many, he need not go. Who turns back?" Not one of the guard moved. All sat steadily in their places, their faces to the enemy, their lips compressed, the signs of a settled purpose on their grand fa^es. They were of heroic mold, and where Zagoni led all were ready to follow. A look of joy passed over the leader's face. As well as he thought of the guard, he knew it was not human nature for young soldiers to be so brave, and their calm hero- ism thrilled him through and through. He had been sufficiently answered. "We will go on," he continued, " and let your battle-cry be, 'Fremont and the Union I' Watch me well, and listen for orders, and we will teach 'the enemy to re- thcsharsii..,.! row ulouK 1 tacked. They crossed the brook and reached the feui'e. It could not be leaped, aud ofBcers and men were alike eager to aid iu removing it. Lieutenant Majthenyi cast aside a rail, and willing hands soou made a breach. All this while they were under fire. Fire- At last I he tome was down, and the way was open lor the real charge; but in the lane behiud were dead men and dead horses. Out of the hundred and fifty, forty were un- able to participate in the dash. Of these, all were not dead — the loss was chiefly in fallen horses. The ordei-s of Zagonyi rang out clearly, and the survivors formed. Their battle-cry sounded, and they started up the hill to meet the waiting enemy. Almost tmcousciously. Barlow glanced at his compauions. Their faces were stern and resolute, their lips eompressed and their eyes gleaming. Iu spite of their losses, in spite of what was before them, they longed for close quarters, nd on they i the sun, and as they chargeS their suouis rang out on the air with startling clearness. Zagonyi afterward said tha> their battle-cry sotmded like thunder. The most critical moment of all in the his- tory of the guard was at hand. They were going to victory or certain death. For them, there could be no retreat. If they showed their backs to the enemy, few in number as they were, their fate was sealed. It seemed a mad and hopeless venture — what could that one hundred and ten, brave as they were, do agaiust two thou- sand? We will see. Up the hill they went at full speed, their shouts ]ioaliMi; forth as nover those of " pa- ra, lo sol.hcis ■ ha.l .Ion.., their front ten-iblv oniinons. low as ih.y u.ro; but the enemy must ha\o lau^iii-d ainoug themselves. Snroly, Iln_'se were hut madmen coming to A linllct passed between Barlow's side and his aini, a mau fell dead beside him, the fire was t.rrihly hot; but he only gripped liissal>er the tighter aud went on with the rest. He glanced at Shar])shot— the man was ■as cool as any one could be, but there was a look on his face like that ot a hungry man. :inor's field fori .TV p..al...l out! How gallant an ^v]\tl uttorod it! They were ■au.l ohaptor in history. Tho lidl faiily bristle. 1 with Confederates. The twolve hundro.l infantry with the four humlred cavalry on the lllank— all were awaiting their arrival, confident that they would be absorbed at one motion. The hill was climbed, the intervening dis- tance shortened— the guard hurled them- selves on the foe ! Max Barlow grasped his sword tightly and plunged into the affray. A soldier reached out his hand to seize the horse by the rein and fell with a cloven skull. Then, striking right and left, the sergeant went on. " Fremont and the Union !" How the cry rang on the air, arising above all other sounds and thrilling those who ut- tered it. They uttered two names which were dearer to them than their lives— for those two they risked the last. It is impossible to describe the battle. That little compact body of men seemed al- most to disappear as they struck the over- whelming odds of the Confederates, but they were there and fighting gloriously. Their sabers were red with blood, their faces Ilia, k with smoke and dust, but still they piosscl forward. 'J'ho enemy could not stand before them. Tiny -a ve ground aud were sharply followed. Doail an.l woundod covered the hill, but nearly all w.iio Confederate gray. The miar.l i ut il..wn .voiything that opposed Harlow saw Shaipshot fighting with club- bed rillo. Xot a w.iiil passed the scout's lips, Inif his w..rk was terrible. He struck crnshiim' l.l.ius, i-.. ..v. rod and struck again. nut. His potent vn on thebatJtle- vnig a way for lo guard looked followed where He was ah. .■..am.. Zagonyi was e\.i' sword, whioh had v fields of Hungary, freedom aud tin- r to him, as he had s he led. The Confederates recoiled. ,Iust why it was so it is hard to say. They were brave men themselves, mostly of the same grand stock as the guard, but something was lack- ing to make them equal then. It may ha\ e seemed to them that that littlo liand was more than human. Diivon back, beset with such fierceness, the Confederates lost heart and turned their backs. The cover of the wood was at their rear, and toward this the infantry went at full speed, never pausing until under the shelter of the trees. A portion ot the guard had engaged the cavalry, and now all turned upon them. It began to look as though victory would be theirs, but the odds were =till four to one, even greater than most military commanda would dare to engage. " Fremont and the Union !" With the old cry, the guard precipitated itself on the fresh foe. Horse met horse, sabers clashed, revolvers cracked, and the rival commands were in a death-grapple. They surged from side to side. The guard had met a foe better prepared for work than the infantry, and for awhile the result was iu doubt, but slowly but surely the Confed- erates were pushed'back. Zagonyi afterward said that he had seen charges, but never one like that. So, too, an admirer might almost be pardoned if he said that never before did young soldiers fight as then. Their blows were crushing, and even in the heat of battle, they remem- bered the major's teaching. Steadily they cut a red i oad in the Con- federate ranks, until the latter must have thought them demons ; and before that des- tructive pressure, the I'avalry lost heart, as the infantry had done, recoiled, abandoned themselves to confusion and fled. They were sharply followed. The infantry had been allowed to go where they pleased, but against the troopers the guard hurled themselves persistently, resolved not to leave enough to make another stand. Their work was well done. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CAPTUKED TOV I 111.- mom. lit h.. wondered what had become ..f him, and then the shock came. As the battle raged, .Max frc.|uontlv glanced over the field to s.. how the li-h't was going, and iu this way his alt.iiti.iu hc- eame U.yed for a moment upon .uic of (ho Confederates who was dashiug about ami wielding a saber with perfect f liry. There was something so wild and eccen- tric in the movements of the man, so out of order with all the rules of service, that Bai-- again, dealing heavy blows, but seldom pausing to follow them up, and really doing little damage, while, ever and anon, he ut- tered a discordant screech which may or may not have been a battle-cry. Barlow was unable to understand it. Gradually, it dawned upon him that there was something familiar about the man. Face, form and manner, seemed like some echo from the past — where had he seen hJTii before ? Ha! he remembered him at last; the strange horseman was Yeaton, the madman 22 THE WAR LIBRARY. useless flght. he had fought in the secret room of the man- sion near the Osage. He had barely made this discovery wtieu a surge of the fight brought them near each other. Then, something drew Yeaton's gaze to him and his eyes flashed with the old, mad light. "Ha! ha!" he.laughed, wildly, "so I have you again ! I've been hunting for you many a day. I've found you at last, and I'll make you adead man inside of three seconds. Take that!" He accompanied the last word with a vicious blow of his saber, but Barlow easily paried it, and gave back blow for blow. Their sabers clashed, and though the maniac showed little of the rare skill he had shown in their former encovmter, the contest waxed hot. Yeaton's horse was a fiery, mettlesome charger, ill-suited for the business, and many strokes were thus thrown away, liut the affair had a deeidcdlv im^iiii'ss-lilif iiir. Barlow, however, rennnili. }eil iliat this man was insane, and tlu- latli. r of ,,n<' ti> whom he already owed a t;ieat d.lrt of grat- itude. "Mr. Yeaton," he said, "this is no place for you. I implore you, retire to the and not risk your life Where is your son ?" " What IS that to you?" was the fierce re- ply. "What is that to me? When sons turn against their sires, it is time for sires to fight. Ha ! dog in Union blue, I doubt not but that you tave a father somewhere, loaded down with chains. My curse on the age!" "Will you go back?" repeated Barlow, "is your life of no value? Go, and save it while you can!" " Ha ! ha ! you fear me, dog, you fear me. Good ! I'll soon show you what the old man can do. I'll show you!" He pressed forward with hot words and hotter blows, but even while his salier was raised for a stroke he siiddcnh- jiaused, dropped the weapon, swayed in file saildle and then went headlong to the ground. , Barlow looked down and saw a red stream ' flowing over his hair, and then he realized 'that a chance shot, fired by his own friends, iixad entered his head and ended his career forever. He had died fighting for the Confederate cause he loved so well. Barlow had no time to look for his re- mains. The surge of battle bore him away, and when, a little later, the foe fled, he had other thoughts on his mind. The guard held the ground as victors. Of the enemy, horse and foot had taken flight — the two thousand had been dispersed by the hundred and fifty. But where were the hundred and fifty? The remnant of the guard at that moment gathered around Zaganyi did not count more than half that number. The other halt lay dead or wounded along the red line which stretched from the beginning of the lane to the place of final victory. The battle had been won— gloriously won, butit seemed as though at a fearful cost. Only one half left ! Seventy brave men dead or djiug— but the loss might not be so severe after all. Others might yet be found alive. Zagonyi looked at his braves in ingled lie ved, but many a face was absent at that moment. Chamberlain, Becker, Schneider, Morrison, Vanway — where were they ? Zaganyi could hardly find words to ad- dress the surviTors, but he managed to ex- press his sentiments, and the guard showed that they were still with him in thought, word and deed. They were covered with blood and smoke, their blue uniforms were cut and soiled, but ou their warrior faces was the old, brave look their leader had seen before thegrand charge. Where in the history of our country is there anything that goes before that day's work? Against overwhelming odds they had won a fight which, when flashed along the wires to the North, thriUed every patriot's heai-t with joy and pride. Fremont's body-guard had proved its right to be called war soldiers ; more, they had proved their right to be called heroes. Zagonyi formed the remnant and set their faces toward the town. It was practically t-aptured; he felt sure no armed resistance would meet them there, and he knew that many Union people would hail their arrival «dth joy. Sergeant Barlow was not among those "Quick! This way. Max!" said the scout, hastily. " I've seen the whole crew, and I've seen the girls. Keeler and Sam Stiles are carrying them off. Quick, I say, and we will save them yet!" Barlow ueeded no second bidding. He forgot then that he might be neglecting his official dirty— he forgot all except the fact that the woman he loved was in peril, and, brave soldier though he was, his heart was as tender as that of a woman. Few truly brave men are otherwise. Many do not yield to the tender passion, but even they respect and admire the sex that refines and elevates them. Away went the two. Max and the scout, and as tliey rode, the latter explained what K.-. Itr had been with the infantry, accom paiiicil liy his men, but they had been curtly treated by the Confederate leader and obliged to keep at the rear. Thus, the guer- rilla chief kept out of danger, but he had at first been tempted to disregard orders and sweep down on the guard. When, however, he saw the Confederate force go to pieces, he realized that the day was lost. He and Stiles had made arrange- ments for leaving Springfield the following niglit, taking Olive and Lena with them, but he liad not liad au idea that the guard would S.ciiiir liiai it was so to be, he sent two men to taland bad lieen. As we have before said, he laid the desire for plunder, not the good of the tsouthcru Confederacy, in his mind, and lie was cordially feared and detested by all classes in the Ozark region. For a long while he had plundered indis- criminately, but the Confederate generals had finally sent him such positive warning that he ceased to openly annoy the sympa- thizers with the cause, though he still re- mained a robber. Against such a man any hostile ac t would be fair ; while, of the men at this time with him, Sam Stiles was as bad as he, and the other two showed their material by the company they kept. For half an hour Sharpshot rode at full speed, and then, without pausing, looked carefully to his weapons. He was neariug the Osceola road, and, unless the kidnapers had gone faster than he thought, an encoun- ter would soon come. He rode into the traveled way, and stopped his tired horse. The road lay white and dusty before him, hemmed in by trees; but, as far as he could see, no other person was visible. He leaped from his saddle and looked at the ground. No fresh tracks were visible, and he knew the guerrillas had not passed. Looking along the road, in the direction of Springfield, he saw a single horseman ap- proaching. One glance was enough to show him that it was not one of Keeler's men. The unknown wore citizen's garmente, and was riding along leisurely; his air was not that of a fugitive. Sharpshot looked at him keenly. He would have taken to cover for him to pass, but the attention of the stranger was already upon him, and he stood still. A little later the scout started slightly. He THE WAR LIBRARY 23 The scout he finally- had recognized the man ; he was the young- er Yeaton, who had already done so much for at least one of our friends. ^ ^ , , He reached where Sharpshot stood, and the recognition was mutual. ""— '""" nodded. " Eveuin', Mr. Yeaton, evenir said. " Out for an airin' ?" ^ ^. ^ „ "Out for my health," answered the ton- federate, grimly: "out of Springfield, I mean. Zagonyi aud the guard have made it too hot there for wearers of the gray." Sharpshot smiled, and then grew grave. " I'm glad ter see you, partner, fur I have somethin' ter say. Are you in a hurry ?" "No." " Then let me talk ter you a bit." Tin- scout rode nearer, and l.icgau speaking rapuUy and earnestly. What he said will lie told iii due 'iine; suffice it to say, tor now, that he held the attention of the Confeder- ate to the end; and when he liad tinished, Yeaton held out his hand frankly. " You can count on me; I am with you, he earnestly said. They still stood with clasped hands, when, looking down tlic r.iad. Sliaipsiiot saw Keel- er and his prisoners apiucailiiiiL'. AH w^ie there, the two giiN and the leiir raptors, and the scout's laii' -i.w sI.t ii aiai s^i. "The decisive niomeiit is at lianil, lie sam. " Either I win now, against odds, or die with my face to the foe." '^^ It is a great risk " began \ eaton. " I will have it so," was the firm answer. " I beg of you, do not interfere." The guerrillas and their prisoners ap- proached. Sharpshot and Yeaton sat on their horses iu their path. Keeler regarded them sliarply, but seemed inclined to remain sileut, for neither of them wore a umtorm, and he had not recognized them. Sharpshot put out one hand. "Wait a moment. Captain Keeler,' he said. " I have a word to say to you " Be quick, then," "I'm in haste." " So I see. Women stealers usually are in a hurry." " What do you mean ?" " Simply that I know you and your pris- oners, and that I am here as your enemy. If you go on, outlaw, you must fight your "I reckon we can do that," Keeler an- swered , with a sneer. " " I see no formidable obstacle. But who are you that gets in my way so rashly ?" 'The man you hung in the wood near the earnestly to Sharpshot. The latter remained as cool as ever. He was going to risk his life against odds, but it was not in his nature to ^Ke'Ser |avethe signal, and the deadly ene- mies swept toward each other at a gallop. Sharpshot held a revolver in each hand, while in his belt were two more, the prop- erty of Yeaton. • , n ■The latter watched anxiously. It was a strange fact, but only een to force the lighting as they were \hen ; but, villain though he was, he was a Vave man, and wasforcibly impressed bv the pvoposition. , , . He tnri 'd to Sam Stiles, who was looking on, and helu a. Mriet consultation. Meanwhile, Sharpshot looked at the girls, who were too far back to hear what was be- ing said. He met their gaze, and it seemed to nerve him for the great effort. Better that he leave his body in the road than that they remain captives of these lawless men. Keeler turned abruptly to the sharp- shooter. .^. „ , . , " We accept your proposition," he said. , "Then let each party retire until we are a hundred yards apart. At the signal, to be given by yourself, we will dash toward each other and Areas we see fit. But, I warn you do not try to bring your muskets. I will not brook any treachery." " Rest easy," said the guerrilla, haughtily. "We are not afraid to fight as we have Both parties retreated until a hundred yards lay between them. Yeaton spoke Ha! a crack, foes the unuan harpshot has selected the lesser vuiain oi the three for his first victim and struck well. The man does not arise, and is plainly out of Then the fight begins in earnest. The ice broken, Keeler and Stiles begin arapid fusil- lade and the revolvers make warlike music. At first there is little danger for the bold scout, for the distance is too great for any but such marksman as he; but every bound of the horses takes them nearer together, and Yeaton holds his breath. Sharpshot wastes no lead. He is a man ot strange coolness; he knows its value, and knows, too, that he is a dead shot. He lets the lead whistle past his head, dar- ing death, until such time as he is sure of his next victim. He knows the fight will soon be decided, probably before they close; but he realizes that, iu the foolish way the guer- rillas are firing, the only danger is from a chance shot. . . „. At last he pulls the trigger again. His hand is steady, his aim sure, a,ud at the crack, Keeler reels in his saddle, clutches blindly at the air and falls to the ground. One foot clings in the stirrup, and the fright- ened horse, starting, drags him a few yards before he falls free. , , , By that time more work has been done. Sharpshot, with only one foe before him, dashes straight ahead. They are very near each other, at last, and Stiles raises his re- volver for a sure, steady shot. He is dis- turbed by the fall of his companions, and re- alizes that he is iu peril, but he hope^ to end all by that shot ; so he covers the heart of the Union scout. Max spoke in a happy way, and Yeaton, who had been looking closely, suddenly ^ -"bv my life!" he said, "I believe that I, too, know you. Has (he grave given up its dead ? Arc you Edgar Peterson .' "I don't know that the grave has any share in the work, but I am Edgar Peter- " With these words, Sharpshot cast off his false beanl aud his wig, rulibed away a good deal of the brown stain on his face-which had become streaked through abundant per- si'nratimi-aud sb.od before tliein very much tike the Ivlgai- Peterson of the old days, only more ere.'t and manly. Barlow caught his hand warmly. " Twenty-four ho"'? asoj^^^'^..^""!^^ „ ^t amazed me . CHAPTER XXX. CONCLUSION. Sharpshot saw his danger and was equal to the emergency. He had one of those rare natures which enable a man to remain as cool in the hour of battle as m times of peace, and his hand had not forgot its cun- Just as Sam Stiles was about to pull th( trigger, the scout's revolver spoke for the third time. , , , .. Surely aimed the shot had been, for, as it ."o- out, the guerrilla's own revolver fell to but now I am not surprised," he ° "When did you first suspect?" . " Just before the guard made their charge. You forgot yourself then, in your intensity, and spoke iu your natural vole. I was sure it was you, but I kept my peace and resolved to wait until the proper time.'' , . ^^ " I knew you suspected ine then, but, as 1 was about to throw off the mask, cared noth- '""-What in the world induced you to adopt '"""To hide^'myself," said Peterson. "It is easv to tell vou why. You know that I used to be a miserable, worthless drunkard, and you know what aroused Uie^mimhood^withm me. I things ound, and his arm fell helplessly 1 rang the gr Another m-iment and Sharpshot was beside him, and f Veadly revolver was pressing against his temple. . " Surrender!" cried the scout, in a thrilling voice. "Yield, as you hope for hfe.'" "Drop your shooter," said Stiles, surlily, but with praiseworthy coolness. " My arm is broken short off." , ^^ ^ ,-, a " So it seems ; but you have a left hand anA other revolvers in your belt. I'll relieve you of them before you do harm." He suited the action to the word, and Stiles sat before him a helplesi prisoner, while Yeaton galloped rapidly toward the Just then a shout sounded from down the road, and they looked to see the fourth guer- rilla fleeing before the rush of Max Barlow. A revolver cracked, and down went the man The quartet was cleared off the scene. Barlow paused before Olive and Lena, but Sharpshot, his face still stern, turned to " Will you watch this man while I take a look at Keeler?" he asked. "Certainly. Go ahead." Sharpshot went, but the chief was beyond knowing him. He was still breathing, but conscioiTsness had forever fled. Seeing this, the scout turned away. 1 the beginning of war— and other He glanced at Lena, whose fair face was full of joy, and Barlow nodded quickly. -- ^ "I understand all that," he said. "When I swore neve, a^ain to touch liquor, and to do mv ut.iu.st t..,- the t mon, continued Edgar, "i' '"^■'■"'■■'■'1/" '"^ l^^lns: ought to prove mysilf a /)i<(/i l.etoie asking other meS to trust me. Sharpshot, the sharp- shooter was the outgrowth of that idea. 1 assumed the disguise, telling only one person of my resolve." , ., , He glanced again at Lena, and she smiled '^'^^jf .J^a3°i„ everyway fitted for the charac- ter I assumed. 1 was a fine marksman, a good trailer, and experienced in all kinds •t border warlare. I put on a wig, a false 1 ,eard and stained my face with berry -jukc, ana even Lena did lint at liist reecignize mr. l sought action and found it. lirst nm"'! 'j™- eral Lyon, at BoonviUe; next. I lAa.- with Sigel, near Neosho, where 1 met you, .ind, afterward, at Wilson's Creek. At these places I did mybest for the L uion 'fuse, and, in this way, obtained the favor of the generals, and recommendations which alter- ward served me when I sought service with General Fremont. . "All was not clear sadmg, however. I had an enemy in the person of Sam Stiles, who, I may as well explain, aspired to win Lena Somers for his wife. , Before your band. Barlow, marched to join Sigel, Stiles went to Keeler and the latter wrote a letter betraying your plans. This letter was in- tended to ruin me, as Keeler imitated my writing wonderfully well Now, I come to the lynching affair. Stiles was resolved to have my life, so, still being in your band, he led the moli against ■ me I was hung by the neck; but just then, a dash ot Keeler's guerrillas, drove away the Ivuchers— an accident on their part which Keeler and Stiles afterward soundly cursed —and I was left hanging. , .. ^ *,, " I was near my death then, but at the critical moment, Lena appeared and cut me down. She brought me back to conscious- ness and then I made a resolution. From that hour Edgar Peterson should be as one dead to all but her until the scout. Sharp- shot, had proved himself a man. "So I made her promise to remain sdeut, even to Olive, and she kept her word while I went on as Sharpshot. You, Barlow, and others, were mueh perplexed by my disap- pearaiue, but I was usually near you, and 24 THE WAR LIBRARY. ray disguise was so perfect tliat, with my changed voice and a peculiar twist I gave my countenance, you did not recognize rae." "You remember I asked yo\i several times where we had met before," s;iiil Max. "So you did," answered I'.il-ar. knishing, " but Tou could not peiintratc tlie di>vriiise. Now, "as vou alreadv know that it was Kaeler aii.l Stiles who tried to kill you in St. Ijouis. ami tliat tin- mysterious letter you J i.'.-iM\ ii! was writti-i] by Mr. Yeaton, as true 5aiuaiia- .-vtr livi-d, I will pass on to the gluisr v.iu saw in the wood. "KeVi'i. littlf Mispefting that I was Ed- gar PetHT