97



TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES

As he did so, Frank's gun came to his
shoulder.
"Throw up your hands or you are a dead
man. ' ' The hands went up.
* ' Willy, keep your gun on him, while I search
him for any weapons." Willy cocked the old
musket and brought it to bear on the prisoner.
"Little boy, don't handle that thing so reck-
less," the man expostulated. "Ef that musket
was to go off, it might kill me !"

"No talking," demanded Frank, going up to
him. "Hold up your hands. Willy, shoot him
if he moves. ' '

Frank drew a long pistol from its holster with
an air of business. He searched carefully, but
there was no more.
The fellow gritted his teeth. "If she ever
hears of this, Tim 's got her certain," he
groaned ; ' ' but she won 't never hear. ' '

At a turn in the road his heart sank within
him ; for just around the curve they came upon
Tim Mills sitting quietly on a stump. He looked
at them with a quizzical eye, but said not a word.
The prisoner 's face was a study when he rec-
ognized his rival and enemy. As Mills did not
move, his courage returned.
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TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES

' ' Good momin ', Tim, ' ' he said, with great po-
liteness.
The man on the stump said nothing; he only
looked on with complacent enjoyment.
"Tim, is these two boys crazy?" he asked
slowly.
' ' They 're crazy 'bout shootin ' deserters, ' ' re-
plied Tim.
"Tim, tell 'em I ain't no deserter." His
voice was full of entreaty.
