Page:Six months in Kansas.djvu/117

Rh home quietly, by the usual route, when they met the Missourians, asked "Who goes?" and were answered, "We have a prisoner."

"Who is it?"

"Mr. Branscome."

The captain of the company said, "Mr. Branscome, ride out here." Mr. Branscome rode forward the sheriff protesting against the order, but refusing to give any reason for the arrest; at the same time swearing he would shoot him if he moved. Mr. Abbot then replied, "We are all armed, and shall take Mr. Branscome into our ranks." He then ordered him off the horse, if it was not his own. Branscome immediately dismounted. Capt. Abbot commanded him to fall into his ranks and " march." The party from Missouri, wholly discomfited, and having had quite enough of "fun" with the Yankees, offered no farther resistance.

In the short hours of the night, the sound of a drum came from afar to my wakeful ears, nearer and nearer, but still not like the rapid call of a company together. It was simply one beat, then a pause. The young man who calls the drum-roll was asleep in the loft over