84
Kansas University Weekly.
the dark background of the hill. Up to this time I had supposed that we were to be imprisoned in some secret cave of the gang, but the fearful truth came to me when the chief turned to us and said: 'If you fellows have any prayers to say, you had better be quick about it, for I am going to stick you up against that wall over there pretty quick.'
"It seems to me as if my heart must have stopped beating. I glanced at the sergeant. He had paled but he turned to the chief and gave him a look such as only a brave man could in the face of death. It seemed to me then that I must be some other man who had gotten into a dangerous position, for I could not realize that I was to be placed there against that wall, shining so white, and shot down. Death as became a soldier I had not feared, but this was murder. I could not have prayed if I had wanted to, for all at once I thought of my mother. I wondered if she would ever know where and how I had died. Perhaps they would write her that I had deserted, and she would go down to her grave thinking that I had abandoned her as well. I thought no more of the fate in store for me. I was like one dazed when they took me by the shoulder and shoved me into my place against the wall beside my companion. He turned to me as I stepped beside him and said: 'Die like a man, Lieutenant, and show these cut throats that a Yankee can die game. The boys over in camp will hear the shooting and will make these devils pay for this.' The bushwackers drew up in front of us in an irregular line and prepared to fire. Something of my comrade's spirit seemed to animate me, and we drew ourselves up to our full height and awaited the volley that was to send us to another world. I remember thinking, as I waited, that we must make a good mark there in the moonlight against that white wall, and that they could have no excuse for not making sure work of us at the first fire.
"At such a time a man's senses are very acute. Suddenly I heard a sound that caused the blood to leap through my veins and almost
made me start from my place. I looked at my companion; he was looking at me. He had heard it also. A moment later, low yet distinct, came a message that seemed to call me back to earth again.
"The bushwackers were lined up in front of us. I had nearly forgotten them, but now I heard the chief telling them to fire when he had counted three. The rifles were brought to a level, I could see the men shifting their feet and settling their rifles against their shoulders to get a steadier aim.
" 'One,' said the chief.
"The rifles steadied, each man had picked his target.
"Two,' counted the chief.
My heart stopped. Surely we had not been mistaken in the sound so familiar to us both; yet we must have been, for death was so near. Unconsciously I leaned forward to meet the bullets which I knew must come in an instant.
"'Fire!' shouted a stentorian voice from the top of the pit.
"The crash of a score of carbines rang through the hills, the edge of the pit was fringed with flame, and a hearty Yankee cheer sounded above the cries and curses of the wounded, painstricken murderers. The chief and some of his men were down. Those who were left turned to flee, but the merciless carbines rang out again and again and struck them down also. What few did escape from the pit were cut off by the Captain and a platoon of mounted men, who sabered and shot the fugitives to a man. Our comrades came leaping into the pit and we were soon free men once more; but I felt as it the wing of the Death angel had brushed me in passing.
"Our escape from what seemed certain death was owing to a negro, who, taking advantage of the stir our capture had made, had slipped away from the house and reported our plight to the Captain in camp. No one supposed that we would be shot, but no time was lost in coming to our rescue. The other lieutenant of the troop was sent with a detachment around to the rear of the house to put a line of men