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diff --git a/12015-0.txt b/12015-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa7c6c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/12015-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9518 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12015 *** + +Love Under Fire + +_by_ + +RANDALL PARRISH + +AUTHOR OF MY LADY OF THE SOUTH; + +KEITH OF THE BORDER ETC. + +WITH FIVE + +ILLUSTRATIONS IN FULL COLOR + +_by_ + +ALONZO KIMBALL + +1911 + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + I BETWEEN THE LINES. + II AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER. + III A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY. + IV THE COMING OF DAWN. + V ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS. + VI A BOLD FRONT. + VII A WOMAN'S PRISONER. + VIII THE COMING OF THE ENEMY. + IX IMPORTANT NEWS. + X MISS WILLIFRED INTERVENES. + XI THE RETURN OF LE GAIRE. + XII AN ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE. + XIII I MEET LE GAIRE. + XIV ACROSS THE RIVER. + XV I MEET AN EX-SLAVE. + XVI A CALL TO DUTY. + XVII BEGINNING THE NIGHT ADVENTURE. + XVIII OVERHEARD CONVERSATION. + XIX LE GAIRE FORCES A DECISION. + XX WE ARRIVE AT A CRISIS. + XXI WE CAPTURE THE HOUSE. + XXII MISS WILLIFRED DECLARES HERSELF. + XXIII THE CHALLENGE. + XXIV I BECOME A FAMOUS SWORDSMAN. + XXV THE END OF THE DUEL. + XXVI MISS WILLIFRED SURPRISES US. + XXVII THE BODY OF LE GAIRE. + XXVIII I FORCE BILLIE TO LISTEN. + XXIX THE MYSTERY DEEPENS. + XXX UNDER NEW ORDERS. + XXXI THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLIE. + XXXII WE REPULSE THE ENEMY. + XXXIII MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS. + XXXIV HER STORY. + XXXV THE DEAD MAN. + XXXVI THE LAST STAND. + XXXVII THE MYSTERY SOLVED. +XXXVIII THE COMING OF THE NIGHT. + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +She paused in the doorway, an exceedingly pretty picture. + +"I won't stand this! You're hiding something. Is this Yank anything to +you?" + +I forced the door shut, and stood with my back against it, the black +muzzle of my Colt staring them in the eyes. + +"I--I will listen," she said falteringly, "to all you have to say". + +We worked like fiends, firing as rapidly as we could lay hands to +weapons. + + + + +LOVE UNDER FIRE + +CHAPTER I + +BETWEEN THE LINES + +I had drifted slowly across the river, clinging with one arm thrown over +a log, expecting each moment the musket of some startled picket would +spit red through the dark, and scarcely daring to guide my unwieldy +support by the slightest movement of hand in the water. The splash of +motion might mean death in an instant, for keen eyes, sharpened by long +night vigils, were on the stream, and those who had ventured the deed +before me had failed utterly. Yet the southern bank remained silent, so +black I could scarcely discern its vaguest outlines, while, by good +fortune, the sweep of the current served me almost as well as a pair of +oars. Thus, trusting to luck, and without exerting a muscle, I finally +came to a full stop on a narrow spit of sand, so far out in the stream I +could scarcely touch bottom, until the sweep of the current drifted my +log inward, and thus left me flat on the wet sand facing the bank, the +wood-covered crest, as revealed dimly against the slightly lighter sky, +appearing almost to overhang the water. + +This shadow served me well, yet did not invite to recklessness. There +were surely pickets posted along here, because the gleam of camp-fires +had been plainly visible during the early evening from the bluffs +opposite, but there was nothing observable from where I lay, my head +cautiously uplifted, peering across the log. It was several minutes +before I even ventured to creep up the sand-spit into the denser +blackness of the over-hanging bank, but, once there safely, I discovered +the drift had landed me at the mouth of a narrow gully, apparently a +mere crevice in the rocky shore-line. It was the occasional downpour of +water after rain which had caused the accumulation of debris on which my +log had grounded. At times the dry gulch would hold a roaring torrent, +although now it was no more than a gash in the bank. + +I was not altogether certain within half a mile of where I was, but this +made small difference, so far as my present purpose was concerned. The +lines of the enemy were extended from the upper ford east as far as +Sailor Springs, and I was certainly well within those limits, probably +somewhat to the right of the centre. However, that was a minor detail, +as it made little difference where I succeeded in penetrating the +cordon of pickets, so long as I returned with the information sought. If +I had, through mere chance, discovered a weak spot, then God was good. + +My heart beat rapidly as I stared blindly up into the black recess of +that narrow defile, listening intently for the slightest unusual sound +which would indicate the near presence of anything human. It was +caution, not fear, however, which caused me to breathe quickly--my sole, +overpowering dread being that I might have to return, and face Sheridan +with a report of failure. I preferred anything rather than that. I +thought of his stern eyes as he looked me over in the late sunlight of +the evening before; the sharp rasp in his voice, as he said, "Geer, this +is no boy's work," and the quiet, confident reply of my captain, +"Galesworth will do it for you, General, if any one can." The memory of +that scene seemed to stiffen my nerves; I had to make good here in the +dark, alone, and so, on hands and knees, I began creeping slowly up +underneath the tangle of bushes. The path was steep and stony, so +densely overhung with branches as to appear like a tunnel. There were +loose stones which I had to guard against dislodging, and the drier +leaves rustled as I pressed them, aside. This endeavor to avoid noise +made progress slow. + +I must have been fully ten minutes, thus endeavoring to break through, +seeing and hearing nothing alarming, yet constantly feeling an odd +premonition of danger, when I finally attained the top of the bank, +perhaps twenty feet back from the river, and looked out through a slight +fringe of bushes. The first thing noticeable was the dull red glow of a +fire, nearly extinguished, some few yards in advance. The little gleam +of light thrown out as the wind stirred the smouldering embers served to +reveal the dirty flap of a tent set up at the edge of a grove of +saplings, and a horse, standing with lowered head, sharply outlined +against the canvas. I could even perceive the deep-seated cavalry +saddle, and catch the shine of accoutrements. All these details came to +me in a sudden flash of observation, for, almost simultaneously with my +rising above the edge of the bank, my ears distinguished voices +conversing, and so closely at hand as to almost unnerve me. I gripped a +root between my fingers to keep from falling, and held on motionless, +striving to locate the speakers. They were to my left, scarcely four +yards distant, yet so dimly revealed against the background of leaves I +could tell nothing of their rank--merely that one was short, and heavily +built, while the other, a much taller, and seemingly more nervous man, +was wrapped in a long cavalry cape. It was his voice speaking, a rather +peculiar voice, as though he possessed some slight impediment of speech. + +"Do not look at it in that way, General," he protested earnestly. "I am +not opposing your plan, but merely urging the extreme peril of the +undertaking--" + +"Human life cannot be considered at such a time, Hardy," broke in the +other warmly. "The cause for which we battle, the duty confronting us, +outweighs all else. A life may be sacrificed, but that single life may +save thousands." + +"True; very true. I am sufficiently a soldier to realize that. Yet what +you propose seems an impossibility. Two aides have endeavored this +service already, and failed, their lives forfeited. Others stand ready +to go the moment the word is spoken, but what possibility is there of +success, that any volunteer could get through alive?" + +"Practically none," admitted the other, his deep voice more grave. +"There is only one in whom I feel the slightest hope, Hardy; that is why +I have sent for you. I naturally hesitate to say so, but I believe the +moment has now come which demands this sacrifice. You recall the offer +of service made us last night, Major?" + +The man addressed took a single step backward, one hand flung up, as +though warding off a blow. + +"You--" he stammered, "can you mean Billie?" + +"Yes; the South can have no more urgent need than now. These despatches +must reach Beauregard, and I must have the report from Carroll. If the +latter is not already in Beauregard's possession, then it must be sought +even in the enemy's camp. Every hour of delay adds to our danger. If +Carroll is dead I must know it; if he has gained the information he was +sent after, then I must have it. I can stand this waiting no +longer--there is too much at stake. As you say two men have already +fallen endeavoring to pierce the lines, and I doubt if there is a +soldier in my command who could succeed. Billie might have a chance, and +I know no one else who would--do you? I sent for you to gain your +consent, and I ask it, Major, in the name of the South." + +The taller man remained silent, his hands clasped, and head sunk on his +breast. Finally he glanced up into the face of the other, with shoulders +thrown back. + +"No Hardy ever yet failed in duty," he said sternly, "nor will one now. +Where are the papers?" + +"In my tent, but the bearer will be safer not to come here for them. +Even my orderly may be a spy. An aide shall deliver them at Three +Corners in an hour--will that be too early?" + +"No; which aide? There should be no mistake." + +"There will be none. I will send Lieutenant West, and he shall act as +escort as far as the outer pickets; beyond that--" + +"Wit and good luck, of course. What is the word?" + +"'Cumberland'; now listen, and repeat exactly what I say to Billie." His +voice fell into lower, more confidential tones, and, listen as I would, +I could catch only now and then a word, or detached sentence. "The upper +road"; "yes, the wide detour"; "coming in by the rear will be safer"; +"that isn't a bad story"; "he's a tartar to lie too"; "just the thing, +Major, just the thing"; then, "But that's enough for the outlines; +details must take care of themselves. Let's waste no more time; there +are only four more hours of darkness." + +The two men separated hurriedly with a warm hand-clasp, the stocky +general entering the tent, and brusquely addressing some one within, +while the major swung into the saddle of the waiting horse, and driving +in the spurs rode swiftly away, instantly disappearing. + +There was no doubt as to my own duty. By the merest accident I had +already become possessed of most important information. What it was all +about was still only guess-work, yet it was evidently enough a most +serious matter. I could better serve the cause of the Union by +intercepting these despatches, and running down this spy, than by +carrying out Sheridan's original instructions. And it seemed to me I +could do it; that I already knew a way in which this might be +accomplished. Our army had held all this ground only a few months +before, and I recalled clearly to mind the exact spot where the aide was +to meet the despatch-bearer. The "Three Corners"; surely that must be +where the roads met at the creek ford, with the log meeting house +perched on the hill above. It would be to the west of where I was, and +not more than two miles distant. + + + +CHAPTER II + +AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER + +I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I +should never have been there. Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I +crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact +spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some +species of road. There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the +silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I +slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom. +There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one +occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent. I crept +past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping +hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road. + +This apparently ran nearly east and west, as I recalled direction, and I +turned to the right, bending low in the shadows, and advancing at a +crouching run. Seemingly there was nothing to obstruct progress. The +noise of stomping and restless horses reached me from the left, +evidence of a nearby cavalry or artillery camp; yet I saw no one, +perceived no light even, until after advancing at least a quarter of a +mile. Then a sudden slight turn in the road brought me upon a rude +shack, showing a blacksmith's fire glowing within, and the smith himself +pounding busily away at an anvil. The gleam of the forge shot out redly +across the road. As I crept closer I could perceive the figures of +others lounging about inside--soldiers, no doubt, although I could not +be certain. There was a ragged Confederate cavalry jacket hanging over a +rain-barrel just outside the window, and, getting hold of it, I slipped +it on over my woollen shirt. The night air was chill, my clothes still +damp from the river, and besides it might help later on. As I did this a +rider came flying up the road, bending low over his pommel. He went past +at a slashing gallop, his face showing an instant in the red glare of +the flame. That, no doubt, would be the aide with the despatches, yet, +in spite of his haste, he would have to wait to the end of the hour for +Billie. One or two of the men came lazily to the front of the shop to +watch him go by, and I crouched down behind the rain-barrel until they +went back again. Then I skirted the bar of flame, and ran on down the +road, a bit recklessly, fearing the horseman might get too far ahead. + +It was intensely dark, one of those dense nights when the blackness +appears to press down upon one, and there were noises on either side to +make me aware that I was in the midst of a great encampment. Fires shone +dimly through the trees, and I could hear voices and hammering. I +supposed the road I was travelling ran directly through the main camp, +with troops on either side, and, for that reason, was not patrolled by +pickets. Anyhow I passed without challenge, although I met a few fellows +slinking along about as I was--soldiers out of bounds most likely, as +afraid of me as I was of them. At least whenever I bumped into one, he +got out of the way fast enough. And I never paused to explain--all I +wanted to do was to arrive at those cross-roads in advance of Billie. + +However I failed in this ambition, but merely because the road I was +following did not keep on directly west, but drifted off toward the +river. I only became aware of this change in direction when we +intersected a cross-road, and then I ran squarely up against a +picket-post, the men having a fire burning to keep them warm. The light +of the flames revealed everything within a radius of a hundred feet, and +I could distinguish a dozen infantrymen sitting and lying about, while a +couple of others marched back and forth across the road. I wanted to get +farther south, but had only wriggled through the bushes a few yards in +that direction before sinking to my knees in mud and water, and being +compelled to crawl back. There was nothing left except to circle the +fire in the opposite direction, and come out on the road below. I must +have used up a good quarter of an hour getting through. Twice I made +missteps, and some racket, but there was no challenge. I emerged at the +opening of a small ravine, where I could lie down flat behind a low +rock, and look back up the road, which ran down hill. I felt reasonably +certain Billie would have to come this way if he intended to cross the +river at Carter's Ford, and I knew of no other place he could cross this +side the big bridge. The aide would be riding with him, of course, and +that would make me certain of my man when he came, although how I was +ever going to manage was more than I had as yet figured out. + +I must have been there some twenty minutes, maybe more, burrowing down +into the mud under the lee of the stone, staring straight up the hill at +the fire. The post was relieved while I lay there, the fellows going off +duty tramping past so close I could have touched them. I could still +hear the tread of their feet when one of the new guard yelled out +"Halt!" and I saw two or three men spring up from around the fire, +while the corporal in command ran out into the middle of the road. Some +sort of a rig was coming down the hill, with a cavalry officer--judging +from his cape--riding along close beside it. I was not able to see very +plainly the way the light fell, but the contrivance looked to me like +one of those old-fashioned, two-wheeled carryalls, with a low top over +it, and drawn by a horse not much bigger than a pony. The officer dug in +his spurs and got ahead, leaning over to whisper to the corporal, who +stepped back saluting. The carryall never stopped at all, the pony +trotting along unconcernedly, and it was so dark beneath the top I could +not see sign of anybody. It was a queer-looking outfit, but I had no +doubt this would be Billie, and the despatches. + +The officer was still riding ahead when they passed me, his cape blown +up over his hat, and his head bent forward to make out the road, as +though his eyes still remained blinded by the firelight. Without +definite plan, yet firmly determined not to be left behind, I squirmed +across the road, ran up close to the carryall, and caught hold at the +rear. The soldiers back in the glare saw nothing, while the mingled +noise of hoofs and wheels left me unheard. I discovered my fingers +grasping some narrow wooden slats, held up firmly against the back of +the vehicle by a chain at each end. For a moment, running and hanging +on as I was in total darkness, I was unable to figure out what sort of +an arrangement this could possibly be. Then I managed to feel it out +with one hand--it was simply a shelf, capable of being lowered the +length of the supporting chains, on which packages, or baggage, might be +carried, while above was a roll of canvas, to be used as protection from +rain. Here was opportunity, and I went at it with eagerness. It proved a +hard job, running over that rough road in the dark, while the pony +trotted tirelessly, but I got those chains unfastened, one at a time, +and then the shelf settled naturally down into position. It was narrow, +and I felt some question as to the strength of the supports, but risking +all this, managed to work my way up until I half lay, half crouched, +along the slats, holding on grimly as the two wheels bounced briskly +from side to side, threatening to send me sprawling out into the road. +By this time the officer had reined back his horse, but was still out of +sight, and I succeeded in unbuckling the straps, and lowering the strip +of canvas over me, stuffing the edges beneath my body so as to keep them +from flapping. I was tired and sore, but now reasonably safe, with my +eyes at an opening through which I could gaze out. I began to feel +happy, too, thinking of the surprise which was about to come to Billie. + +We clattered on down a long slope, apparently making no effort to avoid +noise. It seemed we must be drawing near the river, yet the night was so +dark, and our passage so rapid, I could make out no familiar landmarks +through my peep-hole. Indeed I had about all I could do to hold on. We +were halted twice, but a word from the officer passed us along safely. +One picket-post had a fire glowing in close against the rocks, and the +sergeant stood within a foot of me. I caught the word "Cumberland," but +whatever else of explanation may have been uttered failed to reach my +ears, muffled as they were beneath the canvas. A few hundred yards +beyond this point, at the end of a deep cut, the officer drew up his +horse sharply, leaned over the wheel, and shook hands with the +person inside. + +"I have attained my limit," he said. "That was our last picket-post back +yonder, and my orders were strict. You know the road, of course." + +"Perfectly, Lieutenant," responded a low voice, muffled under the hood. +"I have travelled it often before. I thank you so much, and think it +will all come out right this time." + +"I have no doubt of that," he replied, with a little laugh. "Hope I may +renew the acquaintance under more pleasant circumstances. Meanwhile, +good luck and good-bye." + +He sat erect upon his horse, watching as we clattered past, appearing +scarcely more than a dim shadow, yet I thought he held his hat in his +hand. Billie laid on the gad, however, as if to make up for lost time, +and the pony trotted off at such a burst of speed as to keep me busy +clinging to my perch. It was an exceedingly rough road, rutty and stony, +up hill and down, while the pony condescended to walk on the steepest +grades only, and occasionally took the declines at a gallop, the +carryall bounding from side to side as though mad. Apparently no fear of +possible disaster disturbed Billie, however, for I could hear every few +moments the slash of a whip on the animal's flank. I knew that, by this +time, we must certainly be well between the lines, but, for the life of +me, could not determine where. I thought I knew the surrounding country +as I had scouted over it for months, tracing roads and bridle-paths, yet +I was puzzled now. If this road continued to run north and south, as it +had back yonder, then we should have forded the river long before this, +yet we had splashed through no water, nor did I recall our making +any turn. + +One fact alone seemed certain: as I knew neither where we were, nor +whither bound, and as we were already assuredly beyond the last +Confederate outpost, it behooved me to act as quickly as possible. +Billie was headed somewhere, and the sooner I stopped him the +better--besides, my position was neither comfortable nor safe. I rolled +off from the edge of the canvas, and, gripping the chains tightly, +managed to sit up, in spite of the vicious pitching of the vehicle. +Billie's evident eagerness to arrive at his unknown destination only +added to my own recklessness, and I hung on desperately, swearing a +little, I fear, under my breath. + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FRIEND RATHER THAN AN ENEMY + +There was only one way in which I could hope to get in--through the +back. That was an exceedingly ticklish job, yet I had tackled many a +ticklish job before during the two years of my scouting service, and the +knowledge of danger was merely the prick of a spur. The rusty buckles +holding the flap in place resisted the grip of my fingers, and, opening +a knife with my teeth, I cut the leather, severing enough of the straps +so the entire flap could be thrown back, yet holding it down closely to +its place until I was ready for action. Through a narrow opening I could +perceive a dim outline of the driver. He was at the right of the seat, +leaning forward, so as to peer out from under the hood, loosened reins +in one hand, a whip in the other. The darkness of the night enabled me +to perceive little except a vague sense of shape, a head crowned by a +soft hat, and an apparently slender figure. + +Whatever slight noise I made was lost in the rattle of the wheels, +while the driver, utterly thoughtless as to any danger menacing him from +behind, concentrated his entire attention upon the road, and his efforts +to accelerate the speed of the pony. The present opportunity was as good +as I could ever hope for. I grasped the back of the seat with one hand, +a revolver in the other, pressed back the flap with my shoulder, and +inserted my head within. Not until my voice sounded at his very ear did +the fellow realize my presence. + +"Pull up!" I said sternly. "Not a movement now; this is a gun at your +ear." + +There was a sharp catch of the breath, a half turning of the head in the +surprise of the shock, but his hands held to reins and whip. Tossed +about as I was the fellow's coolness angered me. + +"Pull up," I said; "do you think I'm playing with you?" + +He drew in on the reins, letting the whip drop between his feet, and the +pony slowed down to a walk, and finally stopped. I could catch merely a +glimpse of the man's profile beneath the broad brim of the hat, but his +coolness and silence aroused my suspicions. + +"No tricks now," I threatened. "If you value your life do exactly as I +say." + +"Who are you?" It was a rich contralto voice, that of a boy rather than +a man, the slight blur of the South distinguishable even in those +few words. + +"Only a Yankee, son," I replied, satisfied I held the upper hand, and +clambering in over the back of the seat. He shrank back from contact +with me farther into the corner, but there was nothing in the slight +movement to cause alarm. I laughed softly. + +"Don't exactly admire my color of uniform, do you?" I asked easily. +"Well, I can't help that, and you'll not find me such a bad fellow if +you act right. Where were you going in such a hurry?" + +There was no answer. I could hear his rapid breathing, and catch a +glimpse of a beardless cheek. + +"Don't you intend to tell me?" + +Still silence, the shapeless figure motionless. + +"Come, Billie," I urged, "what is the use of keeping up this game?" + +He straightened up in surprise, startled into speech. + +"You--you call me what? Why do you say 'Billie'?" + +"Because I'm on. I haven't been hanging to the back of this outfit for +the last eight miles just for fun, or exercise either. I'm after those +despatches you're taking to Beauregard." + +"Oh!" + +"That's the state of affairs, and the sooner you hand over those +particular papers, Billie, the quicker this revolver play ends. Where +are they?" + +"I haven't any," the slightly tremulous note had gone out of the voice. +It was firm with purpose now, even a bit sarcastic. "You've merely got +on the wrong trail, Yank. I reckon you mistook me for Billie Hardy." + +"I reckon I did," I returned, mocking him, "and I 'm still satisfied +I've got the right party. You don't get out that easy, son; come +now, produce." + +"Suppose I don't." + +"Then there won't be much argument," I returned sharply, beginning to +lose patience. "I'll simply take them, if I have to shoot you first. +Come now, which shall it be?" + +He straightened up, convinced apparently of my intentions. + +"Neither, Mr. Yankee," indignantly. "I told you once you were mistaken. +Now I'll prove it--see here!" The soft hat was whipped off the head, and +the slender figure leaned forward to where the slight gleam of the stars +rendered the face visible. "Do you make war on women?" + +I was too astounded for reply; dumfounded, dazed by this evidence of my +stupidity. This was a woman beyond all doubt--her hair, released by the +sudden removal of the hat, swept in a dark wave over her shoulders, and +she flung it back with a movement of the hand. The gleam of the stars +gave me the contour of her face, and the sparkle of her eyes. A woman, +young, pretty--and actually laughing at me, her white teeth clearly +visible. Whatever of conceit or audacity may be part of my nature, +deserted me in a flash, and I could only stare in helpless amazement. + +"My God! I believe you are!" I ejaculated at last, the words bursting +forth unconsciously. "How could I have made--who are you anyhow?" + +The restrained laughter rippled forth, as though the expression of my +face appealed to her sense of humor. Evidently the lady was no longer +afraid of me, nor greatly distressed over the situation. + +"Isn't it too funny," she exclaimed cheerfully, "and won't Billie laugh +about this when I tell him!" + +"Maybe he will," I acknowledged rather regretfully, "but it doesn't make +me laugh." Then a vague suspicion gripped me. "Why did you think I took +you for Billie?" + +"Why, that was what you called me, wasn't it? The officer who escorted +me past the pickets said Billie Hardy was going to try to run the lines +to-night. So it was easy enough to guess who you were after, Mr. +Yankee. It was lucky for Billie you got me instead--or for you," she +added doubtfully. + +"Oh, I guess I would have pulled through." + +"Maybe," the tone decidedly provoking, "but I reckon you don't know +Billie." + +She began to gather up her hair, coiling the strands about her head +carelessly, and I watched the simple operation, all the life gone out of +me, unable to decide what to do. It was useless to go back; almost +equally useless to go forward. I had no information to take into our +lines of any value, and had failed utterly in my efforts to intercept +the important despatches for Beauregard. The knowledge of my mistake +stung me bitterly, yet I could blame no one for the failure except +myself. The apparent carelessness of the girl puzzled me--why should she +be so completely at her ease in this adventure? Only at the first had +she exhibited the slightest excitement. This seemed hardly +natural--alone, thus suddenly attacked by a stranger, an enemy, and +openly threatened. + +"You seem perfectly contented," I said. "Are you not frightened?" + +"Frightened!" and she paused in her hair-dressing to bend slightly +forward so as to look into my shadowed face. "Why, of course not; why +should I be?" + +"But I am a stranger to you--a Yank. You are on the other side, are you +not?" + +"Oh, of course," her lips revealing again the white teeth. "But I don't +think all Yankees are demons. I don't believe you are. I like your +voice. You see, I was educated in the North, and so am not prejudiced. +Please won't you take off your hat, just for a minute?" + +I did so, almost mechanically, not even realizing why she asked, until +she bent forward, her eyes on my face. + +"No, I am not frightened with you. I was just a little, at first, of +course, but not now. You look as though you would fight too, but not +with a woman." She stopped with an odd little shrug of the shoulders. +"What do you expect me to do--sit here all night?" + +I looked about into the darkness, suddenly recalled to the absurdity of +our situation by this question. The stars were glittering overhead, +yielding a dim light, yet nothing around us afforded any guess as to +where we were. The pony stood with drooping head, his flanks still +heaving from his late run. To the right the ground appeared open and +level, a cultivated field, while upon the other side was a sharp rise of +land covered with brush. It was a lonely, silent spot, and my eyes +turned back inquiringly to my companion. + +"Why, no," I replied rather foolishly. "But I confess I am all at sea +just now; where are we?" + +It seemed very easy for her to laugh, and evidently my confession was +amusing. + +"You must pardon me," she excused herself, "but I thought you were a +scout." + +"I am," vexed at her propensity to poke fun. "I have been detailed for +that service for more than two years. Moreover, I was a good enough +scout to pass within the lines of your army to-night, and to travel the +whole length of your camp--" + +"And then get lost an hour later," she interrupted archly. "Tell me, do +you know the points of the compass?" + +"Certainly; that is north, and this road runs west, but I have no +recollection of it. What puzzled me was our failure to cross the river." + +"Oh," with a quick glance toward me. "That is easily explained; we +turned the corner of the bluff instead. This is the old road to +Jonesboro, and has been used very little since the new road was opened. +I chose it because I thought I would be less likely to meet with any +chance travellers." + +I began to comprehend more clearly where we were. The extreme right of +the position held by our army would be, at least, ten miles east, and +the Confederate left scarcely nearer. Beauregard was off in here +somewhere,--at Bird's Ferry according to our camp reports the evening +previous. This knowledge prompted me to ask, + +"Which way is the river?" + +"To the right about three miles." + +"And Bird's Ferry?" + +I could not be certain she smiled, yet I thought so. + +"Yonder," pointing. "The river curves to the south, and this road comes +down to it at Jonesboro; there is a bridge there. The ferry is fifteen +miles farther up." + +The apparent innocence of her answer completely disarmed me. Indeed +these facts were exactly as I remembered them now that I had our present +position in mind. The peculiar winding course of the river would leave +me nearer our lines at Jonesboro than where we then were. Indeed +foraging parties were covering much of the territory between, and it was +the nearest point where I could cross the stream otherwise than +by swimming. + +"Are you going to Jonesboro?" I asked. + +She nodded silently. + +"Then may I ride that far with you?" I asked, rather doubtful of what +she would say to such a request. "Of course you will be aiding the +enemy, for I expect to discover some of our troops in that +neighborhood." + +"How can I help myself?" banteringly. "You are a man, and armed. +Practically I am your prisoner." + +"Oh, I don't want you to feel that way toward me. I have acted as a +gentleman, have I not, ever since I understood?" + +"You certainly have, and I am not ungrateful. Then you do not order me +to take you; you merely ask if I will?" + +"That is all." + +"And that sounds so much better, I think. I don't mind your being a +Yankee if you continue to act that way. Shall I drive?" + +"If you will; you know the road, and the tricks of the pony." + +She laughed again, gathering up the reins, and reaching down after the +whip. At the first movement the little animal broke into a brisk trot as +though he understood his driver. + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE COMING OF DAWN + +The road was rough, apparently little travelled, and our lively passage +over it not greatly conducive to conversation. Besides I hardly knew +what to say. The consciousness of total failure in all my plans, and the +knowledge that I would be received at headquarters in anything but +honor, weighed heavily upon me, yet this depression did not seal my lips +half as much as the personality of the young woman at my side. Pleasant +and free as her manner had been, yet I was clearly made to realize there +was a distinct limit to any familiarity. I could not define the feeling, +but it had taken possession of me, and I knew the slightest overstepping +of the boundaries would result in trouble. We were neither enemies nor +friends; merely acquaintances under a temporary flag of truce. No doubt, +trusting me as an honorable soldier, even though wearing an enemy's +uniform, she was almost glad to have my protection along this lonely +road, but, when the time came to part, she would be equally relieved to +have me go. I was nothing to her; if ever remembered again it would be +merely to laugh over my discomfiture in mistaking her for another. It +hurt my pride to think this, to thus realize her complete indifference. +She was a young woman, and I a young man, and nothing in my nature made +surrender easy. I desired, at least, to leave behind me some different +impression of my own personality. I was not a fool, nor a failure, and I +could not bear to have her conceive me as a mere blundering block-head, +a subject for subsequent laughter. The silence in which she drove +stirred me to revolt. Apparently she felt no overwhelming curiosity as +to whom I was, no special desire to exchange further speech. The +flapping of the loosened curtain was annoying, and I leaned over and +fastened it down securely into place. She merely glanced aside to +observe what I was doing, without even opening her lips. + +"This is a miserably gloomy road," I ventured desperately. "I wonder you +dared to travel it alone at night." + +"Its very loneliness makes it safe," was the response, rather +indifferently uttered. "Meeting others was the very thing I was most +anxious to avoid." + +"Indeed! You are tantalizing; you cannot expect me to be devoid of +curiosity." + +"Of course not," turning her face toward me, "neither can you expect me +to gratify it." + +"You mean you could not trust me?" + +"Rather that you would not believe me, if I did. The reason for this +trip is so simple and commonplace that if I were to confess its purpose +to you, you would suppose I were attempting deceit. Oh, yes, you would, +so I might just as well remain still. Besides it can make no difference +anyway. When we reach Jonesboro this morning you will go back to your +army, and I shall meet friends. There is scarcely one chance in a +thousand we shall ever see each other again. We are the merest +strangers--enemies, indeed, for I am a Rebel clear through. We don't +even know each others' names." + +"Do you care to know mine?" + +She hesitated, and I thought her eyes dropped. + +"I--I hardly know," doubtfully. "Yet you have been very kind, and, +perhaps, sometime I might serve you. Yes, you may tell me." + +"Robert Galesworth." + +"Of what rank?" + +"Lieutenant, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, but detailed for special service." + +"Thank you. I--I am rather glad you told me." + +"And you," I insisted, determined this confidence should be mutual. +"May I not, in return, be told your name?" + +"I am Willifred Gray," she said quietly. "That is all--just Willifred +Gray." + +There was something about the manner in which she said this which held +me silent. I should have liked to ask more, a second question trembling +on my lips, but the words would not come. It was altogether new to me, +this fear of offending a woman, so new it almost angered, and yet +something about her positively held me as though in bonds. To this day I +do not know the secret of it, but I sat there silently staring out into +the night. + +I could see a little now, becoming aware that dawn was approaching, the +sky shading to a dull gray in the east, and casting a weird light over +the landscape. It was a gloomy scene of desolation, the road a mere +ribbon, overgrown with grass and weeds, a soggy marsh on one side, and a +line of sand-hills on the other, sparsely covered by some stunted +growth. Far away, across the level, my eyes caught a glimmer of water, +locating the river, but in no direction was there any sign of a house, +or curl of smoke. The unproductive land--barren and swampy--sufficiently +accounted for lack of inhabitants, and told why it had been avoided by +the foragers of both armies. Seeking safety the girl had chosen her +course wisely--here was desolation so complete as to mock even at the +ravages of war. The gray in the east changed to pink, delicately tinting +the whole upper sky, objects taking clearer form, a light breeze +rustling the long grass. Tirelessly the pony trotted, his head down, the +lines lying loose. I turned to gaze at my companion, and our eyes met. +Hers were either gray or blue; I could not be certain which, so quickly +were they lowered, and so shadowed by long lashes. And they were merry +eyes, smiling, and deep with secrets no man could hope to solve. Perhaps +she deemed it only fair that I should look at her as she had been +observing me; perhaps it was but the coquetry of the "eternal feminine" +conscious of her own attraction, but she sat there silent, the lashes +shading her eyes, the clear light of the dawn upon her face. I cannot +describe what I saw, only it was a young face, the skin clear and +glowing with health, the nose beautifully moulded, the throat white and +round, the red lips arched like a bow, and a broad forehead shadowed by +dark hair. She had a trooper's hat on, worn jauntily on one side, +crossed sabres in front, and her shoulders were concealed by a gray +cavalry cape. Suddenly she flashed a glance at me, her eyes full +of laughter. + +"Well, Mr. Lieutenant Galesworth, have you looked long enough?" + +The swift question confused me, but I found answer. + +"No; but as long as I dare. You were observing me also." + +"Naturally--womanly curiosity is my excuse. Would you like to know what +conclusion I came to?" + +"From your eyes it may not prove altogether flattering." + +"Oh, my eyes are not to be trusted. I warn you frankly of that at the +very start. All I shall say is you appear better than I had +expected--only, really, you need a shave." + +"Better how? In what way?" + +"Well, younger for one thing; somehow your statement that you were a +lieutenant made me suspect your age--or possibly it was your voice." + +"I am twenty-four." + +"And look to be scarcely twenty. How did you ever gain a commission? +Were you in battle?" + +The question decidedly hurt my pride, yet I managed to control my +tongue. + +"I have met colonels in both armies no older than I," I returned +swiftly. "Of course I have been in battle, wounded for the matter of +that, and three months a prisoner." + +"Oh, I did not mean to question your right to the shoulder straps. War +makes men fast; I know that for my home has been in the track of +both armies." + +"You live in this neighborhood?" + +"Yes, about twenty miles south of where we are now. Shall I tell you +what I am doing here?" + +I bowed, eager to learn although I had not been brash enough to inquire. + +"You have been wondering all night," carelessly. "If you had asked I +should have refused to answer, but will now reward your remarkable +patience with a full confession. I am going to take quinine back to our +hospitals. I won't tell you where I am going to get it," a bit +defiantly, "although I am not afraid you would try to stop me." + +"Certainly not; why should I?" + +"There are plenty of Yanks who do; the last messenger was shot by your +raiders, and the whole consignment lost. He was my cousin; that is why I +am trying what I can do--the boys need it so badly. If you are an +honorable soldier you will not interfere with a work of mercy." + +"An honorable soldier!" I exclaimed, stung by the words. "Do you +question that?" + +"Not until after daylight came, and I noticed how you were clothed," +and her eyes lost all gleam of humor. "I respect a scout, but despise +a spy." + +My cheeks flamed, as I realized what she meant--the tattered gray +jacket, buttoned tightly, and concealing my blue blouse. In swift +disgust I wrenched it open, and flung the garment into the road. + +"I had entirely forgotten I had the thing on," I explained hastily. +"Don't condemn until you hear my story. You will listen, will you not?" + +She sat silent, looking intently into my face, with merely the slightest +inclination of the head. + +"I came into your lines dressed just as I am now, drifting across the +river behind a log. It was my third attempt to get through your pickets, +and this time I succeeded. I found myself in thick brush near a cluster +of tents, and overheard two officers talking. One was a major by the +name of Hardy--do you know him?" + +"Yes," a swift little catch in her voice. + +"The other was a shorter, heavier-set man, out-ranking Hardy." + +"Speaking with short, crisp sentences," she interrupted, "and wearing a +heavy beard?" + +"He spoke that way--yes; but as to the beard I could not say owing to +the darkness." + +"It must have been General Johnston." + +"I thought as much. The two were discussing the getting of despatches +through to Beauregard, and decided no one could succeed but a fellow +they called Billie, some relative or friend of Hardy's. It was all +arranged he should try it, and the major started off to complete +arrangements. An aide, with the despatches, was to meet the messenger at +the 'Three Corners,' where the little log church is, and then accompany +him through the pickets. It was plainly enough my duty to intercept +these if I could, but in order to do so I must pass through two miles of +the Confederate camp, meeting soldiers almost every step of the way. +That was when I stole the jacket, and slipped it on, and never thought +of it again until you spoke." + +She was leaning forward now, intensely interested, her lips parted, the +quick breath revealed by the pulsing of her breast. + +"And--and you got to the 'Three Corners'?" + +"To a point just below. I ran most of the way, and then had to crawl +through the bushes to get around a picket-post, but I believed I was +there in plenty of time. Then you came rattling down the hill, with an +officer riding along beside you, and, of course, I mistook you for +Billie. I jumped your outfit in the hollow." + +She flung up her hands in expressive gesture. + +"Were you hanging there all that time--even before the lieutenant left?" + +"I certainly was; hanging on for dear life too. My limbs are black and +blue. I never saw a pony travel like that little devil." + +She burst into an unrestrained ripple of laughter, scarcely able to +speak, as the full humor of the situation appealed to her. No doubt the +expression of my face did its part, but she certainly found it most +amusing. In spite of myself I had to smile in sympathy. + +"Oh, that was too good; I shall have to tell the general. Well, I helped +Billie Hardy out that time, didn't I? I reckon you don't see much fun in +it though." + +"No, I don't," frankly, "yet I cannot say I am entirely sorry." + +"Indeed," sobering instantly because of my earnestness. "I cannot +understand that--the despatches have gone through." + +"Without doubt. From a military standpoint I surely regret my failure. +But if I had intercepted Billie I should never have met you." + +"Oh!" + +"Nor come to know you." + +Again the girl laughed, and I noticed the dimple in her cheek, the +gray-blue eyes glancing up at me mockingly. + +"Don't flatter yourself that you do," she retorted pleasantly, "for you +might be mistaken altogether." + + + +CHAPTER V + +ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS + +The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in +earnest. Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman +was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of +constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next +hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed +helpless to penetrate. Yet this very changeableness was attractive, +keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar +charm. As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in +challenge, which I met instantly. + +"Perhaps not--but I shall." + +"Oh, indeed! Is this conceit, or determination?" + +"The latter assuredly. Why is it not possible for one to know you?" + +"Really I cannot tell," not altogether displeased at my decision, "yet +it would border upon a miracle, for I do not even know myself. Besides I +doubt your having the opportunity for sufficient study--that is +Jonesboro yonder." + +The road rounded the crest of a sharp hill, and, from off the summit, we +could look directly down into the river valley. Except for little groves +of scrub oak it was open country, the broad stream showing clearly +between green banks, with few cultivated fields in sight. We had turned +toward the north, and the straggling town lay directly in front two +miles away, so hidden behind trees the houses were scarcely +distinguishable; a quarter of a mile below was the bridge. I stood up, +thrusting my head beyond the carriage cover, so as to see better. To the +west the woods concealed everything. It was somewhere in that direction +Beauregard's troops were encamped, yet, even if they were already +advancing to unite with Johnston, they would hardly cross the country so +far to the north. Knowing the situation as I did I felt little fear of +any encounter with Confederates. Our cavalry were patrolling all the +roads across the river, and, as late as the previous day, were guarding +the Jonesboro bridge. I could see no signs of any such guard now, +however, yet the trees were thick and obscured the view, and that heavy +dust cloud to the right was probably caused by the passing of a troop of +horse. Convinced that this would prove to be either a cavalry vidette, +or a Federal foraging party, it made me more anxious to get quickly +down into the town, hopeful they might have a spare horse with them, and +I pointed out the dust spirals to my companion. + +"If you have friends in Jonesboro," I said, "I've also got some coming." + +"Who are they?" her eyes on the distant dust. "Yankees?" + +"Certainly; there are none of your people on that side of the river. +Beauregard is out yonder in those hills. Let's drive on, the town +looks quiet." + +She leaned forward, holding to the edge of the carriage cover to keep +her balance, her glance turning toward the southwest. + +"If those are your people they mustn't see me," she said quietly, a +little accent of pleading in her voice. "You promise that first?" + +"Of course," although surprised at her asking. "I know it is our orders +to intercept everything which can aid the enemy, but I don't feel +inclined to prevent your taking quinine to the poor fellows in the +hospital. War hasn't made me as inhuman as that. We can easily reach the +town ahead of that squad of cavalry, and if you have some safe place +there to go, and will only keep indoors, there is no danger of +discovery." + +"I have," eagerly, "Judge Moran's house; you can see its gable there +among the trees. He is so old he has not even been conscripted." She +laughed, flashing a look aside at me as she shook the reins and applied +the whip. "I wonder what he will think when he sees me driving up +alongside a Yankee. It will be like the end of the world. No, don't talk +to me any more; I've got to conjure up a nice, respectable story to +tell him." + +She remained very quiet as we rattled down the hill, her forehead +puckered, her gaze straight ahead. Suddenly she asked, + +"Do you sometimes tell falsehoods?" + +"Guilty." + +"Are they ever justified?" + +"Well, really I don't know; from the standpoint of the strict moralist I +presume not; but it is my judgment the strict moralist wouldn't last +long in time of war." + +I was amused at the earnestness with which she looked at me, apparently +weighing my words as soberly as though they had important meaning. + +"What's the trouble? If there is any prevaricating to be done, turn it +over to me--I have become an expert." + +"No doubt," her face brightening, "but I must attend to this case +myself. Judge Moran will have to suppose you a Confederate spy. No, not +a word of protest will I listen to. If you go along with me, it must be +exactly as I say; there is no other way, for otherwise he would never +receive you into the house." + +"Oh, very well," I replied indifferently, my eyes marking the swift +approach of that distant squad of cavalry. "The masquerade will be +short, and well worth while if it only earns me a breakfast with you." + +The toss of her head was hardly complimentary. We were in the tree-lined +streets by this time, and suddenly she wheeled the pony in through an +open gate-way. The house was large, painted white, of distinctly +Southern architecture, the broad stone steps surmounted by rounded +pillars. On the porch a man sat smoking. He arose instantly, hat in +hand, and came down to meet us. His was a tall, slender, slightly +stooped figure, a finely chiselled face, the hair and beard white. His +eyes, apparently as keen as ever, instantly recognized the girl, his +stern features relaxing into a smile of welcome. + +"I am surprised and pleased to greet you, Miss Willifred," cordially +bowing over her extended hand. "'Tis a long while since we have seen +you here." + +"Not from any doubt of your hospitality, Judge, but the armies have made +travelling unsafe." + +"True; we live in constant peril. The Yankees have driven off my +negroes, and also robbed me of every horse on the place. Your father, +the major, is well?" + +"In most excellent health, thank you. He was wounded at Chattanooga, but +soon recovered. We had him at home with us for a month." + +"So I heard. A young Louisiana officer, a Captain Le Gaire, gave me news +of your family. He was through Jonesboro with a scouting party two days +ago. He seemed very glad to talk about you, my dear." + +The girl's face flushed, as she withdrew her hand, attempting a laugh. + +"We are excellent friends, yet really it does not require any deep +interest to induce Captain Le Gaire to talk. That is one of his +specialties." + +"I suspected as much, yet I found his conversation highly interesting. +He is intelligent, and has travelled widely. But come, my dear, let me +help you down. I am such an early bird I have breakfasted already, yet +there will be something ready for you, and your companion." + +His gaze surveyed me for the first time, and he stepped back, his eyes +darkening suspiciously. + +"But what have you here--a Yankee?" + +"So far as uniform goes, yes," she answered lightly, descending over the +wheel, and adroitly dodging a direct reply. "But all things are not as +they seem, outwardly. Surely, Judge, you do not suppose I would ever +harbor one of the enemy? If I vouch for the gentleman it should be +sufficient." + +He took my hand cordially enough, yet with a question still in his keen +old eyes. + +"I am glad to know you, sir. Any friend of Miss Willifred's is a friend +of mine, but I'm damned if I like that color." + +"The nature of my mission makes it necessary," I explained. + +"Exactly, sir, exactly; I understand perfectly. Alight, and come in, but +you wear the first Yankee uniform ever welcomed to my house. Come right +along, both of you. I've got one servant left, who will attend +the pony." + +Twenty minutes later we were breakfasting together in a cool, spacious +room the windows of which opened upon the porch. The judge, after +satisfying himself that we were being well served, had disappeared, +leaving us alone. It was a beautiful morning, the birds singing outside, +the sunlight sifting through the branches of the great oaks shading the +windows. Not a sound, other than the rustling of leaves, broke the +silence. My companion appeared disinclined to talk, her eyes turned away +from me. The constraint became so marked I endeavored to start +conversation, but with poor result. + +"Our meeting has been an odd one," I began, "romantic enough to form a +basis for fiction." + +Her glance shifted to my face. + +"Do you think so? I merely find it extremely embarrassing." + +"Then I will withdraw at once," I insisted, hurt by the indifference of +her voice. "I had supposed you wished me to remain until now--surely +your words implied this." + +"Oh, yes! I did, and you are in no way to blame. It was an impulse, and +I failed to realize that it would involve deceit to an old friend. +Perhaps I am too easily hurt, but I am afraid Judge Moran half suspects +the truth. Anyway you must go immediately." + +"We shall part as friends?" + +She hesitated, as though considering the full intent of my request. + +"Hardly that, Lieutenant Galesworth. The word 'friend' should mean much, +and we are merely chance acquaintances--politically enemies." + +"I had hoped that difference--merely the accident of war--might have +been swept aside. It has no personal weight with me, and I supposed you +were of broader mind." + +"I am," she responded earnestly. "Some of my best friends are +Northerners, wearing that uniform, but, as it chances, we have met in +war, playing at cross-purposes. You are a Federal scout whom I have +unwittingly helped through the Confederate lines. Surely I have done +enough already to help you--perhaps to injure the cause I love--without +being asked for more. Under other conditions we might continue friends, +but not as matters stand." + +"Yet later--when the war ends?" + +"It is useless to discuss what may occur then. There is little +likelihood we shall ever meet after to-day. Indeed, I have no wish that +we should." + +It was a dismissal so clearly expressed I could only bow, wondering what +it was I saw in the depths of her eyes which seemed almost to contradict +the utterance of the lips. + +"You leave me no choice." + +"There is none. I have no desire to be considered an enemy, and there is +no possibility for us to become friends. We are but the acquaintances of +a chance meeting." She held out her hand across the table, the impulsive +movement robbing her words of their sting. "You understand this is not +indifference, but necessity." + +I clasped closely the white fingers extended toward me, my heart +throbbing, but my lips held prisoners by her eyes. + +"Yes, I understand perfectly, but I make no promise." + +"No promise! What do you mean?" + +"Only that to my mind this is no mere chance acquaintance, nor is it +destined to end here. Sometime I am going to know you, and we are going +to be friends." + +"Indeed!" her eyes dropped, the shadow of lashes on her cheeks. "You are +very audacious to say that." + +"Yet you are not altogether sorry to hear me say it." + +"Oh, I do not take your words seriously at all. They are mere Yankee +boasting--" + +She stopped suddenly, the slight flush fading from her cheeks as she +arose to her feet, staring out through the open window. It was the sound +of horses' hoofs on the gravel roadway, and I sprang up also, +endeavoring to see. A squad of troopers was without, dusty, hard-riding +fellows, uniformed in Confederate gray. + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A BOLD FRONT + +It was but a glimpse through the leaf-draped window of dust-caked +horses, the bronzed faces of their riders, and the gray hair of Judge +Moran, as he hastened down the steps to greet them. I saw one man swing +down from his saddle, and advance toward the house, then a sharp +catching of the girl's breath drew my attention toward her, and our +eyes met. + +"You--you must not suppose I expected this," she faltered, "--that I +have betrayed you." + +There was no doubting her earnestness, nor her disgust at such +treachery. + +"Not for a moment. But I must get away. Are you acquainted with the +house?" + +"Yes; but two of the men rode around to the well. It would be impossible +now to slip out the back way without discovery." She ran across the +room, and flung open a door. "Go in there and lie down; pretend to be +asleep. If the judge does not inform them of your presence here it may +never be suspected. If he does I must cling to the old story." + +I caught her hands, and in the excitement she seemed scarcely aware of +the act. + +"You are willing to do this for me?" + +"I don't know what I do it for," a little nervous laugh in her voice. +"When one once gets started into deceit there seems to be no end--but go +quick! the officer is coming now." + +The room into which I was thrust was darkened by lowered shades, but the +bookcases lining the walls proclaimed it a library. A comfortable +leather couch occupied the space between the two windows. The door +remained half an inch ajar, and, before I could close it, some one +entered the dining-room. The first words uttered held me silent, +listening. There was a heavy step on the uncarpeted floor, the jingle of +spurs, and a startled exclamation from the girl. + +"You! Why, I had no thought of meeting you here." + +"Yet I trust you are not sorry," the voice deep, yet so low I lost an +occasional word. "Judge Moran says you bear--" + +"Hush," she interrupted quickly. "Yes, and they must go on at once. What +brings you here, Gerald? A scouting party?" + +"We are Beauregard's advance scouts; he is moving eastward." + +"Then these papers must reach him at once. Don't stop to ask questions, +Gerald, but send some man; have him kill his horse if necessary. Oh, +don't stand there looking at me, but go! I'll explain later." + +I heard the rustle of papers, the rapid movement of the man as he left +the room, the quick breathing of the excited woman. Then she crossed the +room to the window, and the next moment a horse galloped past. My head +whirled--then it was not quinine for the hospitals which had brought her +through the lines; she had deliberately lied to me, and instead, was a +bearer of despatches. Sudden anger at the trick banished every other +feeling; yet what could I do? My hand gripped the knob of the door, +every nerve throbbing, when I heard the officer's voice again in the +breakfast room. + +"He's off; now let's have the straight of all this, Billie." + +Billie! I grasped the full truth of it in an instant. Lord! I had been a +fool. The woman had played with me as though I were a mere child; had +been laughing at me all night; and doubtless intended now to hand me +over prisoner to this squad of gray-jackets. Billie! The very person I +was seeking; the only one who could hope to get through after all others +had failed. And I had supposed "Billie" was a man, never once thinking +of the name as a pet feminine one of the South. The realization of all +this confused me so that I missed a part of what was being said, and +only aroused as the man spoke more sharply. + +"That's all right, of course; I understand what brought you here, but +where is that fellow you had with you?" + +"Who?" it was an indignant voice. + +"Oh, you understand, Miss Innocence," a slight sneer in the utterance. +"There was a man in your company when you arrived, dressed as a Yank. +Moran told me so. You were breakfasting together--the table +proves that." + +"Well, what of it? I explained his presence to the judge. Am I obliged +to account for all my actions to every one I meet?" + +The officer, evidently acquainted with the lady's disposition, and aware +that driving would never do, changed his tone, crossing the room toward +her, and lowering his voice. + +"No, not to every one, Billie, but surely you cannot deny I have some +right to this information. Would you wish me to be riding the country at +night with a strange woman?" + +"If it became part of your duty--yes. I have no remembrance of ever +interfering with your freedom, Captain Le Gaire." + +I could hear the man's teeth click, as though in an effort to restrain +an oath. + +"By God, but you are irritating!" he burst forth impetuously. "One would +think I were no more to you than a stranger. This is no light affair to +be laughed away. Have you forgotten our engagement already?" + +"That is scarcely probable. You remind me of it often enough. Don't +crush my hand so." + +Her provoking coldness was all that was needed to overcome the slight +restraint the captain still exercised. Instantly his real nature came +to the fore. + +"Then I'll make him do the explaining," he threatened fiercely. "I know +how to deal with men. Where is the fellow? In that room?" + +There was a brief silence. I could distinguish his rapid breathing, and +the slight rustle of her skirts as she sank back into a chair. + +"Well, are you going to tell me? Or must I hunt for myself?" + +"Captain Le Gaire," she began quietly, without even a tremor in the soft +voice, "possibly you forget whom I am. The gentlemen of my acquaintance +have never been accustomed to question the motives actuating my +conduct. You imagine yourself talking to some darky on your Louisiana +plantation. Is this the manner in which you propose treating me after +marriage?" + +He laughed uneasily. + +"Why, I meant nothing, Billie. Don't take it in that way. Surely you +understand I have a right to be curious as to your companion." + +"Yes; but not to carry your curiosity to the point of discourtesy. I +have not the slightest objection to answering your questions, if you +only ask with some respect." + +"You always hold me at arm's length." + +"Do I? Well, this is hardly the best time to discuss that. What was it +you wished to know?" + +"Who is the fellow travelling with you?" + +"Didn't the judge tell you?" + +"He said he was a Confederate spy dressed in the uniform of a Yankee +lieutenant whom you had brought through the lines." + +"Well, isn't that information sufficient?" + +The gallant captain again smothered an oath, evidently tried to the +limit by the girl's cool indifference. + +"Of course it isn't. That might answer for Moran, for he has no personal +interest in the affair. But it's altogether different with me. It's +merely accident that I rode in here this morning, and I immediately +discover the woman I am engaged to marry was out all night riding around +with a stranger, eating breakfast with him when I arrive. Do you suppose +that is pleasant?" + +"No; yet my explanation ought to be sufficient." + +"Explanation! You have made none." + +"Oh, yes; Judge Moran told you the circumstances." + +I heard him stomp roughly across the floor, his spurs clanking. + +"Explanation, nothing! Who is the fellow?" + +"Really I don't know." + +"Don't know? Do you mean to say you rode with him alone all night, and +took breakfast with him this morning, without even learning his name?" + +"He said his name was Galesworth, but I don't know that he told the +truth." + +"You pretend indifference well," the man sneered. + +"It is no pretence; I am indifferent. Why should I be otherwise? I am +not interested in spies. I may assist one through the lines to serve the +Confederacy, but that is no evidence that I feel any personal interest +in the man. Anyhow that is the extent of my knowledge in this case, and +I haven't the slightest desire to increase it. When are you going +to ride on?" + +"Not until I know more than I do now," he retorted savagely. "There is +something hidden here. You are pretending all this indifference so as to +give that fellow sufficient time to get away. I'm damned if I put +up with it." + +"Captain Le Gaire," and she was upon her feet, "do you venture to +address such language to me? Do you dare--" + +"I am no dupe of yours or of any other woman," he broke in, too angry +now to restrain his words. "There is something wrong here, and I mean to +know what it is. If you won't tell, I'll find out myself." He strode +across to the window and called to some one below. "Slade, come +in here." + +There was a moment of waiting, during which neither stirred, nor spoke. +Then the trooper entered, his heels clicking together as he saluted just +within the doorway. + +"Sergeant," said Le Gaire shortly. "I have reason to suspect there is a +man hidden in that room yonder. I'll keep an eye on this young lady, +while you find out." + +Slade took a step forward, and the girl's dress rustled. + +"Wait just a minute, Sergeant," she said briefly. "Am I to understand +from this, Captain Le Gaire, that you are not only a bully, but also +a coward?" + +"A coward!--" + +"Yes, a coward. You order the sergeant to open that door--why do you +not open it yourself?" + +He laughed rather unpleasantly. + +"So that's the trouble? Well, it's merely a way we have in the army, but +if it will greatly oblige you I'll do the job." + +It was useless waiting longer; the room offered me no possible +hiding-place, the two windows looked down on the waiting cavalrymen. +Beyond doubt boldness was the best card to play. Before the rather +reluctant captain could take a second step I flung open the concealing +door, and came forth into the breakfast room. + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A WOMAN'S PRISONER + +The scene before me, the expression on the three faces, caused me to +smile. I came forth with no definite plan of action, trusting, as one +must at such times, wholly to luck. There was no means of escape +apparent, yet my mind was cool, and I was prepared to take advantage of +any opportunity. I saw the flash of the sergeant's revolver, the +captain's sudden recoil, his hand tugging at his sword-hilt, and +glimpsed something in the depths of Billie's eyes that puzzled me. + +"Good-morning, gentlemen," I said easily. + +So far as Slade was concerned it was evident that all he saw was the +uniform, his revolver instantly covering me, held in a hand steady as +rock; he even grinned amiably across the barrel. But the expression on +Le Gaire's face changed from startled surprise to relief. He was a tall +man, with dark hair and eyes, a black moustache shading his lip, and his +hand fell from the hilt of the sword as he took an uncertain step +toward me. + +"Drop that gun-play, Sergeant," he exclaimed sharply. "This man _is_ +all right; I know him." + +Too astounded myself for speech, I could only stare back into the +captain's face, seeking vainly to recall ever having seen the fellow +before. Not the slightest recollection came to me, but Le Gaire +blundered on, blinded by his discovery. + +"Didn't know you had gone into this sort of thing," he exclaimed +cordially, holding out his hand. "Last I heard your regiment was in New +Orleans. Don't remember me, do you?" + +I shook my head, so completely puzzled by this unexpected turn of +affairs that speech became dangerous. Perhaps he would give me some clue +to my new identity, which would enable me to carry out the masquerade. + +"Your face is familiar," I ventured, "but--" + +"Oh, no excuses," he broke in cordially. "I was a guest at your mess one +night when we were garrisoning Memphis. I am Le Gaire, of the Third +Louisiana. I sang you fellows some French songs, you may remember." + +"Oh, yes!" and my face visibly brightened, as I grasped his fingers, +wondering who the devil I might be, yet exceedingly overjoyed at this +sudden change of fortune. "We had a gay night of it. I wonder you +recognize me in these rags." + +"Well, I don't suppose I should," he exclaimed, "only you happened to be +pointed out to me specially that evening. It was just after your duel +with Major Gillette of ours. Between us, I don't mind admitting I was +glad you punctured that fellow--it saved me the trouble." + +"Perhaps if you gentlemen are through with reminiscences," broke in the +girl quietly, "Captain Le Gaire might present me to his new friend." + +"But I thought you knew him already!" + +She laughed lightly, her eyes aglow with merriment. + +"Oh, no, indeed! It is all a most wonderful mix-up." + +"Then it will be a pleasure for me to bring order out of confusion--Miss +Hardy, Major Atherton of General Pemberton's staff." + +"Atherton!" she gasped. "I--I thought your name was Galesworth." + +"Hardy!" I retorted, simulating equal surprise, "and I supposed your +name to be Gray." + +Le Gaire looked at us, vastly amused, all his former jealousy and +suspicion instantly dissipated by this evidence of misunderstanding. + +"You certainly must have had a merry night of it, you two--trying to +outlie each other, and with honors about even. However, the tangle is +straightened out now, and we must be on our way. What are you trying to +do, Atherton,--get to the rear of the Yanks?" + +"Yes," I answered, with some hesitation, and glancing aside at the girl. +I could not determine how much of all this she actually believed, or how +far I might venture to carry forward the deceit. Her eyes were upon me, +but their shaded depths revealed nothing. I determined to take the +chance. "Johnston requires more exact information as to the Yankee +artillery, and thought I might get in around the right flank. I saw a +dust cloud across the river as we came into town." + +"A foraging party; they went west; we have the bridge guarded." + +"Beauregard's advance may hurry Johnston," I continued, eager to draw +out of him some information of value. "How came he to move +without orders?" + +"He concluded so wide a gap was dangerous, and that Johnston's +despatch-carriers must have been unable to get through, so he began +feeling his way east. The orders Billie brought will undoubtedly hurry +the advance." + +"They have gone forward then?" + +"Certainly--I sent a man with them at once." + +I shot an inquiring glance toward her, but she had found a seat at the +table, and was toying idly with a spoon, her eyes cast down. + +"And Beauregard is marching along this road, I presume?" + +"No; back behind the hills where he runs no risk of being seen by any +prowling Yankee scouts. We are in advance on the left flank." + +I understood the movement clearly enough now, and realized the +importance of getting this news to our headquarters. A swift advance of +troops would throw a column between these two forces of Confederates, +and hold them apart for separate battle. But there was no time for +delay. Le Gaire failed to comprehend my anxious glance out the +open window. + +"We all better be at it," he said quickly. "By the way, with that +cavalry uniform you ought to have a horse. We're leading one with Yankee +accoutrements you can use. Come on, Slade. Miss Hardy, I hope to see you +at your own home in a few days." + +He bowed, hat in hand, the girl rising to her feet, as the sergeant left +the room. She did not smile, her eyes flashing from his face to mine. + +"I may remain here until the armies leave this section," she replied +quietly. "There is too much risk in travelling alone." + +"You might ride with us," he suggested gallantly. She shook her head, +her lips smiling. + +"I think I better not." + +"Does that mean you are still angry?" + +"I didn't know I had been, Captain. Perhaps I spoke rather hastily, but +you must forgive that." + +Her hand was extended, and he came a step back from the door to grasp +it, and lift the fingers to his lips. With a fierce throbbing of the +heart I turned my back to them, staring out the window. There was a low +murmur of voices, and then the door clicked. I never moved, watching Le +Gaire go down the steps, his men swing into their saddles, at a sharp +order, and ride away in column of fours. When they had all disappeared a +single horse remained, tied to the railing of the veranda. I turned +about, and picked up my hat from the floor. Miss Hardy was seated again +at the table, her head resting upon one hand. I could see the round, +white arm where the sleeve fell away, and her cheeks were flushed. She +did not lift her eyes at my movement, and, half angry at her studied +indifference, I advanced straight toward the door. But there I +hesitated, unable to part without at least another word. She was looking +at me now. + +"May I hope ever to meet you again?" I asked. + +"I can promise nothing as to the future," she returned soberly. "But I +wish to speak to you now, before you go. Sit down here, just a moment." + +I hesitated, keen as to the value of time, yet curious as to what she +would say, and swayed strongly by her influence. + +"You surely must understand how anxious I am to get away--" I began, but +she broke in impulsively. + +"Of course I do, but you must listen to me first." She had risen, and +was leaning forward, speaking earnestly. "It is true we shall probably +never meet again, yet I am not willing you should think me altogether a +despicable character. I wish you to know whom I am, and why deceit was +necessary." + +"My dear girl," I exclaimed, hastily crossing the room, "there is +nothing to explain. I understand the circumstances." + +"No, not entirely," she insisted, "but it is my desire you should. I--I +hardly know why, but--but I would rather have you think well of me. +Listen, please; I will be very brief. I am Willifred Gray Hardy, and it +was my father whom you overheard talking with General Johnston. Our home +is south on the pike road, and was used as headquarters until a few days +ago. I have known General Johnston ever since I was a little girl, and +everybody--all my friends--call me Billie. Of course you thought the +courier was a man--it was only natural you should--and it was, +therefore, easy for me to keep up the deceit--they trusted me, and I had +to get those papers through." + +"Of course you did," heartily. "Surely you do not suppose I would think +less of you for your loyalty?" + +"I hoped not; nor did I mean to let you go away thinking me a fool." + +"A fool!" thrown entirely from my guard. "How could I think that?" + +"By imagining that I believe you Major Atherton of Pemberton's staff," +with a little, nervous laugh, and quick uplifting of the eyes. "I was +glad Captain Le Gaire made the mistake, for I had no wish to see you a +prisoner, but your quick pretending did not in the least deceive me, +Lieutenant Galesworth." She paused, evidently amused at the surprise +expressed in my face, yet with the lines of her lips setting firmly. +"Your questions regarding the movements of Beauregard were most +ingenuous, but I was able to comprehend your purpose." + +"You mean--" + +"That you propose bearing the news direct to Federal headquarters. That +is why you are in such a desperate hurry to get away." + +I took a step backward, reading the meaning of her eyes. + +"And you intend to prevent--" + +"Exactly," her voice as quiet as ever. "I am a Confederate still." + +She had changed her position, standing now between me and the closed +door, the expression upon her face sufficient evidence of her +determination. Hers was no idle threat--this daughter of a soldier was +ready for the struggle and the sacrifice. I recognized all this at a +glance, bewildered by the swift change in attitude, unable to decide my +own course of action. Argument was useless, a resort to force repugnant. +Above all else the one overpowering feeling was admiration for the girl. +She must have read all this in my eyes, yet her own never wavered, nor +changed expression. + +"Please do not make the mistake, Lieutenant Galesworth, of thinking me +not sufficiently in earnest," she said firmly, "or that I am +unprepared." + +"I do not; if you were only a man I should know exactly what to do." + +"Your courtesy is misplaced; at least I do not ask it. This is war, and +you are upon one side, I on the other. You will remain in this room +until I say you may go." + +"What will hold me?--your eyes?--the mere threat of your lips?" + +"Something rather more to the purpose than either," she answered coldly. +Her right hand, concealed by the folds of her skirt, was uplifted, the +fingers grasping the black butt of a Colt. Her lips smiled. "I suppose +you know the efficacy of this weapon, Lieutenant, and that it +is loaded." + +My hand dropped instinctively to my belt--the revolver holster was +empty! It was my own weapon the girl held. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE COMING OF THE ENEMY + +No matter how charming she may be, a man can never enjoy being outplayed +at his own game by a woman. The piquant face fronting me swam in a mist +as a sudden rush of anger swept from me all admiration. I had been +played with, outwitted from the start, every movement checkmated--even +now she was actually laughing at my helplessness. My first wild impulse +was to spring forward, and wrest the revolver from her hand; yet there +was that in her attitude, in the expression of her eyes, which made me +hesitate. Would she shoot? Would the sense of duty to her cause actually +induce her to fire at me? A moment before, I should not have deemed it +possible, but now, it seemed to me, she was desperate enough to do even +this. And that was a hair-trigger she fingered so recklessly! Instead of +leaping forward, I stood motionless, outwardly cool, yet with every +nerve throbbing. She read all this in my face, no doubt, for her lips +half smiled, her manner exhibited confidence. + +"Oh, I can shoot," she said pleasantly enough, "so I wouldn't try that +if I were you. Now will you do exactly as I say?" + +I remained silent, my hands clinched. So this was the gentle creature I +had been riding with, had even been falling in love with! This woman, +now threatening me with death, was the same happy-hearted, laughing girl +whose hand I had held, and to whom I had talked in words of friendship. +I could scarcely realize the change, or comprehend this new development +of character. + +The unpleasant situation was broken by the sound of steps in the hall. +The door opened, and Judge Moran entered. Miss Hardy stepped instantly +aside, concealing the revolver within the folds of her skirt, yet with +watchful eyes on my face. Moran glanced at us both without suspicion, +and approached me with outstretched hand. + +"Captain Le Gaire explained to me who you are, Major," he said with new +cordiality, "and I am very glad to receive you as my guest. Are you one +of the Mobile Athertons?" + +"No," I answered, flushing, and avoiding her amused eyes, yet not daring +to blurt out the truth, "I come from farther north." + +"Exactly; I recall now there are Athertons in Memphis and Nashville, +delightful people, the real, old Southern stock. I regret greatly to +learn from Le Gaire that duty compels you to leave at once." + +"Major Atherton has changed his plans," broke in the girl, before I +could respond. "The advance of Beauregard's forces makes it safer for +him to remain quiet for a few hours,--until night comes. I was just +suggesting that he go up to the red room and lie down--he is nearly dead +from fatigue." + +"The red room!" in surprise. "Surely you jest, Miss Willifred! That is +hardly considered a guest chamber." + +"No; but the safest place in the house, if, by any chance, it is +searched by a scouting party." + +The old gentleman nodded, as if in approval. + +"Possibly it would be safer, although I hardly anticipate any such calls +from the enemy with our own people so near. You will not be the first +Confederate to lie hidden there, sir," with a bow to me, and a quick +glance toward the smiling girl. "Would you mind showing him the way, my +dear?--it is becoming difficult for me to mount the stairs." + +"With pleasure; indeed, I was about to propose doing so. Major, you will +go first, please." + +However cheerily these words were spoken I understood their quiet +threat, and the full meaning of that motionless hand held securely +hidden behind the fold of her skirt. She opened the door into the hall, +and, with one questioning glance into her eyes, I murmured a word of +thanks to the unsuspecting judge, and passed slowly through. Miss Hardy +followed, closing the door behind her, the revolver now held in +plain view. + +"Up the stairs, and turn to the left," she commanded briefly. + +The short, stern, business-like tone in which this order was uttered +might have been amusing under other conditions, but scarcely so then +when I was smarting under defeat. I glanced back, half tempted to +endeavor a sudden leap; yet she was fully prepared, and I hesitated. +Would she actually shoot me down? Could it be possible the girl would +take my life? I could scarcely conceive of such a probability, she +seemed so womanly in every way, so light-hearted, and yet there was no +laugh now in her eyes, no lack of determination in the firm setting +of her lips. + +"Suppose I refuse!" + +"I sincerely hope you will not, Lieutenant. This is hard enough for me; +don't make it any harder." + +There could be no doubting what she meant, nor what she had nerved +herself to accomplish. Feeling like a whipped cur I went slowly up the +broad stairs, my hand on the banister rail, and she followed, keeping +even pace with me, the cocked Colt pointing sternly upward at my back. + +"The last door--yes, beyond the chimney. Step inside, Lieutenant +Galesworth. Now close the door." + +I stood, with fingers still grasping the knob, listening. There was a +click, as though a heavy key was being turned in the lock, and then +withdrawn. Following I heard her quick breath of relief, and a +half-suppressed sob. The sound made her seem all woman again. + +"Miss Hardy!" I called, my lips at the crack of the door. + +"What is it?" the answering voice tremulous. + +"I want to tell you that you are a brave girl, and that I do not in the +least blame you." + +There was a moment's hesitating silence, as though my unexpected words +had left her speechless. Her breathing told me her lips were also close +to the door. + +"I--I am so glad you said that," she returned at last. "This--this has +been so difficult to do. But you know I mean to do it, to hold you here; +you realize I am terribly in earnest?" + +"Yes--but for how long?" + +"Until late to-night; then you can do us no deep injury." Her voice +became firmer. "I shall remain on guard here." + +I heard her move away from the direct neighborhood of the door, her +steps sounding distinctly on the polished floor. Then something heavy, +probably a chair or bench, was drawn forward, following which all was +silence. Although I could see nothing the situation in the hall was +clear. Confident escape was impossible in any other direction the +determined girl had taken up her position opposite the door, prepared +for a long vigil. All feeling of anger, even of irritation, had by this +time left me. The slight falter, the womanly softness of her voice, had +robbed me of all resentment, and I was conscious merely of admiration +for her courage and loyalty. But I desired intently to stand equally +high in her memory, and in order to do so must exhibit my own wit, my +own resources in emergency. I felt the door--it was of solid oak, with +no spot of weakness evident, even the key-hole being concealed by a +metal flap on the outside. The room itself was small, the walls tinted +red, and contained no furniture except a narrow bed and one +straight-backed chair. Light was admitted through a small window, placed +so high in the wall I was compelled to stand on the chair to look out, a +mere round opening through which it would be impossible to squeeze my +rather stalwart body. It was almost a typical prison cell, apparently +affording not the slightest opportunity for escape. I had a pipe in my +pocket, and matches, so I lit up, and lay back on the bed, reviewing the +situation. + +I am not of the disposition which surrenders easily, and my long +experience as a scout had inured me to difficult ventures. Almost +invariably there are means of escape, if one is fortunate enough to +discover the point of weakness and possesses sufficient time in which to +work. Yet as I lay there, my eyes anxiously scanning those bare, solid +walls, my brain working coolly, the problem appeared unsolvable. The +door, of hard-wood, fitting tightly into the jambs, was +hopeless,--particularly with Billie outside, loaded revolver in hand, +nerved to the shooting point. I climbed again to the window, but the +casing was solidly spiked into position, and I could barely press my +head through the aperture into the open air. It was a thirty-foot sheer +drop to the hard gravel of the road beneath, the nearest tree limb a +dozen feet distant, with the roof edge far beyond reach of the hand. I +sat down in the chair, the blue smoke curling overhead, floating out the +window, my eyes studying the red-tinted side walls, as I endeavored to +recall each detail of the house's architecture, and the exact location +of this particular room. + +I had turned to the left at the head of the stairway, passing by at +least three doors. Then there had occurred a slight jog in the hall, +making room for a large chimney, while just beyond opened this door. It +was not even visible from the front of the house, and would probably be +the rearmost apartment--no, that was wrong; the hallway, much contracted +in width, continued on into the ell. This was quite likely the first of +the servants' quarters, and that east wall must abut directly against +the chimney. With a new degree of hopefulness, I pushed aside the bed, +and began testing the wall space with my knuckles. If any chimney was +there, the stones were protected by wooden casing, which, covered by the +red paper, was effectively concealed. I was about to abandon the search +when a finger penetrated the paper, revealing a round opening--a pipe +hole, left uncovered except for the wallpaper. I wrenched out the tin +protector, and felt within. The chimney had apparently never been used, +the interior being clear of soot, and was built of a single layer of +stone, Southern fashion, the irregular fragments mortared together, and +plastered smoothly on the inside. Without was a thin, narrow planking, +dove-tailed, but secured by nails only at the four corners. This could +be easily pried away, leaving the chimney itself open to attack. I could +not reach far enough within to touch the opposite wall, but was +convinced the space would prove sufficiently large to admit my body. +With a knife I tested the resistance of the mortar, breaking the point +of the blade, yet detaching quite a chunk, and wrenching out one small +stone. Beyond doubt the task might be accomplished--but what was below? +How was I to get down those smoothly plastered walls--and back again, if +necessary? + +I glanced at my watch; it was already nearing noon, and at any moment +food might be brought me. I must wait until after that; then I should +probably remain undisturbed for several hours. I shoved back the bed in +such position its head-board completely concealed the slight excavation, +and sat down upon it, planning anew how best to proceed. The time passed +with no unusual sound reaching me from the hall without. Billie +evidently felt no desire to acquaint Judge Moran with my real identity, +and perhaps would thus experience some difficulty in procuring me +food,--possibly would make no effort even until night. I succeeded in +pushing aside the flap over the key-hole, without making any alarming +noise, and applied one eye to the aperture. There was little to be +seen--merely the end of a bench, and a pair of bare, black feet. The +judge's sole remaining servitor doubtless, doing a turn at guard duty. +As I gazed, some outside noise aroused him, and he went softly +pattering down the hall. + +The same sound startled me also, and I dropped the flap, clambering upon +the chair so as to see without. It was a hundred feet to the main road, +mostly velvety turf between, with a few trees partially obscuring the +view. Yet I could see clearly enough, and up the pike leading through +the village, half hidden by a cloud of dust, was advancing a regiment of +cavalry, their flags draped, their horses walking in double column. As +these swung into the straight road, a battery of artillery followed, +gray-jacketed fellows, Confederates--Beauregard's advance. + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IMPORTANT NEWS + +In spite of the recognized fact that these men were enemies, my heart +throbbed, almost in pride, as I watched them pass. They were Americans, +and magnificent fighting men. I had seen them, or their fellows, in the +ruck and toil of battle, playing with death, smiling in the face of +defeat. Now they were marching grimly forward to another clash of arms, +through the blinding dust, heedless of all else but duty. This was what +stirred me. No proud review, with glittering uniforms and waving flags, +would have choked my throat, or dimmed my eyes, as did the sight of that +plodding, silent column, half hidden under the dust cloud, uniforms +almost indistinguishable, officers and men mingled, the drums still, the +only sounds the steady tread, the occasional hoarse shout of command. +Here was no pomp and circumstance, but grim purpose personified in +self-sacrifice and endurance. With heads bowed, and limbs moving +wearily, guns held at will, they swept by in unbroken column--cavalry, +artillery, infantry--scarcely a face lifted to glance toward the house, +with here and there a straggler limping to the roadside, or an aide +spurring past--just a stream of armed men, who had been plodding on +since daylight, footsore, hungry, unseeing, yet ready to die in battle +at their commander's word. It was war; it was magnificent. + +Yet suddenly there recurred to me my own small part in this great +tragedy. Here was opportunity. Down below, on the front steps, stood the +old judge, and beside him Miss Hardy, forgetful for the time of all else +save those passing troops. I sprang from the chair, drew the bed back to +the centre of the room, and began my assault on the wall. There was no +necessity now for silence, and I dug recklessly into the mortar with my +broken knife blade, wrenching forth the loosened stones, until I had +thus successfully opened a space amply sufficient for my purpose. A +glance down the chimney was not reassuring, no gleam of light being +visible, yet I was desperate enough to take the chance of discovering +some opening below. There remained but this one means of attaining the +lower floor, and no time for hesitation. I tore both sheets from the +bed, binding them securely together, and twisting them into a rope +strong enough to sustain my weight. The bed-post served to secure one +end; the other I dropped down the interior of the chimney. A glance from +the window exhibited a double line of canvas-covered wagons creaking +past, mules toiling wearily in the traces, under close guard of a squad +of infantry. The judge and the girl were still outside. I was back +instantly, and clambered recklessly into the hole. + +I went down slowly, clinging desperately to the twisted sheets, unable +to gain the slightest purchase on the smoothly plastered side walls. My +fingers slipped, but I managed to hang on until I reached the very end +of my improvised rope, my feet dangling, my arms aching from the weight. +To hold on longer was seemingly impossible, yet I could neither see nor +feel bottom. I let go, confident the distance could not be great, and +came down without much shock a half-dozen feet below. I was in a large +fire-place, apparently never utilized, the opening entirely covered by a +screen of cast-iron. This fitted closely, but was unfastened, and, after +feeling about cautiously in the darkness, I pushed it slightly to one +side, and peered forth. + +A large, rather handsomely furnished room was revealed, evidently a +back-parlor, closed folding doors being conspicuous in the front wall. +Three windows faced the north, their curtains partially drawn, and I +could perceive through them the lattice work of a porch, covered with +the green and red of a rambler rose. I recognized instantly the +situation; this room was opposite, directly across the hall from where +we had eaten breakfast, its windows also commanding a view of the road. +Impelled by a desire to see what was continuing to take place without, I +stole silently across the soft carpet, and peered forth. The last of the +wagon train was lumbering past, and back of these, just wheeling around +the corner, approached another column of horsemen. It would be madness +for me to emerge from concealment yet, for even if I remained unnoticed +by those marching troops, still there would surely be some stragglers +about the premises seeking water. I sat down, staring out, endeavoring +to decide about how large this Confederate force was--surely it composed +all of Beauregard's corps, and, once united with Johnston, would render +the Federal position extremely dangerous, perhaps untenable. Yet even +now my warning of the sudden movement would be of comparatively small +value, as the gap was too nearly closed for any swift advance to +separate the two armies. All I could hope to accomplish was to prevent a +surprise attack on our own exposed lines. And this could never be +attempted before the next morning, even if Johnston swung his columns +to the left in anticipation of Beauregard's approach. The troops were +too thoroughly exhausted by the forced march to be hurled immediately +into battle--they must be fed and rested first. Convinced as to this I +remained quiet, glancing idly about the room, until sounds outside +attracted attention. + +A company--or possibly two--of cavalry was drawn up on the road directly +fronting the house, their centre opposite the open gate, but I was +compelled to lean out in order to discover just what was occurring on +the driveway. A squad of a dozen horsemen, powdered with dust, yet +excellently mounted, were riding slowly toward the veranda. The man +slightly in advance was slender, with dark moustache and goatee, sitting +straight in his saddle, and on the collar of his gray coat were the +stars of a general officer. Even the hasty glance gained told me his +identity--Beauregard. As this cavalcade turned at the corner of the +house, I drew back, shadowed by the curtain, able thus both to see and +hear. At the bottom of the steps the Confederate chieftain halted, and +bowed, hat in hand. + +"Judge Moran, I presume. While we have never previously met, yet your +name has long been familiar. Probably I need not introduce myself." + +The judge, his face beaming hospitality, grasped the outstretched hand, +but Beauregard's dark, appreciative eyes were upon the girl standing at +Moran's side. + +"Your daughter, sir?" he asked quickly. + +"Not so fortunate, General. This is Miss Willifred Hardy, of the +'Gables.'" + +"Ah, yes!" the stern face instantly brightened by a rare smile. "The +same fair heroine who brought the despatches from Johnston. I hoped I +might reach here in time, my dear, to tell you in person how greatly I +appreciate your service. May I ask if you are Major Hardy's daughter?" + +Her cheeks burning, she murmured "Yes," curtsying to his rather stately +bow. + +"I knew your mother rather well in the old days,--a sweet girl, a Du +Verne, of Baton Rouge. You have her eyes and hair." He turned toward +Moran. "A courier but just arrived has brought me orders to halt my men, +as Johnston is marching westward, and it is imperative that we protect +the bridge yonder with sufficient force. Would it inconvenience you, +Judge, if I made your house my headquarters for the night?" + +"Everything I possess is freely at your service." + +"Thank you. From all I have heard I could never question the loyalty of +Judge Moran." He spoke a few short orders, swung down from the saddle, +and, followed by a half-dozen others, began climbing the steps, talking +with Miss Willifred. I heard the party enter the hall, and pause for a +moment, the sound of voices mingling but indistinguishable. Then a door +opened, and the men trooped into the front parlor. There was a rattle as +accoutrements were laid aside; then a table was drawn forth, and +Beauregard's voice spoke: + +"The portfolio, Sternes; now, Captain, let me read over that last +despatch again. Ah, yes, I see. Is Colonel O'Neil waiting? Tell him to +post Williams' brigade at the bridge, with Ozark's battery. Pickets +should be advanced at least two miles. Lieutenant Greer, ride to the +Three Corners, and have the regimental commanders close all gaps in the +line; in case of attack we must be able to exhibit a solid front. A +moment, Major Mason,--you are to bear my report to Johnston." There +followed the rapid scratching of a pen, and a subdued murmur of voices. +Then the deep bass of the general again broke in: "You may as well +clearly understand the proposed plans, gentlemen, so you can execute my +orders with intelligence. They are extremely simple; our main attack +will be directed against the enemy's left flank; the troops selected for +this service will cross at the lower ford early to-morrow night. Our own +movements will depend altogether upon the success of Johnston's +advance. Chambers will be up sometime to-night, and will hold a position +at rear of the centre in reserve. Is this sufficiently clear?" + +"Do we cross the bridge?" + +"Not until Johnston informs us his assaulting column is in touch with +the enemy." + +"There is no absolute hour set?" + +"No; that will depend upon the arrival of Chambers. And now, gentlemen, +we will adjourn to the dining-room." + +They passed out, evidently in the best of humor, and I could hear them +chatting and laughing in the hall. But my thoughts were now concentrated +upon my own work. This was important news I had overheard, and must be +in the possession of the Federal commander without delay. No personal +danger could be considered. But how was it possible to get away +unobserved? I was in full uniform, and unarmed; the house--now +Beauregard's headquarters--under close guard; the surrounding roads +lined with troops. It would be simply madness to attempt crossing the +river before nightfall, and yet I could not hope to remain where I was +all the afternoon without discovery. As soon as the duties of +hospitality were over Miss Willifred would certainly recall her +prisoner, and it could not be long before my escape from the room above +would be known. I must be safely out of the house before this occurred. +It seemed to me the stables offered the best hiding-place, or else the +deserted negro cabins. + +I could examine the greater part of the front yard from the windows, the +squad of troopers camped near the gate, and the sentinel pacing before +the steps, but was compelled to lean far out to gain any glimpse of the +rear. I could perceive no soldiers in this direction, however, and was +encouraged to note a long grape arbor, thickly overgrown with vines, +extending from the house to the other extremity of the garden. Once +safely within its shadow I might get through unseen. And there was but +one means of attaining the grape arbor--through the back hall, _via_ +either the kitchen or the cellar. I opened the door with all possible +caution, and took silent survey of the hall. The front door stood open +and a guard was stationed without, but with his back toward me. I could +hear voices in the dining-room, but the hall itself appeared deserted, +and, feeling that it was either now or never, I slipped forth, and +started toward the rear. There were two doors, one at the very extremity +of the hall, the other upon the right, both closed. Uncertain which to +choose I tried the first I came to, but, even as I cautiously turned the +knob, the second was opened from without, and a man entered hurriedly. +We stared into each others' faces, both too completely surprised for +speech. He was a cavalry sergeant, a gray-beard, and, with my first +movement, was tugging at a weapon. + +"Hold on there, my buck!" he said gruffly. "None o' that, now. By God! +it's a Yank. Bill, come here." + +The guard at the front door ran down the hall toward us, his gun thrown +forward. + + + +CHAPTER X + +MISS WILLIFRED INTERVENES + +Any effort at escape was clearly useless; the noise and shouting had +already attracted the attention of those within, and a half-dozen +officers streamed out through the dining-room door, eager to learn what +had occurred. + +"What's the trouble out here, Sims?" demanded the first to appear, +striding forward. "Well, by all the gods, a Yank, and in full regalia! +Where did you discover this fellow?" + +"I'd been back fer a drink, sir," explained the sergeant, still eying +me, "an' was just comin' in through ther door yer, when I run inter him, +sneakin' 'long ther wall--thet's ther whole bloomin' story." + +The officer, a smooth-faced lad, turned abruptly to me. + +"Well, what have you got to say?" + +"Nothing," I answered quietly, "you are perfectly welcome to draw your +own conclusions." + +"Oh, indeed," sarcastically. "We'll see what more civil answer you'll +make to the general. Sims, bring the fellow along." + +The two soldiers grabbed me roughly by the arms, but I made no +resistance, cool enough by this time, although realizing fully the peril +of my position. I was marched in through the open door, and stood up in +the centre of the dining-room, Sims posted on one side of me, the guard +on the other, the officers forming a picturesque background. Beauregard +was on his feet, and Miss Hardy stood between the windows, her hands +clasped, her cheeks red. + +"What is all this, gentlemen? A Federal officer in full uniform? How +comes he here?" + +I made no attempt to answer, unable to formulate an excuse, and the +young fellow broke in swiftly, + +"Sims caught him in the hall, General. He is unarmed, but refuses to +explain." + +The general's stern dark eyes were upon my face. + +"Hardly a spy, I think," he said quietly. "What is the explanation, sir? +Are you the bearer of a message?" + +I started to speak, but before the first uncertain word came to my lips, +the girl swept forward, and stood between us. + +"Let me explain," she cried swiftly. "This gentleman is a friend of +Captain Le Gaire's, and was presented to me as Major Atherton, formerly +on General Pemberton's staff--perhaps there may be some here who +know him?" + +She glanced inquiringly about on the faces of the group, and a stockily +built infantry captain struck his open hand on the table. + +"By Jove, that's it! Thought I recognized the face. How are you, +Atherton?--met you at Big Shanty." + +Still puzzled, although evidently relieved, Beauregard remained +motionless. + +"But the uniform?" he questioned. "And how did you reach the hallway +without being seen?" + +Her eyes met mine in a rapid flash of understanding, a little nervous +laugh drawing the general's attention. + +"It is almost ridiculous," she exclaimed. "Major Atherton came through +the lines with me last night. He was detailed on special service, for +which purpose he donned that uniform. On meeting Captain Le Gaire here, +and learning of your advance, it was no longer necessary for him to +proceed at once, and, as he was very tired, he was persuaded to lie down +in a room upstairs. Waking, he naturally came down into the hall, +knowing nothing of your arrival. Have I correctly presented the case, +Major Atherton?" + +Her eyes challenged me, and I bowed. + +"A perfectly clear statement." + +"And a most charming advocate," added Beauregard. "We must find you some +more appropriate garments, Major, but meanwhile there is room here at +the table. Captain Bell, would you kindly move a little to the right. +Now, Hughes, serve Major Atherton." + +I do not recall ever feeling more awkwardly embarrassed than during the +next few minutes. Not that the assembled officers lacked in courtesy, or +failed to interest in light conversation. Led by the general they all +endeavored to make me forget my strange position, and the unpleasant +episode of arrest. Indeed, but for the presence of Miss Willifred in the +room I imagine I should have been very much at ease, perfectly capable +of doing my full share of entertaining. But with the girl standing +silently in the shadow of the curtains, her eyes occasionally meeting +mine, I felt a constant restraint which impelled me to answer almost in +mono-syllables. She had openly defended me, saved me from arrest; +without telling a direct falsehood she had, nevertheless, led these men +into a grievous misunderstanding. Why had she done this? Through +personal interest in me? Through some wild impulse of the moment? I +could not even guess; only, I was assured of one thing: her secret +motive involved no lack of loyalty to the cause of the South. Realizing +this I dare not presume on her continued friendliness, dare not sit +there and lie calmly, filling these men with false information, and +permitting imagination to run rampant. Her eyes condemned that, and I +felt the slightest indiscretion on my part would result in betrayal. +Perhaps even then she regretted her hasty action, and sought some excuse +for blurting out the truth. Fortunately conversation drifted into safe +channels. Bell was full of reminiscences of Big Shanty, requiring on my +part but brief acquiescence, and, after a very few personal questions by +the others, sufficiently direct to demand reply, Beauregard asked me +about the disposition of Johnston's forces, to which I was fortunately +able to respond intelligently, giving him many details, sufficiently +interesting, although of no great value. To his desire for information +relative to Chambers' advance from the south, and the number of his +troops, I was obliged to guess rather vaguely, but finally got away with +a vivid description of Miss Hardy's night ride, which caused even the +girl herself to laugh, and chime in with a word or two. With the +officers the meal was nearly completed when I joined them, and it was +therefore not long until the general, noting the others had finished, +pushed back his own chair. + +"We will adjourn to the parlor, gentlemen," he said genially, "I shall +have other orders to despatch presently. When you finish, Major, I shall +be glad to talk with you more at length; until then we leave you to the +care of Miss Hardy." + +They passed out, and as the door closed behind the last straggler, she +came slowly across the room, and sat down in a chair opposite me, +resting her flushed cheek on one hand. + +"What made you do it?" I asked, impelled by a curiosity which could no +longer be restrained. + +"Oh, I don't know," and her lashes lifted, giving me one swift glimpse +into the depths of her eyes. "A mere impulse when I first realized the +danger of your position." + +"Then it was for me?--because you cared?" + +"Perhaps I would have done the same for any one--I am a woman." + +"I can comprehend that, yes," I insisted, "but am not willing to believe +mere sympathy would carry you so far. Was there not, back of all, a +feeling almost of friendship?" + +"I make no such acknowledgment. I spoke before I thought; before I even +realized what my words meant. And you?--how came you there?" + +I told her briefly, answering her questions without reserve, rejoicing +in the interest she exhibited in my narrative, and eager to know at once +how far I could still presume on her assistance. I wanted to get away, +to escape from the web about me, but I could not understand this girl, +or comprehend how far I dare venture on her good nature. Already I knew +that some feeling--either of friendship or sympathy--had impelled her to +save me from immediate betrayal, but would she go even further? +Everything between us conspired to bewilder me as to her real purpose. +Even as I concluded, it seemed to me her eyes hardened, and the +expression of her face changed. + +"That was extremely clever, Lieutenant Galesworth," she commented +quietly. "I never knew the chimney touched that wall. Now what do you +propose doing?" + +"You must understand my only interest is in getting away as soon as +possible. I am in constant danger here." + +"Of course," nodding, her cheeks flushed. "And you also possess very +important information. Because I have aided you to escape capture, do +you conclude I am a fool?" + +"Most assuredly not." + +"Or a traitress to the South?" + +"I could not think that." + +"Then let us clearly understand each other once for all. I have saved +you from capture, perhaps death. The reason I have done this need not be +discussed; indeed I could not satisfactorily explain my action even to +myself. But if the truth ever becomes known I shall be placed in a most +embarrassing position. Surely you understand this, and you are a +gentleman; I am sure of that. You are not going to carry that news to +your camp. Before I should permit that to happen I would denounce you +openly, and permit those men yonder to think evil of me. But I do not +believe that course necessary. Instead, I am going to trust you as a +gentleman--am going to accept your word of honor." + +"My word? You mean my parole?" + +"You may call it that--your pledge to remain in this house until I say +you may go." + +"But--" + +"Stop! Lieutenant Galesworth, do you not owe this to me?" + +I hesitated, fronting this direct question, looking straight across the +table into her serious face, as she leaned toward me. What was my most +important duty--that which I owed the Federal army, or that I owed to +this girl? And then again--did I really have a choice? There was never a +doubt in my mind as to what she would do if the occasion arose. I had +tested her quality already, and fully comprehended the promise to turn +me over to the Confederate guard was no idle threat. She would trust my +word, but, failing that, would certainly do the other thing. There was +no spirit of play in those eyes watching me. + +"Apparently I possess no real choice," I answered, at last. "Either way +I am a prisoner." + +She smiled, evidently relieved at my tone. + +"Yes--but have you no preference as to captors?" + +"Put thus, hesitation ends; I accept the terms of parole." + +"You mean it?" + +"Yes." + +She extended her hand across the table, and I as instantly grasped it, +both almost unconscious of the actions. + +"I ought to thank you," I began, but she broke in as quickly: + +"No; please don't. I know I am not doing what I should. It is all so +strange that I am actually dazed; I have lost all understanding of +myself. It is painful enough to realize that I yield to these impulses, +without being constantly reminded that I fail in duty. I do not want +your gratitude." + +She had withdrawn her hand, and was upon her feet. I thought her whole +form was trembling, her lips seeking to frame words. + +"I certainly had no intention of hurting you." + +"Oh, I know--I know that. You cannot understand. Only I am sorry you +came--came into my life, for ever since it has been trouble. Now you +must simply wait until I say go, and then you will go; won't you?" + +"Yes--but not to forget." + +She turned back toward me. + +"You had better," coldly. "It will be useless to remember." + +It was my turn to smile, for she could not play the part, her eyes +veiling themselves behind the long lashes. + +"Nevertheless I shall," I insisted warmly. "I find it not altogether +unpleasant--being your prisoner." + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE RETURN OF LE GAIRE + +"I shall endeavor to make it as little unpleasant as I can," she +rejoined, "but will demand obedience. Right wheel; forward march. Yes, +through the door; the surroundings are not unfamiliar." + +It was the judge's library, where I had hidden before at the coming of +Captain Le Gaire, and she paused in the doorway, glancing +curiously about. + +"Remember now, you are on parole, but restricted to this room." + +"For how long?" She made an exceedingly pretty picture in that frame, +and I was in no hurry to be deprived of it. + +"Until--well, until I am pleased to release you. Don't scowl; I'm sure +I'm trying to be nice, and I never was so polite to a Yankee before. +Really this is the pleasantest room in the house; I have passed hours in +here myself." + +"Perhaps this afternoon--" + +She shook her head violently, her eyes dancing with laughter. + +"Certainly not; with all these Confederate officers here. Sometimes I +think you are very conceited--I wonder if you are." And then before I +could answer,--"What a handsome man Captain Bell is; and so delightful +of him to remember having met you." + +The witch was plainly enough laughing at me, but she chose a poor +subject in Bell. + +"And my sentence, then, is solitary confinement?" + +"That is far better than you deserve. Those windows open on the porch, +and there is a sentry there; the door leads to the rear of the house. I +shall not even lock it, nor this. I leave you here upon your word of +honor, Lieutenant Galesworth." + +She was gone like the flutter of a bird, and I sank back upon the soft +cushion of a library chair, still smiling, my eyes wandering curiously +about the room. Then I got up, examined the windows and the rear door, +and returned. Escape was dangerous, but possible, yet no serious thought +of making such an attempt even occurred to me. For whatever unknown +reason, the girl's quick wit had saved me from capture; I owed her every +loyalty, and I had pledged her my word. That was enough. The more I +turned the circumstances over in my mind the less I seemed to comprehend +her motives, yet there could be no doubt she sought to serve me. A word +from her to Le Gaire, or to Beauregard, would have ended my career +instantly. Instead of speaking this word of betrayal she had +deliberately placed herself in my defence, deceiving her own people. +Why? Was there more than a mere impulse behind the action? Was she doing +for me more than she would have done for another under similar +circumstances? Was this act merely the result of womanly sympathy? For +the life of me I could not determine. She was like two individuals, so +swiftly did her moods change--one moment impressing me as a laughing +girl, the next leaving me convinced she was a serious-minded woman. Just +as I thought I knew, believed I understood, she would change into +another personality, leaving me more bewildered than ever. Suddenly I +thought again of Le Gaire, remembering his dark, handsome face, his +manner of distinction, and there came to me mistily the words overheard +during their unexpected meeting. She had called him "Gerald," and there +had been other words exchanged--aye! he had even taunted her with their +engagement, objecting to her being alone with me, and she had denied +nothing. Somehow this suddenly recurring memory left me hot and angry. I +disliked Le Gaire; from the very first moment of gazing into his dark, +sneering eyes I had felt antagonism, a disposition to quarrel; but now +something more potent rose between us--the girl. I was not blind to the +man's attractions; I could easily understand how he could find way to a +girl's heart. But a man can judge a man best, and every instinct of my +nature warned me against this fellow. The very first sound of his voice +had prejudiced me, and when I saw him I knew I was right--with him +manliness was but veneer. And Billie! The name sounded soft, sweet, +womanly now and I longed to speak it in her presence. Billie! I said it +over and over again reverently, her face floating before me in memory, +and then my lips closed in sudden determination: not without a fight, a +hard fight, was this gray-jacket going to retain her, going to keep +her from me. + +It was a mad resolve; yet it was there, in my heart and upon my lips. I +had come upon the field late, come in the wrong uniform, but I was +sufficiently in earnest now. The girl liked me, served me, and she +interested me as no other ever had. Her very moods, piquant, reserved, +aroused my ambition, stimulated my purpose, and Le Gaire--the very +thought of him was a thorn in the flesh. I have wondered since if I +really loved her then; I do not know, but I dreamed of her, idealized +her, my heart throbbing at every unusual sound without, hoping she might +come again. I could hear the noise of the cavalry camp on the lawn, and +the tramp of feet in the hall. Occasionally some voice sounded clear +enough so I could distinguish the words. I opened the door leading into +the dining-room, but that apartment was deserted. There was evidently +nothing to do but wait, and I lay down on the couch between the windows, +looking up at the green leaves shaking in the breeze. Fatigued with the +labors of the previous night, before I realized the possibility I was +fast asleep. + +I must have remained there some hours, totally unconscious, for when I +finally awoke it was nearly dark, the dusk so pronounced I could +scarcely see across the room. Some noise without had aroused me, and I +knew instantly what it was--the pounding of a horse's hoofs on gravel, +the animal being furiously ridden. As I sat up, the horse was jerked to +its haunches, and the rider swung from the saddle. + +"Here, orderly, take the rein; quick now, damn you!" The words reached +me clearly, but as I glanced out I saw only a dark form springing up the +steps. Something familiar about the voice caused me to leap for the +door, holding it sufficiently ajar so I could overhear what passed in +the hall. There was a muttered word or two to the sentry, the newcomer +insisting angrily on seeing Beauregard; then a woman's voice suddenly +broke in with an exclamation of surprise. + +"You back again! I am afraid you will have to wait to see the general +unless your mission is of the utmost importance. He is lying down, and +left orders he was not to be disturbed before nine o'clock." + +"My mission is important enough," was the reply, "but perhaps, it can be +attended to without him. Where can, we be alone, Billie?" + +"Right in here," stepping through the doorway into the deeper dusk of +the dining-room. "If you are hungry I can order a lunch." + +"No," impatiently, "I have eaten twice to-day--what I want to know is +what has become of that fellow who was here this morning?" + +"Major Ather--" + +"Oh, hell!" forgetting every pretence to gentility. "He was not Atherton +at all, but a damned Yankee spy. Do you mean to say you didn't know it?" + +I could see her straighten up, turning swiftly to face him. Whatever the +shock of discovery may have been, indignation conquered, and her voice +was cool, stinging. + +"Captain Le Gaire, I am not in the habit of being sworn at, and will +leave you to gain your information elsewhere." + +She swept by him to the door, but, gasping with surprise, the man +managed to call after her, + +"Billie, don't go like that! I didn't mean to swear. It was jolted out +of me, and I beg your pardon." + +She halted on the threshold, glancing back evidently in hesitation. + +"This is not the first time you have let your temper loose in my +presence," she said slowly, "but it is the last. If you feel so little +respect for me now, the future is not very encouraging." + +"But, Billie, you don't understand!" + +"I understand enough. However we will not discuss this matter any +further at present. What was it you desired to know?" + +"Where that fellow has gone!" instantly flaming up again. "He wasn't +Atherton at all, but I'll swear he was the very picture of him; he would +have fooled the devil." + +"No doubt," almost indifferently. "How did you discover the deception?" + +"By merest accident. Happened to mention meeting him to old Trevor, and +he was up in arms in a minute. Seems Atherton married his niece, and the +fellow here couldn't be the major, for he was shot in a skirmish three +weeks ago, and has been in the hospital at Athens ever since. He's there +now; rode over to Pemberton's headquarters to make sure, and met +Gregory, Chief-of-Staff. He saw Atherton Saturday, and he wasn't able to +sit up yet. The fellow here was a Yank--and you didn't know it?" + +"I very naturally supposed he was what he represented himself to be," +she replied, coming back into the room. "And when you recognized him as +an old acquaintance I never gave the matter another thought." + +"But he came through the lines with you," bewildered and doubtful. + +"The best of reasons why I should never have suspected him of being a +Yankee. He was very pleasant and gentlemanly." + +"Oh, indeed! all a man has to do is smile and say nice things to get you +women on his side." + +"Then why don't you try it? You are certainly disagreeable enough +to-day." + +"Perhaps I am," endeavoring to laugh. "But if I could get my hands on +that Yank I'd be in far better humor. Where is he?" + +"The last time I saw him," with provoking coolness, "he was at dinner +with General Beauregard and staff." + +"At dinner! Here! Good God! he must have nerve. How did it happen?" + +"Through my introduction originally, and then later he was recognized +by Captain Bell." + +Le Gaire sank down into a chair, glaring at the girl's dim, white-robed +figure, his teeth savagely clicking in an effort to keep from swearing. +As though to exasperate him yet more she laughed. + +"I fail to see the fun," he snarled impatiently. "This is no joke, let +me tell you, and we'll both find it out if Beauregard ever learns the +truth. What did they talk about?" + +"Army matters mostly. The general wished information regarding the +movement of Johnston's and Chambers' forces, and Major Atherton--" + +"Don't call the fellow that!" + +"Then what shall I call him?" + +He struck his fist on the table, almost devoid of the power of speech. + +"I don't care, only not that. I tell you he's not Atherton, but a +sneaking Yankee spy." + +"Why, he was in full uniform!" + +"He'll hang, just the same, if we get him. Now see here--did Beauregard +let out any facts?" + +She drew a quick breath, one hand on her breast, and it seemed to me her +voice trembled. + +"He talked as he would to one of his own officers. They discussed the +plans of operation quite freely among themselves." + +Le Gaire groaned, his elbows on the table, his head in his hands. She +remained motionless, looking at him. Suddenly he glanced up. + +"I'll be hanged if I understand you, Billie," he exclaimed. "Don't you +care, or don't you realize what this means? That fellow has got all our +plans, and he's got safely away with them too, I suppose." + +She nodded, as he paused an instant. + +"Before morning they'll be over there," with a wave of the hand, "and +our move checkmated. Whose fault is it? Yours and mine. It's enough to +drive a man crazy, and you stand there and laugh." + +"I am not laughing." + +"Well, you were a minute ago. Do you even suspect who the fellow is?" + +"You said he was Major Ath--" + +"Oh, hell!" springing to his feet, with sword rattling, and hands +clinched. "I won't stand this, not even from you. You're hiding +something; what is it? Is this Yank anything to you?" + +"Absolutely nothing, Captain Le Gaire. Take your hand from my arm, +please. Now I will trouble you to stop this controversy. I am not +indifferent, but I refuse to be bullied, and sworn at. If you are so +wild to capture this spy why don't you make the rounds of the pickets +instead of remaining here and quarrelling with me? The man is not hiding +behind my skirts. I will bid you good-night." + +She was gone before he could even fling out a hand to stop her. A moment +he raged between table and wall; then flung out the door and down the +steps, calling for his horse. + + + +CHAPTER XII + +AN ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE + +The seriousness of my situation was clearly apparent, yet what could I +do in order to save myself? My word was pledged, and it was evident the +girl had no intention of betraying my presence. But would she come to +me? Would she give me the opportunity of escape? It must be accomplished +now if at all, before Le Gaire returned, or had time to complete his +round of the pickets. Every instant of delay robbed me of a chance--and +my life hung in the balance. There was little doubt as to that; I could +advance no military reason for being treated other than as a spy, and my +fate would be the short shift meted out to such over the drum-head. All +this swept through my brain as I listened to the hoofs of Le Gaire's +horse pound the gravel outside, the sound dying away in the distance. +The sentinel marched slowly past the window, his figure silhouetted +against the red glow of a camp-fire inside the gate. Then, without a +warning sound, the door was pushed ajar, and the girl slipped silently +through. The distant reflection of the fire barely served to reveal her +face, and outline her figure. She was breathing heavily and trembling +with excitement, her voice barely audible. + +"You--you heard what was said in there?" she asked, eager to gain time. +"You know Captain Le Gaire has returned?" + +"Yes," thinking to calm her by an appearance of coolness. "He seems to +be a most blood-thirsty individual." + +"He was angry at being deceived. No one can blame him, but I simply had +to tantalize him in order to get him away." + +"Was that it? Do you mean so you might come here to me?" + +"Why, of course. I had promised you. Do you think I would demean myself +by lying--to a Yank? Besides," her voice faltered, "you would have kept +your parole, and--and--" + +"Waited here to be hung, probably," I broke in, "as that ceremony +appears to be part of the programme. My only hope was that you might +possibly object to this item of entertainment." + +"Don't laugh," soberly. "There is no fun in it for me." + +"Then you would show mercy even to a Yankee spy?" + +"I am not sure of that. I am a Rebel, but that has no serious weight +now. You are not a spy; if you have acted as one, it has been more +through my fault than your own. Besides you are my prisoner, and if I +should permit you to fall into the hands of those men, to be condemned +to death, the memory would haunt me forever. I am not that kind, +Lieutenant Galesworth. I don't want your gratitude; I would rather fight +you than help you. I want you to understand this first of all." + +"I do, Miss Hardy; you simply perform a duty." + +"Yes; I--I keep my word." + +"But, after all, isn't it a little easier because--you like me?" + +She drew in her breath so quickly it was almost a sob, the swift, +unexpected question disarming her in an instant. It was no longer the +tiger cat, but the woman who gasped out a surprised response. + +"No; oh, no! that is what makes it harder." + +"Harder to aid me?" + +"To see you unjustly condemned, and--and to realize that perhaps I am +disloyal to my country." + +Something about these simple words of confession, wrung from her lips by +my insistence, held me silent. I failed to realize then the full +significance of this acknowledgment, and she gave me no opportunity. + +"This is ungenerous," she broke in quickly. "I do feel friendly toward +you; surely I need not be ashamed of this, even though our interests are +unlike, our causes opposed. Everything has conspired to make us friends. +But you must not presume, or take advantage of my position. Now +listen--I am here for one purpose: to give you an opportunity of escape. +After that we are strangers; do you accept my terms?" + +"You offer no others?" + +"None." + +"Then I accept--until Fate intervenes." + +"You believe in Fate?" + +"When aided by human persistence, yes; I intend to represent that +goddess." + +She drew back a step, her hand on the door. + +"You almost make me regret my effort," reproachfully. "However I warn +you the goddess this time shall play you false. But we waste moments in +talk. Here is your revolver, Lieutenant; now come with me." + +She thrust the butt into my hand, and crossed the room to the door +opening out into the back yard. An instant she peered forth into the +night; then turned her face back toward me. + +"Take my place here," she whispered. "See that line of shadow yonder--it +is the grape arbor. I am going to steal along to the end of the house +where I can watch the sentinel. The instant I signal make for that +arbor, and lie quiet until I come." + +I watched the dim outline of her form. She was actually doing all this +for me--for me! She was running this great risk, smothering her own +conscience--for me! I could not doubt this as a truth; I had probed +deeply enough to be assured there was personal interest, friendliness, +inspiring the sacrifice. She would never have lifted a hand to save a +Yankee spy; all her sympathy was with the Confederacy. Yet she was +risking all--her reputation, her life--to save me! The knowledge seemed +to send fire through my veins, my heart throbbed fiercely. Oh, she could +dissemble, could pretend all this was merely duty, could rage against +herself and me, but nevertheless I understood--she was doing it for me! +I knew, and she should know--yes, this very night, out yonder in the +shadows, when we were alone together I would make her realize what it +all meant. Le Gaire? What cared I for Le Gaire! This was Love and War +combined, and all is fair in either. Besides, it was the girl who +counted, who must say the final word--why should I hesitate for the sake +of Le Gaire? Let him fight for himself; surely the prize was worth +the battle. + +Her hand waved; I could catch the glimmer of the white sleeve, and +recognized it as a signal. With a dozen steps I was at the entrance to +the arbor, crouching down low in the shadows. As noiseless as a ghost +she sped across the open space, and joined me. I could feel her form +tremble as I touched her, and she caught my arm with both hands, her +face turned backward. + +"They are relieving guard," she faltered, "and will come past here next, +for there is a sentry on the opposite side. We must get farther down +under the vines." + +I drew her forward, for she clung to me strangely, as though all the +courage and strength had suddenly deserted her. + +"There are no guards down here?" + +"No." + +"Nor at the stables?" + +"I cannot tell; I was afraid to ask." + +The arbor ended some thirty feet from the stables, with a low, +vine-covered fence between. There have been darker nights, yet I could +distinguish merely the dim outlines. Still feeling her clasp on my arm I +came to a halt, startled into absolute silence by the approach of the +relief guard. The sturdy tramp of feet, and the slight tinkle of +bayonets against canteens, told plainly the fellows had turned our way, +although, crouched where we were, we could at first see nothing. I drew +my revolver, my other hand clasping hers, and waited breathlessly. The +little squad came trudging down the opposite side of the fence, only the +upper part of their bodies dimly visible against the slightly lighter +background of the sky. I made out the officer in command, and four men, +then they wheeled into the shadow of the stables, and the sentinel +stationed there challenged. There was a reply, the sound of a musket +brought sharply to the shoulder, a gruff, indistinguishable order, and +then again the tramp of feet, dying away in the distance. Every +movement, and word, told the story, revealed the situation. I turned my +eyes back to the girl's face, questioningly, barely able to perceive its +whiteness. + +"They have a guard there," I whispered, my lips close to her ear. "Is +there no other way out?" + +"Yes, on foot, but I supposed you would need a horse." + +"And there are horses there?" + +"I do not know about any others; I understand the judge has lost all +his, but the one Captain Le Gaire left for you this morning was +taken there." + +"You know the situation,"--the cavalryman's eagerness for a mount +overcoming all thought of danger,--"how best to get in." + +"Yes; I went out there with Tom when the judge told him to put up the +horse,--I wanted to see how my pony was getting along. The door is on +that side to the east, just around the corner. It is closed by a wooden +button. The pony is in the first stall, and the horse in the second; the +saddle and bridle were hung on a peg behind," she said this clearly, +anxious to make me understand, but then, as the other thought came to +her, her voice broke. "But, Lieutenant Galesworth, you--you cannot get +the horse with the guard there!" + +My clasp closed more tightly on her fingers, my resolve hardening. + +"He's only a man, perhaps sleepy and careless, while I am wide awake. +One must be willing to assume risk in war. With the horse under me I +have a chance, while on foot I should probably be caught before +daylight. Don't worry; this is not my first attempt." + +"You--you mean to try?" + +"Certainly; I should be a poor specimen if I did not. But I am going to +say good-bye to you first, and then lie here quietly until you are +safely in the house." + +She drew in a quick breath, her face lifting. + +"The house! I am going to remain here." + +"But the risk you run, and you can be of no help." + +"Oh, don't argue!" impatiently. "There is no more risk of my discovery +here than there. I want to know what happens; I would rather face +anything than suspense. Lieutenant Galesworth, I have always had my way, +and I shall now." + +Down in my heart I rejoiced at her decision, but all I said was: + +"Very well, Miss Willifred, it makes me feel like a knight going forth +to battle under the eyes of his lady." The slight flutter of a ribbon at +her throat caught my eye, and I touched it with my finger. "May I wear +this in token of your good wishes?" + +"You--you are not going to kill any one?" + +"Not if it can possibly be avoided." + +She was silent a moment, so still I could hear her breathing; then her +hands undid the ribbon knot, and she held it toward me. + +"I--I do wish you well," she said softly. "I--don't know why, but I do." + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +I MEET LE GAIRE + +My hand touching her own seemed to work a sudden transformation. She was +instantly upon her feet facing me, drawing back a little against the +grape arbor. + +"Do not take my words so seriously," she exclaimed. "I am excited, +almost hysterical to-night. To-morrow I shall regret much I have done +and said. But you must go, Lieutenant; every moment of delay adds to +your peril and mine. No; please do not touch me or speak to me again; +only listen--there is a bridle path leading directly from the farther +corner of the stable to the river; a gate will let you out of the +orchard lot; now go!" + +"You will not even shake hands?" "I--I--yes, of course, I will do that." +Our fingers clasped, and we stood face to face, our eyes meeting through +the darkness. The thrill of contact, the wild hope that this girl really +cared unusually for me, became almost overpowering. I longed to crush +her in my arms, to pour into her ears the passionate words that burned +on my lips. I forgot everything except her presence, her nearness, the +soft pressure of her hand. + +"Billie! Billie!" + +"No! No!" and she had instantly released herself. "You forget yourself; +you forget my position. Now it is good-bye." + +"You positively mean this?" + +"I do. I am a soldier's daughter, Lieutenant Galesworth, and I am +trusting you to act as a soldier and a gentleman." + +Under the cloak of darkness my face burned, feeling the reproof of this +appeal, realizing that I merited the sting. For the instant my actions, +my presumption, seemed contemptible. I had taken advantage of her +kindness, her sympathy, her trust, and openly misconstrued womanly +friendliness into a stronger emotion. The rebuke was perfectly just; I +could not even find words of apology, but turned away silently. And she +made no effort to stay me, either by word or motion. + +I had crept forward as far as the low fence before the numbness left me, +before I came back to full comprehension of my situation, and the +serious work confronting me. Then the soldier spirit reawoke into alert +action, my thought intent upon escape, my nerves steadying down for the +coming trial. I recall glancing back, imagining I saw the white glimmer +of her dress against the dark shrubbery, and then I resolutely drove all +memory of her from my mind, concentrating every instinct to the one +immediate purpose of overcoming the stable guard. This was not +altogether new work to one inured as a scout, but sufficiently serious +to call forth every precaution. Cautiously I crept along the fence until +I discovered an opening large enough to crawl through, scarcely rustling +the concealing leaves, and resting flat on the opposite side while I +surveyed the prospect. I was not far now from the south wall of the +stable, which loomed black and shapeless against the sky. Not a movement +revealed the whereabouts of the guard, and, with the girl's description +to guide me, I concluded the fellow would be stationed at the other +extremity of the building. Convinced as to this probability I dragged my +body slowly forward until I could touch the log wall. I could see better +now, being myself in the denser shadow, and knew the passage was clear +to the corner. + +Assured of this I rose to my feet, revolver in hand, and pressing close +against the side of the building, advanced quickly and silently. At the +corner I peered about, scarcely daring to breathe, but with heart +pounding, as I caught sight of the fellow, not over three feet distant. +He was seated on an overturned bucket, his back toward me, both hands +clasping a musket, his head bent slightly forward. He seemed listening +to some noise in the distance, totally unconscious of my approach. The +man's fingers were nowhere near the trigger of his gun, and my straining +eyes could perceive no sign of any other weapon. This had to be silent +work--silent and swift. With one step forward I had my revolver pressed +hard against his cheek, my other hand crushing his fingers to +the musket. + +"Keep quiet, man! Not a move! I'll blow your head off if you lift a +hand!" + +"Oh! Good God!" + +He was but little more than a boy; I could see his face now under the +slouch hat, and I had already frightened the life half out of him. + +"Drop your gun! Now stand up!" He obeyed like an automaton, his brain +seemingly paralyzed. There was nothing to fear from this fellow, yet I +knew better than to become careless--terror has been known to drive men +crazy. I caught him by the collar, whirling him about, my Colt still +at his ear. + +"Go straight to the stable door, son!" + +"Who--who are you? W--what do you want?" + +"Don't stop to ask questions--you trot, unless you want to get hurt. Do +you hear me?--the stable door! That's it; now undo the button, open the +door, and go inside." + +I held him like a vice, assured his belt contained no weapons, and +thrust him forward against the wall. He was so helpless in my grasp that +it was like handling a child. + +"Feel along there--higher up--and tell me what you find. Well, what is +it?" + +"A--a bridle," his voice barely audible. + +"Halter strap on it?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Take it off, and hand it back here. Now go on, and feel the next +stake." + +"There's a blanket, and--and a rope halter." + +"Good! give me that; now, son, put both hands back here, cross the +wrists. Come, stand up to it; this is better than getting killed, isn't +it? Now here is a nice soft spot to lie on, and I guess you'll remain +there for a while. Do you want me to gag you, or will you keep still?" + +"I'll--I'll keep still!" + +"Well, be sure you do; your life isn't worth a picayune if you raise any +row." + +I arose to my feet, confident the boy had been safely disposed of, and +feeling blindly around in the darkness, seeking to locate the stalls. +At that instant a horse neighed outside; then I heard the sound of hoofs +pounding on soft soil. Whoever the fellow was, he was almost +there--coming up at a trot, just back of the stables. My brain worked in +a flash--there was but once chance to stave off discovery. With a bound +I was beside the boy, and had jerked off his hat, jamming it down on my +own head, as I muttered in his ear, "One word from you now, and you'll +never speak again--don't take the chance!" + +I leaped for the door, and grasped the musket, barely straightening up, +as the oncoming horseman swung around the corner. It was a desperate +chance, yet in this darkness he could scarcely distinguish color of +uniform or shape of features. It might work; it was worth trying. I saw +the dim outlines of horse and rider in a red glow, as though the latter +held a cigar between his lips; then I swung forward my gun. + +"Halt! who comes?" + +Startled by the sudden challenge, the horse reared to the sharp jerk at +the reins, the man uttering an oath as he struggled to control +the beast. + +"Hell! What's this?" + +"A sentry post; answer up, or I'll call the guard--who are you?" + +"An officer on special service." "Dismount, and give the word." + +He swung reluctantly down, growling, yet with sufficient respect for my +cocked musket to be fairly civil, and stepped up against the lowered +barrel, his horse's rein in hand. + +"Atlanta," he whispered. + +My gun snapped back to a carry, my only thought an intense anxiety to +have him off as quickly as possible. + +"Pass officer on special service." + +He paused, puffing at his cigar. + +"What's the best way to the house, sentry?" he asked with apparent +carelessness, "along the fence there?" + +"The road runs this side, you can't miss it," I replied civilly enough, +but stepping back so as to increase our distance. + +"Ah, yes--thanks." + +He flipped the ash from his cigar, drawing at the stub so fiercely the +red glow reflected directly into my eyes. He stared a moment, then +turned, and thrust a foot into the stirrup. + +"I've seen you somewhere before, my man." + +"I was at the gate when you came through just before dark." + +"Oh, yes," he replied, apparently satisfied, and swung up lightly into +the saddle. "So you recognize me, then?" + +"Captain Le Gaire, is it not? The sergeant said so." + +He believed he had me completely deceived, that I entertained no +suspicion he had also recognized me, and that therefore he could play me +a sharp trick. I was not sure, for the man acted his part rarely well, +only that I knew it was not in Le Gaire's nature to be so excessively +polite. What was his game, I wondered, gripping my musket with both +hands, my eyes following his every motion. Would he venture an attack +alone, or ride on and report me to the guard? I had little enough time +in which to speculate. He gathered up the reins in one hand, his horse +cavorting; he had probably found somewhere a fresh mount. I stepped +aside, but the animal still faced me, and with high-flung head partially +concealed his rider. Suddenly the latter dug in his spurs, and the beast +leaped straight at me, front hoofs pawing the air. I escaped as by a +hair's breadth, one iron shoe fairly grazing my shoulder, but, with the +same movement, I swung the clubbed musket. He had no time to dodge; +there was a thud as it struck, a smothered cry, and the saddle was +empty, a revolver flipping into the air, as the man went plunging over. +I sprang to the horse's bit, the frightened animal dragging me nearly +to the fence before I conquered him. But I dare not let go--once free he +would join the troop horses, his riderless saddle sure to alarm the +guards. With lacerated hands, and shirt torn into shreds, I held on, +jerked and bruised by the mad struggle, until the fellow stood +trembling. Using the bridle rein for a halter strap I tied him to the +fence, and, sore all over and breathing hard from exertion, went back to +discover what had become of Le Gaire. + +The excitement of encounter had, for the instant, banished all +recollection of the young woman hidden beneath the shadow of the grape +arbor. My entire mind had concentrated on the fight, which, even now, +might not be ended. I knew I had struck the fellow hard with the full, +wide swing of the musket stock; I had both felt and heard the blow, and +the impact had hurled him clear from the horse. Beyond doubt he was +helpless, badly hurt perhaps, and there suddenly came to me a fear lest +I had actually killed him. I had struck fiercely, impelled by the +instinct to save myself, but I had had no desire to take the man's life. +I had no reason to like Le Gaire; I believed him a bully, a +disagreeable, boasting cur, but he was something to Willifred Hardy, and +I could not afford to have his blood on my hands. I thought of her then, +casting a swift glance back toward the shadows beyond the fence, and +then went straight toward where the fellow lay, afraid to learn the +truth, yet even more intensely afraid to again meet her without knowing. +He had evidently fallen upon his shoulder, and still lay in a huddled +heap. I had to straighten out his form before I was able to decide +whether he was living or dead. I bent down, undoing his jacket, and +placed my ear to his heart. It beat plainly enough, almost +regularly--the man was alive; I doubted if he were even seriously +injured. This discovery was such a relief that I muttered a "Thank God," +and began rubbing his chest as though in effort to restore the fellow to +consciousness. Then my senses came back, my realization of the +situation. Let Le Gaire lie where he was; others would take care of him +soon enough. I must get away; I could use his horse, pretend to be him, +if necessary, and before daylight be safely across the river. I sought +along the ground until I found the dropped revolver, thrust it into my +belt, and ran over to where the horse was tied. + +I had loosened the rein, my hand on the pommel, when the thought came +that I must tell her first before I rode away. Even though the delay was +a risk to us both, yet she must understand the truth, be informed of Le +Gaire's condition, and why I had attacked him. At the instant this last +seemed more important than all else. It would require but a moment, and +then I could go, confident the man's injury would be no additional +barrier between us, would never cause her to suspect that I had attacked +him wantonly, actuated by personal motives. He might try to make her +think so, if he were the kind I believed, his mind already suspicious of +her interest in me. Her very sympathy for his wounds would make her +easily influenced; this natural sympathy must not be inflamed by doubt +of my motives and the thought that I had deliberately sought the man's +life. It may have been two rods between the fence and the grape arbor, +and I called to her softly. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +ACROSS THE RIVER + +She came toward me swiftly, slipping through the night like a shadow, +instantly recognizing my voice. + +"You--you are not hurt, Lieutenant Galesworth?" she asked, her voice +trembling. + +"No; merely bruised, and shaken up--the horse did that." + +"Oh; was it you who had that struggle with the horse? I--I thought he +would surely kill the man." + +"The poor fellow was frightened," and I stroked his neck softly, "and +certainly gave me a hard tussle. But that's all over now. I want to +explain what has happened before I leave." + +"Yes." + +"I owe you that, do I not, wearing your colors?" + +I could not perceive the expression of her face, but the tone of her +voice was not altogether encouraging. + +"They were but expressive of my best wishes; of course I wished you to +succeed." + +"I wonder--will you continue your good wishes after hearing my story?" + +"What do you mean? You have not killed any one?" + +"No; but I have hurt one who seems to have some claim upon you." + +She drew in her breath quickly, clasping her hands. + +"Who?--tell me! Can you mean Captain Le Gaire?" + +"I regret to say 'yes'; this was his horse. Now don't blame me until you +hear the whole story. I will tell it all in very few words, and +then go." + +"But--but you are sure he is not seriously hurt?" + +"He may have a rib or collar-bone broken, and is still unconscious; +nothing that will keep him out of mischief long. I wanted to tell you +all about the affair myself--I don't trust Le Gaire." + +"Why say that to me?" + +"Because I must. If I understand the man the very first thing he will do +will be to poison your mind against me--" + +"He? Why?" + +"Miss Hardy," I said soberly, "what use is there for us to play at +cross-purposes? You realize that Captain Le Gaire suspects that you have +an interest in me, that you have helped in my escape. He doesn't like me +any the better for that. Men will do strange things when they are in +love--such men as Le Gaire. Do you suppose I intend permitting him to +thus influence you against me, when I am where I cannot defend myself?" + +"But he would never do that; I am sure, he never would." + +"Possibly not, but I prefer you should have my version to compare with +what he may say. We have met strangely, in a manner which could only +happen in time of war, and one day and two nights of adventure together +have already made us better acquainted than would a year of ordinary +social intercourse. I value your good wishes, and feel more gratitude +than words can express. I am not going away leaving you to think me +unworthy. I will tell you this exactly as it occurred, and you are to +believe me, no matter what is said later." + +My earnestness made an impression and as I paused her lips parted. + +"Yes--I am going to believe you." + +"I felt sure you would. Now listen, for I must be away, and Le Gaire +attended to." + +I told it simply, clearly, making no attempt except to bring out the +important facts, realizing that her own imagination would supply the +details. She clung to the fence, our eyes meeting as I spoke swiftly, +making no comment until I concluded. + +"Could I have done otherwise?" + +"No; you are not to be blamed, but I am so sorry it happened to be +Captain Le Gaire." + +"You mean because--" + +"He has been much to me," she interrupted, "perhaps still is, +although--" she paused suddenly, catching her breath,--"yet this can +make no difference." + +"But it does." + +She remained silent, and, I thought, drew slightly back. + +"You do not wonder?" I asked, unable to restrain myself, "you do not ask +why? May I not tell you?" + +"I prefer you should not," very quietly. "I am not foolish enough to +pretend that I do not understand. We are going to part now, and you +will forget." + +"Is it then so easy for you?" + +"I need not confess, only I see how utterly foolish all this is. The +conditions bringing us together in a few hours of intimacy have been +romantic, and, perhaps, it is not strange that you should feel an +interest in me. I--I hope you do, for I shall certainly always feel most +kindly toward you, Lieutenant Galesworth. We are going to part as +friends, are we not? You will remember me as a little Rebel who served +you once, even against her conscience, and I will continue to think of +you as a brave soldier and courteous gentleman. Isn't that worth while? +Isn't it even better than dreaming an impossible dream?" + +"But why impossible?" + +"Surely you know." + +"You mean Le Gaire?" + +"I mean everything. Captain Le Gaire may be partially responsible, but +there is much besides. Need we discuss this further?" + +I should have hesitated, but I simply could not consent to be dismissed +thus completely. Through the obscuring mist of the night I saw her face +dimly, and it fascinated me. Behind the quiet decision of her voice +there was a tremulousness which yielded courage. I could not part with +her like this. + +"Billie," I said, and she started at the familiarity of the name, "I am +going to risk even your good opinion rather than leave in doubt. Don't +treat me like a boy." Her hand was upon the fence, and I placed both of +my own upon it. "Be honest with me. Forget the uniform, this sectional +war, and let us simply be man and woman--can you not?" + +She did not answer, her hand yet held in mine, so startled by my sudden +outburst as to be helpless. + +"I must know," I went on heedlessly, the very touch of her flesh making +me reckless. Our position, the danger of the night, all vanished, and I +saw only the whiteness of her face. Perhaps, had I been able to read +her eyes, their expression might have served to curb my tongue, but +nothing else could have held me silent. "I am going away, going into the +lines of a hostile army; I may not reach there alive, and, if I do, I +may fall in the first battle. I must tell you the truth first--I must. +Don't call it foolish, for it is not. Dear, I may be a Yankee, but I am +also a man, and I--" + +"Oh, stop! please stop!" her fingers clasping me, her form closer. "I +can not--I will not permit you to say this. I have no right. You have +made me disloyal to my country; you shall not make me disloyal to all +else. If I should listen I would have no self-respect left. For my sake +be still, and go." + +"But I know you are not indifferent; you cannot conceal the truth." + +"Then be content, be satisfied, be generous." + +"If you will only say one thing." + +"What?" + +"That I may come to you--after the war." + +She stood a moment motionless, and then withdrew her hand. + +"That would be equivalent to a hope which I cannot give," she returned +soberly. "When the war ends I shall probably no longer be Willifred +Hardy." My heart beat like a trip-hammer; I could hear it in +the silence. + +"The man yonder?" + +She bent her head. + +"You will not," my voice firm with swift conviction. "If that is all, I +am not afraid. If you loved him would you be standing here even to say a +word of farewell? Whatever pledge may be between you, on your part it is +not love. You cannot deny this--not to me! Yes, and you are already +beginning to know him. Remember, I have had to listen to some +conversation between you--I know his style. Ah, yes, I will go, because +I dare not keep you out here longer, but, if God lets me live, I am +going to find you again. Yes, I am; don't doubt that, little girl. I +could stand back for a real man, but not for Le Gaire; that's not in +human nature. See, I have your ribbon yet, and am going to wear it." + +"Without my permission?" + +I reached out my arm and drew her gently against the fence barrier, so +close I could look down into her eyes, gazing up into mine startled by +the sudden movement. + +"Lip permission, yes--I prefer to read consent elsewhere." + +"And do you?" + +"I shall believe I do. See, here is the ribbon; will you take it?" + +"Of course not. Why should I care if you have that? It has no value to +me. But I will not stay and talk longer. Let me go, Lieutenant! yes, you +must. What shall I do to help--to help Gerald?" + +"Go straight into the house, and report to the guard. You were walking +in the garden for a breath of air, and overheard the struggle. They will +find him. Good-bye, Billie." + +I held out my hand, and she extended her own without a moment's +hesitation. + +"Good-bye," she said. "Shall I not wait here a few moments until you are +across the road?" + +I touched my lips to her fingers. + +"What, with Gerald lying there!" happily. "Oh, Billie, are you so +anxious as that for me to get safely away?" + +"I--I am certainly not anxious to have you caught--not now. But you are +almost impertinent; indeed you are. I cannot say a word you do not +misinterpret. Please do not attempt to tease me; let us part friends." + +The tone in which she said this meant far more than the mere words; I +had ventured enough, and recognized the limitation to her patience. +However strong her interest in me might already be, no acknowledgment +was probable under present circumstances. I would but waste time, +perhaps seriously injure my standing with her, were I to continue. The +future must be left to work out its own miracle--to reveal her heart, +and to prove the worthlessness of Le Gaire. For me to linger longer, +holding her there in constant peril of discovery, would be +simply madness. + +I led the horse back, past where the disabled Confederate lay, pausing +an instant to look down on the dim figure. He groaned, and turned +partially over on one side, evidence that consciousness was returning. +The man was not badly hurt, and I felt no deep regret at his condition. +I could distinguish the narrow bridle path by my feet, and knew I would +be less conspicuous out of the saddle. However, nothing opposed our +progress, and we even succeeded in crossing the road without being +observed. Here a long slope, rutted, and partially covered with low +bushes, led directly down to the river, and we pushed through the +tangle, keeping well hidden. Once on the bank of the stream all above +was concealed from view, but I listened in vain for any sound indicative +of pursuit. The night was mysteriously still, unbroken, even the air +motionless. Obsessed now by the one controlling impulse to get away +safely, I drove the horse into the water, and as he reached swimming +depth, grasped a stirrup leather, and compelled him to strike out for +the opposite shore. It was not a hard struggle, nor were we long at it, +although the current was swift enough to bear us down a hundred feet, or +more, before we struck bottom, wading out at the mouth of a small creek, +the low banks offering some slight concealment. I looked back through +the darkness, across the dim water, and up the shrouded hill on the +opposite side. Lights were winking here and there like fire-flies. I +stared at them, light-hearted, confident I had every advantage; then I +patted the horse, and adjusted the stirrups. + +"She waited until we were safe across, old fellow," I said, too pleased +to remain still. "Now we'll ride for it." + +He turned his head, and rubbed his nose along my arm. The next moment I +was in the saddle, spurring him up the bank. + + + +CHAPTER XV + +I MEET AN EX-SLAVE + +In this narrative of adventure it would but waste the reader's time to +indulge in any extended description of military movements. The interest +of my story centres around individuals rather than the great events of +history, and I will touch these but briefly, so as to make the +surrounding conditions sufficiently clear. It was noon the following day +when I reached headquarters with my report, only to find that rumors of +the combined movements of Johnston's and Beauregard's forces had already +penetrated our lines. I could merely add details to the information +previously received. The result was the immediate strengthening of our +position to repel any possible attack. None occurred however, except +desultory skirmishing. Later we learned the reason to be the failure of +Chambers to appear, his march having been retarded by heavy rains. + +At the end of this period of waiting our army was well prepared for +action, the troops eager to test the strength of the enemy. Impatient of +delay, and suspecting the probable cause of the Confederate quietness, +we finally took the aggressive, determined to regain our former position +south of the river. An. early morning attack won us the bridge and the +town beyond, while heavy forces rushed the available fords, and after +some severe fighting, obtained foothold on the opposite bank. Hastily +throwing up intrenchments these advance troops succeeded in repulsing +two charges before nightfall. This brought an end to hostilities. During +the hours of darkness reinforcements were hurried across the stream. By +dawn the opposing forces were about evenly mated, and every man in +either line knew a battle was imminent. + +In this emergency the need of every soldier was felt, and I was returned +to my regiment for duty. We were the first to trot over the recaptured +bridge, and through the deserted streets of the village. Impelled by a +curiosity which could not be resisted I wheeled my horse and rode up the +gravelled driveway to Judge Moran's door, but to my vigorous knocking +there was no response. The shades were drawn at the windows, the house +silent, and yet I felt convinced the old partisan was within, watching +from some point of vantage. Yet if I believed this, the same silence and +refusal to respond also served to convince me that Miss Hardy was no +longer there. She was a vastly different type, and would exhibit +interest even in the coming of the enemy. Ay! and she would have seen +me, and not for one moment could I be made to believe that she would +treat me with contempt. + +I rode back slowly to rejoin the column of horsemen, glancing over my +shoulder at the house, my mind busily occupied with the stirring events +which had transpired there. She had gone with the Confederate troops, +and had probably already been safely returned to her own home. Moran +might have departed also, but more likely he remained to look after his +property. I wondered who was her escort for the long ride--would it be +Captain Le Gaire, sufficiently recovered from his injuries for this +service, yet scarcely capable of active military duty? If so, he was +with her still, a guest at "The Gables," sufficiently an invalid to be +interesting, and to require attention, but with tongue in good repair. I +was glad I had told my story first; the gentleman would experience some +difficulty in changing Miss Willifred's opinion of the affair. + +The gray dust cloud hung about us, almost obscuring the files of +plodding troopers; to right and left the flankers showed dark against +the green of the fields, and far in front an occasional carbine barked +as some suspicious scout fired at a skulking figure. Once this would +have been full of interest, but now it was mere routine, the sturdy +veterans of the Ninth riding soberly forward, choked with dust, their +hats drawn low over their eyes, wearied by a long night in the saddle. I +glanced proudly down those ranks of fighting men, glad to be with them +once again, but my thought drifted back to Billie, for this was the road +we had travelled together. It seemed a long while ago, and much might +happen before we should meet again, if ever we did. I might be killed in +battle, or Le Gaire might insist upon an immediate marriage. This last +was what I most feared, for I believed that if this could only be +sufficiently delayed, she would learn to know the man better, and refuse +to be sacrificed. The engagement rather mystified me, for it was clear +enough no blind love on her part was responsible for its existence; at +least she had begun to perceive his shallowness, and resented his +attempt at bullying. I even began to believe that some one else had now +come into her life, whose memory would serve to increase the feeling of +dissatisfaction. Le Gaire was not the kind that wears well--he could not +improve upon acquaintance; and, while I was no connoisseur of women, yet +I could not persuade myself that her nature was patient enough not to +revolt against his pretensions. I was no egotist, no lady-killer, but I +recognized now that I loved this girl, and had read in her eyes the +message of hope. Mine was, at least, a fighting chance, and fighting +was my trade. I liked it better so, finding the lady more alluring +because of the barrier between us, the zest of combat quickening my +desire. Already I began to plan meeting her again, now that the campaign +had turned our faces southward. Back beyond those wooded hills some +freak of fate must lead me right, some swirl of fortune afford me +opportunity. I was of the school of Hope, and Love yielded courage. + +I looked back down the long hill, so silent and deserted that gray +morning when we were driving together, but now dark with the solid +masses of marching troops. It was a stirring scene to soldier eyes, +knowing these men were pressing sternly on to battle. They seemed like a +confused, disorganized mob, filling the narrow road, and streaming out +through the fields; yet I could read the meaning of each detached +movement, as cavalry, artillery, infantry, staff and wagon trains, met +and separated, swinging into assigned positions, or making swift detour. +Hoarse voices shouted; bugles pealed; there was the rumble of wheels, +the pounding of hoofs, the tramp of feet, and over all the cloud of +dust, through which the sun shone redly. The intense vividness of the +picture gave me a new memory of war. Suddenly a battery of artillery, +out of sight on the distant crest, opened fire, the shrieking shells +plunging down into the ploughed field at our left, and casting the soft +dirt high in air. Our advance spread wide into skirmish line, the black +dots representing men flitting up the steep side of the hill, white +spirals of smoke evidencing their musket fire. Behind them was a grim +mass of infantry, silent and ominous, swinging forward like a huge +snake. The men of the Ninth straightened up, their eyes glowing, but it +was soon over with--the snake uncoiled, flinging a tail gleaming with +steel over the ridge, and the troopers sank back wearily into +their saddles. + +As I turned again to glance over my shoulder I noticed a man riding at +the right of the second file. His face was new to me, and so peculiar +was it that I continued to stare, unable to determine whether the fellow +was white or colored. He was in private's uniform, but carried no arms, +and for head covering, instead of the hat worn by the Ninth, had an +infantry cap perched jauntily on his curly black hair. But his face was +clear, and his cheeks rosy, and he sat straight as an arrow in the +saddle. I drew back my horse and ranged up beside him, inspired by +curiosity. The eyes turned toward me undoubtedly betrayed negro blood. + +"I do not remember seeing you before," I said, wiping the dust from my +lips. "Are you a new recruit?" + +"I'se Col'nel Cochran's man," he answered, without salute, but with the +accent of education oddly mixed with dialect. + +"Oh, I see--what has become of Sam?" + +"He done took sick, an' de col'nel wanted a man right away, so he picked +me." + +"Did you belong around here?" + +"Well, no, not exactly belong round yere, but I'se travelled dese parts +some considerable. I was born down in Louisiana, sah." + +"Not so very long ago either," I ventured, feeling a peculiar interest +in the fellow. "Were you a slave?" + +His rather thin lips closed over his white teeth, and his fingers +gripped the saddle pommel. + +"Yes,"--the word snapped out. "I'se nineteen, sah, an' my mother was a +slave. I reckon my father was white 'nough, but that don't count fo' +much--I'se a nigger just de same. Dat's bad 'nough, let me tell yo', but +it's worse to be yo' own father's nigger." + +I had nothing to say to this outburst, feeling that back of it were +facts into which I had no right to probe, and we rode along quietly. +Then he spoke, glancing aside at me: + +"Dey won't be no 'portant fightin' long yere, sah, not fo' 'bout ten +miles." + +"How do you figure that out?" + +"'Cause de lay ob de groun' ain't right, fo' one thing, an' 'cause all +de Confed intrenchments was back yander." + +"Yonder--where?" + +"In behind de log church at de Three Corners--done know dat country +mighty well." + +I turned and faced him, instantly suspicious. + +"Now see here; you do know that country, and a bit too well for a man +riding in the ranks. Where did you come from? Were you in the +Confederate service? Let's have this straight." + +"Suah," with frankness. "I done tol' de col'nel all how it was. I was +wid my Massa from Louisiana, an' he was a captain, sah! 'Bout two weeks +ago he lef' me down yander on de pike wid orders fo' to stay dere till +he done come back. But it wa'n't no job fo' me, sah, an' so I skipped +out de first night, an' joined up wid de Yanks. I reckon I knows 'bout +whar I belongs in dis yere fightin', an' I ain't nobody's slave +no mor'." + +The lad's earnestness impressed me, and beneath his words was evident a +deep smouldering resentment, not so much against slavery as against the +individual who had owned him. + +"What is your name, my boy?" + +"Charles Le Gaire, sah." + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A CALL TO DUTY + +The family name was an uncommon one, and, coupled as it was with +"Louisiana," and the title "Captain," could refer only to Gerald Le +Gaire. I wanted to question, the lad, but refrained, spurring my horse +ahead so as to remove the temptation. Even the little already said +plainly revealed that he resented bitterly his position in life, and +determined to remain no longer in slavery to his own father. His father! +That would be Le Gaire! The thought added fuel to the flame of dislike +which I already cherished against the man. Of course legally this former +relationship between master and slave meant nothing; it would be +considered no bar to legitimate marriage; perhaps to one brought up in +the environment of slavery it would possess no moral turpitude even, yet +to me it seemed a foul, disgraceful thing. Whether it would so appear to +Miss Willifred I could not even conjecture; she was of the South, with, +all the prejudice and peculiarity of thought characteristic of her +section. Pure-hearted, womanly, as I believed her to be, this earlier +alliance still might not seem to her particularly reprehensible. +Certainly it was not my part to bring it to her attention, or to utilize +my knowledge of the situation to advance my cause, or injure Le Gaire. +Nor would I question the ex-slave further; I already knew enough, too +much possibly, although curiosity was not dormant, and I wondered what +had become of the mother, and from what special cause had arisen the +intense hatred in the heart of the son. + +We rode steadily forward all day, under fire twice, and once charging a +battery. All that opposed our advance however was a thin fringe of +troops, intent merely upon causing delay, and making a brief stand, only +to fall back promptly as soon as we flung forward any considerable body +of men. By night-fall we had attained a position well within the bend of +the river, the centre and left wing had achieved a crossing, and our +entire line had closed up so as to display a solid front. The Ninth +bivouacked in the hills, our rest undisturbed, except for the occasional +firing of the pickets. With dawn we were under arms, feeling our way +forward, and, an hour later, the two armies were face to face. Nearly +evenly mated, fighting across a rough country, neither side could claim +victory at the end of the day. While we on the right forced our line +forward for nearly five miles, leaving behind us a carpet of dead, the +left and centre met with such desperate resistance as to barely retain +their earlier position. It required an hour of night fighting to close +up the gap, and we slept on our arms, expecting an early morning +assault. Instead of attempting this the enemy fell back to their second +line of intrenchments, and, after waiting a day to determine their +movements and strengthen our own line, we again advanced, feeling our +way slowly in, but finally meeting with a resistance which compelled +a halt. + +The details of this battle belong to history, not to these pages. The +Ninth bore no conspicuous part, hovering on the extreme right flank, +engaged in continuous skirmishing, and scouting along miles of front. +The morning of the third day found the armies fronting each other, +defiant yet equally afraid to join battle, both commanders seeking for +some point of strategy which would yield advantage--we of the North +fearful of advancing against intrenchments, and those of the South not +daring to come forth into the open. For the moment it was a truce +between us--the truce of two exhausted bull-dogs, lying face to face +with gleaming teeth, ready to spring at the first opening. + +We of the Ninth were at the edge of an opening in the woods, with low +hills on either hand, our pickets within easy musket-shot of the +gray-clad videttes beyond the fringe of trees. Knowing our own success +we could not comprehend this inaction, or the desperate fighting which +held back the troops to the east, and we were impatient to go in. I was +lying on my back in the shelter of a slight hollow, wondering at the +surrounding stillness, wishing for anything to occur which would give +action, when the major rode up, accompanied by another officer in an +artillery uniform. I was on my feet in an instant saluting. + +"Lieutenant Galesworth, this is Captain Kent, an aide on General +Sheridan's staff. He desires you to accompany him to headquarters." + +My heart bounding with anticipation, within five minutes I was riding +beside him, back to the river road, and along the rear of our extended +line. He was a pleasant, genial fellow, but knew nothing of why I had +been summoned, his orders being simply to bring me at once. Two hours of +hard riding, and we came to a double log cabin, with a squad of horsemen +in front, and a considerable infantry guard near by. A sentry paced back +and forth in front of the steps, and several officers were sitting on +the porch. Dismounting, my companion handed the reins of both horses to +a trooper, and led the way in. A word to the sentinel, and we faced the +group above. One, a sharp-featured man, with very dark complexion, rose +to his feet. + +"What is it, Kent?" + +"This is Lieutenant Galesworth, of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry. The +general will wish to see him at once." + +The dark-featured man glanced at me, and turned back into the house, and +Kent introduced me to the others, none of whom I recognized. This was +not Sheridan's staff, but before I could question any of them, the +messenger returned, and motioned for me to follow. It was a large room, +low-ceilinged, with three windows, the walls of bare logs whitewashed, +the floor freshly swept, the only furniture a table and a few chairs. +But two men were present, although a sentinel stood motionless at the +door,--a broad-shouldered colonel of engineers, with gray moustache and +wearing glasses, sitting at a table littered with papers, and a short +stocky man, attired in a simple blue blouse, with no insignia of rank +visible, his back toward me, gazing out of a window. I took a single +step within, and halted. The short man wheeled about at the slight +sound, his eyes on my face; I recognized instantly the closely trimmed +beard, the inevitable cigar between the lips, and, with a leap of the +heart, my hand rose to the salute. + +"Lieutenant Galesworth?" + +"Yes, General." + +"Very well; you may retire, Colonel Trout, and, sentry, close the door." + +His keen gray eyes scrutinized my face, betraying no emotion, but he +advanced closer, one hand upon the table. + +"General Sheridan informs me he has found you a valuable scout, always +ready for any service, however dangerous." + +"I have endeavored to carry out my orders, General," I answered quietly. + +"So I am told," in the same even voice. "The army is full of good men, +brave men, but not all possess sufficient intelligence and willingness +to carry out an independent enterprise. Just now I require such a man, +and Sheridan recommends you. How old are you?" + +I answered, and barely waiting the sound of my voice, he went on: + +"You have scouted over this country?" + +"I have, sir." + +"How far to the south?" + +"About five miles beyond the Three Corners." + +"Not far enough, is it, Parker?" turning to the officer at the table. + +"The house is below," was the response, "but perhaps I had better +explain the entire matter to Lieutenant Galesworth, and let him decide +for himself whether he cares to make the attempt." + +The general nodded approval, and walked back to the window, his hands +clasped behind his back. Parker spread out a map. + +"Just step over here, Lieutenant. This is our present position, +represented by the irregular blue line; those red squares show the +enemy's forces as far as we understand them. The crosses represent +batteries, and the important intrenchments are shown by the double +lines. Of course this is imperfect, largely drawn from the reports of +scouts. Their line is slightly shorter than our own, our right +overlapping, but they have a stronger reserve force protecting the +centre. Now notice the situation here," and he traced it with his +pencil. "Your regiment is practically to the rear of their main line of +defence, but the nature of the ground renders them safe. There is a, +deep ravine here, trending to the southeast, and easily defended. Now +note, ten miles, almost directly south of Three Corners, on the open +pike, the first building on the right-hand side beyond a log church, +stands an old plantation house. It is a large building, painted white, +in the midst of a grove of trees, and in the rear is a commodious stable +and a dozen negro cabins. The map shows this house to be somewhat to +the right of the Confederate centre, and about five miles to the rear of +their first line." + +I bent over, intent on the map, endeavoring to fix each point clearly in +my mind. Parker paused in his speech, and the general turned about, his +eyes fastened upon us. + +"I understand," I said finally. + +"Very well. Deserters informed us last night that Johnston had taken +this house for his headquarters. This morning one of our most reliable +scouts confirms the report, and says the place can be easily approached +by a small party using the ravine for concealment, coming in past the +negro cabins at the rear." + +My eyes brightened, as I straightened up, instantly comprehending the +plan. + +"What guard have they?" + +"A few sentinels at the house, and a squad of cavalry in the stable. +Naturally they feel perfectly safe so far to the rear of their own +lines. It is the very audacity of such an attempt which makes success +possible." + +The general stepped forward. + +"Don't take this as an order, Lieutenant," he said bluntly. "It will +mean a desperate risk, and if you go, you must comprehend thoroughly the +peril involved. You were recommended as the best man to lead such a +party, but we supposed you already knew that country." + +"I can place my hand on a man who does know every inch of it," I +replied, my mind clear, and my decision reached. "I thank you for the +privilege." + +"Good; when?" + +"To-night, of course; there is ample time to prepare." + +"How many men will you require?" + +I hesitated, but for barely an instant. + +"Not to exceed ten, General--a small party will accomplish as much as a +larger one, and be less liable to attract attention. All I need will +volunteer from my own company." + +Apparently his own thought coincided with mine, for he merely looked at +me a moment with those searching gray eyes, and then turned to the map, +beckoning me to join him. + +"Familiarize yourself with every detail of the topography of the +region," he said, his finger on the paper. "Colonel Parker will explain +anything you may need to know." He straightened up, and extended his +hand, the cigar still crushed between his teeth. "I believe you are the +right stuff, Lieutenant; young enough to be reckless, old enough to know +the value of patience. Are you married?" + +I shook my head, with a smile, yet conscious my cheeks were flushed. + +"Then I am going to say to you--go, and do the best you can. Parker will +give you any other instructions you desire. Good-bye, my lad, and +good luck." + +He turned and left the room, my eyes following him until the door +closed. + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +BEGINNING THE NIGHT ADVENTURE + +The colonel of engineers did not delay me long, and, eager to be away, I +made my necessary questions as brief as possible. Riding back through +the encampment of troops, hampered more or less by the irregularity of +the different commands, I had ample time in which to outline the night's +adventure. I comprehended fully the danger of the mission, and that the +probability was strongly against success. Reckless audacity, coupled +with rare good fortune, might result in our return with the prisoner +sought, but it was far more likely that we would be the ones captured, +if we escaped with our lives. Yet this knowledge caused no hesitancy on +my part; I was trained to obedience, and deep down in my heart welcomed +the opportunity. The excitement appealed to me, and the knowledge that +this service was to be performed directly under the eye of the great +General of the West, was in itself an inspiration. If I lived to come +back it meant promotion, the praise of the army, a line on the page of +history--enough surely to arouse the ambition of youth. + +It was early in the afternoon when I reached the position of my +regiment, and reported to the colonel, asking the privilege of selecting +a detail. Then, as I sat at mess, I studied my men, mentally picking +from among them those best adapted to the desperate task. I chose those +I had seen in action, young, unmarried fellows, and for "non-com," +Sergeant Miles, a slender, silent man of thirty, in whom I had implicit +confidence. I checked the names over, satisfying myself I had made no +mistake. Leaving Miles to notify these fellows, and prepare them for +service, I crossed to the colonel's tent in search of the ex-slave. He +was easily found. + +"Le Gaire," I began, choking a bit at the name, "do you remember a big +white house, on the right of the pike, the first beyond a log church, +south from the Three Corners?" + +He looked up from his work with sparkling eyes. + +"I suah does; I reckon I could find dat place in de dark." + +"Well, that is exactly what I want you to do, my man. I have some work +to do there to-night." + +"How yo' goin' to git dar?" + +I explained about the ravine, the positions of the Confederate lines, +and where I understood the special guards were stationed. The boy +listened in silence, his fingers, clinching and unclinching, alone +evidencing excitement. + +"Will that plan work?" I asked, "or can you suggest any better way?" + +"I reckon it'll work," he admitted, "if yo' don't git cotched afore yo' +git dar. I knows a heap 'bout dat ravine; I'se hunted rabbits dar many a +time, an' it ain't goin' to be no easy job gittin' through dar in +de dark." + +"Will you show us the way?" + +"Well, I don't just know," scratching his head thoughtfully. "Maybe de +col'nel wouldn't let me." + +"I can arrange that." + +"Den I don't want fo' to go to dat house; dat's whar I run away from." + +"But I thought you belonged to the Le Gaires of Louisiana?" + +"Dat's what I did, sah; but I done tol' yo' I come up yere wid de army. +I was left dere till de captain come back; dose folks was friends +o' his." + +"Oh, I see; well, will you go along as far as the end of the ravine?" + +He looked out over the hills, and then back into my face, his eyes +narrowing, his lips setting firm over the white teeth. I little realized +what was taking place in the fellow's brain, what real motive +influenced his decision, or the issues involved. + +"I reckon I will, sah, providin' de col'nel says so." There was, of +course, no difficulty in obtaining the consent of that officer, and by +nine o'clock we were ready to depart, ten picked men, young, vigorous +lads, though veterans in service, led by Miles, together with the negro +Le Gaire and myself. Taking a lesson from the guerillas we were armed +only with revolvers, intending to fight, if fight we must, at close +quarters; and the brass buttons, and all insignia of rank liable to +attract attention had been removed from our blouses. Upon our heads we +wore slouch hats. I had decided to make the attempt on foot, as we could +thus advance in greater silence. Without attracting attention, or +starting any camp rumor, we passed, two by two, out beyond the pickets, +and made rendezvous on the bank of the river. It was a dark night. As +soon as the sergeant reported all were present, I led the way up stream +for perhaps a mile until we came to the mouth of the ravine. Here I +called them around me, barely able to distinguish the dim figures, +although within arm's length, explained my plans and gave strict orders. +As I ceased speaking I could plainly hear their suppressed breathing, so +deathly still was the night. + +"If any man has a question, ask it now." + +No one spoke, although several moved uneasily, too nervous to remain +still. + +"Le Gaire, here, will go first, as he knows the way, and I will follow +him; the rest drop in in single file, with the sergeant at the rear. +Keep close enough to distinguish the man in front, and be careful where +you put your feet. No noise, not a word spoken unless I pass back an +order; then give it to the next man in a whisper. Don't fire under any +conditions except by command." I paused, then added slowly: "You are all +intelligent enough to know the danger of our expedition, and the +necessity of striking quick and hard. Our success, our very lives, +depend on surprise. If each one of you does exactly as I order, we've +got a chance to come back; if not, then it means a bullet, or a prison, +for all of us. Are you ready?" + +I heard the low responses, and counted them--ten, the negro not +answering. + +"All right, men," then, my voice hardening into a threat: "Now go ahead, +Le Gaire, and remember I am next behind, and carry a revolver in my +hand. Make a wrong move, lad, and you'll never make another." + +I could faintly discern the whites of his eyes, and heard one of the men +snicker nervously. + +"Lead off! Fall in promptly, men." + +It was a rocky cleft through the hills, perhaps a hundred yards wide +here where it opened on the river, with a little stream in its centre +fringed with low trees, but narrowing gradually, and becoming blocked +with underbrush as it penetrated deeper into the interior. For a mile or +more the course was not entirely unknown to me, although the darkness +obscured all familiar landmarks. The negro, however, apparently +possessed the instinct of an animal, or else had night eyes, for he +never hesitated, keeping close along the edge of the stream. The +tree-branches brushed our faces, but our feet pressed a well defined +path. Farther in, the shadows becoming more dense, this path wound about +crazily, seeking the level spots; yet Le Gaire moved steadily forward, +his head lowered, and I kept him within reach of my arm, barely able to +distinguish the cautious tread of feet behind. Clearly enough he knew +the way, and could follow it with all the certainty of a dog. Relieved +as to this, and confident the fellow dare not play us false, I could +take notice of other things, and permit my thoughts to wander. There was +little to be seen or heard; except for the musical tinkle of the stream, +all to the right was silence, but from the other side there arose an +occasional sound, borne faintly from a distance--a voice calling, the +blare of a far-off bugle, the echo of a hammer pounding on iron. Once +through the obscuring branches the fitful yellow of a camp-fire was +dimly visible, but the ravine twisted so that I could not determine +whether this was from Federal or Confederate lines. Anyhow no eye saw us +creep past, and no suspicious voice challenged. Indeed we had every +reason to believe the ravine unguarded, although pickets were +undoubtedly patrolling the east bank, and there were places we must go +close in under its shadow. + +So intent had I been upon this adventure, my mind concentrated on +details, that the personal equation had been entirely forgotten. But now +I began to reflect along that line, yet never for a moment forgetting +our situation, or its peril. I was going down into the neighborhood +where Willifred Hardy lived--to which she had probably already returned. +I was going as an enemy to her cause, guided by an ex-slave of Le +Gaire's. It was rather an odd turn of Fate's wheel, and, while there was +no probability of our meeting, yet the conditions were suggestive. My +eyes were upon the dim form in advance, and I was strongly tempted to +ask if he knew where Major Hardy's plantation was. Beyond doubt he did, +but this was no time for dalliance with love, and I drove the temptation +sternly from me, endeavoring to concentrate my mind on present duty. But +in spite of all Billie would intervene, her blue-gray eyes challenging +me to forget, and the remembrance of her making my step light. I was +going to be near her again, at least, if only for an hour; perhaps, +whether I succeeded or failed, she would hear my name mentioned. Even +that would be better than forgetfulness, and she was one to appreciate a +deed like this. I should like to see her eyes when they told her--when +they spoke my name. I wondered where Captain Le Gaire was, and whether +he had been her escort back through the Confederate lines. Most probably +yes, and perhaps he had remained at the Hardy house, still incapacitated +from duty by the blow I had struck him--an interesting invalid. Even +this thought did not trouble me as it might have done otherwise, for I +believed Billie had already begun to see the real man behind the +fellow's handsome face; if so, then time and companionship would only +widen the breach between them--perhaps my memory also. + +It was a hard three hours' travel, practically feeling a passage through +the darkness, for the narrow path extended but little beyond a mile, +after losing which we stumbled forward through a maze of rock and +underbrush. This finally became so dense that the negro veered to the +left, where there was a grassy ledge, along which we made more rapid +progress, although facing greater danger of discovery. However, the +night was black, and to any picket looking down from above the ravine +must have appeared a dark, impenetrable void, while our feet in the +grass scarcely made a sound. Once we saw a moving figure above us, +barely visible against the sky-line, and halted breathlessly, every eye +uplifted, until the apparition vanished; and once, warned by the +cracking of a twig, we lay flat on our faces while a spectral company +went past us on foot, heading at right-angles across our path. I counted +twenty men in the party, but could distinguish nothing as to uniform or +equipment. We waited motionless until the last straggler had +disappeared. By this time we were well behind the Confederate lines, +with troops probably on either side, for this gash in the surface had +both narrowed and veered sharply to the east. It still remained +sufficiently deep to conceal our movements, and, as we had circled the +picket lines, we could proceed with greater confidence. We were beyond +the vigilance of sentinels, and could be discovered now only through +some accidental encounter. I touched Le Gaire on the shoulder, and +whispered in his ear: + +"How much farther is it?" + +"'Bout half a mile, sah," staring about into what to me was impenetrable +darkness. "Yo' see de forked tree dar on de lef'?" + +I was not sure, yet there was something in that direction which might +be what he described. + +"I guess so--why?" + +"I 'members dat tree, for dar's a spring just at de foot ob it." + +"Is the rest of the way hard?" + +"No, sah, not wid me goin' ahead of yo', for dar's a medium good path +from de spring up to de top o' de hill. I'se pow'ful feared though we +might run across some ob dem Confed sojers 'round yere." + +I tried to look at him, but could see only the whites of his eyes, but +his voice somehow belied his words--to my mind there was no fear in the +fellow. I passed back word along the line, and found all the men +present. Not a sound came out of the night, and I ordered the ex-slave +to lead on. + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OVERHEARD CONVERSATION + +It was a little gully, hardly more than a tramped footpath, leading down +the bank up which we crept until we attained the level. With eyes +sharpened by the long night vigil we could perceive the dim outlines of +buildings, and a glow or two of distant lights. I felt of the face of my +watch, deciding the time to be not far from half-past twelve. Our tramp +had seemed longer than a trifle over three hours, and it was a relief to +know we still had so much of darkness left in which to operate. I +touched the man lying next me, unable to tell one dark form +from another. + +"Who are you?" + +"Wilson, sir." + +"Where is the guide?" + +"Right yere, sah," and the speaker wriggled toward me on his face. "Dis +yere is de place." + +"I supposed so, but it is all a mere blur out there to me. What are +these buildings just ahead of us?" + +"De slave quarters, sah; dey's all deserted, 'cept maybe dat first one +yonder," pointing. "I reckon Aunt Mandy an' her ol' man are dar yet, +but de field hands dey all done cleared out long time ago. De stable was +ober dar toward de right, whar dat lantern was dodgin' 'round. Yo' creep +'long yere, an' I'll point out de house--see, it's back o' de bunch o' +trees, whar de yaller light shows in de winder. I reckon dar's some of +'em up yet." + +From his description I received a fair impression of the surroundings, +questioning briefly as I stared out at the inanimate objects faintly +revealed, and endeavoring to plan some feasible course of action. The +stable was a hundred yards to the rear of the house, a fenced-off garden +between, the driveway circling to the right. Between the slave quarters +and the mansion extended an orchard, the trees of good size and +affording ample cover. We were to the left of the house, and the light +seen evidently streamed through one of the windows of the front room. +Where the guard was stationed no one of us could guess, yet this had to +be determined first of all. I called for Miles, and the sergeant, still +holding his position at the rear, crept forward. + +"I am going in closer to discover what I can," I said quietly. "I may be +gone for half an hour. Advance your men carefully into the shadow of +that cabin there, and wait orders. Don't let them straggle, for I want +to know where they are." I bent lower and whispered in his ear, "Don't +let that negro out of your sight; but no shooting--rap him with a butt +if necessary. You understand?" + +"Sure; I'll keep a grip on his leg." + +I paused an instant thinking. + +"If luck helps me to get inside, and I find the way clear, I'll draw +that shade up and down twice--this way--and you can come on. Move +quickly, but without noise, and wait outside for orders, unless you are +certain I am in trouble." + +"Yes, sir; we'll be there." + +"Have one man watch that light all the time; don't let him take his eyes +off it. Be careful no prowling trooper stumbles on you; keep the +men still." + +I saw the dim movement as he saluted and felt no doubt of obedience,--he +was too old and tried a soldier to fail. I crept forward, scouted about +the cabin to make sure it was unoccupied, and then advanced into the +shadows of the orchard. I was all nerves now, all alertness, every +instinct awake, seeing the slightest movement, hearing the faintest +noise. There were voices--just a mumble--in the direction of the stable, +and, as I drew in closer toward the house I could distinguish sounds as +though a considerable party were at table--yet even the tinkle of knife +and plate was muffled; probably the dining-room was on the opposite +side. However, this would seem to indicate the presence of the one we +sought, although so late a supper would render our task more difficult +of execution. I was tempted to try the other side first, but the open +window with the light burning inside was nearer, and I wished first to +assure myself as to that. I could see no sentries, but the embers of a +fire were visible on the front driveway. Whatever guard might be about +the steps, none patrolled this side; I must have waited several minutes, +lying concealed in the dense shrubbery, peering and listening, before +becoming fully convinced. The omission brought a vague suspicion that +Johnston might not be present after all--that this was instead a mere +party of convivial officers. If so, the sooner I could convince myself +the better, to make good our safe return. The thought urged me forward. + +A small clump of low bushes--gooseberries, I judged from the thorns--was +within a few yards of the house, the balance of the distance a closely +trimmed turf. The bottom of the window through which the light shone was +even with my eyes when standing erect, but I could perceive no movement +of any occupants, a small wooden balcony, more for ornament than for +practical use, shutting off the view. I grasped the rail of this with my +hands and drew my body slowly up, endeavoring to keep to one side out of +the direct range of light. This effort yielded but a glimpse of one +corner of the seemingly deserted interior, and I crouched down within +the rail, cautiously seeking to discover more. Fortunately the wooden +support did not creak under my weight. The apartment was apparently +parlor and sitting-room combined, some of the furniture massive and +handsome, especially the centre-table and a sofa of black walnut, but +there was also a light sewing-table and a cane-seated rocker, more +suggestive of comfort. At first glance I thought the place empty, +although I could plainly hear the murmuring sound of voices from beyond; +then I perceived some one--a woman--seated on a low stool before the +open fire-place. She sat with back toward me, her head bent upon one +hand. I was still studying the figure in uncertainty when a door, +evidently leading into the hall, opened and a man entered. He was in +Confederate field uniform, the insignia on his collar that of a +major,--a tall, broad-shouldered man, with abundant hair and an +aggressive expression. The woman glanced up, but he closed the door, +shutting out a jangle of voices, before speaking. + +"What was it? You sent for me?" + +She rose to her feet, and came a step forward,--my heart leapt into my +throat, my fingers gripped the rail. + +"Yes," she said quietly, looking into his face, "I have decided I cannot +do it." + +"Decided! What now?" and his surprise was beyond question. "Why, what +does all this mean? No one has sought to coerce or drive you; this was +your own choice. Surely you have had ample time in which to consider!" + +"Oh, yes," wearily, her hand pressing back her hair, "but--but I really +never understood myself until to-night; I am not sure I do even now." + +"A girlish whim," he broke in impatiently. "Why, daughter, this is +foolish, impossible; all arrangements are made, and even now they are +toasting the captain in the dining-room. Under no other conditions could +he have got leave of absence, for his injuries are trivial. Johnston +told me as much before he left, and I know we shall need every man +to-morrow if we force the fighting." + +"Why does he accept leave then, if he is needed here?" she asked +quickly. + +"For your sake and mine, not fear of battle, I am sure. There will be no +heavy action at this end of our line, as we shall fall back to protect +the centre. But the movement as contemplated will leave all this ground +to be occupied by the Yankees; they'll be here by to-morrow night beyond +doubt; even now we retain only a skeleton force west of the pike. I +cannot leave you here alone, unprotected." + +"Is that why you have pressed me so to assent to this hurried +arrangement?" + +"Yes, Billie," and he took her hands tenderly. "Captain Le Gaire +suggested it as soon as we learned this region was to be left unguarded, +and when he succeeded in getting leave to go south it seemed to me the +very best thing possible for you. Why, daughter, I do not understand +your action--by having the ceremony to-night we merely advance it a +few months." + +"But--father," her voice trembling, "I--I am not so sure that I wish to +marry Captain Le Gaire at--at all." + +"Not marry him! Why, I supposed that was settled--you seemed very +happy--" + +"Yes, once," she broke in. "I thought I loved him--perhaps I did--but he +has not appeared the same man to me of late. I cannot explain; I cannot +even tell what it is I mean, but I am afraid to go on. I want more time +to decide, to learn my own heart." + +"You poor little girl, you are nervous, excited." + +"No, it is not that, papa. I simply doubt myself, my future happiness +with this man. Surely you will not urge me to marry one I do not love?" + +"No, girlie; but this decision comes so suddenly. I had believed you +very happy together, and even to-night, when this plan was first +broached, there was no word of protest uttered. I thought you +were glad." + +"Not glad! I was stunned, too completely surprised to object. You all +took my willingness so for granted that I could find no words to express +my real feelings. Indeed I do not believe I knew what they were--not +until I sat here alone thinking, and then there came to me a perfect +horror of it all. I tried to fight my doubts, tried to convince myself +that it was right to proceed, but only to find it impossible. I loathe +the very thought; if I consent I know I shall regret the act as long as +I live." "But, Billie," he urged earnestly, "what can have occurred to +make this sudden change in you? Captain Le Gaire belongs to one of the +most distinguished families of the South; is wealthy, educated, a +polished gentleman. He will give you everything to make life attractive. +Surely this is but a mere whim!" + +"Have you found me to be a nervous girl, full of whims?" + +"No, certainly not, but--" + +"And this is no whim, no mood. I cannot tell, cannot explain all that +has of late caused me to distrust Captain Le Gaire, only I do not feel +toward him as I once did. I never can again, and if you insist on this +marriage, it will mean to me unhappiness--I am, sure of that." + +"But what can we do at this late hour! Everything is prepared, arranged +for; even the minister has arrived, and is waiting." + +She stood before him, her hands clasped, trembling from head to foot, +yet with eyes determined. + +"Will you delay action a few moments, and send Captain Le Gaire to me? +I--I must see him alone." + +He hesitated, avoiding her eyes and permitting his glance to wander +about the room. + +"Please do this for me." + +"But in your present mood--" + +"I am perfectly sane," and she stood straight before him, insistent, +resolute. "Indeed I think I know myself better than for months past. I +shall say nothing wrong to Captain Le Gaire, and if he is a gentleman he +will honor me more for my frankness. Either you will send him here to +me, or else I shall go to him." + +The major bowed with all the ceremony of the old school, convinced of +the utter futility of further argument. + +"You will have you own way; you always have," regretfully. "I shall +request the captain to join you here." + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +LE GAIRE FORCES A DECISION + +He left the room reluctantly enough, pausing at the door to glance back, +but she had sunk down into the rocker, and made no relenting sign. Every +sense of right compelled me to withdraw; I could not remain, a hidden +spy, to listen to her conversation with Le Gaire. My heart leaped with +exultation, with sudden faith that possibly her memory of me might lie +back of this sudden distrust, this determination for freedom. Yet this +possibility alone rendered impossible my lingering here to overhear what +should pass between them in confidence. Interested as I was personally I +possessed no excuse to remain; every claim of duty was elsewhere. I had +already learned General Johnston was not present, and that an attack was +projected against our left and centre. This was news of sufficient +importance to be reported at headquarters without delay. To be sure the +withdrawal of troops from this end of the Confederate line made our own +return trip less dangerous, still, even if I ventured to remain longer, +I must early despatch a courier with the news. + +I drew silently back from the window, flinging one limb over the balcony +rail, preparing to drop to the ground below. Her back was toward me, and +she heard nothing; then a man came round the end of the house, walking +slowly and smoking. I could see the red glow of his cigar, and inhale +the fragrance of the tobacco. I hung on desperately, bending my body +along the rail, and he passed directly beneath, yet so shadowed I could +merely distinguish his outline. The fellow--an officer, no doubt, +seeking a breath of fresh air--strolled to the opposite corner, and then +turned off into the orchard. I dared not risk an attempt to drop and +run, for I knew not what might await me in the darkness. Yet where I +clung I was exposed to discovery, and, when he turned his back, I sank +down once more within the shelter of the balcony. He stopped under the +trees, apparently having found a seat of some kind, although I could see +nothing except the tip of the burning cigar, as he flipped aside the +ashes. I had almost forgotten what might be occurring within, until +aroused by the sound of Le Gaire's voice. + +He certainly looked a handsome fellow, standing there with hand still on +the knob of the door, dressed in a new uniform tailored to perfection, +his lips and eyes smiling pleasantly, never suspecting the reason for +which he was summoned. + +"What is it, Billie?" he asked easily. "A last word, hey?" + +"Yes," she answered, lifting her eyes to his face, but not advancing. +"I--I have been thinking it all over while waiting here alone, and--and +I find I am not quite ready. I sent for you to ask release from my +promise, or, at least, that you will not insist upon our--our marriage +to-night." + +The man's dark face actually grew white, his surprise at this request +leaving him gasping for breath, as he stared at her. + +"Why, good God, girl, do you realize what you are saying?" he exclaimed, +all self-control gone. "Why, we are ready now; Bradshaw just arrived and +every arrangement has been made for our journey. It cannot be +postponed." + +"Oh, yes, indeed, it can," and she rose, facing him. "Surely you would +not force me against my will, Captain Le Gaire? I do not desire to +rebel, to absolutely refuse, but I hope you will listen to me, and then +act the part of a gentleman. I presume you desire me for your wife, not +your slave." + +I thought he had lost his voice he was so long in answering; then the +tones were hoarse, indistinct. + +"Listen! Yes! I want you to explain; only don't expect too much from +me." + +She looked directly at him, her cheeks flushing to the insolence of his +accent. + +"I am hardly likely to err in that way any more," rather coldly, "but I +do owe you an explanation. I have done wrong to permit this affair to go +so far without protest, but I did not comprehend my own feelings clearly +until to-night. I merely drifted without realizing the danger, and now +the shock of discovery leaves me almost helpless. I realize distinctly +only one thing--I can not, I will not, marry you. + +"Do these words seem cruel, unjust?" she went on, strangely calm. +"Perhaps they are, yet it is surely better for me to speak them now than +to wreck both our lives by remaining silent longer. You came to me a +year ago, Captain Le Gaire, at a time when I was particularly lonely, +and susceptible to kindness. You were an officer in the army, fighting +for a cause I loved, and your friendly attentions were very welcome. My +father liked you, and we were constantly thrown together. I have lived +rather a secluded life, here on this plantation since my school days, +meeting few men of my own station, and still young enough to be +romantic. I thought I loved you, and perhaps the feeling I cherished +might have truly become love had you always remained the same +considerate gentleman I first believed you to be. Instead, little by +little, I have been driven away, hurt by your coarseness, your lack of +chivalry, until now, when it comes to the supreme test, I find my soul +in revolt. Am I altogether to blame?" + +I do not think he comprehended, grasped the truth she sought to convey, +for he broke forth angrily: + +"Very pretty, indeed! And do you think I will ever stand for it? Why, I +should be the laughing stock of the army, a butt for every brainless +joker in the camp. I am not such a fool, my girl." He stepped forward, +grasping her hands, and holding them in spite of her slight effort to +break away. "I am a frank-spoken man, yes, but I have never failed to +treat you with respect." + +"You may call it that, but you have repeatedly sworn in my presence, +have ordered me harshly about, have even arranged this affair without +first consulting me. If this be your manner before marriage, what brand +of brutality could I expect after?" + +"Poof! I may be quick-tempered; perhaps we are neither of us angels, but +you choose a poor time for a quarrel. Come, Billie, let's kiss and make +up. What! Still angry? Surely you are not in earnest?" + +"But I am--very much in earnest." + +"You mean to throw me down? Now at the last moment, with all the fellows +waiting in the next room?" + +She had her hands freed, and with them held behind her, stood motionless +facing him. + +"Would you marry me against my wish?" she asked. "Would you hold me to a +promise I regret having made? I sent for you merely to tell you the +truth, to throw myself on your generosity. I am scarcely more than a +girl, Captain Le Gaire, and acknowledge I have done wrong, have been +deceived in my own feelings. You have my word--the word of a Hardy--and +we keep our pledges. I suppose I must marry you if you insist, but I +implore you as a man of honor, a Southern gentleman, to release me." + +Her voice faltered, and Le Gaire laughed. + +"Oh, I begin to see how the wind blows. You do stand to your promise +then. Very well, that's all I ask." + +"I do not love you; I do not think I even respect you." + +"Nevertheless you cannot shake me off like that. It's only a whim, a +mood, Billie; once married I'll teach you the lesson over again. You +were loving enough a month ago." + +"I was in the midst of a girl's dream," she said slowly, "from which I +have awakened--won't you release me, Captain Le Gaire?" + +"I should say not," walking savagely across the room. "Come, Billie, I'm +tired of this tantrum. A little of this sort of thing goes a long way +with me. You're a headstrong, spoiled girl, and I've already put up with +enough to try the patience of Job. Now I'm going to show my authority, +insist on my rights. You've promised to marry me, now, to-night, and you +are going to do it, if I have to go to your father and tell him plainly +just what is the matter with you." + +"With me! the only matter is that I have ceased to care for you." + +"Yes, in the last week! Do you think I am blind? Do you suppose I don't +know what has changed your mind so suddenly? Do you imagine I'm going +to let you go for the sake of a damned Yankee?" + +She fairly gasped in surprise, her fingers clinched, her cheeks flaming. + +"A Yankee! Captain Le Gaire, are you crazy?" + +"No," his temper bursting all control. "That's what's the matter with +you. Oh, of course, you'll deny, and pretend to be horrified. I saw into +your little game then, but I kept still; now you are carrying it +too far." + +"What do you mean? I am not accustomed to such language." + +"I mean this: You think you are in love with that sneaking Yankee spy--I +don't know his name--the fellow you helped through our lines, and then +hid at Moran's. Now don't deny it; I asked some questions before I left +there, and you were with him out under the grape arbor. I saw the +imprint of your feet in the soft dirt. By God, I believe you knew he +struck me, and permitted me to lie there while he got away." + +"Captain Le Gaire--" + +"Now you wait; this is my turn to talk. You thought you had fooled me, +but you had not. Under other conditions I might accede to your request, +but not now--not to give you over to a Yank. I've got your promise, and +I propose to hold you to it." + +"But it is not that," she protested. "I--I am not in love with +Lieutenant Galesworth." + +"So that is the fellow's name, is it--Galesworth," sneeringly. "I +thought you pretended before you did not know." + +She remained silent, confused. + +"I'm glad to know who he is; some day we may have a settlement. Well, +all I know about the affair is this, but that's enough--you rode with +him all one night, hid him all the next day, and then helped him escape. +You lied to me repeatedly, and now you want to break away from me at the +last minute. It's either this Galesworth or somebody else--now who +is it?" + +Billie sank back into a chair, but with her eyes still on the man's +face. + +"It is no--one," she said wearily. "It is not that at all; I--I simply +do not care for you in that way any longer." + +"Poof! do you mean you won't keep your word?" + +"I mean I want to be released--at least a postponement until I can be +sure of myself." + +"And I refuse--refuse, do you understand that? You either marry me +to-night or I go to your father with the whole story. He'll be pleased +to learn of your affair with a Yankee spy, no doubt, and of how you +helped the fellow through our lines. And I've got the proofs too. Now, +young lady, it is about time to stop this quarrel, and come down to +facts. What are you going to do?" + +"You insist?" + +"Of course I do." + +Her head sank upon her hand, and even from where I peered in upon them, +helpless to get away, equally helpless to aid, I could see her +form tremble. + +"Then there is no escape, I suppose; I must keep my promise." + +He touched her on the shoulder, indifferent to her shrinking away, a +sarcastic smile on his lips. + +"I knew you would. I don't take this Yankee business seriously, only I +wanted you to know I understood all about it. You're too sensible a girl +to get tangled up that way. We'll drop it now, and I'll show you how +good I can be. May I kiss you?" + +"I--I would rather not--not yet. Don't be angry, but I--I am not myself. +Where were you going?" + +"To tell your father it is all settled. You must be ready when we come +back." + +He paused with hand on the door looking back at her. There was a +moment's breathless silence; then her lips whispered: + +"Yes." + +I turned to look out into the black orchard, and then gazed back into +the lighted room. I knew not what to do, how to act. My remaining where +I was could be of no possible service to her, indeed my discovery there +would only add to her embarrassment, yet I had no reason to believe the +officer had left his seat yonder, and therefore dare not drop to the +ground. My heart ached for the girl, and I longed to get my hands on +that cur of a Le Gaire, yet might venture to approach neither. It was a +maddening situation, but I could only stand there in the dark, gripping +the rail, unable to decide my duty. Perhaps she did love me--in spite of +that vigorous denial, perhaps she did--and the very possibility made the +blood surge hot through my veins. Could I help her in any way? Whatever +her feeling toward me might be, there remained no question as to her +growing dislike for Le Gaire. Not fear, but a peculiar sense of honor +alone, held her to her pledge. And could I remain still, and permit her +to be thus ruthlessly sacrificed? Would Major Hardy permit it if he +knew?--if the entire situation was explained to him? Le Gaire never +would tell him the truth, but would laugh off the whole affair as a mere +lovers' quarrel. Could I venture to thrust myself in? If I did, would it +be of any use? It would cost me my liberty, and the liberty of my men; +probably I should not be believed. And would she ever forgive me for +listening? I struggled with the temptation--swayed by duty and by +love--until my heart throbbed in bewilderment. Then it was too late. +Fate, tired of hesitancy, took the cards out of my hands. + +Billie had been sitting, her head bowed on the table, the light above +glistening on her hair. Suddenly she arose to her feet, her face white +and drawn, her hands extended in a gesture of disgust. Attracted by the +open window, and the black vista of night beyond, she stepped through +onto the balcony, and stood there, leaning against the rail. + + + +CHAPTER XX + +WE ARRIVE AT A CRISIS + +I remained there, pressed into one corner, unable to move, scarcely +venturing to breathe, her skirt brushing my leg, the strands of her +hair, loosened by the night wind, almost in my face. She was gazing +straight out into the night, utterly unconscious of my presence, so +deeply buried in her own trouble that all else seemed as nothing. For a +moment she remained motionless, silent; then her hands pressed against +her forehead, and her lips gave utterance to a single exclamation: + +"Oh, God! I can never, never stand it! What shall I do?" + +Perhaps I moved, perhaps some sense of the occult revealed my presence, +for she turned swiftly, with a sharp gasp of the breath, and looked +straight into my eyes. The recognition was instant, bewildering, a shock +which left her speechless, choking back the cry of alarm which rose into +her throat. She gripped the rail and stared as though at a ghost. + +"Don't cry out," I entreated quickly. "Surely you know whom I am." + +"Yes, yes," struggling to regain her voice. "I--know; but why are you +here? How long have you been here?" + +"It is a story too complex to repeat," I said earnestly, "but I have +been here since your father first came--don't blame me, for I couldn't +get away." + +"Then--then you heard--" + +"Yes; I heard everything. I tried not to; I pledge you my word it was +all an accident. I was here for another purpose, a military purpose. I +did not even know this was your home. I am trapped on this balcony, and +dare not attempt to get away--I had to listen. You will believe what +I say?" + +I was pleading so desperately that she stopped me, one hand grasping my +sleeve. + +"Yes, of course. I am sure you could never do that purposely. But I do +not know what to say, how to explain. You must go at once. Can you not +realize my position if you are discovered here? What--what Captain Le +Gaire would say?" + +"Very easily," my voice insensibly hardening at the memory, "and I +should like to remain to meet him, if that were the only danger. No, +please stand exactly where you are, Miss Hardy, so as to keep me in the +shadow. Thank you. There is a man sitting on a bench yonder just within +the orchard. He has been there for the last twenty minutes, and it is +his presence which has made it impossible for me to get away. Can I +escape in any manner through the house?" + +She shook her head, her glance wandering from the lighted room out again +into the night. + +"No; there is only the one door." + +"Who are here besides Le Gaire and your father?" + +"A half-dozen officers, two from the Louisiana regiment, the rest +belonging to the staff; they are just ending up a feast in the +dining-room." + +"And is the house under guard?" + +She hesitated, looking me now squarely in the eyes, her face clearly +revealed as the light from within fell upon it. + +"Why do you ask?--for military reasons?" + +"No; that is all passed and gone. We came hoping to capture General +Johnston, as scouts informed us this was his headquarters for the night. +But he is not here, and you will do your cause no harm by telling me +all I ask." + +"I do not think there are any guards posted," she answered, convinced +that I spoke the truth. "I have not been out, but I am sure there are no +soldiers about the place, except the officers' servants at the stable +with the horses. The general departed before dark, and took his +bodyguard with him." + +She had no reason to deceive me, and her sincerity was beyond question. +This was better than I had dared hope, and instantly a new plan leaped +into my mind, the very audacity of which made me gasp. Yet it might +work, carried out with sufficient boldness, although only to be resorted +to as a last desperate necessity. As I stood there, revolving this new +thought swiftly through my mind, the old fear seemed to return to her. + +"Did--did you hear--everything?" she asked again. + +"I am afraid I did," I confessed humbly, "but I am going to forget." + +"No, that is not necessary. I am not sure I am altogether sorry that you +overheard." + +"But I am--at least, a part of what I overheard struck me rather hard." + +"What was that?" + +"Your reference to me. Billie, I had been dreaming dreams." + +Her eyes dropped, the long lashes shading them. + +"But I had previously warned you," she said at last, very soberly. "You +knew how impossible such a thought was; you were aware of my +engagement." + +"Yes, and I also knew Le Gaire. All I hoped for was time, sufficient +time for you to discover his character. He is no bug-a-boo to me any +longer, nor shall any tie between you keep me from speaking. As I have +told you I did not come here expecting to meet you--not even knowing +this was your home--yet you have been in my mind all through the night, +and what has occurred yonder between you and that fellow has set me +free. Do you know what I mean to do?" + +"No, of course not; only--" + +"Only I must believe what you said about me to him; only I must continue +to respect an agreement which has been wrung out of you by threat. I +refuse to be bound. I know now the one thing I wanted most to know, +Billie--that you do not love him. Oh, you can never make me think +that again--" + +"Stop!" and she was looking straight at me again. "I shall listen to you +no longer, Lieutenant Galesworth. I cannot deny the truth of much which +you have said, but it is not generous of you to thus take advantage of +what was overheard. It was merely a quarrel, and not to be taken +seriously. He is coming back, and--and I am going to marry him." + +There was a little catch in her voice, yet she finished the sentence +bravely enough, flinging the words at me in open defiance. + +"When? To-night?" + +"Yes, immediately, as soon as Captain Le Gaire can confer with my +father." + +I smiled, not wholly at ease, yet confident I knew her struggle. + +"You might deceive some one else, Miss Billie," I said quietly, "and +perhaps if I were not here this programme might indeed be carried out--I +believe Le Gaire is cur enough to insist upon it. But I am here, and you +are not going to marry him, unless you tell me with your own lips that +you love the man." + +She stared into my eyes, as though doubting my sanity. + +"Will you consent to say that?" + +"I deny your right to even ask." + +"Yet I shall take silence as a negative, and act accordingly. No, you +will not hate me for it; you may imagine you do for the moment, but the +time will come when your heart will thank me for interference, for +saving you from a foolish sacrifice. You do not love Le Gaire; you +cannot look me in the eyes and say that you do." + +"You are impertinent, ungentlemanly. I simply refuse to answer a +question you have no right to ask." + +"I assume the right in accordance with a law as old as man." + +"What law?" + +"The law of love," I returned earnestly, "the love of a man for the one +woman." + +I could see her slight form sway as the full significance of these words +came to her; her cheeks flamed, but there was no shadowing of her eyes. + +"I am going in, Lieutenant Galesworth," she said finally, drawing back +to the open window. "You have forgotten yourself, forgotten the +respect due me." + +"But I have not, Billie," and in my earnestness I neglected all caution, +stepping forward into the full glare of light. "The highest respect is +the basis of true love, and, little girl, I love you." + +She clung to the frame of the window, rendered speechless by my +audacity, struggling with herself. + +"Oh, don't say that! I cannot listen; I must not. Believe me, Lieutenant +Galesworth, I do not altogether blame you, for I have been indiscreet, +foolish. I--I have not meant to be; I merely endeavored to prove kind +and friendly, never once dreaming it would come to this. Now it must +end, absolutely end; even if you despise me for a heartless coquette, +there is no other way. My path is laid out for me, and I must walk in +it. It may not be altogether pleasant, but I made my choice, and it is +too late now for retreat. I want you to help me, not make it +any harder." + +"By going away, you mean? By leaving you to be coerced?" + +"I was not coerced; it was my own free choice." + +We were both so interested as to forget everything except ourselves, +utterly oblivious to the situation, or to what was occurring without. My +eyes were upon her face, endeavoring to read the real truth, and I knew +nothing of the two men at the edge of the orchard. Like a shot out of +the night broke in a voice: + +"Billie, who is that you have with you?" + +I saw her reel against the side of the window, every trace of color +deserting her face, her eyes staring down into the darkness. She gasped +for breath, yet answered, before a thought flashed through my brain: + +"Only a friend, papa. Did you suppose I would consent to remain alone +long?" + +"Le Gaire said he just left you." + +She leaned out over the rail, half concealing me from view. + +"Oh, that must have been fifteen minutes ago," and she laughed. "It is +never safe to leave me as long as that. You know that, papa, and now I +warn Captain Le Gaire." + +The older man echoed her laugh, striking his companion lightly on the +shoulder. + +"I fear the little witch is right, Gerald," he said pleasantly. "Come, +we'll go in, and uncover the whole conspiracy." + +Their backs were toward us, and she straightened up, grasping me by the +hand. She was shaking from head to foot, even her voice trembled. + +"You must not be found here, and we have but a moment. Drop to the +ground as soon as they turn the corner. Don't hesitate; don't +compromise me." + +"But what will you tell them?" + +"Oh, I do not know--anything that comes into my head. Don't mind me, +I'll take care of myself." + +"But you will not; that is the whole trouble--if I go now I lose you +forever. Billie, let me stay!" + +She broke from me, stepping back into the room, yet there was a look in +her eyes which made me desperate. She did not love Le Gaire, she +despised him. I was certain of that, and more than half convinced her +heart was already mine. Should I run from the fight like a coward, sneak +away in the night, leaving her to be sacrificed? The very thought +sickened me. Better to meet the issue squarely--and I believed I knew +how it could be done. I grasped the curtain, drew it down twice in +signal, and stepped into the room. + +"I am going to take command here now, Billie," I said with new +sternness. "All you need to do is obey orders." + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +WE CAPTURE THE HOUSE + +If she was startled and frightened before, she was doubly so now at this +sudden revolt on my part. But I had no time then for explanation, only +for the stern exercising of authority. If I was right, if deep down in +the girl's heart there was love for me, she would forgive this action as +soon as she realized its purpose--aye! she would respect me the more for +daring the deed. + +"Don't attempt to interfere now, my girl; go over to the big chair and +sit down." + +My revolver was in my hand, and she saw it, her eyes wide open. + +"You--you are not going to hurt them?" + +"No, not if they use any sense, but this is not going to be boys' play. +Will you do as I say?" + +She sat down, gripping the arms of the chair, and leaning forward, half +inclined to scream, yet afraid to utter a sound. Without taking my eyes +from her, I slipped across the room to where I would be partially +concealed as the door opened. I knew what I was going to do, or, at +least, attempt to do, and realized fully the risk I ran, and the chance +of failure. It would require daring and coolness to capture those in the +house, without raising any alarm, and likewise the prompt cooperation of +my men. If they had seen my signal, and if I could disarm these first +two, the rest should be comparatively easy. There were steps in the +hall, and the jingle of spurs. Hardy entered first, his head turned +backward as though he spoke to Le Gaire. I saw the girl rise to her +feet, but my whole attention was concentrated upon the two men. The +instant the space was sufficient, I forced the door shut, and stood with +my back against it, the black muzzle of my Colt staring them in +the eyes. + +"Hands up, gentlemen!" I said sternly, "a movement means death." + +They presented two astounded faces, Hardy's absolutely blank, so +complete his surprise, but Le Gaire recognized me instantly, his mouth +flying open, his eyes glaring. + +"Good God!--you!" + +"Yes; hands up, Le Gaire! Don't be a fool." + +His dark complexion was yellow with pallor, and I knew him for a coward +at heart, yet his very hatred of me made him dangerous. Hardy was +different, realizing his helplessness, but eying me coolly, his hands +held over his head. + +"What does all this mean?" he asked quietly. "Who the devil are you?" + +"He's that damned Yank Billie's been so interested in," broke out the +captain, "the same fellow who knocked me off my horse at Jonesboro." + +Major Hardy glanced toward his daughter inquiringly, but before she +could utter a word in explanation I cut in: + +"This has nothing to do with Miss Hardy. She is as much a prisoner as +you are. Now, Captain, hand me your revolver--butt first, please. Major +Hardy, I will also trouble you. Now both of you back up slowly against +the wall." + +Their faces were a study, Hardy rather seeming to enjoy the experience, +his thin lips smiling grimly, but Le Gaire was mad, his jaw set, his +eyes glaring at me. + +"I should rather like to know what all this means, young man," said the +former. "Do you expect to capture the house single-handed?" + +"Hardly, but I've made a good start," now fully at ease, with a revolver +in each hand, the third thrust in my belt. "However I've no time now +to explain." + +Without turning my face from them I sidled over to the window, speaking +quietly into the darkness without: + +"Come in, men, one at a time." + +Almost to my surprise they came over the rail like so many monkeys, +scarcely a sound revealing the movements. I saw the smile fade from off +the major's lips, and my eyes caught Billie's wide open in astonishment. +The fellows hustled in behind me, not knowing what was expected of them, +but ready enough for anything. I glanced at them, beckoning to Miles. + +"All here, Sergeant? Then draw down the shade. Wilson, you and Carney +come over here, and keep an eye on these two men. Miles, let me speak to +you a moment." + +I led him into one corner, outlining the situation in a dozen words. + +"There may be half a dozen in the dining-room--yes, just across the +hall--including a preacher--armed, of course, but they don't suspect +there is a Blue-coat within ten miles. They're out for a good time, and +have been having it. If you can get the bunch covered first, there need +be no fight. Don't fire a shot; just lay the iron down on them. Take all +the men along, except the two I need here. You know your business." + +"Sure," grinning, "and what then?" + +"Scout around the house. I don't believe there are any guards set, but +it will be safer to make sure." + +"There's some cavalrymen at the stable, sir; we heard 'em singin' out +there." + +"A few officers' servants; you can attend to them easily enough after +you are certain about the house. By the way, who is the best man to +send back?" + +"Into our lines, sir? Young Ross would be all right." + +There was a desk in one corner, with writing materials on it, but I was +most anxious just then to be assured we controlled the situation. Some +of those fellows across the hall might become restless, and stroll in +here at any moment, to discover the cause for delay. + +"Very well, Miles; leave Ross here, and carry out your orders; that +should give you seven men--why, no, it doesn't! Where is the negro?" + +"He said you told him he didn't need go beyond the head of the ravine, +sir," explained the sergeant, "and as one of the men heard you say so, I +didn't feel like making him come along. He started back for camp." + +"I believe I did promise something like that," I admitted, "and he +wouldn't have been much assistance anyway. Well, six men and yourself +ought to do the business. Watch the windows, so none get away." + +Perhaps I should have gone myself, but I was disinclined to leave the +room, desirous of getting off my despatch without delay, and possessed +implicit confidence in the promptness and discretion of the sergeant. He +drew his revolver, the men silently following his example, and the +little party slipped quietly out into the hall, the last man closing the +door behind him. Evidently they encountered no one in the passageway. +Listening intently I heard the dining-room door thrown back violently, a +confused noise of feet, of chairs hurriedly pushed aside, a voice +uttering a stern order, the sound of a brief struggle, ended by a blow +and the thud of a body striking the floor, then numerous voices speaking +excitedly, followed by silence. Convinced the work had been +accomplished, and that the house was now entirely in our possession, I +walked across the room to the desk. Miss Hardy still sat where I had +ordered, and I was compelled to pass her chair. Her eyes met +mine coldly. + +"Would you permit me to go across to my father?" she asked. + +"Most certainly; you are in no sense a prisoner, except I shall have to +ask you to remain in the room for the present." + +She inclined her head ever so slightly. + +"I shall ask no further favor, and thank you for granting this." + +I sank into the chair at the desk, and watched her cross the room. Her +words and actions hurt me, and yet it was scarcely to be expected that +she would be pleased with the sudden change in affairs. To see me thus +in complete control of the situation, her father and Le Gaire prisoners, +all their plans frustrated, was maddening, particularly so as she +realized that this result came largely through her own indiscretion. I +began myself to doubt the complete success of my scheme. Without +question I had the power now to prevent her marriage, yet I might have +gone too far, and caused a revulsion of feeling. She had been interested +in me before--for it had been her part to help me in times of danger, +and sympathy lies very close to love--but now the conditions were +changed, and she might feel very different toward my interference. +Perhaps I was destined to lose rather than gain, yet it was too late now +to draw back--I must play the game out to its ending. I wrote rapidly, +utterly ignoring her conversation with Hardy, yet someway conscious that +Le Gaire sought to join in, and was answered in a single swift sentence, +the girl not even turning to glance at him. The simple action caused my +heart to leap to my throat--could it be the lady played a part, her +coldness to me intended to deceive others? It was a hope, at least, and +I went to my task with fresh courage. I told it all in a dozen +sentences--Johnston's plans for the morrow; the withdrawal of +Confederate troops from our left, and their concentration in reserve of +the enemy's centre; our capture of the Hardy house, and my hope to +retain possession until the right of our line could be flung forward. +Then I called Ross, and he came across the room, looking scarcely more +than a boy, but with a serious face. + +"Can you find your way back down the ravine to our lines, my lad?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then don't lose any time. The Confederate troops have been withdrawn, +but you must watch out for stragglers. Give this to Colonel Cochran, and +tell him it must be forwarded to headquarters at once. Explain to him +the situation here. Now be off." + +He saluted, wheeled sharply about, and went out the window. I heard him +strike the ground. Then I sat silently looking at the others in the +room, wondering how the sergeant was getting along, and slowly realizing +that I had a white elephant on my hands. I was endeavoring to play two +games at once, love and war, and the various moves were confusing. It +might be possible even for my little squad to hold this advance +position until reinforcements arrived, but what could be done with the +prisoners? Billie might forgive me--realizing the motive--for all which +had occurred thus far, but if I were to turn her father and Le Gaire +over to the hardships of a Northern prison, I could expect no mercy. I +cared little as to the fate of the others, they had taken the chances of +war, but these two must be liberated before our troops came up. I could +not catch the girl's eyes; she sat with averted face, talking earnestly +to her father. Uneasy, and puzzled how best to straighten out the +tangle, I went out into the hall, and glanced in at the room opposite. A +bunch of gray-clad men were against the wall, disarmed and helpless, +even their tongues silent, and three watchful troopers guarded them, +revolvers in hand. All stared at me as I stepped forward. + +"Where is the sergeant?" + +"At the stable, sir." + +"Oh, yes; hope he has as good luck there--got them all?" + +"Every bloomin' one of 'em, sir. They was quite nice about it." + +An indignant voice spoke from the gray line. + +"Blamed if it ain't Atherton! Say, Major, what does all this mean?" + +I laughed, stepping forward so as to see the speaker's face. + +"Captain Bell, isn't it? Thought I recognized your voice. I'm not +Atherton, although I believe I was introduced to you under that name +once. I have wanted to thank you ever since for bearing testimony in +my favor." + +His jaw fell, his eyes staring. + +"Who the devil are you then?" + +"A Federal officer; my name is Galesworth." + +"And this is no joke?" + +"Well, hardly, Captain. I shouldn't advise you to take the affair that +way. These fellows here might not appreciate the humor of it." + +I turned back, and met Miles in the hall, just as he came in through the +front door. He grinned at sight of me, evidently well pleased. + +"Got every mother's son of 'em, sir," he reported. "Easy job too; never +had to fire a shot, and only hit one fellow; he started a shindy in +there," with a glance toward the dining-room. "There were five +gray-jacks out in the stable, all asleep, an' they was like lambs. The +blamed fools never had a guard set." + +"They felt safe enough, no doubt, back here," I returned. "The last +thing they thought about was any Yankees getting this far. Do you know +what they were gathered here for?" + +He shook his head. + +"It was intended for a wedding party, until we butted in." + +"Hell! not that pretty girl back in there?" + +"Yes," for somehow I felt I had better tell him enough of the truth to +make the situation clear. He was an honest, clear-headed fellow, and I +needed help. "And that Confederate Captain--Le Gaire--was to be the +bridegroom. I am going to tell you the whole story, Sergeant, and then +you'll see what sort of a fix I'm in." + +I went over it hastily, yet with sufficient detail so as to make it all +clear to his mind. He listened soberly at first, and then his eyes began +to twinkle, and he interrupted with numerous questions. Apparently he +found the tale most amusing. + +"Well, if that ain't the rummest story ever I heard! It beats a novel by +'bout a mile. I never was married myself, sir, but I've got a blamed +pretty girl waitin' for me back in ol' Illinoy, an' I reckon I know what +she'd want me to do in a case like this. Sure, I'm with you until the +cows come home, and so are the rest o' the boys. Lord, this is the kind +o' sojerin' I like; somethin' happenin' every minute. What's +next, sir?" + +"Perhaps I better look over the house first," I said thoughtfully, "and +see where we can stow away these prisoners without needing all our men +to guard them. You take charge in there while I am gone, Miles, and let +the girl go anywhere she pleases so she promises not to leave +the house." + +"All right, sir," and the sergeant saluted, his eyes shining, as I +started for the stairs. + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +MISS WILLIFRED DECLARES HERSELF + +I glanced at the various rooms up stairs, but nothing seemed exactly +suitable for our purpose, and, finally, taking a trooper along to hold a +light, explored the basement with better results. Here I found a +considerable cellar, divided into two sections, the floor of stone +slabs, and the walls well bricked. Iron bars, firmly set, protected the +small windows, and altogether the place appeared favorable for our +purpose. To be sure, desperate prisoners could not be confined in such +quarters for any length of time, but it would answer temporarily, +providing we left a guard within. Satisfied as to this, after fixing up +a stout bar across the door, I returned to the first floor, and gave +orders to have the men taken below. We could not differentiate between +officers and privates, but robbed the rooms up stairs of bed-clothing, +and thus made them as comfortable as possible. Bell and the clergy-man +made voluble protests, but yielded to the inevitable, being persuaded by +the revolvers of the guards to accompany the others. So far as arms +went we were now well supplied, having added to our original equipment +the officers' pistols, and the carbines of the men captured in the +stable. This matter settled I turned to the consideration of the case of +the two men remaining in the front parlor. + +Here was a more serious problem, for I could not herd Major Hardy with +those fellows below, nor was I willing to humiliate Le Gaire by any such +treatment. Not that I thought him too good to associate with these +others, but Billie must not think I was actuated by any feelings of +revenge. I talked the situation over with the sergeant, who proved a +hard-headed, practical man, and we decided upon an upstairs room, over +the kitchen, which had only one small window, through which a man of +ordinary size could hardly crawl. I went up to examine this more +carefully, and to nail down the window frame. As I came out into the +hall again, rather dreading the impending interview in the parlor, I saw +her coming alone up the broad stairway. She did not see me until her +foot was upon the last step, and then she stopped, suddenly, one hand +gripping the rail, her cheeks burning. One glance into her eyes caused +me to nerve myself for an unpleasant session. + +"I have been waiting for you to return," she said very coldly, yet with +a slight falter in the voice, "and when I spoke to the sergeant, he said +you were up here." + +I bowed, hat in hand, and waited, unwilling to speak until I knew +something of her purpose. + +"Lieutenant Galesworth, what is the meaning of all this? What do you +propose doing with my father and Captain Le Gaire?" + +"Did they send you to me to find out?" + +"No; father merely supposed I was going to my own room after something I +needed." + +"And Le Gaire?" I insisted. + +She looked at me frankly, her eyes utterly fearless. + +"We have scarcely spoken, and--and he certainly would never have advised +my coming to you. I came of my own volition, because--well, because you +claimed this was all a service to me. I--I do not understand what you +meant, or--or why you hold us prisoners." + +I thought I saw light now. She forced herself to be angry with me, but +face to face was unable to carry out the programme. + +"Will you come up here, Miss Billie?" I asked. "Let us take this settee +a moment, and I will endeavor to explain. We are alone here, and I would +not care to talk freely before the others. I prefer them to think this +is purely a military affair, don't you?" + +She hesitated, biting her lip, and standing motionless. My hand was +extended, but she ignored it, yet, after a moment, she stepped up beside +me, her hand on the settee. + +"It--it is not a military affair then?" + +"Only incidentally--I told you the truth before." + +"I--I do not remember." + +"Perhaps I failed to make all clear; indeed, I was a little hazy myself, +events crowded upon us so rapidly. Won't you sit down while I talk?" + +She sank upon the settee, as though to an order, looking into my face, +with an expression in her eyes I was unable to comprehend. + +"I have wanted to see you alone," I began, determined there should be no +lack of courage on my part. "There is no longer need of any secrets +between us. We have met only once before to-night, but that meeting was +of such a character that we were instantly acquainted. To be sure we +were working at cross-purposes, and you outwitted me, but later you +squared all that by saving me from capture." + +"Why go over that unfortunate occurrence?" she interrupted. "Do you not +suppose I regret that enough already?" + +"I doubt if you regret it at all." + +"But I do--I haven't had a moment's peace since." + +"Indeed! Why?" and I bent lower, eager to read her eyes. "Because even +in that little time you had learned to care for me?" + +"Your words are insolent," rising to her feet, proudly, but I remained +directly in her path. + +"No, Miss Willifred," earnestly, "they are not, because they come from +the heart. You are a woman, and therefore you understand. You cannot be +angry with me, no matter how hard you try. You are endeavoring to +deceive yourself, but the effort is useless. You do care for me--that +was why you waited for me to get safely across the river; that was why +you have come to me now. Ever since I left you in the grape arbor I have +been in your thoughts." + +"And why I was also about to marry Captain Le Gaire, I suppose," she +interposed defiantly, but with eyes unable to meet mine. + +"I can comprehend that easily enough, helped by what I overheard. You +cannot tell me you desired to marry Captain Le Gaire--can you?" + +"No," for I stopped, and thus compelled an answer. "It would be useless +to deny that." + +"I was so sure of this that I acted, took the one course open to me to +prevent your doing this wrong. I deliberately determined to risk your +displeasure rather than permit the sacrifice. You were marrying him +merely because you had promised, because you could not explain to your +father why your feelings had changed--you were afraid to confess that +you loved a Yankee." + +"But I didn't--it was not that!" + +"Then what was it?" + +She remained silent, but now I was fully aroused. + +"Billie," my voice low, and barely reaching her ear. "When I rode away +that night I knew I loved you. I was a Yankee soldier, but I had been +captured by a Rebel. I scarcely possessed a hope then of meeting you +again, but I did believe you already realized what kind of a man Le +Gaire was. I could not conceive that you would marry him, and I swore to +myself to seek you out at the earliest moment possible. Don't draw back +from me, dear, but listen--you must listen. This means as much to you +as to me." + +"But I cannot--I must not." + +"What is there to prevent? Your pride of the South? Your adherence to +the Confederacy? I care nothing for that; we are not Rebel and Yankee, +but man and woman. As to Le Gaire, I have no respect for his claim upon +you, nor would your father have if he knew the truth. It is all an +accident our meeting again, but it was one of God's accidents. I +thought I was sent here to capture Johnston, but my real mission was to +save you. I've gone too far now to retreat. So have you." + +"I?" in half indignant surprise. + +"Dear, do you suppose I would dare this if I doubted you?--if I did not +believe your heart was mine?" + +"And if convinced otherwise, what would you do?" + +The tone in which this was spoken, the swift question startled me. + +"Do? Why, there would be nothing to do, except return." + +"Leaving your prisoners?" + +I glanced out through the nearest window, noting the sky growing gray in +the east, and suddenly realized that, if we succeeded in getting away +ourselves now, the transporting of Confederates under guard would be +scarcely possible. She seemed to read all this in my face, before I +could frame an answer. + +"I have listened to you, Lieutenant Galesworth," she burst forth, +"because I had to. You have had everything your own way thus far, but +now it is my turn. I am a woman, a woman of the South, a soldier's +daughter, and am not likely to surrender my heart, my principles, my +life before such an assault. You have taken too much for granted; +because I have not wished to hurt you, you have believed my silence +indicative of love; you have construed friendship into devotion. Now it +is my turn to speak. I did like you, and helped you; without doubt I was +indiscreet, but I thought only of friendship, supposing we would part +then, never to meet again. Under those circumstances," and her voice +faltered slightly, "it may be that I said and did more than I should, +enough--well, enough to encourage you. But--but I thought it all over +with. You knew of Captain Le Gaire, and that should have been +sufficient. Yet you come here, in face of all this, and--and dare to +make love to me." + +"But you are forgetting what I overheard--the fact that I know your real +feelings toward Le Gaire." + +"No, I do not forget, but that was nothing--nothing to do with you. It +was merely the result of a mood, a whim, a lovers' quarrel. No, don't +speak, don't stop me. I am not going to lie. It was not a mood, nor a +whim. I had been analyzing my own heart, and discovered Captain Le Gaire +was not what I had believed him to be. The very fact that both he and my +father so took everything for granted, arranged all details without +consulting my wishes, made me rebellious. But your dictation is even +worse than theirs. They had some right, while you have none, absolutely +none, Lieutenant Galesworth--have you?" + +"I--I hardly know," confused by this direct question, and the flash of +her eyes. "I supposed I had." + +"Yet with nothing but imagination to build upon. Have I ever told you I +did not care for Captain Le Gaire, or that I loved you?" + +"No," I admitted, feeling myself driven relentlessly to the wall. + +"I am not angry at you, for I understand how all this has occurred. I +believe you have been inspired by the highest motives, and a desire to +serve me. If I am angry at any one, it is myself. I have permitted you +to go too far, to assume too much. Now it ends, for I am going to marry +Captain Le Gaire." + +She stood up straight before me, her head poised proudly, her cheeks +flushed, her eyes bright with excitement. Never before had she appeared +more attractive, and the love that swelled up into my heart seemed to +choke all utterance. Could I have mistaken everything? Could I have +deceived myself so completely? Did these hard words represent her true +purpose, or were they merely wrung out of her by stress of circumstance? +I could not determine, but I knew this--I could not turn about now and +retreat. If I did that I would certainly lose, while if I fought it out +there was still hope. No woman--at least no woman like Willifred +Hardy--ever loved a coward, or a quitter, and I was determined she +should not catalogue me in either class. All this came to me rather in +instinct than thought, yet I was ready enough when she began +questioning. + +"Now you will go away, won't you?" + +"Go away?" + +"Yes, back to your own people, and leave us alone. There is no reason +why you should stay here longer. You are not serving me, nor your cause. +Release your prisoners, and get away safely before you yourself are +captured." + +"Did Le Gaire tell you to make this proposition?" + +"Certainly not," indignantly, "I have not spoken to Captain Le Gaire." + +"Well, Miss Billie," soberly, "I accept your words just as they are +spoken, and will trouble you no longer with my attentions. But this has +become a military matter now. It is too late for us to attempt getting +back, but I have sent a man for reinforcements, and we shall hold this +house until they come. I do not propose to release a single prisoner, or +permit a rumor of what has occurred here to reach Confederate +headquarters. You are also a prisoner, although I will accept +your parole." + +She flung back her head defiantly. + +"Which I refuse to give." + +"Then obey my orders; is that your room yonder?" + +"Yes." + +"I will trouble you to go in there." + +She stared at me, biting her lip, with foot tapping the carpet, but I +had spoken sternly. + +"Do you mean that?" + +"Every word. I hope I shall not have to call one of my men, and place +you under guard." + +There could be no doubt she was angry, yet I was the master, and, after +one glance into my face, her eyes burning, she swept by me, and entered +the room designated. I gave a glance about its interior, marking the +distance to the ground; then took the key-and inserted it in the outer +lock. She stood silently facing me, her face flushed, her bosom rising +and falling swiftly. + +"I regret very much this necessity," I apologized, "but you have left me +no alternative." + +"I have no desire to be spared," she returned, "and no favors to ask, +Lieutenant Galesworth." + +Our eyes met, mine, I am sure, as resolute as her own, and I stepped +back into the hall, closing and locking the door. + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE CHALLENGE + +I went slowly down stairs, swayed by a conflict of emotions. Had I +indeed gone too far, been too stern and abrupt? Still it was surely +better to err in this direction than to exhibit weakness, and it was +only between these two that I had any choice remaining. What lay between +us and our own lines was uncertain--possibly Confederate pickets, +surely bands of stragglers, renegades from both armies. Now that we had +waited so long, it would be a desperate chance to attempt to traverse +that ravine in daylight. We were far safer here, hidden away, but must +guard well that no knowledge of our presence be scattered abroad. Billie +had defied me, threatened, and refused to accept parole; nothing +remained but to hold her prisoner. Besides her words had stung and +angered me. Even while I doubted their entire truth they still hurt, +serving to increase my bitterness toward Le Gaire. + +I was in this mood as I paused a moment to glance out at the gray dawn. +The smooth pike was at least a hundred yards away, barely visible here +and there through the intervening trees. Everything about was quiet and +deserted--war seemed a long way off. Standing there alone, hearing the +birds singing in the branches, and gazing out across the green, closely +trimmed grass, I could scarcely realize our perilous position, or the +exciting events of the past night. I felt more like a guest than an +invader, and was compelled to bring myself back to realities with an +effort. I was helped by the sudden appearance of Miles in the hallway. + +"Thought I better take another look down stairs, sir," he explained, as +I turned, facing him. "They are quiet enough in there." + +"I was just going in," I said. "We will have to put those two with the +others at present. Our people should be up here before night, and +meanwhile we must remain quiet. Anything happened in there?" + +"Nothing important. The old major fell asleep after the girl left, but +the other fellow is pacing back and forth like a caged tiger, and +cursing. He's asked me some leadin' questions 'bout you, an' where Miss +Hardy's gone. Were you goin' in, sir?" + +"Yes; you better wait." + +I opened the door, and stepped into the parlor, the sergeant following, +evidently anticipating a scene. The room showed some signs of disorder, +the furniture disarranged, and one chair overturned. Wilson sat in front +of the window, the shade of which had been drawn down, and the other +guard was near the door. Both men had their revolvers drawn, and, from +their positions, and Le Gaire's attitude, apparently trouble was +anticipated. He was in the middle of the room, with hands clinched and +eyes blazing, and wheeled to face me as I entered. + +"Oh, it's you, is it!" he exclaimed, sudden anger sweeping away every +vestige of control. "I may be a prisoner, but I'll be damned if I'll +keep still. This whole affair is an outrage. What have you done with +Miss Hardy?" + +"The lady has gone to her own room up stairs, Captain Le Gaire," I +replied courteously enough. + +"But not until after seeing you, you sneaking Yankee hound," he burst +forth, striding forward. "What does this all mean? What influence have +you got over the girl?" + +The major sat up suddenly. + +"See here, Le Gaire, you leave my daughter's name out of this." + +The enraged captain favored him with a glance. + +"I know more about this affair than you do, Hardy. This blue-bellied +puppy was with Billie before, and I knew there was some infernal scheme +on the moment I saw him here to-night. The girl helped him to get away +once before, and there's some trick being worked off now." + +The older man was upon his feet instantly. + +"Hold on there; not another word; whatever my girl has done she is not +going to be condemned in my presence without a hearing." + +"Major Hardy," I broke in, and stepped between them. "This is my +quarrel, and not yours. Your daughter has done nothing for which she can +be criticised. All her connection with me has been accidental, and +during our last interview she merely begged for your release. When I +refused to grant the request, she repudiated her parole, and I locked +her in her own room as a prisoner. I did not even know this was your +home, or that Miss Willifred was here, when I came. When Captain Le +Gaire insinuates that there was any arrangement between us he lies." + +"Were you not on the balcony alone, talking together?" + +"Yes, she caught me there, by coming out suddenly." + +"And protected you, you coward--drew us into the trap." + +"Miss Hardy had no knowledge of what I proposed doing, nor that I had +any men with me. Indeed, I myself acted merely on the spur of +the moment." + +"What were you sneaking about there in the dark for then?" he sneered. +"You are nothing but a contemptible spy." + +I was holding my temper fairly well, yet my patience was near the +breaking point. + +"I may as well tell you," I answered at last, "and my men will +corroborate all I say. We came here under special orders hoping to +capture General Johnston, who, we were informed, was quartered here for +the night. We had no other object--" + +"Until you saw Billie." + +I wheeled upon him so fiercely that the fellow took a step backward. + +"Captain Le Gaire, you have said enough--all I shall permit you to say. +Miss Hardy had no connection whatever with this affair. If it is true +that you are engaged to the lady, then you should be defending instead +of attacking her." + +"I should hardly come to you for instructions." + +"Then take them from Major Hardy." + +"Oh, hell, Hardy don't understand. He's as blind as a bat, but you +cannot pull the wool over my eyes, Mr. Yankee spy. I've seen some of +your fine work before. If I wasn't a prisoner under guard I'd give you +a lesson you'd remember as long as you lived." + +I stood holding my breath, looking at him, scarcely less angry than he, +yet outwardly cool. + +"You would give me a lesson?" + +"I spoke plainly enough, I hope. This is a personal matter between us, +and you know it, and a Southern gentleman settles his own affairs. Only +a Yankee coward would hide behind his authority." + +"And you think I do?" + +He glanced about, with a wave of the hand at the guards. + +"Doesn't it look like it?" he asked sarcastically. + +The sneer cut me to the quick, cut me so sharply I replied before +stopping to reflect. If he wished to fight me I would give him a chance; +either he must make good his boasting or have his bluff called. And +there was but one way. I looked at the two troopers, who were staring at +us in deep interest; at Miles' grinning appreciation of the scene, and +at Hardy, puzzled, but still angry at the use of his daughter's name. +Then my eyes met the captain's. + +"I am greatly inclined to accommodate you, Captain Le Gaire," I said +quietly, "and give you any opportunity you may desire on equal terms. +Sergeant, take the men into the hall." + +They passed out reluctantly enough, and I stepped over to make certain +the door was securely closed. Then I came back, and fronted the fellow. +He had not changed his position, although the major had again risen +to his feet. + +"Well," I asked, "now what is it you wish to say?" + +"Am I no longer a prisoner?" + +"Not so far as our personal relations are concerned. My men will prevent +your leaving these grounds, or sending out any message before night. +Otherwise you are at liberty. Now what do you propose doing?" + +My unexpected promptness dazed him, but in no way diminished his anger. + +"Will you fight me?" + +"I see no occasion for it." + +"Then I will furnish one." + +Before I could recoil, or even realize his purpose, he sprang the single +necessary step forward and, with open hand, struck me in the face. + +"Even a blue-belly should understand the meaning of that," he exclaimed +hotly. + +I did understand, the hot blood surging to my cheeks, yet in some +mysterious way I never in my life felt cooler, more completely in +control of myself. Every nerve tingled, yet not a muscle moved, and I +smiled into his face, truly glad it had come to this. + +"Personal combat is not a habit with us, Captain Le Gaire," I said +coldly. "But in this case you will not find me seeking escape. I am very +much at your service." + +"Now?" his eyes blazing. + +"The quicker the better. Who seconds you?" + +"Major Hardy, of course--" + +"I'm damned if I will, Le Gaire," burst in the staff-officer +indignantly, thrusting himself forward. "You forced this matter with an +insult no gentleman could take, and besides have dragged my daughter's +name into the affair." + +"You refuse to act for me?" + +"Emphatically, yes! In the first place I don't believe in your damned +Louisiana code, and in my opinion, you've acted like a confounded bully. +So far as I can see Galesworth has done his duty, and nothing more. I'd +go out with him, under the circumstances, before I would with you." + +"I could not think of asking such a favor," I blurted out in +astonishment. + +"You do not need to ask--I volunteer, if you can use me." + +I do not believe I shall ever forget the expression on the dark, +scowling face of Le Gaire. He had not expected this, that he would be +deserted by his own people, yet the fact merely served to increase his +bitterness, harden his purpose. The twist of his lips left his teeth +exposed in an ugly grin. + +"All right, Hardy," he said, at last, "I'll not forget this, and I +reckon the story won't help you any in our army. I'll get the Yank, +second or no second, if the fellow doesn't back out." + +"You need have no fear on that score," I replied soberly. "I am no +believer in the duel, and this will be my first appearance on the field, +but you have got to fight now. Moreover you shall have all your rights +guarded." I stepped to the door, and opened it. + +"Sergeant, go down to the prisoners and bring Captain Bell here." + +He was back in another moment, grasping the arm of the surprised +Confederate, who stared about at us in silent wonderment. + +"Captain Bell," I asked, "I presume you have some acquaintance with the +duelling code?" + +He bowed gravely, waiting for me to explain. + +"Captain Le Gaire has seen fit to strike me in the face with his open +hand, and I have agreed to meet him at once. Will you act for the +gentleman?" + +"Why not Major Hardy?" + +"Because he will represent my interests." + +Bell turned his eyes toward the major, puzzled and uncertain. + +"This looks rather queer to me, Hardy. Has Le Gaire done something which +will prevent my acting in his behalf?" + +Hardy stroked his chin, and squared his shoulders. + +"Captain Le Gaire made some reflections on my family, sir, which I +resent. I refused to act for him on that ground, but I know of no reason +why you could not honorably serve. I merely prefer to assist +Galesworth." + +Bell hesitated, feeling, no doubt, there was something behind all this +he did not comprehend. It was also evident enough that he was no admirer +of Le Gaire, the latter gazing at him without a word. + +"Am I perfectly free to act?" + +"Yes--on parole of the grounds." + +"Very well, I accept; I presume my man Is the challenged party?" + +Both Hardy and myself bowed. + +"Then I will ask Captain Le Gaire to accompany me to the dining-room. I +shall return in a few moments." + +We watched them pass out, and then Hardy and I turned, and looked into +each others' faces. + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +I BECOME A FAMOUS SWORDSMAN + +"Sergeant," I said shortly, "I think you can be of greater service in +the hall." + +He disappeared reluctantly enough, and, as the door closed, I extended +my hand to the major. + +"I certainly appreciate your assistance," I began warmly. "I know very +little about these affairs, or how they are conducted." + +He took my hand, yet with no great cordiality, plainly enough already +somewhat doubtful as to his course. + +"I presumed as much, sir, but first, and before we proceed further, I +should like to have some explanation of the trouble between you and Le +Gaire. You are doubtless aware that I am the father of Willifred Hardy." + +"Yes, Major, and I am perfectly willing to tell you the whole story. +Shall I send for Miss Hardy to corroborate whatever I may say?" + +"No, sir. You are a Yankee, but a gentleman, and I accept your word. I +prefer Billie should know nothing of what is occurring." + +I told it swiftly from the beginning, yet was careful to leave no +impression that she had performed anything more than a mere friendly +service to an enemy in danger. Even then it was difficult for the +Confederate to appreciate fully the girl's motives, and his face clearly +expressed disapproval. As I came to an end, after telling of her effort +to gain his release, and my locking her within her own room, he paced +back and forth across the floor, scowling down at the carpet. + +"By Gad, you tell the story all right," he exclaimed, "but that doesn't +seem like Billie; whatever got into the girl to make her do a trick +like that?" + +"You mean helping me?" + +"Yes, against Le Gaire. I can understand how she took you through to +Jonesboro; that was necessary. But all the rest is a puzzle. Did you +know she was engaged to Captain Le Gaire?" + +"Yes; but evidently she did not think it would help him any to betray +me, and she was careful enough I should not escape in time to do any +harm to your army. There was no treason in her act, Major, only she felt +sympathy toward me." + +"But she permitted your attack on the man." + +"She knew nothing of it, until it was all over with." I hesitated, but +why should I? Surely he must already begin to perceive the truth. "That +she should have left him lying there until I was safely across the river +is the only act which tells hard against Le Gaire. No woman could have +done that, Major Hardy, if she really loved the wounded man." + +He did not reply, evidently endeavoring to realize all my meaning. + +"This is where you have made your mistake," I went on convincingly. +"Nothing is holding your daughter to Le Gaire but her promise. I was +obliged to overhear their conversation after you left, and he appealed +to her pride, to the honor of the Hardys, in order to gain her consent +to the marriage. She told him she no longer loved him, that he was not +the man she had supposed him to be--actually begged for release. I can +understand the situation, and, it seems to me, you ought to now. He is a +handsome fellow, dashing and reckless, the kind to make an impression. +She was flattered by his attentions, and deceived into the thought that +she really cared for him. Then she saw his true nature--his selfishness, +brutality, cowardice, even--and revolted. I doubt if I had anything to +do with this change--it was bound to come. You are a man, Major Hardy, +and must know men--is Le Gaire the kind you would want your daughter +to marry?" + +"By Gad! the way you put it--no!" emphatically. "I've thought well +enough of him until to-night; probably he's kept his best side turned +toward me, and, besides, it never once occurred to me that Billie didn't +want him. I've heard stories about the man, pretty hard ones at that, +but he appeared like a gentleman, and I naturally supposed them largely +fairy tales. Because I felt sure Billie liked him, I did also, but +to-night he has shown me the other side of his character. Still, I don't +know that I wonder much at his hating you." + +"I have given him all the cause I could--would gladly give more if +possible." + +Hardy's eyes twinkled. + +"I reckon your heart is all right, even if your uniform is the wrong +color. But, young man, this affair puts me in a queer box. I spoke up +rather hastily a while back, and now here I am seconding a damned Yankee +in a fight against one of our own men--it don't just look right." + +"I merely accepted your own offer; no doubt my sergeant would act." + +"Oh, I'll stay. The fact is, I rather like you, Lieutenant--eh, what is +the name? Oh, yes, Galesworth--you see Billie never even so much as +mentioned having met you. Anyway, I'm in this affair, and am going to +stick, although if all they tell about Le Gaire is true I wouldn't give +much for your chances of coming out whole." + +"He is a duellist then?" + +"Notorious; although, as near as I can learn, he has not had a serious +affair for some time. He assured me once, when I ventured to question +him, that he was through with that sort of thing. It's common practice +among the Louisiana hot-bloods, and I supposed he had got his senses. +Probably Billie never even heard of his reputation in this respect. What +do you do best--shoot or fence?" + +"Shoot, although I am hardly an expert at either." + +"Le Gaire will name swords," he said soberly. "He's a fine swordsman, +and probably the only question is how badly he'll try to hurt you." + +"A pleasant prospect surely." + +"For him, yes, but as your second I propose impressing Captain Bell, +when he arrives, with the idea that you are particularly expert with the +sabre, which happens to be the only sword weapon present. If I succeed +he may decide that pistols will be better." + +I stared at him with full appreciation, realizing the man was really +seeking to serve me. + +"May make it too," he went on calmly. "You're a stronger man than Le +Gaire, and that means something with the sabre. If I can convince Bell, +he'll make Le Gaire decide in favor of the gun. There he comes now. +Well, Bell, you've been long enough about it--must be your first case." + +The infantryman bowed rather coldly, his back against the closed door, +as he surveyed us both. + +"I have not had much experience in such affairs, Major Hardy, and I +desired some understanding of the circumstances before finally +consenting to act," he replied stiffly. "I am informed that Captain Le +Gaire is the challenged party." + +"Well, that might be a question, but we will waive the technicalities. +Le Gaire provoked the fight, and was rather nasty about it in my +judgment, but all we are anxious about now is to get the preliminaries +over with as soon as possible. We acknowledge that your man was the one +challenged." + +"Then, sir, we demand an immediate meeting, and name swords as the +weapons." + +Hardy turned to me, a smile of delight illumining his face. + +"Good enough," he exclaimed, sufficiently loud to reach the ears of the +astonished captain. "Not so bad, hey, Galesworth?" + +I nodded, but without venturing a reply, and Bell exhibited his surprise +in his face. + +"Is--is Lieutenant Galesworth an expert with the sabre?" he asked, after +a moment's silence. + +"Is he!" echoed Hardy. "Do you mean to say Le Gaire has never heard of +him?" + +"I--I think not." + +"That's odd. Why, we of the staff knew all about those sabre trials in +the Federal camp. I naturally supposed Le Gaire wished to try his skill +with the champion for the honor of the South. Such a struggle ought to +be worth seeing, but Galesworth would have the advantage of weight, and +length of arm." + +Bell evidently did not know either what to say or do. This threw an +entirely new light on the situation, and left him in an awkward +position. He shuffled uneasily about. + +"Would--would you gentlemen mind my consulting Captain Le Gaire again?" +he questioned doubtfully. "I think he should fully understand his +opponent's skill." + +Hardy laughed, completely at ease, and enjoying the other's dilemma. + +"Well, I hardly know about that, Bell. Under the laws of the code we +can hold you to your first choice, and I'm inclined to do so. Great joke +on Le Gaire. However, I am willing to leave it to my man. What do you +say, Galesworth?" + +I had retired to the opposite side of the room, and was leaning with one +arm on the mantel. In spite of the seriousness of the affair, it was +impossible not to be amused by this sudden turn. Bell's eyes shifted +questioningly toward me. + +"Surely Lieutenant Galesworth will not desire to take any undue +advantage," he ventured. + +"Was not that Captain Le Gaire's idea?" I returned sharply. "He has the +reputation of expert swordsmanship." + +"He is a swordsman, yes, but does not profess to excel with the sabre." + +I waited a moment in silence, permitting my hesitancy to become plainly +apparent. + +"Well, Captain Bell, much as I prefer the weapons already named, I will +nevertheless consent to a change. I am ready to concede anything if I +can only compel your man to fight." + +"Do you mean to question Captain Le Gaire's courage, sir?" hotly. + +"He seems to be fairly solicitous about his own safety, at least," +chimed in Hardy. "Go on, Bell, and talk it over with him--this is +not our row." + +The little captain backed out still raging, and the major followed him +to the door, lingering there as though listening. I watched curiously +until he straightened up, struggling to keep back a laugh. + +"That's some liar you've got for a sergeant, Galesworth," he said +genially. "Bell ran up against him in the hall, and stopped to ask a +question. He wasn't exactly certain we had been telling the truth. Your +man must have been primed for the occasion the way he turned loose. +Would like to have seen Bell's eyes pop out as the fellow described your +exploits. Makes me proud to know you myself." + +"Did Miles say I was an expert with the sabre?" I questioned in +astonishment. + +"Did he! Champion of the Army of the Tennessee; undefeated for two +years, both afoot and on horse-back; described a wonderful stroke that +caught them all; told about how you accidentally drove it an inch too +far once, and killed your opponent. Oh, he was great. It will be pistols +when Bell comes back; don't doubt that, my boy, and I know the very +spot--out back of the stable, level ground, and no interference." + +The interest which Major Hardy was exhibiting, as well as the promptness +with which he had espoused my side of the quarrel, made me suspicious +that he was not altogether sorry to be thus easily rid of Le Gaire. I +could not venture questioning him on so delicate a matter, but without +doubt he also saw the Louisianian in a new light, and began to +comprehend the change in his daughter. Moreover the humor in the +situation appealed to him, and, having once volunteered to serve me, he +became thoroughly loyal to that purpose. His very presence gave me +courage, and his words stiffened me for the coming ordeal. This was my +first occasion of the kind and, as the earlier anger wore off, I found +myself looking forward with some dread to the encounter. It was not +fear, but the newness of the experience jarred my nerves. I paced back +and forth across the room, only partially aware of what he was saying, +endeavoring to straighten matters out in my own mind. Was I doing right? +Was I justified in this course of action? I had followed the impulse of +passion, the sting of Le Gaire's blow driving all other memory from me. +But now I realized the peril in which my action might involve others, +the men under my command, for instance, and wondered what Billie would +think and say when the news of the quarrel reached her. She would +understand the real cause, yet, with her father upon my side, I was not +likely to suffer greatly. Anyway the die was cast; it was too late now +to regret. Bell returned full of apology and explanation, expressing a +desire that the weapons be changed to pistols. Hardy arose from his +chair, his eyes twinkling behind heavy lashes. + +"Sure; Galesworth is easily satisfied. I have two derringers up stairs +exactly alike; my father was out with them twice! Quite a fad duelling +was in his day, but the guns haven't been used for years. Come handy +now. By the way, Lieutenant, you shoot equally well with either hand, I +believe? Very valuable accomplishment; never could myself. We will meet +you, Captain Bell, back of the stable in fifteen minutes. Sorry we have +no surgeon present. That is all, is it not?" as the infantryman still +lingered. "The minor details can be arranged on the field." + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +THE END OF THE DUEL + +The sun was slightly above the horizon, still showing round and red +through the slight mist of early morning, as the major and I passed down +the deserted front steps, and circled the house on our way to the place +of meeting. Under his arm was the leather case containing the +derringers, and we crossed the intervening turf without exchanging a +word. I was myself in no mood for conversation, and Hardy appeared +equally inclined to silence. I glanced across at him, noting how +straight he stood in his well-worn uniform, how gray his hair was, and +the stern manliness of his face. From head to foot he was the gentleman +and the soldier. By some chance our eyes met, and, with a quick glance +back at the house, he stopped suddenly. + +"Galesworth," he said quietly, his glance searching my face, "I do not +wish you to have any misunderstanding about my exact position in this +affair. The war is not personal with me. We differ politically, and I am +as loyal to the South as any one, and you wear the Blue with just as +much honor as I wear the Gray. But when it comes to men I stand with +the one I believe to be nearest right. Le Gaire forced this quarrel on +you deliberately; he was threatening to do it before you came in. In +fact, his manner ever since our capture has disgusted me, and when he +finally dared to drag Billie's name into the controversy, I naturally +rebelled. If there is anything I despise in this world, sir, it is a +bullying duellist, and, by Gad! that's what the fellow looks like +to me." + +"I comprehend perfectly, Major Hardy," I said, as he paused. "You are +merely doing as you would be done by." + +"Well, yes, that's a partial explanation. I prefer to see fair play. Yet +I am going to confess that isn't all of it. I rather like you, young +man--not your damned uniform, understand--and the way you've acted +toward my girl. You've been honorable and square, and, by Gad, sir, +you're a gentleman. That's why I am going to see you through this +affair. If all I hear is true, Le Gaire came back to me with a lie, and +that is something I have never taken yet from any man." + +He stood straight as an arrow, his shoulders squared, his slender form +buttoned tightly in the gray uniform coat. The sun was upon his face, +clear-cut, proud, aristocratic, and his eyes were the same gray-blue as +his daughter's. Then he held out his hand and I clasped it gladly. + +"I cannot express the gratitude I feel, Major Hardy," I faltered. "One +hardly expects such kindness from an enemy." + +"Not an enemy, my boy--merely a foeman. I am a West Pointer, and some of +the dearest friends I have are upon the other side. But come, let us not +be the last on the field." + +He tried to talk with me pleasantly as we crossed the garden, and +approached the stable, and I must have answered, yet my mind was +elsewhere. This was all new to me, and my mood was a sober one. My +father was an old-time Puritan to whom personal combat was abomination, +and even now I could feel his condemnation of my course. I regretted +myself the hot headedness which had led me on, but without the faintest +inclination to withdraw. Yet that earlier hatred of Le Gaire had left +me, and his blow no longer stung. No desire for revenge lingered, only a +wish to have the whole matter concluded quickly, and a hope that we both +might leave the field without serious injury. It was in this frame of +mind that I turned the corner of the stable, and saw the chosen duelling +ground. It was a smooth strip of turf running north and south, with the +stable to the left, and a grove of trees opposite. The building cast a +shadow over most of the space, and altogether it was an ideal spot, well +beyond view from the windows of the house. Hardy opened the leather +case, placing it upon the grass, and I saw the two derringers lying +against the plush lining, deadly looking weapons, with long steel-blue +barrels, and strangely carven stocks. Someway they fascinated me, and I +watched while he took them up and fondled them. + +"Rather pretty playthings, Galesworth," he said admiringly. "Don't see +such often nowadays, but in my father's time they were a part of every +gentleman's belongings. He would as soon have travelled without his +coat. I've seen him practise; apparently he never took aim," he held the +weapon at arm's length. "Wonderfully accurate, and the long barrel is +better than any sight; just lower it this way; there's almost +no recoil." + +The sound of a distant voice caused him to drop the pistol back into its +place, and rise to his feet. Then Le Gaire and Bell turned the corner of +the stable, stopping as they perceived us standing there. The major +removed his hat, his voice coolly polite. + +"I believe everything is prepared, gentlemen. Captain Bell, if you will +examine the weapons, we will then confer as to the word and the method +of firing." + +"I prefer choosing my own pistol," broke in Le Gaire bluntly, "and +loading it as well." + +Hardy's face flushed, his eyes hardening. + +"As you please, sir," he retorted, "but I might construe those words as +a reflection on my integrity." + +"When a Confederate officer takes the side of a Yank," was the instant +angry response, "he can hardly claim much consideration." + +"Captain Le Gaire," and Hardy's voice rang, "you have enough on your +hands at present without venturing to insult me, I should suppose. But +don't go too far, sir." + +"Gentlemen," broke in Bell excitedly, "this must not go on. Le Gaire, if +you say another word, I shall withdraw entirely." + +The Louisianian smiled grimly, but walked over to the weapon case, and +picked up the two derringers, testing their weight, and the length of +barrel. Hardy stared at him, his lips compressed. + +"Well," he burst forth at last, "are you satisfied, sir?" + +"I'll choose this," insolently, and dropping the other back into its +place. "Where is the powder and ball?" + +The major pointed without daring to speak. + +"All right; don't mind me. I always load my own weapon, and just now I +am anxious to shoot straight," and he looked across at me sneeringly. + +If it was his purpose by all this theatrical display to affect my +nerves, he failed utterly, as instead, the very expression of his face +brought me back to a fighting spirit. Hardy saw this, and smiled grimly. + +"Step this way a moment, Bell," he said quietly, "while we arrange +details. I reckon those two game-cocks will wait until we are ready." + +The two officers moved away a dozen paces and stopped in the shadow of +the trees, conversing earnestly. I endeavored to keep my eyes off from +Le Gaire, and remain cool. It seemed to me I saw every movement of a +leaf, every dropping of a twig, yet could scarcely realize the position +I was in. I was about to face that man yonder--now carefully loading his +weapon--to deliberately fire upon him, and receive in return his fire. I +felt as though it were a dream, a nightmare, and yet I was conscious of +no fear, of no desire to avoid the ordeal. I can recall the scene now, +clearly etched on my memory--the outlines of the trees silhouetted +against the sky, the dark shadow of the stables, the green, level turf, +the two figures--the one short and stout, the other tall and +slender--talking earnestly; the deep blue of the sky overhead, the steel +gleam of the derringer in the open case, and Le Gaire loading +carefully, his eyes now and then glancing across at me. Then the two men +wheeled with military precision, and walked back toward us. I saw Hardy +take up the second pistol, and load it in silence, while Bell whispered +to Le Gaire, the latter with his weapon tightly clasped. A moment later +the major thrust the carved stock into my hand, and I looked at it +curiously. + +"Gentlemen," he said clearly, stepping to one side, "we will make this +as simple as possible. You will take positions here, back to back." + +The sound of his voice, the sharp ring of authority in it, awoke me to +the reality as though I had received an electric shock. I felt the +fierce beat of my heart, and then every muscle and nerve became steel. +Without a tremor, my mind clear and alert, I advanced to the point +designated, and stood erect, facing the south; an instant, and Le +Gaire's shoulders were touching mine. + +"Now listen closely," said Hardy, his voice sounding strangely far off, +yet each word distinct. "I am to give the first word, and Bell the +second. When I say 'forward' you will take ten paces--go slowly--and +halt. Then Bell will count 'one, two, three'; turn at the first word, +and fire at the third. If either man discharges his weapon before +'three' is spoken, he answers to us. Do you both understand?" + +We answered together. + +"Very well, gentlemen, are you ready?" + +"I am." + +"Go on." + +There was a moment's pause, so still I could hear my own breathing, and +the slight noise Le Gaire made as he gripped his derringer stock +more tightly. + +"Forward!" + +I stepped out almost mechanically, endeavoring not to walk too fast, and +regulating each stride as though I were measuring the field. At the end +of the tenth I stopped, one foot slightly advanced for the turn, every +nerve pulsing from strain. It seemed a long while before Bell's deep +voice broke the silence. + +"One!" + +I whirled, as on a pivot, my pistol arm flung out. + +"Two!" + +Le Gaire stood sideways, the muzzle of his derringer covering me, his +left hand supporting his elbow. I could see the scowling line between +his eyes, the hateful curl of his lip, and my own weapon came up, held +steady as a rock; over the blue steel barrel I covered the man's +forehead just below his cap visor, the expression on his face telling me +he meant to shoot to kill. I never recall feeling cooler, or more +determined in my life. How still, how deathly still it was! + +"Th--" + +There was a thud of horses' hoofs behind the stable, Bell's half-spoken +word, and the sharp bark of Le Gaire's levelled derringer. I felt the +impact of the ball, and spun half around, the pressure of my finger +discharging my own weapon in the air, yet kept my feet. I was shocked, +dazed, but conscious I remained unhurt. Then, with a crash, three +horsemen leaped the low fence, riding recklessly toward us. I seemed to +see the gray-clad figures through a strange mist, which gradually +cleared as they came to a sharp halt. The one in advance was a gaunt, +unshaven sergeant, lifting a hand in perfunctory salute, and glancing +curiously at my uniform. + +"Mornin', gentlemen," he said briefly. "Is this the Hardy +house--Johnston's headquarters?" + +The major answered, and I noticed now he had Le Gaire gripped by the +arm. + +"This is the Hardy house, and I am Major Hardy, but Johnston is not +here. Who are you?" + +"Couriers from Chambers' column, sir. He is advancing up this pike. +Where will we find Johnston?" + +"Take the first road to your right, and inquire. When will Chambers be +up?" + +"Within four or five hours. What's going on here? A little affair?" + +Hardy nodded. The sergeant sat still an instant, his eyes on me as +though puzzled; then evidently concluded it was none of his business. + +"Come on, boys!" he said, and with a dip of the spurs was off, the two +others clattering behind. Hardy swung Le Gaire sharply around, his +eyes blazing. + +"You damned, sneaking coward!" he roared, forgetting everything in +sudden outburst. "By Gad, Bell, this fellow is a disgrace to the +uniform--you know what he did?" + +"I know he fired before I got the word out," indignantly. + +"The blamed curb--yes; and when those fellows rode up he tried to blurt +out the whole situation. Good God, Le Gaire, aren't you even a soldier?" +shaking the fellow savagely. "Haven't you ever learned what parole +means? Damn you, are you totally devoid of all sense of personal honor?" + +"I never gave my parole." + +"You lie, you did; you are here on exactly the same terms as Bell and +I--released on honor. Damned if I believe there's another man in +Confederate uniform who would be guilty of so scurvy a trick. Were you +hurt, Galesworth?" + +"No, the ball struck my revolver case, and made me sick for a moment." + +"No fault of Le Gaire's--the noise of the horses shattered his aim. +Lord! how I despise such a cowardly whelp!" + +He flung the man from him so violently he fell to his knees on the +ground. The look of amazement on Le Gaire's face, his utter inability to +comprehend the meaning of it all, or why he had thus aroused the enmity +of his brother officers, gave me a sudden feeling of compassion. I +stepped toward him. Perhaps he mistook my purpose, for he staggered +partially erect. + +"Damn you!" he yelled. "I'm fighting yet!" and flung the unloaded +derringer with all the force of his arm at my face. + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +MISS WILLIFRED SURPRISES US + +The butt struck me fairly, and I went down as though felled by an ax. If +I lost consciousness it could have been for scarcely more than a moment, +but blood streamed into my eyes, and my head reeled giddily. Yet I knew +something of what occurred, heard voices, caught dimly the movement of +figures. Le Gaire ran, rounding the end of the stable, and Hardy, +swearing like a trooper, clutching at his empty belt for a weapon, made +an effort to follow. Bell sprang to me, lifting my head, and his face +looked as white as a woman's. He appeared so frightened I endeavored to +smile at him, and it must have been a ghastly effort. My voice, however, +proved more reassuring. + +"I'm all right," I insisted thickly. "Just tapped a little. I--I wasn't +looking for anything like that." + +"I should say not. Here, can you sit up? By Heavens! I hope Hardy +catches him." + +"He hardly will," I answered, struggling into sitting posture, a vision +of the chase recurring to mind. "He was too mad to run." + +Bell laughed nervously. + +"I never supposed Le Gaire was that kind of a cur," he said regretfully. +"I never liked the fellow, or had much to do with him. Blamed if I could +understand why Miss Hardy--" + +"Oh, he played nice enough with her up until the last week at least," I +broke in, aroused by the name. "Le Gaire is good looking, and pleasant +also when things are going his way. It's when luck is against him that +he gets ugly. Besides, he had the major on his side." + +"I happen to know something about that," returned Bell dryly. "It was +talked over at headquarters. Le Gaire is rich, and Hardy hasn't much +left, I reckon, and the captain filled him up with fairy tales. Some of +them drifted about among the boys. There were others told also not quite +so pleasant, which Hardy did not hear. You see, none of us cared to +repeat them, after we realized Miss Willifred was interested in +the man." + +"You mean duelling?" + +"No, that was rather mild; fellows in his regiment mostly cut him dead, +and say he is yellow; generally in the hospital when there's a battle +on. But Forsdyke tells the worst story--he heard it in New Orleans. It +seems Le Gaire owned a young girl--a quadroon--whom he took for a +mistress; then he tired of the woman, they quarrelled, and the cowardly +brute turned her back into the fields, and had her whipped by his +overseer. She died in three months." + +"I guess it's all true, Bell," I said, and I told him of the boy. "He +was our guide here last night, and it is just as well for Le Gaire the +lad did not know he was present. Help me up, will you?" + +I leaned on his arm heavily, but, except for the throbbing of my head, +appeared to be in good enough condition. With slight assistance I walked +without difficulty, and together we started for the house. At the edge +of the garden Hardy appeared, still breathing heavily from his run. He +stared at me, evidently relieved to find me on my feet. + +"Broke the skin, my lad--a little water will make that all right. Glad +it was no worse. The fellow out-ran me." + +"He got away?" + +"Well, the fact is, Galesworth, I do not really know where he went. The +last glimpse I had he was dodging into that clump of bushes, but when I +got there he was gone." + +"Ran along the fence," broke in Bell, pointing. "You couldn't see him +for the vines. See, here's his tracks--sprinting some, too." + +We traced them easily as long as we found soft ground, but the turf +beyond left no sign. Yet he could not have turned to the left, or Bell +and I would have seen him. The fellow evidently knew this, yet if he ran +to the right it would take him to the house. It hardly seemed possible +he would go there, but he had been a guest there for some time, and +probably knew the place well; perhaps realized he would be safer +within--where no one would expect him to be--than on the road. This was +the conception which gradually came to me, but the others believed he +had gone straight ahead, seeking the nearest Confederate outpost. Able +to walk alone by this time, I went in through the back door, and bathed +my face at the sink, leaving Hardy and Bell to search for further signs +of the fugitive. + +As I washed I thought rapidly over the situation. Le Gaire knew that +Chambers' force would be along the pike within a few hours--probably +long before the appearance of any Federal advance in the neighborhood, +as he was unaware that I had sent back a courier. The house was the very +last place in which we would seek for him, and the easiest place to +attain. Once inside, stowed away in some unused room, he could wait the +approach of Chambers' troops, escape easily, and become a hero. The +whole trick fitted in with the man's type of mind. And he could have +come in the same way I had, sneaking through the unguarded +kitchen--why, in the name of Heaven, had Miles neglected to place a +guard there?--and then up the servants' stairs. I dried my face on a +towel, rejoicing that the derringer blow had left little damage, and +opened the door leading to the upper story. It was a narrow stairway, +rather dark, but the first thing to catch my eye was a small clod of +yellow dirt on the second step, and this was still damp--the foot from +which it had fallen must have passed within a very short time. I had the +fellow--had him like a rat in a trap. Oh, well, there was time enough, +and I closed the door and locked it. + +I talked with the sergeant, and had him send Foster to watch the kitchen +door, and detail a couple of men for cooks, with orders to hurry up +breakfast. Miles had seen nothing of Le Gaire, and when Hardy and Bell +returned, they acknowledged having discovered no trace of the fugitive. +I let them talk, saying little myself, endeavoring to think out the +peculiar situation, and determine what I had better do. Already there +was heavy cannonading off to the right, but at considerable distance. +The battle was on, and might sweep this way before many hours, yet I +could no longer doubt the complete withdrawal of Confederate troops from +the neighborhood. Not a gray-jacket or flash of steel was visible, and +everything about was a scene of peace. Yet when Chambers came this house +would hardly escape without an overhauling. Of course he might not come +this way, for Johnston could easily despatch a courier to advise another +road, yet probably the line of march would not be changed. Should I +wait, or withdraw my little force, at least as far as the shelter of the +ravine? I cared nothing about retaining the prisoners, indeed was +anxious to release both Hardy and Bell. Nor was I any longer worried +about Le Gaire--especially his relations with Miss Willifred. I could +trust the major to relate the story of the past hour to his daughter, +and the captain would scarcely venture to face her again. It seemed to +me we ought to go, as it would be no service to our cause to retain the +house. However there was no hurry; we had ample time in which to +breakfast, and--and, well I wanted to see Billie again, to leave behind +me a better impression. I gave the major the key to her room, and asked +him to call her for the morning meal, already nearly ready. She came +down a few moments later, freshly dressed, and looking as though she had +enjoyed some sleep. Her father must have given her some inkling of the +situation, for she greeted me pleasantly, although with a certain +constraint in manner which left me ill at ease. + +Our breakfast passed off very nicely, the food abundant and well +cooked, although we were compelled to wait upon ourselves. I asked Miles +to join us, but he preferred messing with the men, and so the four of us +sat at table alone. As though by mutual consent we avoided all reference +to the war, or our present situation, conversation drifting into a +discussion of art and literature. I realized later that Miss Willifred +had adroitly steered it that way, but if it was done to test me, she +could scarcely have chosen a better topic. I had come from the senior +class of a great college into the army, and was only too delighted to +take part again in cultured conversation. Bell had taken an art course, +and Miss Hardy had apparently read widely, and the discussion became +animated, with frequent clashes of opinion. I was happy to know that I +surprised the lady by the extent of my information, and her flushed +cheeks and brightening eyes were ample reward. The major said little, +yet when he occasionally spoke it was to reveal that he was a man of +unusual learning. + +I shall recall the details of that meal as long as I live--the peculiar +conditions, and the faces of those present. It was all so little like +war, the only suggestion of conflict the uniforms we wore, and the dull +reverberation of that distant cannonading. For the time, at least, we +forgot we were upon the very verge of a battle, and that we were +politically enemies. Prisoners were in the basement beneath, guards were +patrolling the hall without, yet we laughed and joked, with never a +reference to the great conflict in which all present bore part. Of +course much of this was but veneer, and back of repartee and well-told +story, we were intent upon our own problems. With me, now that I had +decided upon my plans, everything centred upon Miss Willifred. I would +search the house for Le Gaire, endeavor to have one word with her alone, +and then retire to a place of greater safety with my men. The quicker I +might complete these arrangements the better, and I could trust those +present with some knowledge of my intention. + +"Gentlemen," I said, as the party was preparing to rise, "just a moment. +I am going to ask you to respect your parole for only a very short time +longer. Of course this does not include Miss Hardy as she has refused +all pledges to me. So soon as my men complete their breakfast, and a few +details are looked after, we shall withdraw in the direction of our own +lines. Naturally I have no desire to be captured by Chambers. I am +merely going to request that you remain within doors until we depart. +After that you may release the prisoners, and rejoin your commands." + +The eyes of the two men met, and the major replied: + +"Certainly, Lieutenant, we have no reason to complain." + +"And Miss Hardy?" + +"Oh, I will answer for her." + +"That is hardly necessary, papa, as I will answer for myself," and her +eyes met mine across the table. "I was angry last night, Lieutenant +Galesworth, and unreasonable. If you will accept my parole now I give +it gladly." + +I bowed with a sudden choking of the throat, and Hardy chuckled. + +"A very graceful surrender--hey, Bell? By Gad, this has been quite a +night for adventure. Fact of it is, Galesworth, I'm mighty grateful to +you for the whole affair, and, I reckon, Billie is also." + +She arose to her feet, pausing an instant with her hand upon the back of +the chair. + +"Lieutenant Galesworth has merely made apparent to you what I had +discovered some time ago," she said quietly. "I am sure he needs no +thanks from me--perhaps might not appreciate them. I am going to my +room, papa, until--until the Yankees leave." + +"An unreconstructed Rebel," he exclaimed, yet clearly surprised. "Why, +I thought you and Galesworth were great friends." + +"Has he made that claim?" + +"Why--eh--no. It was what Le Gaire said." + +"Oh! I should suppose that by this time you would rather doubt the +statements of that individual. Lieutenant Galesworth probably +understands that we are acquaintances, and--enemies." + +She left the room, without so much as glancing at me, Hardy calling +after her, + +"I'll come up as soon as I smoke a cigar with Bell." + +The door closed, and his eyes met mine. + +"What the devil is the trouble, my boy? That wasn't like Billie; I never +knew her to harbor an unkind thought in her life. Have you done +something to anger her?" + +"Not to my knowledge, Major," I answered honestly. "Perhaps I was harsh +last night, but I merely intended to be firm. This is all a great +surprise to me." + +He shook his head, and the two men left the room. I waited until certain +they were safely out of the way. I was perplexed, hurt, by the girl's +words and action. What cause had I given her for treating me with such +open contempt? Surely not my avowal of love, however inopportune that +might have been, nor my holding her prisoner. Could something have +occurred of which I knew nothing? Could Le Gaire have poisoned her mind +against me with some ingenious lie? It was all too hazy, too improbable, +for me to consider seriously--but she must explain before we went away. +With this in mind I passed into the hall, and began to ascend +the stairs. + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE BODY OF LE GAIRE + +Miles had stationed a sentry just inside the front door, but he was the +only one of our men visible, nearly all of the others being at breakfast +in the kitchen. I felt no need of any help however, for Le Gaire was +unarmed, and not of a nature to make serious resistance. Besides, if I +was mistaken as to his hiding place in the house I preferred making the +discovery alone. My exploration during the night had made me familiar +with the arrangement of the front rooms, but not the extension to the +rear. I stopped, in the silence, at the head of the stairs, to glance +about, and decide where I had better begin. Miss Hardy's door was +closed, even the transom lowered, and I instantly decided not to disturb +her until the very last. Yet I was soldier enough to take the other +rooms in rotation, realizing the danger of leaving an enemy in my rear. +These were soon disposed of, although I made a close search, +disarranging beds, delving into closets, and leaving no nook or corner +big enough to conceal a man, unrevealed. I endeavored to accomplish all +this quietly, yet must have made some noise, for as I rolled back a bed +in the third room entered, I heard the door creak and sprang to my feet +to confront Billie. I hardly know which was the more startled, for the +girl staggered back, one hand thrown out. + +"You! Oh, I thought--" she drew her breath quickly. + +"You thought what?" + +"Oh, nothing--only I heard the noise, and--and wondered who it could +be." She looked about at the confusion. "What--what are you doing? +Hunting for some one?" + +"A needle in a haystack," I answered, suddenly suspicious that she might +know something of the fugitive. "Will you help me search?" + +"I--I hardly appreciate your humor," haughtily. "Is--is it Captain Le +Gaire?" + +"Why do you suspect that, Miss Willifred? Is it because you imagine the +man may be here?" + +"Because I know he got away; because I know your feeling toward him, +your effort to take his life." + +"You know! What is all this?" so stunned I could scarcely articulate. +"Surely your father--" + +"I know of no reason why my father should be dragged into this affair." + +"But he was present; he surely told you what occurred." + +"He said the two of you went out to fight; that it was a dishonorable +affair. He gave me no particulars, and I asked none--I already knew what +had taken place." + +"Then you have seen Le Gaire since--is that so?" + +She turned her back toward me, and stepped into the hall. The action was +defiant, almost insulting. + +"Miss Willifred, I insist on an answer." + +"Indeed," carelessly, "to what?" + +"To my question--have you seen Le Gaire since?" + +"I refuse to tell you." + +It was an instant before I found my voice, or could control my words. +This was all most confusing, and yet the light was coming. Here was the +secret of her sudden dislike for me. Her hand was already upon the knob +of her own door, and she did not so much as glance back. What could I +say? What ought I to say? Beyond doubt, uncertain as to her real +feelings toward Le Gaire, Hardy had not revealed to her the fellow's +disgraceful action. Some way, his brief explanation had merely served to +confirm her previous opinion that the captain had been the one +injured--such an impression she could have derived only from Le Gaire. +It was equally clear I could not explain. She would scarcely believe +any effort to defend myself. Why should she think me capable of a +dastardly act? Why believe Le Gaire's hasty lie, and refuse me even a +hearing? The thought left me so indignant that for the moment I felt +indifferent even to her good opinion. + +"Well, Miss Hardy," I said at last, conscious my voice trembled, "I am +going to find this man if he is in the house, even if the search takes +me to your own room." + +"Then begin there," and she stood aside, the door flung open. "It must +require great bravery to hunt down an unarmed man." + +"I only know you are going to regret those words when you learn the +truth. There is a mistake here, but one others must rectify. Your +actions merely confirm my belief that Le Gaire sought refuge in this +building. I am going to know before I withdraw my men." + +She was not quite so defiant, not quite so certain, yet she did not +move. + +"Will you tell me--has he been here?" + +"Why do you want to know?" + +I hesitated, not really knowing myself, suddenly made aware that I had +no true purpose in the search. My embarrassment confirmed her suspicion. + +"Revenge, wasn't it?" scornfully. "A desire to complete the work begun +yonder. I'll answer if you wish me to. Captain Le Gaire came here to me +wounded, and seeking shelter. I helped him as I would any Confederate +soldier. But he is not here now--see, the room is empty; yes, search it +for yourself." + +It was useless arguing, useless denying--the girl was in a state of mind +which no assertions of mine could combat. + +"Then where is he now?" + +"I have no means of knowing--safely away from the house, I hope. I--I +left him here when I went down stairs; when I came back he was gone." + +"And you say he was wounded?" + +"Certainly--you ought to know, the blow of an assassin, not a soldier." + +She looked straight at me, her cheeks red, her eyes burning with +indignation. Then, as though she could bear my presence no longer, she +swept into the room, and closed the door in my face. It was an action of +such utter contempt that I actually staggered back, grasping the rail of +the stair. What in the name of Heaven had gained possession of the girl? +What infernal lie had been told her? By all the gods, I would find Le +Gaire, and choke the truth out of him. My head ached yet with the blow +he had dealt me, but this hurt worse. I had a reason now for running +the man down. Wherever he had gone, even into the Confederate camp, I +vowed I would follow. But first the house: I could conceive of no way in +which he could have gotten out--there was a guard in front, and I had +locked the rear door. I went at the task deliberately, coolly, +determined to overlook nothing. There was something of value at stake +now, and my mind was as busy as my hands and eyes. How did he ever +succeed in getting to Billie? I had locked her door, and taken away the +key. It was not until I invaded the last room on the main floor that I +solved this riddle--the two apartments formed a suite with connecting +door between. However he was not there now, and all that remained to +search was the servants' ell. + +The hallway narrowed, and was lower by a single step, the back stairs at +the left. There was no window, and with all the doors closed, I could +see down only a portion of the way. The hallway itself was gloomy, the +shade of the rear window being closely drawn. This, with the stillness +all about, enabled me to hear the voices of the men in the kitchen +below, and to become aware that the firing, sounding from a distance +since early morning, seemed now much closer at hand. It was not +altogether artillery any longer, but I could plainly distinguish the +volleys of musketry. What could this signify? Were the Confederates +being forced back? If so would the Hardy house be caught in the +maelstrom of retreat? The possibility of such a result only made haste +more imperative. There were three doors at the right, and two opposite. +I opened these cautiously, half expecting Le Gaire to dash out, with any +weapon he might have secured, desperate enough to fight hard. But +nothing occurred, the rooms showed no sign of having been lately +occupied. I was at the one next to the last when a board creaked +somewhere behind me, and I wheeled about instantly, and ran back to the +head of the stairs. There was nothing visible, and a glance down the +front hall proved it also deserted--only the door of Miss Willifred's +room stood slightly ajar. She was watching me then, fearful lest the +fellow had failed to get away. This discovery added to my anxiety, and +my anger. He should not get away--not if I could prevent it--until he +confessed to her the truth. I ran back into the ell, fearful now that he +had escaped through a window, yet determined to examine that last room. +There was a rag carpet along the back hall, and, in the semi-darkness, I +tripped, falling heavily forward, striking the floor with a crash, my +revolver flying from my hand, and hitting the side wall. I was on my +knees in an instant, thoughtless of everything except that I had come +into contact with a body. The shock numbed me, nor could my fingers +alone solve the mystery. I sprang erect, and threw open the nearest side +door, permitting the light to stream in. Then I saw the man's face, +upturned, lifeless--the face of Gerald Le Gaire. It seemed to me I could +not move, could not even breathe, as I stared down at the motionless +form. Then I touched his wrist, feeling for a pulse which had ceased to +beat. A noise at my back caused me to start, and glance behind. Billie +stood at the end of the narrow hall. + +"What is it? Have--have you killed him?" + +I whirled, facing her, indignant at the words, and yet understanding as +swiftly the reason for her suspicions. + +"It is Captain Le Gaire. I have just found him lying here." + +"Found him! Yes, but not lying there; I heard the noise, the fall of his +body. Is--is he dead?" + +She stood grasping the stair-rail, shrinking back from closer approach, +her white face horror-stricken. I drew a quick breath, fairly quivering +under the sting of her words. + +"Yes, he is dead, Miss Hardy," I said, knowing I must end the suspense, +"but not by my hand. I tripped and fell in the darkness, causing the +noise you heard. I am going to ask you to return to your room; you can +be of no service here. I will have your father and Captain Bell help me +with the body." + +She never moved, her eyes on my face. + +"Then--then will you permit my father to come to me?" + +"Certainly--perhaps we will know then how this occurred." + +"Is that your revolver lying there?" + +I had forgotten the weapon, but perceived it now, on the floor just +beyond Le Gaire's head. + +"Yes, it was dropped when I fell," I took a step toward her. "You will +go back, will you not?" + +She seemed to shrink from my approach, and moved backward, still facing +me, until she came to her own door. There she remained a moment, +clinging to the knob, but as I emerged into the full light of the front +hall, she stepped into the room, and closed the door. Some way, her +action hurt me worse than any words could have done, yet I walked past +to the stairs in silence, and called to the guard below. + +Miles came up with the two Confederates, and a dozen words of +explanation sufficed. Together we picked up the body, bore it into a +near-by room, and placed it upon the bed. The man had been struck back +of the ear, apparently by the butt of a revolver or the stock of a gun, +the skull crushed. Death had been instantaneous; possibly he never knew +what hit him. We examined the wound, and then looked into each others' +faces utterly unable to account for the condition. + +"By Gad, I don't see how he ever got that," said Hardy. "Nor this ugly +cut here on the forehead. What do you make out of it, Galesworth?" + +I shook my head, thoroughly mystified. + +"I've told you all I know; he was lying there in the open when I found +him--there was nothing he could have struck against in falling." + +"That was a blow struck him," insisted the sergeant, "either by a +square-handled pistol, or a carbine stock. I've seen that sorter thing +before; but who the hell ever hit him?" + +No one attempted to answer. Then I said, + +"The only thing I have noticed which might be a clue is this: when I +first came in through the kitchen I discovered a clod of fresh clay dirt +on the back stairs. I supposed it had dropped from Le Gaire's boots. But +there's no sign of yellow clay on his boots now. It must have been some +one else." + +"Trailin' the poor devil," ejaculated Miles. "But who was he? An' where +is he now?" + +None attempted a guess, looking blankly into each others' faces, and +down upon the ghastly features of the dead man. We were all accustomed +to death, and in terrible form, but this was different, this held a +horror all its own. I could hear the heavy breathing, we stood so +motionless. + +"Major Hardy,"--and it was like sacrilege to break the silence,--"we can +never clear the mystery standing here. I've examined every room on this +floor, and there is not so much as a rat in any of them. Whoever the +murderer was, he has either got away, or is hidden on some other +floor--is there an attic?" + +"Yes, but with no stairs; the only way to get there is by the kitchen +roof. What do you propose to do?" + +"Take a moment and see if I can think it out," I said, drawing a sheet +up over the dead face. "There must be some simple way to account for all +this if we can only get on the right trail. Come, gentlemen." + +We passed out together, and stopped in front of the closed door. The +firing without was growing so much heavier that all noticed it, Bell +striding to the end of the hall, and thrusting his head out of the +window. Still it was not close enough as yet to be alarming, and my +thought was upon other things. + +"Major, I wish you would go in and speak to your daughter," I said. "I +told her you would come and tell her all you knew." + +I watched him cross to the door, knock, and enter. + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +I FORCE BILLIE TO LISTEN + +There was a narrow settee against the wall, and I sat down upon it, to +think and to wait for Hardy's return. Eager as I was to discover the +cause of Le Gaire's death, yet it seemed almost more important that +Billie be brought to an understanding of conditions. Her father could +scarcely fail this time to relate in full the details of our encounter, +and the girl would realize at once her injustice toward me. I hardly +knew what I dared hope as a result, but she was impulsive, warm-hearted, +and would surely endeavor to make amends. Bell came back from the front +of the house. + +"Some fight going on out there," indicating the north and east, "and +seems to be drifting this way." + +"Our fellows are driving you," I replied. "Have been noticing that all +the morning; looks as if your left and centre were giving way." + +"Wait until Chambers gets up, and you'll hear another tune," his pride +touched. "What's the sergeant doing?" + +"Evidently going to get a look at the attic." Then, deciding +quickly,--"I am going to turn you all loose, and try to get back to our +lines, as soon as we can gain some understanding of this death mystery, +Bell. It looks as though the battle would end up somewhere about here, +and I can hardly expect to fight the entire Confederate army with ten +men and a sergeant. It's a dignified retreat for me. Where now?" + +"To help your man. I am crazy to get away. I'm a soldier, Galesworth, +and they're wondering out there why I am not in my place. The earlier +you say go, the better pleased I'll be." + +He clambered out the window to where Miles was perched on the steep +roof, and I was left alone, with no noise in my ears but the continuous +firing, the reverberations already jarring the house. I found it +difficult to collect my thoughts, or to reason out the situation. +Everything had occurred so swiftly, so unexpectedly, as to leave me +confused--the surging of battle our way, the affair with Le Gaire, his +strange death, the thought which had taken possession of Billie, the +skulking murderer hid somewhere within the house--all combined to leave +me in a state of perplexity. I should have withdrawn my men before +daylight; there was no sign of any Federal troops advancing up the +ravine, and probably my messenger had failed to get through. It looked +as though we were left to our fate. Every moment counted, and yet I +could not leave until this mystery was made clear, and Miss Willifred +convinced of my innocence. I was so involved in the tangled threads that +to run away was almost a confession, and must risk remaining, moment by +moment, in hope some discovery would make it all plain. Yet the longer I +thought the less I understood. Le Gaire had come to Billie wounded--but +how? His very condition had appealed to her as a woman. She had pitied, +sympathized, and he had taken advantage of her natural compassion to +falsely charge me with the whole trouble. How far he had gone, what foul +accusation he had made, could not be guessed, yet he had sufficiently +poisoned her mind against me. Then circumstances had combined to make +the case still blacker. Doubtless to her it was already conclusive. I +had been seeking the fellow alone, revolver in hand. She had overheard +what must have sounded like a struggle, and there was the dead man, his +skull crushed by a blow. Everything pointed directly toward me from her +point of view--motive, opportunity. Who else could it be? Even I, +anxious as I was, could not answer that question. I had seen no one, was +not aware the dead man had an enemy about the place, could discover no +clue except that bit of damp clay on the stairs. Yes, and my own boots +were stained with it also--only I knew that lump never came from mine. +These thoughts swept across my mind in lightning-like flashes, but +brought no solution to the problem. Then Major Hardy suddenly appeared, +closing the door, and mopping his face with a handkerchief. His eyes +met mine. + +"By Gad, Galesworth," he began, "woman is the hardest creature to +comprehend on this foot-stool. I've been trying to understand them for +fifty years, and am still in the primary class. You'd never have thought +that girl of mine cared anything for Le Gaire to hear her talk last +night, yet, now the fellow is dead, she is crazy. Lying in there on the +bed, crying, and won't say a word. Only thing she asked me when I came +in was what he had been killed with. I said it looked as if he had been +struck from behind with a pistol butt, and then she collapsed. Couldn't +get a thing out of her--just cried, and begged me to go away; said she'd +be all right, if left alone. Blamed if I know what to do with a woman +like that--over such a fellow as Le Gaire too! By Gad, I supposed Billie +had more sense. When she wouldn't talk to me I proposed sending you in +to explain matters. You should have seen her eyes, Galesworth, through +the tears. Mad! I never waited to hear what she was trying to say. I +reckoned the best thing to do was to leave her alone a while." + +"You explained nothing?" + +"No--what was there to explain?" + +"Major," I said, every nerve braced for conflict, "with your permission +I am going in there and have a talk with your daughter--may I?" + +"Certainly, as far as I am concerned, but I don't envy you the job." + +"I'll assume all risk, but I am not willing to leave her like this. +Perhaps I understand the situation better than you do. You stay where I +can call you if necessary, and look after the search for whoever got Le +Gaire. Bell and Miles are out on the roof trying for the attic. I won't +be gone long." + +I have gone into battle with less trepidation than I approached that +door, but never with greater determination to bear myself as became a +man. Billie was going to know the truth just as clearly as I could tell +it to her. I could not convince myself it was love for Le Gaire which +had so affected her. I doubted if she had ever loved him. The fellow had +played upon her sympathy, her pity, and circumstances had conspired to +cause her to believe I was his murderer. This was amply sufficient to +account for her feeling of horror, her evident desire to escape further +contact with me. Hardy had been blind and blundering--had made things +worse, rather than better; now I must see what I could do. I rapped at +the panel, and thought I heard a faint response. A moment later I stood +within, and had closed the door behind me. She was on a couch at the +opposite side of the room, but arose to her feet instantly, her face +white, one hand sweeping back the strands of ruffled hair. + +"You!" she exclaimed incredulously. "Why have you come here? I supposed +it would be my father." + +"Major Hardy told me how you were feeling; that he could do nothing for +you--" + +"Did he understand I wished to confer with you?" + +"No, but--" + +"You decided to invade my room without permission. Do you not think you +have persecuted me quite long enough?" + +"Why do you say persecuted?" + +"Because your acts have assumed that form, Lieutenant Galesworth. You +persist in seeking me after I have requested to be left alone." + +"Miss Hardy," and my eyes met hers, "has it ever occurred to you that +you may be the one in the wrong, the one mistaken? I am simply here to +explain, to tell you the truth, and compel you to do justice." + +"Indeed! how compel? With the revolver in your belt?" + +"No; merely by a statement of facts, to be proven, if necessary, by the +evidence of your father and Captain Bell. I am not asking you to believe +me, but surely they have no occasion for falsifying. Why have you not +listened to them?" + +"Listened!" startled by my words. "I would have listened, but they have +said nothing. They have seemed to avoid all reference to what has +occurred. I thought they were trying to spare me pain, humiliation. Is +there something concealed, something I do not know?" + +"If I may judge from your words and action the entire truth has been +kept from you," and I advanced a step or two nearer. "I am not the one +to come with an explanation, but your father has failed, and I am not +willing to go away until this matter is made clear. Whether you believe, +or not, you must listen." + +She stared at me, still trembling from head to foot, and yet there was a +different expression in her eyes--puzzled doubt. + +"You--you will have much to explain," she said slowly. "If--if I were +you I should hardly attempt it." + +"Which must mean, Miss Hardy, that you are already so prejudiced a fair +hearing is impossible. Yet I thought you, at least, a friend." + +A deep flush swept into her cheeks, to vanish as quickly. + +"You had reason to think so, and I was," earnestly. "I was deceived in +your character, and trusted you implicitly. It seems as though I am +destined to be the constant victim of deceit. I can keep faith in no +one. It is hard to understand you, Lieutenant Galesworth. How do you +dare to come here and face me, after all that has occurred?" + +She was so serious, so absolutely truthful, that for the moment I could +only stare at her. + +"You mean after what you said to me last night? But I am not here to +speak of love." + +"No," bitterly. "That is all over with, forgotten. In the light of what +has happened since, the very memory is an insult. Oh, you hurt me so! +Cannot you see how this interview pains me! Won't you go--go now, and +leave me in peace." + +"But surely you will not drive me away unheard!--not refuse to learn the +truth." + +"The truth! It is the truth I already know, the truth which hurts." + +"Nevertheless you are going to hear my story. If I have done a wrong to +you, or any one, I want it pointed out, so it may be made right. I +shall not leave this room, nor your presence, until I have uttered my +last word of explanation. I should be a coward to turn away. Will you +sit down and listen? You need not even speak until I am done." + +She looked at me helplessly, her eyes full of questioning, yet, when I +extended a hand, she drew back quickly. + +"Yes--I--I suppose I must." + +She sank back upon the couch, these words barely audible, and I drew a +deep breath, hardly knowing where to begin. + +"I am a Federal officer, Miss Hardy, and my uniform is no passport to +your favor, yet that is no reason you should be unjust. I do not think I +have ever been guilty of but one ungentlemanly act toward you, and that +was unavoidable--I mean listening to your conversation with Captain +Le Gaire." + +She shuddered, and gave utterance to a little cry. + +"I loved you; with all my heart I loved you," I went on swiftly, driven +by a sudden rush of passion. "What you said then gave me a right to +tell you so." + +"And was it because I was unwilling to listen that--that you did what +you did later?" she broke in hastily. + +"Did later! You mean that I consented to meet Le Gaire?" + +"Yes--that you compelled him to fight you; that you--Oh, God! Why bring +this all up again?" + +"Merely because nothing occurred of which I am ashamed. Without doubt it +was my love for you which caused the trouble. But I was not the +aggressor. Did you suppose otherwise? Le Gaire deliberately struck me +across the face." + +She rose again to her feet, her cheeks blazing. + +"It was the answer of a gentleman to an insult given the woman he was to +marry," proudly. + +"The answer to an insult! What insult?" + +"You know; I shall not demean myself to repeat the words." + +So this was what she had been told! Well, I could block that lie with a +sentence. + +"Miss Hardy," I asked soberly, "are you aware that your father refused +to act for Captain Le Gaire, but went to the field as my second?" + +"No," her whole expression indicative of surprise. "Impossible!" + +"But it was not impossible, for it was true. Captain Bell had to be send +for to second Le Gaire, and he did it under protest. Do you imagine your +father would have taken my part if I had uttered one word reflecting +upon you?" + +She attempted to speak, but failed, and I took advantage of the silence. + +"Major Hardy is in the hall, and will corroborate all I say. Perhaps I +ought not to attempt my own defence, but this misunderstanding is too +grave to continue. There is too much at stake in your life and mine. +From what you have already said it is evident you have been +deceived--probably that deception did not end merely with the +commencement of the quarrel." + +"Did--did Major Hardy truly second you?" she interrupted, apparently +dazed. "I--I can hardly comprehend." + +"He did; he even volunteered to do so. Le Gaire charged you with being +unduly intimate with me, and your father resented his words. The man +began threatening as soon as I entered the room, and finally struck me +across the face, daring me to an encounter. I am no duellist; this was +my first appearance in that role; but I could never have retained my +self-respect and refused to meet him." + +"You--you forced him to accept pistols?" + +"In a way, yes. Your father convinced him I was an expert swordsman, and +consequently he chose derringers, believing they would be to his +advantage. The truth is, I am not particularly skilled in the use +of either." + +She looked at me a moment as though she would read clear down into the +depths of my soul; then she leaned over against the head of the couch, +her face hidden in her arm. + +"I--I will listen," she said falteringly, "to all you have to say." + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE MYSTERY DEEPENS + +It was a task I distinctly shrank from, but could not escape. + +"Shall I not call in your father, and ask him to relate the story?" + +"No; I would much rather hear it from you--tell me everything." + +My heart throbbed at these simple words, and the thought suddenly +occurred that possibly it was her loss of faith in me, rather than the +death of Le Gaire which had brought such pain. If she had actually +believed all the man had told her, it must have proven a shock, yet how +could I now best counteract his story? It was not my nature to speak ill +of any one, least of all the dead, but I must justify myself, win back +her respect. Only the whole truth could accomplish this. There was a +hassock nearby and I dropped down upon it. She did not move, nor turn +her face toward me. + +I began with my orders to report at General Grant's headquarters, so as +to thus make clear to her the reasons bringing me to the Hardy +plantation. I told about our night trip up the ravine, explained my +ignorance of who occupied the house to which I had been, despatched, and +how circumstances compelled me to remain concealed on the balcony, and +thus overhear her conversation with her father and Captain Le Gaire. I +even referred to our quadroon guide, and then it was she suddenly turned +her face toward me. + +"A quadroon--and claiming to have once lived here? Who could that be?" + +"A servant slave of Le Gaire's." + +"Oh, yes! Charles. I remember now--he ran away." + +Somehow she seemed more like the Billie of old now, and I went on with +greater confidence, barely touching on my sudden determination to +prevent her wedding, the capture of the house, and our subsequent +conversation together. As I approached the unpleasant interview in the +parlor she sat up, brushing back her hair, and with questioning eyes on +mine, exhibited the deepest interest. I told the rest, word by word, act +by act, determined to thus impress upon her the full truth of the +narrative. I could tell by her aroused interest that I was succeeding, +while her questions gave me some inkling as to what she had been +previously led to believe. After my account of the duel and Le Gaire's +escape I stopped to ask, + +"Miss Billie, do you believe all this?" + +"Oh, I must! You surely would not dare say what you have, unless certain +my father would sustain you." + +"But is it hard to believe?" + +"Yes and no. I--I wish to believe, because--well, because it is so +disagreeable to lose confidence in any one who has been esteemed as a +friend. Perhaps I am too loyal, too easily convinced. But--but I was +told such a different story, and it seemed so real, and every fact with +which I was acquainted appeared to confirm it. If all you tell me now is +true, Lieutenant Galesworth, I hardly know how I dare look you in +the face." + +"Forget that, and let us understand fully. Will you tell me all,--how +you came to protect Le Gaire, and what it was he told you?" + +She was silent, her eyes shaded, and I waited, wondering if she meant to +speak. + +"Perhaps if you consent to do this," I urged, "it may help to clear up +the mystery of his death." + +"You have not told me about that." + +"I know little beyond the discovery of the body," gravely, "and should +prefer to understand all that passed between you before going on with my +own tale. I have taken you already as far as I have witnesses to +corroborate me--beyond that you will have to trust my word alone." + +Her long lashes uplifted, the blue-gray eyes looking directly into my +own. + +"What is all that firing?" she questioned. "The house fairly quakes; is +it a battle?" + +"Yes; the contending forces have been gradually drawing nearer ever +since daylight. The Confederate lines are being forced back, and when +Chambers arrives in support this point may prove the centre of struggle. +I am eager to get away, Miss Billie, to protect the lives of my men, but +I could not leave with you feeling as you did--believing me a coward, a +murderer." + +"But I am ashamed to tell you--ashamed to confess I could ever have +thought it true." + +I touched her hand with my fingers, and she did not shrink away, or seem +to observe the action. + +"I am bound to learn sometime--wouldn't you rather tell me yourself?" + +"Yes, for, perhaps, I can make it seem less bad, more natural. I was +angry when you left me, locked here in this room. I was indignant at +what you had said and done, and did not realize the military necessity +for making me a prisoner. I resented your taking everything so for +granted, and--and I believe I almost hated you. I know I lay down here +on the couch and cried myself to sleep. I could not have slept long, and +when I awoke my mind still retained its bitterness. I began to wonder +what I should do; how I could turn the tables against you. I was not +really locked in, because this side door into the next room had been +left unfastened. Finally I decided on a desperate venture. There were +horses in the stable belonging to the captured cavalrymen, and if I +could steal out of the house, and reach the Confederate lines, a +rescuing party could be guided back here. The idea more and more took +possession of me, and at last I mustered sufficient courage to make the +attempt. I slipped on an old riding skirt, and stole out quietly through +that other room into the hall. I thought I could get down the back +stairs unobserved, and then out through the kitchen. I had no idea you +had placed a guard back there in the ell until I saw him." + +"A guard!" I broke in. "There was no guard up here." + +"But there was--just beyond the head of the stairs. One of your men too, +for his jacket was pinned up, without buttons. I was close enough to +see that." + +"That's strange; I gave no such orders, and do not believe Miles did. +Did you see the fellow's face?" + +"Only in shadow--he was young, and without a beard." + +"Go on," I said, realizing that here was an important discovery, "I will +ask the sergeant." + +"Finding the passage blocked I returned to my own room, but left this +door ajar. The disappointment left me angrier than ever, but helpless. I +could only sit down and wait, knowing nothing of what was going on +below. I finally heard the two shots out by the stable, and went to the +window. Three horsemen rode past the corner of the house, and then, a +moment or two later, I saw a man running along, crouching behind the +fence. I could not tell who he was, only he had on a gray uniform, and +he suddenly turned, and made for the house. Once he tripped and fell, +and got up with his hands to his head as though hurt. That was the last +glimpse I had of him from the window. Perhaps five minutes later I heard +some one moving in the next room. I supposed it was the guard prowling +about, and kept still. Then the door was pushed open, and Captain Le +Gaire came in." + +"But where was the guard then?" + +"I don't know. I asked, but the captain had seen no one. I cannot tell +you how the man looked, acted, or exactly what he said. The first glance +at him awoke my sympathy, before he had spoken a word, for his uniform +was torn and covered with dirt, and his face all blood from a wound on +the temple. He was trembling like a child, and could hardly talk. I +washed his wound out, and bound it up before I even asked a question. By +that time he was himself again, and began to explain. Is it necessary +for me to repeat what he said?" + +"I would rather you would; don't you think I ought to know?" + +"I suppose you had, but--but it is not a pleasant task. I could not help +but believe what he said, for he told it so naturally; he--he almost +seemed to regret the necessity, and--and I never once dreamed he would +lie to me. Then father said just enough to apparently confirm it all, +and--and other things happened." + +"Yes, I know," understanding her embarrassment. "You mustn't think I +blame you. You have known me such a little while." + +"But I should have sought after the truth, nevertheless, for I certainly +had no cause to believe you capable of so cowardly an action. I--surely +knew you better than that. But this was what he said: that you came into +the room below promising to release the others, but threatening to take +him prisoner with you into the Federal lines. He protested, and--and +then you referred to me in a way he could not stand, and blows were +exchanged. As a result he dared you to fight him, and you couldn't +refuse before your own men, although you endeavored to back out. That +you chose pistols for weapons, and compelled their acceptance. On the +field, he said, you fired before the word was spoken, and while he was +still lying on the ground, shocked by the bullet, you flung the +derringer at him, cutting his forehead; then drew your own revolver. +Unarmed, believing he was to be murdered, he turned and ran." + +"And you actually believed all this of me?" + +"Why," bewildered, "he was a soldier, and my father's friend. How could +I imagine he would run without cause? His story sounded true, as he told +it, and he was hurt." + +"He must have got that when he fell--his head struck something. And is +that all?" + +"Yes; only we talked about how he might get away. He was here until +father came for me, and then stepped into the other room. When I came +back, he had gone. A little later I heard you searching the rooms, and +went out into the hall believing it might be he." + +"You saw nothing more of him?" + +"No." + +"Nor of the man you mistook for a guard?" + +She shook her head positively. + +"Only the once." Then, after hesitating, her eyes uplifted to mine." +Lieutenant Galesworth, you did not encounter Captain Le Gaire alive in +the hall?" + +"I never saw him alive after he ran from the field. The noise you heard +was when I tripped and fell, my revolver dropping to the floor. It was +then I discovered his dead body. You will believe this?" + +"Yes," and she extended her hand. "I have been very wrong; you must +forgive me. But how could he have been killed? Who could have had +a motive?" + +"Had Le Gaire no enemies?" + +"Not to my knowledge. I know little of his life, yet surely there could +be no one here--in this house--who would deliberately seek to kill him. +No one would have opportunity except one of your own men." + +I confess it appeared that way to me also, and the fact only served to +make the mystery more baffling. I knew personally every soldier under my +command, and was certain no man among them had ever so much as seen Le +Gaire previous to the night before. They could have no reason to attempt +his life, no grudge against him. Yet every Confederate was under guard, +and the fellow Billie had seen in the hall wore our uniform, even to the +detached buttons--she had noted that. If the man had been on guard, +merely performing his military duty, there would have been no secrecy; +he would have reported the affair long before this. But Le Gaire had +been murdered, treacherously killed, without doubt struck from behind, +and there must be some reason, some cause for the act. + +"I understand this no better than you," I admitted finally. "I shall +have the house thoroughly searched, and every one of my men examined. +But I am afraid we shall be obliged to leave before the mystery is +solved. Hear those guns! It almost seems as though the fighting was +already within sight of the house." I stepped across to the window and +looked out. "However it is all to the north and east, and there is still +opportunity for us to get safely away into the ravine. I cannot +understand why our forces have not taken advantage of it--in that way +they could have struck the enemy a stunning blow on the left. There's a +blunder somewhere. But we can hold the house no longer; only before I go +I must know that you believe in me." + +"I do," earnestly. + +"And I am going to clinch that faith," opening the door into the hall. +"Major Hardy, just a moment." + +He turned back from the open window, his face flushed with excitement. + +"The stragglers are beginning to show up," he exclaimed pointing, "and +the boys are fighting like hell out there beyond those woods. And--and +see that dust cloud over yonder; by all the gods, it will be Chambers +coming up at last!" + +"Then hurry here; I want to ask you just one question for your +daughter's sake: Were you my second in the duel this morning?" + +"Certainly." + +"Why didn't you tell me, papa? Why didn't you explain that Lieutenant +Galesworth was not to blame?" + +"Well, I didn't want you to feel any worse than you did. You and Le +Gaire were going to be married, and I supposed you cared a good deal for +him. Someway I couldn't make myself talk about it, Billie; that's all." + +Her eyes sought mine, but just then Miles appeared in the hall, halting +with a salute as he caught sight of me. + +"Nobody in the attic, sir, but things are getting pretty warm outside," +he reported anxiously. + +"The way is still open toward the ravine, Sergeant. Get your men +together in the front hall at once. Never mind the prisoners; the major +will release them after we have gone." + +His heels came together with a click, and he strode to the head of the +stairs. + +"By the way, Sergeant," I called after him, "did you have a guard +posted in the upper hall here this morning?" + +"A guard? No, sir." + +"Were you aware that any of our men had been up stairs since last +evening?" + +"None of them have, sir; I'm cocksure of that." "That's all, Sergeant; +be lively now." My eyes turned toward Billie, and she held out both +her hands. + +"If we never know the truth, Lieutenant Galesworth," she said softly, "I +shall believe all you have told me." + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +UNDER NEW ORDERS + +Her eyes were an invitation, a plea, yet with the major at her side, his +face full of wonderment, and Bell close behind us in the hall, I could +only bow low over the white hands, and murmur some commonplace. There +was neither opportunity nor time for more, although I felt my own deep +disappointment was mirrored in the girl's face. The continuous roar of +guns without, already making conversation difficult, and the hurried +tramp of feet in the hall below, told the danger of delay. It was a +moment when the soldier had to conquer the lover, and stern duty became +supreme. I hurried to the front window, and gazed out; then to others, +thus making a thorough survey of our surroundings, quickly making up my +mind to a definite plan of action. So swiftly had occurrences pressed +upon me I had scarcely found time before to realize the rapid approach +of this new danger. Now it burst upon me in all its impending horror. +Already the results of battle were visible. + +An hour before the pike road leading past the plantation gates had been +white and deserted, not even a spiral of dust breaking its loneliness. +Through openings in a grove I had looked northward as far as the log +church and observed no moving figure. But now this was all changed; as +though by some mysterious alchemy, war had succeeded peace, the very +landscape appearing grimly desolate, yet alive with moving figures. And +these told the story, the story of defeat. It was not a new scene to me, +but nevertheless pitiful. They came trudging from out the smoke clouds, +and across the untilled fields, alone, or in little groups, some armed, +more weaponless, here and there a bloody bandage showing, or a limp +bespeaking a wound; dirty, unshaven men, in uniforms begrimed and +tattered, disorganized, swearing at each other, casting frightened +glances backward with no other thought or desire save to escape the +pursuing terror behind. They were the riff-raff of the battle, the +skulkers, the cowards, the slightly wounded, making pin pricks an excuse +for escape. Wagons toiled along in the midst of them, the gaunt mules +urged on by whip and voice, while occasionally an ambulance forced its +way through. Here and there some worn-out straggler or wounded man had +crawled into shade, and lay heedless of the turmoil. Shouts, oaths, the +cracking of whips, the rumble of wheels mingled with the ceaseless roar +of musketry, and the more distant reverberation of cannon, while clouds +of powder smoke drifted back on the wind to mingle with the dust, giving +to all a spectral look. Back from the front on various missions galloped +couriers and aides, spurring their horses unmercifully, and driving +straight through the mob in utter recklessness. One, a black-bearded +brute, drew his sabre, and slashed right and left as he raced madly by. + +Toward the ravine all remained quiet, although here and there in the +orchard some of the gray-clad stragglers had found opportunity to lie +down out of the ruck. But the smoke and musketry gave me a conception of +the Confederate line of battle, its left thrown across the pike with +centre and right doubling back into the form of a horse-shoe, all +centring on the Hardy house. Within twenty minutes we would be caught as +in a trap. I sprang back to the stairs, and as I did so a sudden yell +rose from the surging mob without, a shout in which seemed to mingle +fear and exultation. Bell, from a side window joined in, and a single +glance told the reason: up from the south rode cavalry, sweeping the +pike clean of its riff-raff, and behind, barely visible through the +dust, tramped a compact mass of infantry, breaking into double time. The +black-bearded aide dashed to their front, waving sabre and pointing; the +clear note of a bugle cleaved the air; the horsemen spread out like a +fan, and with the wild yell of the South rising above the din, the files +of infantry broke into a run, and came sweeping forward in a gray +torrent. Chambers had come up at last, come to hurl his fresh troops +into the gap, and change the tide of battle. Even the stragglers paused, +hastening to escape the rush, and facing again to the front. I saw some +among them grasp their guns and leap into the ranks, the speeding +cavalrymen driving others with remorseless sabres. + +All this was but a glimpse, and with the tumult ringing in my ears, I +was down stairs facing my own men. + +"Where are the prisoners, Sergeant?" + +"Here, sir, under guard." + +"Open the front door, and pass them out. We'll be away before they can +do us any harm. Step lively now." + +I scarcely looked at them, moving on a run at the threats of the men, +but wheeled on Hardy, who was half way down the stairs. + +"Major, what do you mean to do? How will you protect your daughter?" + +"Stay here with her," was the prompt reply. There will be disciplined +troops here in a few minutes." + +"Yes, and a battle." + +"As soon as Chambers gets up in force I can pass her back to the rear." + +That seemed the safer plan to me, and I had no time to argue. + +"All right, you and Bell are free to do as you please. Get your men out +the same window you came in, Sergeant; I'll go last. Keep down behind +the fence, and make for the ravine." + +He flung open the door into the parlor, and we crowded after him, but +were still jammed in the doorway when he sprang back from the open +window with hands flung up. + +"By God, sir, here come our men!" + +They came like so many monkeys, leaping the balcony rail, plunging +headlong through the opening, and crowding into the room. It was like a +dream, a delirium, yet I could see the blue uniforms, the new faces. In +the very forefront, flung against me by the rush, I distinguished the +lad I had sent back into the lines the night before. + +"What does all this mean, Ross? Who are these fellows?" + +"Our men, sir," he panted, scarcely able to speak. "Here--read this," +and he thrust a paper into my hand. My eyes took the words in a flash, +and yet for the instant they were vague, meaningless. It was only as I +read them a second time that I understood, and then I gazed helplessly +into the faces about me, striving to grasp the full situation. + +"HDQTS 9TH ILL. CAV. +"9:10 A.M. + +"LIEUT. GALESWORTH: + +"We advanced our centre and left at daylight, and have driven the enemy +from intrenchments. Our right is under orders to advance up ravine and +strike their rear. We move at once. I send this back by Ross, who will +take twenty men with him to help you. Hold the Hardy house to the last +possible moment. Our whole movement pivots there, and keeping possession +until we arrive is of utmost importance. Hold it at any price. These are +Grant's orders." + +"Who gave you this?--it is unsigned." + +"The colonel, sir, I saw him write it." + +"And they were ready to leave?" + +"They'll not be more than an hour behind, unless something stops +them--the whole brigade is coming." + +I comprehended now--the plan was clear-cut, easily understood. Taking +advantage of the ravine in which to conceal the movement, Grant proposed +to throw a brigade, or even a greater force, suddenly upon the enemy's +unprotected rear, thus crushing Johnston between two fires. The word I +had sent back, disclosing the complete desertion of that gash in the +earth by the Confederates, had made this strategy possible. And the +Hardy house was naturally the pivot of the movement, and the retention +of it in our possession essential to success. But the one point they had +apparently overlooked was Chambers' advance along this pike. He was +supposed to be much farther east, his column blocked by heavy roads. +Instead of that he was here already, his vanguard sweeping past the +gate, double-quicking to the front, with long lines of infantry hurrying +behind. For us to bar the retreat of Johnston's demoralized men, safely +intrenched within the house, might be possible, provided artillery was +not resorted to. Even with my small force I might hold them back for an +hour, but to attempt such a feat against the veterans of Chambers, was +simply a sentence to death. These men, fresh, undefeated, eager for +battle, would turn and crush us as though we were some stinging insect. +Thirty men pitted against a division! Good God! if he could send +these--why not more? Yet there was nothing to do except obey, and, +feeling to the full the hell of it, I crushed the paper in the palm of +my hand, and looked around into the faces about me. I was in command, +and we were to stay here until we died. That was all I knew, all I +remembered, the words, "hold it at any price," burning in upon my brain. + +"Men," I said sharply. "My orders are to hold this house until our +troops come up. We'll make a try at it. Who commands this last squad?" + +A sergeant, a big fellow, with closely trimmed gray moustache, elbowed +his way forward, and saluted. + +"From H troop, are you not?" + +"Yes, sir; we're all H; my name's Mahoney." + +"I remember you; Irish to a man. Well, this is going to beat any +Donnybrook Fair you lads ever saw. Get busy, and barricade every door +and window on this floor; use the furniture, or whatever you get hands +on. Miles, take the south side, and Mahoney, the north. No shooting +until I give the word; we won't stir up this hornets' nest until we +have to." + +The newcomers stacked their carbines in the hall, and divided into two +parties, going to work with a vim, while I quickly stationed my old men +where they could command every approach to the house, seeing to it that +their arms were in condition, and that they had ample ammunition. Within +ten minutes we were ready for a siege, or prepared to repel any attack +other than artillery. The rooms looked as though a cyclone had wrecked +them, the heavy furniture barricading doors and windows, yet leaving +apertures through which we could see and fire. Mattresses had been +dragged from beds up stairs, and thrust into places where they would +yield most protection. The front door alone was left so as to be opened, +but a heavy table was made ready to brace it if necessary. Satisfied +nothing more could be done to increase our security I had the men take +their weapons, and the sergeants assign them to places. I passed along +from room to room, watchful that no point of defence had been +overlooked, and speaking words of encouragement to the fellows. After +the fight began there could be little commanding; every man would have +to act for himself. + +"Draw down the shades, lads, and keep it as dark as possible inside. Lay +your ammunition beside you, where you can get it quickly. Mahoney, we +shall not need as many men at these windows as we will toward the front +of the house--two to a window here should be sufficient. Carbines, +first, boys, and then revolvers if they get close. What is that, Miles? +Yes, detail a man to each window up stairs; two to the front windows. +Have them protect themselves all they can, and keep back out of sight. +Now, boys, keep your eyes open, but no shooting until you get orders. +Sergeant Mahoney will command this side, and Miles the other, while +I'll take the front. There is a corporal here, isn't there?" + +"Yes, sir,--Conroy." + +"Well, Conroy, you are in charge up stairs. I'll be there and look you +over in a few minutes; I want to take a glance outside first." + +The brief time these hasty preparations required had witnessed a marked +change in conditions without. Where before it had been a scene of +disastrous confusion, it was now that of disciplined attack. Chambers' +men had swept aside the stragglers, and spread out into battle lines, +the gray regiments massing mostly to the right of the pike, but with +heavy fringe of cavalry extending past us as far as the ravine. From my +point of vantage it all formed an inspiring picture, dully monotonous in +color, but alive with action; the long dust-covered lines, the rifle +barrels shining, the constant shifting of columns, the regiments +hurrying forward, the swift moving of cavalry, and hard riding of staff +officers, sent the hot blood leaping through my veins. And all this was +no dress review. Just ahead they were at it in deadly earnest--barely +beyond those trees, and below the edge of the hill. I could hear the +thunder of the guns, continuous, almost deafening, even at this +distance; could see the black, drifting smoke, and even the struggling +figures. We were almost within the zone of fire already. Men were down +in the ranks yonder, and a stricken horse lay just within the gate. Back +and forth, riding like mad, aides dashed out of the choking powder +fumes, in endeavor to hasten up the reserves. Even as I watched one fell +headlong from his saddle, struck dead by a stray bullet. I was soldier +enough to understand. Within ten minutes Chambers would be out there, +hurling his fresh troops against the exhausted Federal advance, while +those fellows, now fighting so desperately yonder, would fall back in +reserve. Could Chambers hold them? Could he check that victorious onrush +of blue--those men who had fought their way five bloody miles since +daybreak? I could not tell; it would be a death grapple worthy of the +gods, and the Hardy house would be in the very vortex. Whether it was +destined also to become a charnel house, a shambles, depended on the +early coming of those other, unseen men toiling up that black ravine. + +Then suddenly there recurred to my memory that Major Hardy and his +daughter still remained within. They had not departed with the others, +yet in the stress and excitement their presence had slipped my mind. Nor +had I seen them since the new recruits came. What could be done with +them now, at this late hour, the house already a fortress, the enemy in +evidence everywhere? In some manner they must be gotten away at once, +safely placed within the protection of friends. Not only my friendship +for the father, and my love for the girl, demanded this, but the fact +that they were non-combatants made it imperative. There was no time to +consider methods--already we were within range of the guns, and at any +moment might be directly under fire, obliged to resist assault. I was up +the stairs even as the thought occurred, and confronted Hardy in the +upper hall. Conroy had him by the arm, suspicious of the uniform. + +"That's all right, Corporal," I said quickly. "I had forgotten the major +was here. Hardy, you must get out of the house--you, and Miss Billie +at once." + +His eyes glanced back toward the door of her room which stood open. + +"I--I have no knowledge of where my daughter may be," he acknowledged +soberly. + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BILLIE + +I stared at him in surprise, and then sprang forward, and glanced into +her room. It was empty, except for a trooper kneeling at the window. I +faced Hardy again with a question: + +"Not here! Where has she gone?" + +He shook his head, without attempting to speak. + +"You don't know? Conroy, have you seen anything of a young lady since +you came up here?" + +"No, sir; all these doors was standin' wide open, and this Johnny Reb +was prowlin' 'round in here. I didn't know what his business might be so +I collared him. Ain't that right, Murphy?" appealing to the soldier at +the window, who had faced about at sound of our voices. + +"Straight as far as it goes," was the reply, "but maybe that guard back +in the ell saw the lady afore we come up." + +"What guard?" + +"One o' your fellows," said the corporal. "Anyhow he had his buttons +cut off. I guess he's there yet." + +I was out into the hall as quickly as I could turn, Conroy and the major +following closely. A dozen steps took us beyond the chimney jog, and to +the top of the back stairs. There was no one there. The side doors stood +open, and the narrow hallway was vacant. My eyes met the corporal's. + +"Well, I'll be jiggered," he exclaimed. "He was right there by the +second door when I saw him. I was goin' to post Murphy at that end +window, sir, but I didn't think there was any need o' two men there." + +"Did you speak to him?" + +"I told him what was up, sir, and that he better stay by the window." + +"Did he answer you?" + +"He said 'all right,' or something like that, an' went back. I never +thought anything was wrong; all I noticed particular was he had only a +revolver, but most o' yer fellows was armed that way. I meant to get him +a gun as soon as I had time." He strode forward, looking into the rooms. +"He ain't here now anyhow, and I'm damned if I know where he could o' +gone. Did I make a mistake, sir?" + +"No, this is no fault of yours, Corporal, but it's strange nevertheless. +We had no guard up here, but this fellow, wearing our uniform, has been +seen before--Miss Hardy, this gentleman's daughter, saw him, and now she +has disappeared. There was murder done in this hall this morning." + +The corporal crossed himself, his lips murmuring as he glanced about, +and then into my face. + +"Murder, sir! The Confederate captain lying in yonder on the bed?" + +"Yes; he was waylaid here, and struck down from behind. I found his body +out in front of that door, the skull crushed." + +"An' ye think that feller did it?" + +"I don't know who did it. But I should like to discover where that lad +hides, and what he is here for. We have accounted for all our men, and +searched this floor inch by inch. I began to think Miss Hardy was +mistaken, but now you've seen him also." + +"An' Murphy," broke in the horrified corporal, edging closer. "Murphy +saw him too. Bedad, maybe it was a ghost!" + +"Ghosts don't talk, and I never heard of any wearing revolvers. Major, +when did you see Billie last?" + +I noticed how haggard his face was, and he answered slowly, his hands +grasping the stair-rail. + +"We were together in the front hall when your men came. You were talking +loudly, and the new voices attracted our attention. We both went +forward to the head of the stairs." + +"You overheard what was said?" I interrupted, a new possibility dawning +upon me. + +"Much of it, yes," he admitted. + +"The plan of attack?--the orders sent me?" + +His expression answered. + +"And what were you going to do with this information, Major Hardy?" + +"Nothing. I considered myself a prisoner on parole. I merely proposed +asking your permission to leave the house with my daughter before +hostilities began. I started down the stairs for that purpose." + +"And Billie?" + +"I told her this, and sent her to her room after some things. Before I +got down you had disappeared, and I returned up stairs. She was not in +her room, nor could I find a trace of her." + +I thought rapidly, staring into his bewildered face, insensibly +listening to the continuous roar without. It was tragedy within tragedy, +the threads of war and love inextricably tangled. What had occurred here +during that minute or two? Had she left voluntarily, inspired by some +wild hope of service to the South? Did that mysterious figure, attired +in our uniform, have anything to do with her disappearance? Did Hardy +know, or suspect more than he had already told? By what means could she +have left the house? If she had not left where could she remain +concealed? Each query only served to make the situation more +complicated, more difficult to solve. To no one of them could I find +an answer. + +"Major, did you tell your daughter why you could not carry that +information to your own people?--that you considered yourself a +parolled prisoner?" + +He hesitated, realizing now what it was I was seeking to discover. + +"Why, I may have said something like that. We spoke of the situation, +and--and Billie appeared excited, but,--why, Galesworth, you do not +imagine the girl would try to carry the news out, alone, do you?" + +His doubt was so genuine as to be beyond question. Whatever Billie had +done, it was through no connivance with the father, but upon her own +initiative. Yet she was fully capable of the effort; convinced the cause +of the South was in her hands, she was one to go through fire and water +in service. Neither her life nor mine would weigh in the decision--her +only thought the Confederacy. Still it was not a pleasant reflection +that she would thus war openly against me; would deliberately expose me +to defeat, even death. Could she have made such a choice if she truly +loved me? Her words, eyes, actions continually deceived me. Again and +again I had supposed I knew her, believed I had solved her nature, only +to be led into deeper bewilderment. + +"Major," I said soberly. "I do imagine just that. There is no sacrifice +your daughter would not make for the South. She realized the importance +of this information, and that she alone could take it to Chambers." + +I turned to the back stairs, and went down, feeling my way in the gloom, +until I touched the door. To my surprise it opened, although I knew I +had locked it, and the key was still in my pocket. There were four +troopers in the kitchen, and they turned at the noise to stare at me. + +"How long have you boys been stationed here?" I questioned. + +"'Bout fifteen minutes, I guess," answered the nearest. "Ain't that +about it, Joe?" + +"Not no longer." + +"Room empty when you came?" + +"Not a rat here, that we saw; did we, Joe?" + +The other shook his head. + +"Was that bar across the outer door there then?" + +"No, sir, there wan't no lock on it, an' Bill rigged up that contrivance +hisself." + +I believed now I comprehended how it had occurred, all except the +mysterious unlocking of the door at the foot of the stairs, and this +fellow in our uniform that haunted the ell. To make certain I retained +the key, I took it out, and fitted it into the lock. Still there might +be a duplicate, and as for the soldier, I was hardly half convinced of +his reality. Billie had acted quickly, under the inspiration of +discovery, and all the circumstances had conspired to make her escape +from the house easy. Miles had withdrawn his men on my orders, and we +were all grouped together in the front hall. She had simply slipped down +these back stairs, used a duplicate key, passed through the kitchen +unobserved, and out into the garden. Where then? To the stable, +without doubt, and, mounted, into Chambers' lines, taking her +news to the highest officer she could reach. We would hear from it +presently,--strange if not even already some of those troops were +wheeling to invest the house. I called back up the stairs, + +"Conroy, send Major Hardy down here." + +The Confederate appeared almost instantly, his eyes anxiously surveying +the room. + +"Have you found my girl?" + +"No, but I have satisfied myself as to where she is. Without doubt she +came down those stairs, and out this door, while we were in the front +hall. A battle-line is a rough place for a woman, and I am going to +turn you out now to see if you cannot find and protect her. One of you +men take down that bar." + +The major stared at me, and then extended his hand. + +"You--you don't suppose I sent her?" + +"Oh, no, you have been most honorable. There is no reason why I should +hold you here; the others have gone, and you may be of assistance to +Miss Willifred. It is bound to be lively enough for us in here presently +without prisoners to look after." + +"But you have not accepted my hand, Lieutenant Galesworth. I wish to +feel that we part friends." + +"We certainly do," I returned heartily, grasping his fingers. "And--and +I may never see your daughter again. There is scarcely a possibility +that I ever shall. Tell her that I respect her loyalty to the South." + +He stood looking directly into my eyes, grasping both my hands. + +"You mean to remain here, defending the house?" + +"While there is a man left alive." + +"It is a pity--in my judgment; not war, but a useless sacrifice." + +"Yet a soldier's duty, Major--obedience to orders." + +He bowed, choking in the throat, as he lifted his hat. With one glance +at the silent soldier holding open the door he passed out. Then he +turned, hat still in hand, and glanced back. + +"You may feel assured I will deliver your message, sir,--good-bye." + + * * * * * + +The broad hallway ran from the front of the house to the kitchen ell, +and I could see its entire length. Several men were clustered at the +other end, peering out through the narrow panes of glass either side the +front door, and one came running toward me. It was the Irish sergeant. + +"They're a-coomin', sorr--a bunch o' gray-backs. Shud Oi hay' the byes +let drive?" + +"Not until I speak to them, Mahoney. We'll give the fellows fair warning +first." + +I hurried back with him, and a soldier stepped aside to give me +opportunity to look out. A glance was sufficient. A regiment of cavalry +was halted under the trees of the lawn, the men dismounted and standing +at the heads of their horses. Apparently they were, merely waiting +orders. Riding straight across the grass toward the porch came a little +group of a dozen officers, as I judged, although this was largely +conjecture, their uniforms so dust-covered as to be meaningless. The +carelessness of their approach, scarcely glancing toward the house, +convinced me they had no thought of meeting any resistance from +within--their only object the shade of the steps, or a possible glass of +wine. To greet them with a volley would be murder, and I motioned the +men to open the door just wide enough to permit of my slipping through. +I walked forward to the edge of the porch, and stood there, leaning +against a pillar. The approaching party was sufficiently close by this +time so that I saw that one of the three in advance was Bell. Apparently +I remained unobserved, but as they came to the gravel driveway I spoke. + +"That will be quite far enough, gentlemen, until you explain your +purpose." + +They pulled up, astonished at the sound of my voice, those behind +bunching about the first three, all staring open-mouthed at my uniform. +Several voices asked, "What does this mean?" "Who the hell are you?" + +"One at a time, please," I returned, enjoying their surprise. "This +house is garrisoned by Federal troops at present, and we are not +receiving callers--put that back! There are riflemen at every window." + +"Don't be a fool, Brown," growled the man in the centre, glancing aside, +and then facing back toward me. "Are you in command?" + +"I am here to receive any communication." + +"What troops have you?" + +I bowed smiling. + +"Sufficient for the purpose." + +Bell, evidently short-sighted, was staring at me through glasses, and +broke in, + +"It's Galesworth, the Yankee lieutenant I told you about, Colonel. Say, +I thought you left." + +"Instead of leaving, Captain Bell, I have decided to stay." + +"But, good Lord, you can't hold that house against us with only ten +men!" + +"You will discover we have considerable more than ten when you come to +capture it." + +They whispered together, evidently undecided how seriously to take me. I +thought Bell was trying to impress the others with the idea that it was +all a bluff, but my coolness made them suspicious. I leaned motionless +against the post in apparent indifference. The gruff-voiced colonel +broke the silence. + +"Do you know we have a division of troops within bugle call?" + +"Oh, yes, and they have got their work cut out for them. Your whole +force is at it already, except the cavalry." + +My tone angered him. + +"There are enough in reserve to crush you," he retorted warmly. "I +demand your immediate surrender, sir." + +"On what terms?" + +"Unconditional," he thundered, "and if I have to charge you we shall +take no prisoners." + +I waited for a lull in the firing, and they accepted the pause as +hesitation. Then I stepped backward to the door. + +"I regret greatly to disappoint you, Colonel," I said clearly, "but we +have decided to fight. If you are not out of range within two minutes my +men will open fire." + +Without awaiting an answer, I stepped within and closed the door. + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +WE REPULSE THE ENEMY + +I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations. +Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to +fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and +gave orders for vigorous defence. Yet we were already so well intrenched +that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my +force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to +observe the enemy. To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement +in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of +troops. Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line +of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding +his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent. I ran up +stairs so as to obtain a wider view of the field. They were fighting +fiercely to our front and left, the line of fire slightly overlapping +the pike, although, from the led horses in the rear, the troops engaged +on this extremity were mostly dismounted cavalry. Marching columns were +still approaching from the south, swinging off from the pike as they +neared the house, and disappearing into a grove of trees to the east. +The land in that direction was rough, and I could only guess at the +formation by the sound of firing, and the dense clouds of smoke. It was +out there the artillery was massed, although in all of Chambers' command +I saw but two batteries. The heaviest fighting was to the east, not so +far away but what we were within shell range, and yet out of direct +view, while to the north the Confederates could be seen struggling to +gain possession of a low hill. Their first rush had dislodged the +Federals from the log church, but had been halted just below in the +hollow. Beyond to the westward stretched the black shadow of the ravine, +silent and deserted, largely concealed by a fringe of trees. + +That which interested me more particularly, however, was the scene +nearer at hand--the stragglers, the wounded, the skulkers, the +disorganized bodies of men, the wearied commands which had been fighting +since daylight, now doggedly falling back, relieved by new arrivals, yet +unwilling to go. They were not beaten, and their officers had fairly to +drive them from the field, and when they halted the men faced to the +front. It was all a scene of wild confusion, the roar of guns +incessant, the air full of powder smoke, shells bursting here and there, +and constantly the shouts of men. Ammunition wagons blocked the pike, +soldiers thronging about them to stuff cartridges into emptied belts; a +battery of artillery dashed past, recklessly scattering the surging mass +to left and right, as its horses, lashed into frenzy, plunged forward +toward the fighting line; horsemen galloped back and forth, commanding, +imploring, swearing, as they endeavored to reform the mob into a reserve +column; riderless horses dashed about, resisting capture; and a runaway +team of mules, dragging behind the detached wheels of an army wagon, +mowed a lane straight across the open field. Men lay everywhere +sleeping, so exhausted the dead and living looked alike; there were +ghastly bandages, dust-caked faces, bloody uniforms, features blackened +by powder, and limping figures helped along by comrades. Empty +ammunition wagons loaded again with wounded, went creaking slowly to the +rear, the sharp cries of suffering echoing above the infernal din. Just +outside the gate, under the tree shadows, was established a field +hospital, a dozen surgeons working feverishly amid the medley of sounds. +I had heretofore seen war from the front, in the excitement of battle, +face to face with the enemy, but this sickened me. I felt my limbs +tremble, the perspiration bead my face. I now knew what war was, +stripped of its glamour, hideous in its reality of suffering and +cruelty. For a moment I felt remorse, fear, a cowardly desire to escape, +to get away yonder, beyond the reek of powder, the cries of pain. The +awful vista gripped me as if by spectral fingers. But for the movement +just then of that cavalry regiment, recalling me to duty, I half believe +I should have run, not from fright but to escape the horror. + +They were moving forward past the front of the house, the men still on +foot, gripping the leather at their horses' bits, the restive animals +plunging so wildly as to make it seem more the advance of a mob than a +disciplined body. A shell exploded in the road to their left, tearing a +hole in the white pike, and showering them with stones. I could see +bleeding faces where the flying gravel cut. Another shrieked above, and +came to earth just in front of the house, shattering the front steps +into fragments, and leaving one of the wooden pillars hanging, +unsupported. Yet with no halt or hesitancy, the gray mass moved slowly +across the lawn, and then deliberately formed in line beneath the trees +of the orchard. Their horses were led to the rear, and the men fell into +rank at the sharp command of officers. Facing as they did I was left in +doubt as to their purpose. Just inside the gate a battalion of infantry +stood at parade rest, some of Johnston's men, I judged from their +appearance, who had held together. Beyond them a little group of +horsemen had reined up on a knoll, and seemed to be studying the +surrounding country through field glasses. I could see the glitter of +them in the sun. + +Straight across the grass from the line of dismounted cavalry an officer +rode, galloping through the dust of the pike, and trotting up the +incline until he reached this distant group. I watched curiously as he +pointed toward the house, and the others turned and looked. I could +dimly distinguish features, and realized the meaning of some of their +gestures. Then the cavalry-man turned his horse, and came trotting back. +But now he rode directly up the gravelled driveway to the front of the +house, a white rag flapping from the point of his uplifted sword. Thirty +feet away he pulled up his horse, his eyes searching the house, and I +stepped out on the porch roof. The broken pillar made me afraid to +venture to the edge, but we were plainly in view of each other. + +"Are you the Yank in command?" he asked brusquely, staring up at me. + +"Yes." + +He removed the rag from his sword, and thrust the weapon into its +scabbard. + +"What force have you?" + +I smiled, amused at his display of nerve. + +"You will have to come in to discover that, my friend." + +His naturally florid face reddened with anger. + +"I'm not here to joke," he retorted. "General Chambers wishes me to +offer you a last opportunity to surrender without bloodshed." + +"And if I refuse?" + +"We shall attack at once, sir," haughtily. "A glance about will show you +the helplessness of your position." + +I waited long enough to glance again over the scene. I was convinced +they possessed no artillery which could be spared from the front for +this small affair, and believed we were capable of making a strong +defence against musketry. With the exception of that battalion of +infantry near the gate, and the cavalry regiment in the orchard, every +organized body of troops was being hurried forward to strengthen their +line of battle. Even General Chambers and his staff had disappeared over +the hill, and every sound that reached us evidenced a warm engagement. +The stream of wounded soldiers flowing back across the pike was +thickening, and Federal shells were already doing damage at +this distance. + +"I thank you for your information," I said civilly, "but we shall +endeavor to hold the house." + +"You mean to fight!" + +"Yes--if you wish this place you will have to come and take it." + +He drew back his horse, yet with head turned, hopeful I might say more. +But I stepped back through the window, and as I disappeared he clapped +in his spurs, and rode out into the orchard. A moment later the +dismounted troopers spread out into a thin line, covering the front and +left of the house, unslung their carbines and began to load. Something +about the way they went at it convinced me they expected no very serious +resistance. A word to my men on that floor brought them to the point +threatened by this first attack, and I gave them swift, concise +orders--no firing until they heard a signal shot from the front hall; +then keep it up while there was a man standing in range; carbines first, +after that revolvers, and keep down out of sight from below. I looked +into their faces, confident of obedience, and then ran down stairs. + +Here the two sergeants--veterans both--had anticipated everything, and +massed their men at the windows facing front and left. They lay flat, +protected in every possible way, and each man had an extra gun beside +him, and a pile of cartridges. Mahoney was in the parlor, and Miles in +the hall, watchful of each movement without. I gave them the +instructions about withholding their fire, and, grasping a carbine +myself, pushed forward to where I could see outside. The troopers were +already moving, advancing slowly in open order, but came to a halt just +within carbine range. At sharp command their guns came up, and they +poured a volley into the house. Beyond a shattering of glass no damage +was done, but under the cover of the smoke, the gray line leaped +forward. I waited until they reached the gravel, and then pulled +trigger. Almost to the instant the whole front and side of the house +blazed into their very faces, not once only, but twice, three times, the +men grabbing gun after gun. It was not in flesh and blood to stand it; +the line crumbled up as though seared by fire, men fell prone, others +staggered back blinded, and, almost before we realized, there remained +nothing out there but a fleeing crowd, leaving behind their dead and +wounded. Only three men had placed foot on the porch, and they lay there +motionless; one had grasped the sill of a window, and had fallen back +with a crushed skull. It was all over with so quickly that through the +smoke we looked at each other dazed, and then stared out at the flying +figures. I groped my way from room to room, ordering a reloading of the +guns, and asking if there were any injured. The walls were scarred by +bullets much of the piled up furniture splintered, but only two men had +been hit, and their, wounds were slight. + +"They'll try it again, lads," I said. "Get ready." There was no doubt of +that, for they were old soldiers out yonder, and would never rest under +the stigma of defeat. But they were bound to be more cautious a second +time, and would give us a harder tussle. + +The fleeing men were rallied just beyond the negro cabins, cursed by +their officers and driven back into line; then moved slowly forward +again to their former position in the orchard. The sudden terror which +had smitten them when the silent house burst into death flames, had +somewhat worn off, and a desire for revenge succeeded. I could see the +officers passing back and forth talking and gesticulating. A dozen +troopers under a flag of truce came forward to pick up the wounded, and +without even challenging we permitted them to do their work. The house +remained quiet, sombre, silent, nothing showing but the dark barrels of +our carbines. The infantry battalion at the gate moved against the left +of the cavalry, and couriers were despatched to hurry up more. Out by +the negro quarters a dozen officers held council, pointing at the +house, and by gestures designating a plan of attack. I think they sent +for artillery, but none came, and when one of the couriers returned and +reported, bringing only another infantry battalion, it was decided to +delay the attempt no longer. They formed this time in double line, +sufficiently extended so as to cover the front and two sides of the +house, with a squad concealed back of the stable, prepared to rush the +kitchen and take us in the rear. It was not a bad plan had we misjudged +it, but the ground was so open nothing could be concealed. A wagon came +up with ammunition, and the men filled their belts. They moved forward +to within long firing distance, the cavalry covering the north side, one +battalion of infantry the south, and the other prepared to assail the +front. These latter began firing at once, their muskets easily covering +the distance, although our lighter weapons were useless. + +Yet, beyond keeping us down close to the floor and out of view, this +preliminary firing was but a waste of ammunition, the heavy balls merely +breaking what glass remained, and chugging harmlessly into the walls. We +were ready and waiting, extra loaded guns beside each man, our nerves +throbbing with the excitement of battle, every trooper posted at some +point of vantage for defence. For a few moments the formation of our +assailants was almost completely concealed behind the black musketry +smoke. All else was forgotten except our own part in the tragedy, even +the thunder of artillery deadened by the continuous roll of small arms. +Under the powder cloud the charging line sprang forward, determined to +close in upon us with one fierce dash, almost encircling the house. The +reserves elevated their guns, firing at the upper windows, while those +chosen for the assault leaped forward, yelling as they came. I scarcely +had time to cry a warning, and to hear the echoing shouts of Miles and +Mahoney, before the gray line was on the gravel. It was then we struck +them, every window and door bursting into flame simultaneously, the +deadly lead poured into their very faces. We worked like fiends, the +smoke suffocating, firing as rapidly as we could lay hands to weapons, +seeing nothing but the dim outline of gray-clad men, surging madly +toward us, or hurled back by the flame of our guns. It was hell, +pandemonium, a memory blurred and indistinct; men, stricken to death, +whirled and fell, others ran screaming; they stumbled over prostrate +bodies, and cursed wildly in an effort to advance. Now it was the sharp +spit of revolvers, cracking in deadly chorus. All I knew occurred +directly before me. A dozen or fifteen leaped to the porch floor, +swinging a huge log against the barricaded door. I heard the crash of +it as it fell inward, the cry of men underneath. There was a rush of +feet behind; the flame of revolvers seemed to sear my face, and the log +lay on the porch floor, dead men clinging to it, and not a living +gray-jacket showing under the smoke. + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +MISS BILLIE REAPPEARS + +I was leaning against the side wall, aware I had been wounded yet +scarcely feeling the pain of it, an empty revolver in each hand, blue +smoke curling from the muzzles. For the moment I could not comprehend +what had actually occurred--that, for the second time, we had driven +them; that we still held the house, now fairly encircled by dead bodies. +Then the truth dawned, and I gazed almost blindly about on the ruck, and +into the faces of the men nearest me. I hardly recognized them, +blackened by powder, with here and there a blood stain showing ghastly. +The door was crushed in, splintered by the heavy log, the end of which +still projected through, and beneath it three men lay motionless. I saw +others between where I stood and the stairs, one leaning against the +wall, his blood dyeing the carpet, another outstretched upon the steps. +All this came to me in a glance, my head reeling; I felt no power to +move, no ability to think. Then Miles' voice at my very ear aroused me. + +"Are you hurt, Lieutenant? Here, let me see." + +I stared at him, and seemed to come back to life again with a start. + +"No, nothing serious, Sergeant. The door must have struck me as it +fell--my whole left side and arm are numb. We drove them, didn't we?" + +"You can bet we did, sir, but my fellows got here just in time. They +didn't make much of a fight along my side, so when I heard that door +crash we come a-runnin'." + +"Oh, it was you then. That's about the last I remember. Where is their +reserve? Didn't they come in?" + +"I guess not," peering out through the opening. "There's no signs of +'em, so far as I can see, but there ain't no air, an' the smoke hangs +close to the ground." + +As he said, it was useless endeavoring to perceive what was happening +without, the powder smoke clinging to the earth, and hiding everything +from view. Yet I realized what must have occurred; the dead bodies in +sight proved how severely the assaulting column had suffered, and no +doubt the entire force had been disorganized, and sent helter-skelter +for safety. Yet they would come back--either they or others. This muss +must be cleaned up; this opening closed. After that we could attend our +dead and wounded. I gave a dozen swift orders, and Miles instantly took +command. The imprisoned bodies were dragged out from underneath the +door, the heavy log taken into the hall, the door itself torn from its +remaining hinges and forced back into position, the log, one end resting +against the stairs, being utilized as a brace. If anything it was now +stronger than before for purposes of defence. We had barely completed +this work when Mahoney came out into the hall, his head bound up with a +blood-soaked rag. + +"A foine, lively shindy, Leftenant," he said, grinning amiably. "Bedad, +but Oi thought they had us that last toime--Oi did that." He glanced +about curiously. "An' ye must hav' had it hot in here too." + +"It was hand to hand, Sergeant, and we lost some men--four dead. How did +you fare along your side of the house?" + +"Three kilt, an' maybe a dozen wounded. Oi got chipped up myself, but +only the skin av me. Those lads come up fierce, sorr, an' they'd 'a' +made it too, only fer our ravolvers. We must have shot a dozen of 'em +right in the winders." + +"And the rest of the house--do you know how they came out?" + +"Oi do, sorr; Oi've made the rounds. There's one man shot in the +kitchen, but nobody got hurted up stairs." + +"And our men?" I asked eagerly. "From those upper windows did you see +any sign of troops down in the ravine?" + +He shook his head. + +"Not a domn thing, sorr." + +I looked into the faces clustered around us--blackened, savage faces, +still marked by the fierce animalism of battle--feeling to the full the +desperation of our position. + +"Well, lads," I said soberly, "there is no use hiding the truth from +you. I know you'll fight to the end, and that won't be long coming, +unless help gets here. We can never repulse another assault; we've got +eight men killed, and more than that wounded now--the next time we'll +all go. What do you say--shall we hold on, hoping?" + +"Oi'm fer doin' it, sorr," broke in Mahoney, "an' Oi'm spakin' fer ivery +Irishmon in H troop." + +"And you, Miles?" + +"I'm not so bloomin' fond of a fight, Lieutenant," he said, scratching +his head, "but I like to stay fighting after I once get started. Ain't +that about the size of it, boys?" + +Several heads nodded, and one fellow growled, + +"Hell! we kin giv' 'em the same dose a third time." + +"I don't expect that, Sims," I returned. "But those other fellows ought +to be up any minute now. Anyway we'll have a breathing spell, for the +Johnnies must have had enough to last them a few minutes. How is the +ammunition?" + +"'Bout twenty rounds apiece left." + +"Then get to work, men; load up and strengthen every weak spot. We'll +put up the best show we can. What did you want, Foster?" + +The man addressed, a slim, awkward fellow, his spindle legs conspicuous +under the short cavalry jacket, jerked off his cap in embarrassment. + +"Why nuthin' much, sir," he stammered. "I ain't no objections to goin' +on with the fightin', only if we're so sartain to catch hell it don't +seem exactly right fer us to keep that thar young gal here in the house. +She ain't no combatant, sir, an' dern me if I don't think she ought to +be got outside first." + +"Girl! What girl?" I cried, believing I must have misunderstood. "What +is it you are trying to say, man?" + +The soldier jerked his thumb back over his shoulder. + +"The one in thar behind the stairs," he explained slowly. "Tom Ragan he +made her go thar when the rumpus begun, an' then Tom he got killed. +Ain't that the way of it, Talbot?" + +"Sure," chimed in the other. "It is the same one that was in the parlor +last night, sir. She don't seem scared, ner nuthin' like that, only +Ragan told her she'd got to stay thar. I heard 'em talkin', an' she said +she wanted you." + +"What did Ragan answer?" now thoroughly aroused to the knowledge this +must be Billie. + +"He only told her to git right back in thar, an' keep still. It was just +as that whole caboodle come tearin' up this las' time, sir. It wan't no +safe place fer a girl whar you was. Ragan he promised to tell you, only +he got hit 'fore the fracas was done. That's why Foster chirked up, an' +that's all of it." + +The man had made it clear as far as he understood. There were no more +questions to ask him, and I could only hope to uncover the mystery of +her presence through the confession of her own lips. She had not gone +over to the enemy then; had never left the house; instead, was seeking +me. It was all so strange that I stood a moment bewildered, striving to +reason the affair out, before attempting to approach the girl. What +could have occurred? Where could she have hidden? Why, indeed, had she +thus endeavored to conceal herself from both her father and myself? The +troopers had scattered in obedience to orders, a few remaining at the +openings watchful for any hostile movement without, before I ventured +down the hall. It was dark behind the stairs, but she saw me instantly, +greeting me with a little cry of delight and a quick outstretching of +the hands. + +"I am so glad you have come! I--I haven't known what to do." + +"If I had supposed you still in the house," I explained, "I should have +been with you before." + +"But I sent word; I told the soldier it was most important." + +"That was Ragan, Miss Billie--a big fellow, with red moustache?--he was +killed." + +"Killed! Oh, in the attack; yet--yet you still hold the house, do you +not?" + +"Yes, or I certainly should not be here with you. We have repulsed two +assaults, but have lost heavily, and can scarcely hope to come safely +through another. Before it is made I must get you away." + +"Out of the house, you mean?" + +"Yes, and at once. We have made such a spirited defence that when we are +finally overpowered there will be little mercy shown. Not even your sex +would protect you, even if you were fortunate enough to escape flying +bullets. Your father is with Chambers, and, no doubt, the Confederate +commander out yonder will forward you to his care. I will take you to +him under a flag of truce." + +We were out where the light shown upon us dimly, yet sufficiently to +reveal expressions. Her face was colorless, but her eyes exhibited +no fear. + +"Wait, Lieutenant Galesworth," she insisted, still clinging to my hand. +"I must understand better, and you must hear first what I have to tell. +Why did father leave the house without me?" + +"We both believed you had already gone." + +"I? That was a strange supposition." + +"Not at all; you had disappeared; we could discover no trace of you +anywhere. Your father reported that you had overheard all that occurred +in the hall below--the arrival of reinforcements, my orders to defend +the house, the Federal plan of attack. Major Hardy told you his parole +prevented him from reporting this discovery, yet no pledge of honor +bound you. What else could I think, but that you had escaped into the +Confederate lines with the news?" + +She stared into my face, breathing heavily, yet without speaking. Then +she released the clasp of my hand, and leaned back against the wall, +shading her eyes. + +"Do not misunderstand me, Billie," I urged anxiously. "I could never +have blamed you. I sent that word to you through your father. You are a +daughter of the South, and I honored your loyalty. There was no reason +why you should not sacrifice me for the sake of the cause." + +"Are you sorry I did not?" + +"No, far from it, and--and, Billie, it is not the first time; does it +mean--" + +"It means nothing," she broke in, "except a strange combination of +circumstances. I did think of all this; it came to me in a flash. I +realized that it was undoubtedly my duty, and--and, perhaps I should +have found courage to attempt the task. I went to my room tempted, my +purpose swayed by the call of the South, and--and my friendship for you. +I had to be disloyal somewhere, and--and it was so hard to choose. I am +glad you do not blame me, but I believe I should have gone, just as you +thought I did, except for what happened." + +A shell exploded near the corner of the house, shaking the whole +structure, the fragments tearing into the wood. She caught me by the +arm, and I held her tightly, with face buried on my shoulder. + +"We must be quick," I urged. "Those are Federal shells overshooting +their mark, but one may strike the house at any moment. Tell me what it +was that happened." + +"It seems so unreal now," she faltered, her whole form trembling, "that +I hardly know how to tell it--yet every word is true. I--I have captured +the murderer of Captain Le Gaire." + +"You have! Who was he?" + +"I cannot tell; I--I haven't even seen the man's face, but--but he is +one of your soldiers." + +"Impossible! There is not one of our men unaccounted for. I could call +every trooper of our first company here now to confront you, except two +who have been killed. The fellow does not belong to us." + +"Well, he wears your uniform," and she drew back indignantly, "even to +having the buttons removed. You must believe me, for I can prove it; I +can take you to where he is." + +"Where?" + +"Down cellar, in the place where you had the Confederate prisoners +confined. He--he is locked in there; I held the door against him, and +dropped the bar." + +I looked at her in speechless wonder, a wonder not untinged by +admiration and love. She was standing now, erect, facing me, her cheeks +reddening under my direct gaze. + +"I am going to make you believe," she insisted. "I will tell you how it +happened, and then you shall take some men with you, and go down there, +and bring the man up. No, I want to tell you about it first--- please, +please listen." + +"Would you mind if I call Miles, and then you can tell your story to +both of us?" I asked. "The fellow is armed, is he not; and I shall need +to take some one along with me?" + +"Yes, the man has a revolver. You mean the sergeant? I do not mind +telling him." + +I hurried back to the front of the house, more anxious to be assured as +to what was going on outside than to discover Miles. Yet there was +nothing alarming, even the cavalry regiment having been withdrawn across +the pike. Without a question the sergeant followed me back to where the +girl waited. + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +HER STORY + +She remained exactly as I had left her, leaning against the wall in the +slight recess left by the stairs, and she recognized the sergeant with +an inclination of the head, although her eyes were upon me. + +"Your friends outside seem inclined to allow us a few moments in which +to investigate this matter," I said. "But we shall need to hurry. This +is Miles, and I want you to tell the entire story from the beginning." + +My tone was incisive, and she responded as though to an order. + +"I will be brief," she began. "My father and I were at the head of the +stairs when your reinforcements came. We were merely waiting there to +make sure you had left the house. Yet we could not fail to overhear what +was said, and to at once realize the importance of the information. I +spoke of it to Major Hardy, but he felt himself still under parole, +bound by his word of honor. I was under no such obligation, however, +and, for the moment it seemed as though my whole duty demanded that I +should escape immediately, and bear this news to the nearest Confederate +commander. Nothing else, no other obligation appeared as important as +this. It was not that I wished to harm you, or to betray you to possible +death or imprisonment, but it seemed to me all that was personal should +be forgotten in duty to the cause of the South. It--it did hurt me, +Lieutenant Galesworth," her voice suddenly changing into a plea, "but I +believed it to be right, to be what I should do." + +"I understand fully; we both respect your convictions." + +Miles nodded gravely, but said nothing, and the girl hurried on, yet +with evident relief. + +"I started back to my room with that intention--your men were all at the +front of the house; it would be easy to slip down the back stairs, leave +by the kitchen door, and run for the stable. I knew father would oppose +my plan, and so I said nothing to him about it. Indeed it all came to me +in a flash, and, almost before I knew it I was back in my own room ready +to act. I passed out the side door into the next room, which would bring +me nearer the back stairs, believing I would thus be less exposed to +Major Hardy's observation. I glanced out first, and saw him beside the +front window at the opposite end of the hall. He was intent upon the +battle, the noise of which was deafening. The firing was so continuous +and so near at hand--the very house shaking--that I almost lost my +nerve. Then I turned my head and looked the other way, and there, back +in the shadows of the ell hallway, in almost exactly the same spot where +I had seen him before, stood one of your soldiers. He had his revolver +out in his hand, and was crouching forward in such a way that his hat +brim almost totally concealed his face, but I knew instinctively that he +was the same man I saw last night. And--and he was watching father." + +Her voice broke, and she pressed her hands to her eyes, as though to +blot out the memory, yet her hesitancy was but for an instant. + +"I didn't know what to do. If I cried out, or made any alarm, I was +afraid he would fire. My father was standing unconsciously, his back +toward him, unarmed. I cannot tell you how frightened I was, for, +somehow, the man did not seem real; I--I felt as I have sometimes in +dreams. But I had to do something, something desperate. There was an old +gun standing back of the door--just a relic, and unloaded. Yet it +occurred to me it might answer, might serve to frighten the fellow. I +slipped back, grasped it, and returned, but--when I looked out again he +was gone." + +She took a deep breath, and I heard Miles clinch and unclinch his hands. + +"Maybe it was just a ghost, Miss, or a shadow," he interrupted hoarsely, +"for I swear to God there wasn't none of our men up there--you know +that, Lieutenant." + +"We called the roll in the front hall not ten minutes before, anyhow," I +replied, still looking at Billie, "and I hardly see how any of them got +away after that." + +"I--I almost believed the same thing," she confessed, speaking swiftly. +"As I said, it did not seem exactly real from the first, yet I had to +trust my own eyes, and I saw him almost as plainly as I see you two now. +Then he was gone; gone so quickly I could not conceive the possibility +of it. The whole affair appeared imaginary, a matter of nerves. It was +an hallucination; out of my own brain, it seemed, I had conjured up that +crouching figure. I had overheard your roll-call, and realized no +trooper could have been there. I even convinced myself that it was all a +fantasy. I was so certain of it that I stole out into the hall, and +peered down the back stairs. I was frightened, so frightened I shook +from head to foot, but it was because my nerves were all unstrung. I +was sure by this time there had been no one there, and forced myself to +investigate. I saw nothing, heard nothing, and step by step advanced +clear to the back window, and looked out. Then, without the slightest +warning, something was thrown over my head, and I was utterly helpless +in the vice-like clutch of an arm. I cannot explain how startled, how +helpless I was. It occurred so suddenly I could not even cry out, could +scarcely struggle. I was instantly stifled, and left weak as a child. I +know I did make an effort to break away, but the cloth was clutched +closer about my face, and the assailant's grip hurled me to the floor. +The horror was more intense because he never uttered a sound; because I +was in the dark, my mind still dazed by conjecture, and--and I fainted." + +The dramatic intensity with which she told this held us speechless. Her +hands were to her face, and I took them away, holding them tightly. + +"Go on, Billie," I urged gently. "It was a man then, after all." + +"Yes, it was certainly a man, yet I did not really know it until he had +carried me, unconscious, down the back stairs into the kitchen. I came +to myself then, but remained dazed, and only partially comprehended what +occurred. I could see nothing, as he had knotted the cloth about my +head so tightly I could hardly breathe. But I could judge something from +sounds, and I knew he was a man, because he swore once. I think he +intended to leave me lying there, and himself escape through the back +door. I know he lifted the bar and looked out. It was then he shut the +door again quickly, and became profane. Something he saw outside +compelled a change of plan, for he came back quickly, dragged the table +to one side, and opened the trap leading down into the cellar. Whoever +he was he evidently knew all about the house. Then, he caught me up +again, took me down the steps in his arms, and dropped me at the foot, +while he ran back and shut the trap. I was nearly smothered by this +time, scarcely half conscious, and the man must have realized my +condition, for, when he came back, he loosened the wrap about my face. +This enabled me to breathe again freely, but I was so weak I could not +get up, and he was obliged to drag me across the cellar floor. I +struggled still to escape, and succeeded in getting the cloth lifted so +I could see out a little with one eye, but the light was poor, and the +man kept hidden behind where I couldn't get even a glimpse of his face." + +One of the men passed us going back into the kitchen, and she paused a +moment until he had gone by, Miles and I waiting impatiently. + +"He didn't seem to know what to do with me. I don't think he intended +any injury, and only seemed anxious to escape himself. I tried to talk, +but he would not answer a word. After the first attempt I was not so +much afraid of him, although he was rough enough when I tried to get +away. You know how the cellar is divided off into compartments. Well, he +discovered the one with the door, where you put your prisoners, and +dragged me in there. I knew he meant to close the door and leave me, but +he thought me so weak and helpless that, after we were once inside, he +walked across to test the iron bars at the windows. I don't know how I +did it; I couldn't have stood alone a moment before, but, all at once, +it seemed as if I must, and I made the effort. I think I crawled out, +for I can scarcely remember now even how it was done, but I slammed the +door shut, and dropped the bar across. I heard him pounding and swearing +inside, but was certain he couldn't get out. I didn't faint, but I lay +down there quite a while, so completely exhausted I could scarcely lift +my hand. I could hear him digging at the wood of the door with a knife, +and the awful firing outside and up stairs. I knew the house was being +attacked, and then when it became quiet again, I was equally sure you +had driven the Confederates back. By that time I was able to get to my +feet once more, and felt my way forward to the front stairs, for I knew +I could never lift the trap. In the hall I met the soldier, and he made +me hide here behind the stairs because the fight had begun again." + +"And you never saw the man's face, Miss?" questioned the sergeant. + +"No; he seemed to try and keep out of sight, and, in the cellar, it was +too dark for me to distinguish features a few feet away. He acted as +though afraid I might possibly recognize and identify him." + +"You can give no description? He reminded you of no one you had ever +seen?" + +She was trying to think, to recall every detail to memory, but only +shook her head. + +"He was not a large man, rather slenderly built, but strong; young, I +think--the same one I saw before and told you about, Lieutenant +Galesworth, and he wore the same uniform." + +My eyes turning from her face encountered Miles; and he burst out, + +"I'm jiggered if this don't beat me, sir. Of course the lady is telling +the truth, but where did that buck ever get one o' our uniforms? We +didn't bring no change o' costume along, an' I could tell you now, +within ten feet, where every one o' the lads is posted. They ain't any +of 'em been long 'nough out o' my sight to pull off this kind of a +stunt, an' every mother's son of 'em has got his own clothes on. An' +somehow her description don't just exactly fit any of our boys. Who do +you reckon the sucker is?" + +"I have given up guessing, Sergeant," I answered brusquely, "and am +going to find out. If he is down below in the cellar we will be at the +bottom of all this mystery in about three minutes. Come on with me. No, +the two of us are enough. Miss Billie, you had better remain here." + +"But," catching me by the sleeve, "he is armed; he has a revolver and a +knife." + +"Don't worry about that," and I caught the restraining hand in my own. +"One of us will open the door, and the other have the fellow covered +before he knows what to do. Come on, Miles." + +It seemed dark below, descending as we did suddenly from out the glare +of the upper hall, and we had to grope our way forward from the foot of +the stairs. I saw Billie follow us a few steps, and then stop, leaning +over to witness all she could. I was a step or so in advance of Miles, +and had drawn my revolver. The cellar was as quiet as a grave. I felt +my way along the wall toward where I remembered this special door to be, +endeavoring to make no noise. My eyes could discern outlines better by +this time, and, as we approached, I became convinced the door we sought +stood ajar. I stopped, startled at the unexpected discovery, and began +feeling about for the bar; it was not in the socket. What could this +mean? Had Billie told us a false story, or had her prisoner, by some +magical means, escaped? She had said he was hacking at the wood with a +knife; could he have cut a hole through sufficiently large to permit of +his lifting the bar? This seemed scarcely possible, yet no other theory +suggested itself, and I stepped rather recklessly forward to +investigate. My foot struck against a body on the floor, and, but for +Miles, I should have fallen. A moment we stood there breathless, and +then he struck a match. A man lay at our feet, face downward, clad in +Federal cavalry uniform, about him a shallow pool of blood. + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +THE DEAD MAN + +The match flared out, burning Miles' fingers so he dropped it still +glowing on the floor. We could yet distinguish dimly the outlines of the +man's form at our feet, and I heard Billie come down the stairs behind +us. There was no other sound, except our breathing. + +"Strike another, Sergeant," I commanded, surprised by the sound of my +own voice, "and we'll see who the fellow is." + +He experienced difficulty making it light, but at last the tiny blaze +illumined the spot where we stood. I bent over, dreading the task, and +turned the dead man's face up to the flare. He was a man of middle age, +wearing a closely trimmed chin beard. I failed to recognize the +countenance, and glanced up questioningly at Miles just as he uttered an +exclamation of surprise. + +"It's one of Mahoney's fellows, sir," he asserted sharply. "Burke's the +name." + +"Then he couldn't possibly be the same man Miss Hardy saw up stairs +that first time." + +"No, sir, this don't help none to clear that affair up. But it's Burke +all right, an' he's had a knife driven through his heart. What do you +ever suppose he could 'a' been doin' down here?" + +"Where was he stationed?" + +"He was with me till that last shindy started; then when you called for +more men in the kitchen I sent him an' Flynn out there." + +Miles lit a third match, and I looked about striving to piece together +the evidence. I began to think I understood something of what had +occurred. This soldier, Burke, was a victim, not an assailant. He lay +with his hand still clasping the bar which had locked the door. He had +been stabbed without warning, and whoever did the deed had escaped over +the dead body. I stepped back to where I could see the full length of +the cellar; the trap door leading up into the kitchen stood wide open. +Convinced this must be the way Burke had come down, I walked over to the +narrow stairs, and thrust my head up through the opening. There were six +men in the room, and they stared at me in startled surprise, but came +instantly to their feet. + +"When did Burke go down cellar?" I asked briefly. + +The man nearest turned to his fellows, and then back toward me, feeling +compelled to answer. + +"'Bout ten minutes ago, wasn't it, boys?" + +"Not mor 'n that, sir." + +"What was he after?" + +"Well, we got sorter dry after that las' scrimmage, an' Jack here said +he reckoned thar'd be something ter drink down stairs; he contended that +most o' these yer ol' houses had plenty o' good stuff hid away. Finally +Burke volunteered to go down, an' see what he could find. We was waitin' +fer him to com' back. What's happened ter Burke, sir?" + +"Knifed." + +"Killed! Burke killed! Who did it?" + +"That is exactly what I should like to find out. There is some one in +this house masquerading in our uniform who must be insane. He killed a +Confederate captain this morning, crushed in his skull with a revolver +butt, and now he has put a knife into Burke. Has any one come up +these steps?" + +"Not a one, sir." + +"And I was at the head of the other stairs. Then he is hiding in the +cellar yet." + +Suddenly I remembered that Billie was below exposed to danger; in that +semi-darkness the murderous villain might creep upon her unobserved. +The thought sent a cold chill to my heart, and I sprang down again to +the stone floor. + +"Three of you come down, and bring up the body," I called back. "Then +we'll hunt the devil." + +She had not left the lower step of the front stairs, but caught my hands +as though the darkness, the dread uncertainty, had robbed her of +all reserve. + +"What is it?" she asked. "I do not understand what has happened." + +"The man you locked up has escaped," I explained, holding her tightly to +me, the very trembling of her figure yielding me courage. "I haven't the +entire story, but this must be the way of it: One of the men on duty in +the kitchen came down here hunting for liquor. Either the prisoner +called to him, and got him to open the door, or else he took down the +bar while searching. Anyway we found the door ajar, and the +soldier dead." + +"Then--then the--the other one is down here somewhere still," cowering +closer against me, and staring about through the gloom. "Who--who are +those men?" + +"Soldiers coming for Burke's body--he was the trooper killed. Don't be +afraid, dear--I am here with you now." + +"Oh, I know; I would not be frightened, only it is all so horrible. I +am never afraid when I can see and understand what the danger is. You do +not believe me a silly girl?" + +"You are the one woman of my heart, Billie," I whispered, bending until +my lips brushed her ear. "Don't draw away, little girl. This is no time +to say such things, I know, but all our life together has been under +fire. It is danger which has brought us to each other." + +"Oh, please, please don't." + +"Why? Are you not willing to hear me say 'I love you'?" + +Her eyes lifted to mine for just an instant, and I felt the soft +pressure of her hand. + +"Not now; not here," and she drew away from me slightly. "You cannot +understand, but I feel as though I had no right to love. I bring +misfortune to every one. I cannot help thinking of Captain Le Gaire, and +it seems as if his death was all my fault. I cannot bear to have you say +that now, here," and she shuddered. "When we do not even know how he was +killed, or who killed him. It is not because I do not care, not that I +am indifferent. I hardly know myself." + +"Billie," I broke in, "I do understand far better than you suppose. This +affair tests us both. But, dear, I do not know what five minutes may +bring. We shall be attacked again; I expect the alarm every instant, and +I may not come out alive. I must know first that you love me--know it +from your own lips." + +She was silent, it seemed to me a long, long while. The three soldiers +went by carrying the dead body, and Miles came to the foot of the +stairs, saw us, and passed along without speaking. Outside was the dull, +continuous roar of musketry, mingled with an occasional yell. Then she +held out both hands, and looked me frankly in the face. + +"I am going to be honest," she said softly. "I have loved you ever since +we were at Jonesboro; I--love you now." + +I knew this before she spoke; had known it almost from the beginning, +and yet her words, the message of her uplifted eyes, gave me a new +conception of all love meant. A moment I gazed into the blue-gray depths +where her heart was revealed, and then my arms were about her, and our +lips met. Surely no one ever received the gift of love in stranger +situation. On the stairs leading down into that gloomy cellar where a +murderer hid, his victim borne past as we talked; all about us silence +and gloom hiding a mysterious crime; above us the heavy feet of men +treading the echoing floor, and without the ceaseless roar of battle, +volleying musketry, and hoarse shouting. Yet it was all forgotten--the +fierce fighting of the past, the passions of war, the sudden death, the +surrounding peril--and we knew only we were together, alone, the words +of love upon our lips. I felt the pressure of her arms, and crushed her +to me, every nerve throbbing with delight. + +"Sweetheart, sweetheart," I whispered, "you have kept me in doubt so +long." + +"It has only been because I also doubted," she answered,--"not my love, +but my right to love. To a Hardy honor is everything, and I was bound by +honor. Dear, could you ever think a uniform made any difference?--it is +the man I love." She drew gently back, holding me from her, and yet our +eyes met. "But we must not remain here, thinking only of ourselves, when +there is so much to be done. Remember what is down there, and what +scenes of horror surround us. You have work to do." + +The way in which she spoke aroused me as from a dream, yet with a +question upon my lips. + +"Yes," I said, "and we are in midst of war--in this are we yet enemies?" + +"I am a Southerner," smiling softly, "and I hope the South wins. My +father is out yonder fighting, if he be not already down, and I would do +my best to serve his cause. Do you care for me less because I +confess this?" + +"No." + +"But now," she went on, more softly still, her words barely audible, "my +heart is with you here; with you, because I love you." + +We both glanced up swiftly, startled by the sound of heavy steps in the +upper hall. A man's head was thrust through the half-opened door at the +top of the stairs. Apparently he could not see any distance through the +gloom, and I hailed him, although still retaining my clasp of the +girl's hand. + +"What is it, my man?" + +"Sergeant Mahoney told me to find the lieutenant." + +"Well, you have; I am the one sought. What's happening?" + +"They're a-comin', sorr," his voice hoarse with excitement, and waving +one hand toward the front of the house, "an' thar's goin' ter be hell +ter pay this toime" + +"You mean the gray-backs? From the front? What force?" + +"Domn'd if Oi know; Oi wasn't seein' out thar--the sergeant told me." + +I could not leave Billie down there alone, nor the door open. Whoever +the crazed assassin was, he must still remain somewhere in the cellar, +watching for an opportunity to escape. But I was needed above to direct +the defence. It seemed to me I thought of a thousand things in an +instant,--of my desire to clear up the mystery, of my orders to hold the +house, of Willifred Hardy's danger,--and I had but the one instant in +which to decide. The next I made my choice, at least until I could +discover the exact situation for myself. + +"Come," I said soberly. + +I closed the door, and faced the trooper. + +"You remain here with the lady. Don't leave her for a moment except as I +order. Keep your revolver drawn, and your eyes on that door. Do you +understand?" + +"Oi do, sorr." + +"She will explain what you are to guard against. I'll be back to you in +a moment, Billie." + +I caught one glimpse out through the south windows as I passed the door +of the dining-room--moving troops covered the distance, half concealed +under clouds of smoke, but none were facing toward us. On the floor, +behind the barricades, a dozen of my men were peering out along the +brown carbine barrels, eager and expectant, cartridges piled beside +them on the floor. At the front door I encountered Mahoney, so excited +he could hardly talk. + +"What is it?" I questioned swiftly. "An attack in front?" + +"It's the big guns, sorr; be gorry, they're goin' to shell us out, an' +whar the hell was them reinforcemints, Oi'd loike to know!" + +"So would I. If it's artillery we may as well hoist a white flag. Here, +my lad, let me look." + +A glance was sufficient. Just within the gate, barely beyond reach of +our weapons, with a clear stretch of lawn between, was a battery of four +guns, already in position, the caissons at the rear, the cannoneers +pointing the muzzles. Back of these grim dogs was a supporting column of +infantry, leaning on their muskets. There was no doubting what was +meant. Angered by loss, Chambers had dragged these commands out of the +battle to wipe us clean. He was taking no more chances--now he would +blow the house into bits, and bury us in the ruins. What should I do? +What ought I to do? The entire burden of decision was mine. Must I +sacrifice these men who had already fought so desperately? Should I +expose Billie to almost certain death? Surely we had done our full duty; +we had held the house for hours, driving back two fierce assaults. The +fault was not ours, but those laggards out yonder. I would tell Mahoney +and Miles I was going to put out a white flag; that further resistance +was useless. Miles! With remembrance of the name I recalled where the +man was--down below searching for the murderer. I sprang back, passing +Billie and her guard, and flung open the door. + +"Miles," I cried into the silent darkness, "we need you up here at +once." + +There was just a moment of tense waiting, and then a gruff voice +sounding afar off, + +"I can't, sir, I've got him." + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE LAST STAND + +I had no time to answer, no opportunity to even realize what was meant. +There was a fiendish roar, a crash that shook the house to its very +foundations, sending us staggering back against the walls. I remember +gripping Billie closely, and seeing her white face, even as I warded off +with uplifted arm the falling plaster. The soldier was on his knees, +grovelling with face against the floor. A great jagged hole appeared in +the opposite wall, and I could see daylight through it. My ears roared, +my brain reeled. + +"Lie down," I cried, forcing her to the floor. "Both of you lie down!" + +"And you--you!" + +I caught a glimpse of her eyes staring up at me, her arms uplifted. + +"I am going to stop this," I answered, "and you must stay here." + +I stumbled over the rubbish, with but one thought driving me--the +dining-room table, its white cloth, and the possibility of getting +outside before those deadly guns could be discharged again. I knew the +house was already in ruins, tottering, with huge gaping holes ripped in +its sides; that dead men littered the floor; and the walls threatened to +fall and bury us. Another round would complete the horror, would crush +us into dust. I gripped the cloth, jerking it from the table, stumbling +blindly toward the nearest glare of light. There was a pile of shattered +furniture in the way, and I tore a path through, hurling the fragments +to left and right. I smelt the fumes of powder, the odor of plaster, and +heard groans and cries. The sharp barking of carbines echoed to me, and +a wild yell rose without. There were others living in the room; I was +aware of their voices, of the movement of forms. Yet all was chaos, +bewildering confusion. I had but the single thought, could conceive only +the one thing. I was outside, gripping the white cloth, clinging with +one hand to the shattered casing. Some one called, but the words died +out in the roar of musketry. The flame of carbines seemed in my very +face, the crack of revolvers at my ears. Then a hand jerked me back head +first into the debris. I staggered to my knees, only to hear +Mahoney shout, + +"They're coomin', lads, they're coomin'! Howly Mary, we've got 'em now!" + +"Who's coming?" + +"Our own fellars, sorr! They're risin' out o' the groun' yonder loike +so many rats. Here they are, byes! Now ter hell wid 'em!" + +His words flashed the whole situation back to my consciousness. The +house still stood, wrecked by cannon, but yet a protection. To the left +our troops were swarming out of the ravine, and forming for a charge, +while in front, under the concealment of the smoke, believing us already +helpless, the Confederate infantry were rushing forward to complete +their work of destruction. We must hold out now, five minutes, ten +minutes, if necessary. I got to my feet, gripping a carbine. I knew not +if I had a dozen men behind me, but the fighting spirit had come again. + +"To the openings, men! To the openings!" I shouted. "Beat them back!" + +I heard the rush of feet, the shout of hoarse voices, the crash of +furniture flung aside. Bullets from some firing line chugged into the +wall; the room was obscured by smoke, noisy with the sharp report of +guns. I could dimly see the figures of men struggling forward, and I +also made for the nearest light, stumbling over the debris. But we were +too late. Already the gray mass were upon the veranda, battering in the +door, clambering through the windows, dashing recklessly at every hole +cleft by the plunging shells. Rifles flared in our faces; steel +flashed, as blade or bayonet caught the glare; clubbed muskets fell in +sweep of death; and men, maddened by the fierce passion of war, pushed +and hacked their way against our feeble defence, hurling us back, +stumbling, fighting, cursing, until they also gained foothold with us on +the bloody floor. The memory of it is but hellish delirium, a +recollection of fiends battling in a strange glare, amid stifling smoke, +their faces distorted with passion, their muscles strained to the +uttermost, their only desire to kill. Uniform, organization, were alike +blotted out; we scarcely recognized friend or foe; shoulder to shoulder, +back to back we fought with whatever weapon came to hand. I heard the +crack of rifles; saw the leaping flames of discharge, the dazzle of +plunging steel, the downward sweep of musket stocks. There were crash of +blows, the thud of falling bodies, cries of agony, and yells of +exultation. I was hurled back across the table by the rush, yet fell +upon my feet. The room seemed filled with dead men; I stepped upon them +as I struggled for the door. There were others with me--who, or how +many, I knew not. They were but grim, battling demons, striking, +gouging, firing. I saw the gleam of knives, the gripping of fingers, the +mad outshooting of fists. I was a part of it, and yet hardly realized +what I was doing. I had lost all consciousness save the desire to +strike. I know I shouted orders into the din, driving my carbine at +every face fronting me; I know others came through the smoke cloud, and +we hurled them back, fairly cleaving a lane through them to the hall +door. I recall stumbling over dead bodies, of having a wounded man +clutch at my legs, of facing that mob with whirling gun stock until the +last fugitive was safely behind me, and then being hurled back against +the wall by sudden rush. + +How I got there I cannot tell, but I was in the hall, my clothing a mass +of rags, my body aching from head to foot, and still struggling. About +me were men, my own men--pressed together back to back, meeting as best +they could the tide pouring against them from two sides. Remorselessly +they hurled us back, those behind pushing the front ranks into us. We +fought with fingers, fists, clubbed revolvers, paving the floor with +bodies, yet inch by inch were compelled to give way, our little circle +narrowing, and wedged tighter against the wall. Mahoney had made the +stairs, and fought there like a demon until some one shot him down. I +saw three men lift the great log which had barricaded the door, and hurl +it crashing against the gray mass. But nothing could stop them. I felt +within me the strength of ten men; the carbine stock shattered, I swung +the iron barrel, striking until it bent in my hands. I was dazed by a +blow in the face, blood trickled into my eyes where a bullet had grazed +my forehead, one shoulder smarted as though burned by fire, yet it never +occurred to me to cease fighting. Again and again the men rallied to my +call, devils incarnate now, only to have their formation shattered by +numbers. We went back, back, inch by inch, slipping in blood, falling +over our own dead, until we were pinned against the wall. How many were +on their feet then I shall never know, but I was in the narrow passage +beside the stairs alone. Out of the clangor and confusion, the yells and +oaths, there came a memory of Billie. My God! I had forgotten! and she +was there, crouching in the blackness, not five feet away. The thought +gave me the reckless strength of insanity. My feet were upon a rubbish +heap of plaster, where a shell had shaken the ceiling to the floor. It +gave me vantage, a height from which to strike. Never again will I fight +as I did then. Twice they came, and I beat them back, the iron club +sweeping a death circle. Somewhere out from the murk two men joined me, +one with barking revolver, the other with gleam of steel; together we +blocked the passage. Some one on the stairs above reached over, striking +with his gun, and the man at my right went down. I caught a glimpse of +the other's face--it was Miles. Then, behind us, about us, rose a cheer; +something sent me reeling over against the wall, striking it with my +head, and I lost consciousness. + +I doubt if to exceed a minute elapsed before I was able to lift my head +sufficiently to see about me. Across my body sprang a Federal officer, +and behind him pressed a surging mass of blue-clad men. They trod on me +as though I were dead, sweeping their way forward with plunging steel. +Others poured out of the parlor, and fought their way in through the +shattered front door. It was over so quickly as to seem a dream--just a +blue cloud, a cheer, a dozen shots, those heavy feet crunching me, the +flicker of weapons, a shouted order, and then the hall was swept bare of +the living, and we lay there motionless under the clouds of smoke. The +swift reaction left me weak as a child, yet conscious, able to realize +all within range of my vision. My fingers still gripped the carbine +barrel, and dripping blood half blinded me. Between where I lay and the +foot of the stairs were bodies heaped together, dead and motionless most +of them, but with here and there a wounded man struggling to extricate +himself. They were clad in gray and blue, but with clothing so torn, so +blackened by powder, or reddened by blood, as to be almost +indistinguishable. The walls were jabbed and cut, the stair-rail +broken, the chandelier crushed into fragments. Somehow my heart seemed +to rise up into my throat and choke me--we had accomplished it! We had +held the house! Whether for death or life, we had performed our duty. + +I could hear the echoing noises without; above the moans and cries, +nearer at hand, and even drowning the deep roar of the guns, sounded the +sturdy Northern cheers. They were driving them, and after the fight, +those same lads would come back, tender as women, and care for us. It +was not so bad within, now the smoke was drifting away, and nothing +really hurt me except my shoulder. It was the body lying half across me +that held me prone, and I struggled vainly to roll it to one side. But I +had no strength, and the effort was vain. The pain made me writhe and +moan, my face beaded with perspiration. A wounded man lifted his arm +from out a tangled heap of dead, and fired a revolver up into the +ceiling; I saw the bullet tear through the plaster, and the hand sink +back nerveless, the fingers dropping the weapon. The sounds of battle +were dying away to the eastward; I could distinguish the volleys of +musketry from the roar of the big guns. I worked my head about, little +by little, until I was able to see the face of the man lying across me. +It was ghastly white, except where blood discolored his cheek, and I +stared without recognition. Then I knew he must be Miles. Oh, yes, I +remembered; he had come up at the very last, he and another man, and one +had been knocked down when the stair-rail broke. I wondered how they +came to be there; who the other man was. I felt sorry for Miles, sorry +for that girl back in Illinois he had told me about. I reached back and +touched his hand--it felt warm still, and, in some manner, I got my +fingers upon his pulse. It beat feebly. Then he was not dead--not dead! +Perhaps if I could get up, get him turned over, it might save his life. +The thought brought me strength. Here was something worthy the effort +--and I made it, gritting my teeth grimly to the pain, and bracing my +hands against the wall. Once I had to stop, faint and sick, everything +about swimming in mist; then I made the supreme effort, and turned over, +my back against the wall, and Miles' ghastly face in my lap. I sat +staring at it, half demented, utterly helpless to do more, my own body +throbbing with a thousand agonies. Some poor devil shrieked, and I +trembled and shook as though lashed by a whip. Then a hand fell softly +on my forehead, and I looked up dizzily, half believing it a dream, into +Billie's eyes. She was upon her knees beside me, her unbound hair +sweeping to the floor, her face as white as the sergeant's. + +"And you live?--you live!" she cried, as though doubting her own eyes. +"O God, I thank you!" + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + +THE MYSTERY SOLVED + +It was impossible for me to speak. Twice I endeavored, but no sound came +from my parched lips, and I think my eyes must have filled with tears, +her dear face was so blurred and indistinct. She must have understood, +for she drew my head down upon her shoulder, pressing back the matted +hair with one hand. + +"My poor boy!" she whispered sobbingly. "My poor boy!" + +"And you--you are injured?" I managed to ask with supreme effort. + +"No, not physically--but the horror of it; the thought of you in midst +of that awful fighting! Oh, I never knew before what fiends men can +become. This has taught me to hate war," and she hid her face against my +cheek. "I was in that dark corner against the wall; I saw nothing, yet +could not stop my ears. But this sight sickens me. I--I stood there +holding onto the rail staring at all those dead bodies, believing you +to be among them. I thought I should go mad, and then--then I saw you." + +Her words--wild, almost incoherent--aroused me to new strength of +purpose. To remain idle there, amid such surroundings, would wreck the +girl's reason. + +"It was a desperate struggle, lass," I said, "but there are living men +here as well as dead, and they need help. Draw this man off me, so I can +sit up against the wall. Don't be afraid, dear; that is Miles, and he is +yet alive. I felt his pulse a moment ago, and it was still beating." + +She shrank from the grewsome task, her hands trembling, her face white, +yet she drew the heavy body back, resting the head upon the pile of +plaster. The next moment her arms were about me, and I sat up supported +by her shoulder. Even this slight movement caused me to clinch my teeth +in agony, and she cried out, + +"You are hurt? Tell me the truth!" + +"My shoulder and side pain me," I admitted, "but they are nothing to +worry over. Can you find water?" + +"Yes," eager now for action. She was gone not to exceed a minute, +returning with a pail and cloth, and dropping again on her knees, began +bathing my face. + +"It is a charnel house, with dead lying everywhere. I had to step across +their bodies to get to the kitchen, and stopped to give one poor +wounded lad a drink. Oh, I never can blot this scene out; it will haunt +me in my dreams." Tears were in her eyes, and stealing down her cheeks, +but there was no faltering. Softly she bathed the wound on my head, and +bound it up. Then she kissed me. "Will they never come to help us?" she +cried, lifting her eyes from mine. "Hear that man yonder groan. What can +I do, Robert? I cannot sit still here!" + +"Try to revive Miles," I suggested, pointing to him. "You heard what he +replied when I called him just before the charge. He had caught the +murderer, and, if he dies, we may never know the man's identity. Here, +Billie, take this cloth and sprinkle water on his face. Don't mind me +any more; I am all right now." + +She started to do as I requested but had scarcely dampened the rag when +a man came in through the wrecked door, picked his way forward a couple +of steps, and stopped, staring about at the scene. Behind him were other +figures blocking the entrance. Apparently we were indistinguishable from +where he stood, for he called out, + +"Is there any one alive here?" + +I heard a weak response or two, and then answered, "A few, yes--back +here behind the stairs." + +He moved to one side, shading his eyes with one hand so as to see +better. I could tell now he wore the uniform of a Federal officer, but +was unable to distinguish his rank. The sight of the girl, standing in +the midst of all that horror, her loosened hair falling below her waist, +evidently startled him. An instant he stared toward us incredulously; +then removed his hat. + +"Who are you?" + +"I am Lieutenant Galesworth," I answered, although his question was +directed to her. "And this lady is Miss Hardy, the daughter of Major +Hardy of the Confederate army." + +"This, I believe, was the Hardy plantation?" + +"Yes--she was present throughout the fight." + +"I understand. By all the gods, I thought I had gone crazy when I first +saw her. A woman in such a scene as this seemed impossible. Here, men, +quick now," and he turned to his following, pointing. "There were +several voices answered among those lying there. Place the dead against +the wall, and," glancing through the doorway beside him, "carry the +wounded into the parlor. Corporal, you and one man come with me." + +He stepped across carefully, picking a way between the bodies. + +"Galesworth, did you say? Then you were in command here?" + +I bowed, feeling as I did so that Billie had slipped her hand into mine. + +"Great fight you made," he went on warmly. "Perfect shambles, outside +the house as well as in. Nothing like it in my experience. I am Doctor +McFarlan, Surgeon Medical Corps. Much hurt yourself?" + +"Nothing serious, I think, Doctor. Shoulder and side pain some, but I +want you to look at this fellow. He was my sergeant, and seems to +be alive." + +The shrewd gray eyes surveyed us quizzically. + +"Exactly, I see," he replied. "Love and war--the old story. Ah! that +brought a little red into your cheeks, my girl. Well, it's good for you. +Which is the man?--this one? Here, Corporal, lift his head, and you, +Jones, bring me the water; easy now." + +I drew her closer to me, our eyes on the surgeon and Miles. The former +worked with swift professionalism, forgetful of all else in his task, +yet commenting audibly. + +"Ah, a bad blow, a bad blow; however, skull intact; concussion merely. +Bullet wound right chest--must probe for it later; right arm broken; not +likely to see any more of this war. Live? Of course he'll live, so far +as I can see. Tough as a knot--country stock, and that's the best kind; +constitution pull him through. More water, Jones; that's it, my +lad--yes, you're all right now, and among friends. Lift him up higher, +Corporal. Do you begin to see things?--know that man over there?" + +Miles looked at me dully, but slowly the light of returning intelligence +came into his eyes. + +"The lieutenant?" he asked weakly, "the lieutenant?" + +"Yes, Sergeant," I replied eagerly, "we're both here, but we're about +all there is left." + +"Did they come, sir? Did our boys get here?" + +"Did they!" broke in the surgeon, his face glowing. "It was like bees +out of a hive the way they came up from that ravine. The lads had been +held back until they were mad clear through. The moment they saw what +was going on they broke for the house; never waited for orders, or +formation--just made a run for it. I guess they didn't get here any too +soon either. Well, that's all I can do for you now, son. Jones, you stay +here until I come back--you know what to do." + +Miles' eyes followed him; then he looked at the dead bodies, +shuddering, his hands to his face. When he took them down again he +seemed to see Billie for the first time. + +"You--you here, Miss! Oh, I remember now; it had been knocked plum out +o' me. Did he get away?" + +"Who?" + +"That feller who knifed Burke. I had him all right, sir, back in the +coal cellar. He'd crawled away there into one corner, an' it was dark as +hell--beg your pardon, Miss." The sergeant sank back against Jones' +shoulder, and the man wet his lips with water. "I couldn't see only the +mere outline of him, and didn't dare crawl in, for I knew he had a +knife. All I could do was cover him with a gun, an' try to make him come +out. That's what I was up to when you called. Damned if I knew what to +do then--there was some racket up stairs, let me tell you, an' I knew +there was a devil of a fight goin' on. I wanted to be in it the worst +way, but I couldn't find it in my heart to let that devil loose again. +Finally I got desperate, an' grabbed him by the leg, an' hauled him out, +spittin' and fightin' like a cat. He cut me once, before I got a grip on +his wrist, an' my gun shoved against him. Then he went weak as a rag. +But I wan't thinkin' much except about the fracas up stairs--the boys +catchin' hell, an' me not with 'em. So I didn't fool long with that +feller. I just naturally yanked him 'long with me up stairs into the +kitchen, an' flung him down against the wall. I got one glance out into +the hall, an' didn't care no more what become o' him. You was facin' the +whole mob of 'em, swingin' a gun barrel, an' I knew where I belonged. +But damned if that feller didn't startle me. He was up like a flash to +his feet, an' I thought he was trying to get me. But he wasn't. When I +run to you, he wasn't two steps behind, an' may I be jiggered, sir, if +he didn't jump in there on your right, an' fight like a wild man. That's +all I saw, just the first glimpse. He sure went into it all right, but I +don't know how he come out." + +"Well, I do; I happened to see that myself, though I hardly know how. He +was clubbed with a musket from the stairs. The man who hit him fell when +the railing broke. The two of them must be lying over there now. Who was +he, Miles? Did you know him?" + +The sergeant wiped the perspiration from his face with his sleeve, and +Jones moistened his lips again. I felt Billie's grasp tighten, and her +hair brush my cheek. + +"Well, I thought I did, sir," he admitted at last, but as though not +wholly convinced, "only I don't like to say till you have a look at the +lad. He was dead game anyhow, I'll say that for him, an' I don't feel +just sure. I never got eyes on him in daylight, an' when I yanked him +out o' the coal hole he was mostly black. Maybe that's him over +there, sir." + +The hospital squad had cleared out much of the front hall, but had not +reached the plaster pile where we had made our last stand. Those that +were left were mostly clad in gray, but over against the stairs, one leg +and arm showing, was a blue uniform. The hospital men came back, and I +called to them, + +"Sergeant, there is one of our men lying in that pile. Will you lift him +up so I can see the face?" + +This was the work of a moment only, and for an instant no one spoke. +Disfigured as the face was, blackened and bloody, there could be no +mistake in identity--it was that of Charles Le Gaire. + +"Why--why," exclaimed Billie, thunderstruck. "I know him, but I cannot +remember. Who is the man?" + +It was all clear enough to me now; I only wondered at not suspecting the +truth before. After guiding us up the ravine he had not returned to +camp, but remained, intent on revenge, feeling that this was an +opportunity for vengeance which would insure his own safety. Yet she did +not know, did not understand, and it must all be explained to her. +Miles broke in impatiently. + +"Ain't it the same nigger, sir, what brought us up here?" + +"Yes," I said, but with my eyes on the girl's face. "Billie, listen, +dear. The man was Le Gaire's servant, his slave, but also his son. He +was here with his master, but you never knew of the real relationship +between them. The boy was our guide last night, and he told me his +story--of how justly he hated Le Gaire. Shall I tell it to you now, or +wait? The doctor is coming." + +She glanced from my face up into that of the approaching surgeon. The +hospital squad, at the nod of command, were bearing the body down +the hall. + +"Tell me now." + +"It will require but a moment, dear. It was because this Charles Le +Gaire had lived here that I asked for him as a guide. He agreed to come +as far as the end of the ravine only, as he did not wish to be +recognized. Then he disappeared, and, I supposed, returned to camp. +Instead, he evidently stole into the house. He was Captain Le Gaire's +son by a slave mother. Bell told me later that the mother was sent back +into the fields, and died as a result. That would account for the hate +the boy felt against the father." + +"How--how old was he?" her trembling lips white. + +"Not over eighteen." + +Billie hid her face on my shoulder, sobbing silently. A moment the +surgeon stood looking down at us compassionately. + +"I am going to have both you and your sergeant taken up stairs," he said +at last. "Come, Miss Hardy, you have no right to break down now." + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII + +THE COMING OF THE NIGHT + +It was sundown, and silent without, except for voices and the constant +movement of men. The din of battle, the roar of guns, had ceased, and +everywhere gleamed the light of fires where the tired commands rested. +The house stood, shattered but stanch, great gaping holes in its side, +the front a mere wreck, the lower rooms in disorder, with windows +smashed, and pools of hardening blood staining the floors. Appearing +from without a ruin, it yet afforded shelter to the wounded. + +I had had my own wounds washed and cared for. They were numerous enough +and painful--an ugly slash in the side, a broken rib, the crease of a +bullet across the temple, and a shoulder crushed by a terrific blow, +together with minor bruises from head to heels--and yet none to be +considered serious. They had carried me up the shattered stairs to her +room, and I lay there bolstered up by soft pillows, and between clean +sheets, my eyes, feverish and wide-awake, seeking out the many little +things belonging to her scattered about, ever reminded of what had +occurred, and why I was there, by my own ragged, stained uniform left +lying upon a chair. I could look far away out of the northern window +from where I rested, could see the black specks of moving columns of +troops beyond the orchard, the vista extending as far as the log church, +including a glimpse of the white pike. The faint odor of near-by +camp-fires reached my nostrils, and the murmur of voices was wafted to +me on the slight breeze. Some lad was singing not far away, although the +words could not be distinguished, and from the farther distance sounded +clearly a cavalry bugle. I could hardly realize, hardly comprehend what +it all meant. It hurt me to move, and the fever made me half delirious. +I fingered the soft, white sheets almost with awe, and the pillows +seemed hot and smothering. Every apartment in the house held its quota +of wounded, and down below the busy surgeons had transformed the parlor +into an operating room. In spite of my closed door I could overhear +occasionally a cry of pain. + +Yet I was only conscious of wanting one presence--Billie. I could not +understand where she had gone, why she had left me. She had been there, +over in the far corner, her face hidden in her hands, when the surgeon +probed my wounds. She had been beside me when he went out, her soft +hand brushing back my hair. I remembered looking up at her, and seeing +tears in the gray-blue eyes. Then some one had come to the door, and, +after speaking, she came back to me, kissed me, said something softly, +and went out, leaving me alone. I could not recall what it was she said. +That must have been an hour, maybe two hours, ago, for it was already +growing dusk. I do not know whether I thought or dreamed, but I seemed +to live over again all the events of the past few days. Every incident +came before me in vividness of coloring, causing my nerves to throb. I +was riding with Billie through the early morning, and seeing her face +for the first time with the sunlight reflected in her smiling eyes; I +was facing Grant, receiving orders; I was struggling with Le Gaire, his +olive face vindictive and cruel; I was with Billie again, hearing her +voice, tantalized by her coquetry; then I was searching for Le Gaire's +murderer, and in the fight, slashing madly at the faces fronting me. It +must have been delirium, the wild fantasy of fever, for it was all so +real, leaving me staring about half crazed, every nerve throbbing. Then +I sank back dazed and tired, sobbing from the reaction, all life +apparently departed from the brain. I could not realize where I was, or +how I got there, and a memory of mother came gliding in to take +Billie's place. I was in the old room at home, the old room with the oak +tree before the window, and father's picture upon the wall at the foot +of the bed. I thought it was mother when she came in, and it was the +touch of mother's hand that fell so soft and tender upon my temple, +soothing the hot pain. Gradually the mists seemed to drift away, and I +saw the gray-blue eyes, and Billie. + +She was kneeling there beside me clasping one of my hands, and she +looked so happy, the old, girlish smile upon her lips. + +"You have been away so long," I began petulantly, but she interrupted, + +"No, dear, scarcely fifteen minutes, and I have had such good news. I +hurried back just to share it with you. The doctor says you are going to +get well, that all you need is nursing, and--and I have heard +from father." + +I looked at her, dimly understanding, and beginning to reflect her own +happiness. + +"How did you hear? Is he a prisoner?" + +"Oh, no! Could I be happy under those conditions? He is unhurt, and has +sent for me. General Johnston despatched an officer through the lines +with a flag of truce. He was brought here, and that was why I left you. +He had a letter for me, and authority to conduct me back to the +general's headquarters. Was not that thoughtful of them?" + +"Yes," I answered wearily, clinging to her hand, "and--and you are going +now? You came to say good-bye?" + +"You poor boy, do you really think that? Shall I tell you what message I +sent back?" + +My face must have answered, for she lowered her head until her cheek +rested against mine, her eyes hidden. + +"I--I said I would stay here with my soldier." + +I was still a long while it seemed to me, our hands clasped, our cheeks +pressing. I could feel her soft breath, and the strands of her hair. + +"Billie, there is no regret, no doubt any more?" I asked falteringly. +"It is all love for me?" + +"All love," she answered, moving just enough so that our eyes met. "You +are my world forever." + +"And that uniform yonder--it is no barrier, dear? I am still a Federal +officer." + +She glanced at the rags, and then back into my face. + +"Sweetheart," she whispered gently, "I can be loyal to the South, and to +you also--you must be content with that." + +Content! It was as though everything else had been forgotten, blotted +out. It was almost dark now, and far away the camp-fires blazed red and +yellow among the trees. I lay there, gazing out through the open window, +her rounded arm under my head, her cheek still pressed tightly against +mine. My nerves no longer throbbed, my veins no longer pulsed with +fever. She never moved; just held me there against her, and in the +silence I fell asleep. + +THE END + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Love Under Fire, by Randall Parrish + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12015 *** |