"No--no--no--leave me be--leave me be--" His look was fixed again upon the unknown.

He moved with mysterious purpose, and all of the youth's offers he brushed aside.

"No--no--leave me be--leave me be--" The youth had to follow.
Presently the latter heard a voice talking softly near his shoulders.
Turning he saw that it belonged to the tattered soldier.

"Ye 'd better take 'im outa th' road, pardner.

There 's a batt'ry comin' helitywhoop down th' road an' he 'll git runned over.