White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-02-18

on, by nod, signi6ed his desire for our hero to
speak, Preston's eyes kindled, and he answer
ed:
My voice is for the attack, whatever be the
odds. The opportunity for bold resolute
attack, is all ask for. will undertake, If nee
sssary, to charge with my company up to the
very muzzles of the battery which defends the
town"
Lee turned to Horny and nodded approvingly
at these words. "a lad of spirit" he whisper
ed apart. "I have heard of his daring at Blake
ly's. Had there been msso such at Camden,
we never would have lost the day." Marion,
however, took no further notice of Prcston's he-
~ speech than to turn to the next officer at the
table; but very close observer might have de-
tected a sudden CLEAN of the Generals eve, like
fash, gone in a moment.
The opinion of the ether officers were in the
main less favorable to the enterprise than Pres
tons; and so many obstacles were mentioned as
necessary to overcome, that he was in torture
lest the undertaking should be abandoned. Even
Lee seemed to hesitate, startled at the. difficult
ties brought forward. Had military discipline
permitted it, Preston would have broken in on
the conference; but he was forced to sit silent,
hearing obstacle after obstacle canvassed as un-
conquerable; yet his flashing eye, and the agita-
ton of his countenance, told how difficult he
found 1t to retain himself.
At length all had delivered their opinion sx-
cept Marion. He glanced around the board be-
fore he spoke, and his words fell on abreathless
auditory. With Preston the excitement was in
tense to hear the Generals opinions.
"T ind,'' said Marion, " that am in the mi
nority here; and that except Col. Lee and Cap
tains Horny and Preston, l am almost alone
l do not go quite so far as these two latter, in
considering the enterprise as certain of success;
but think it affords fair chance, and bravery
can do the rest. Besides, gentlemen said he
solemnly, you know that it was in an attempt
at Georgetown that my nephew lost his life; and
you all know, too, that have sworn to avenge
him. have not forgotten my vow. Before God,
he shall be avenged before tomorrow night is
past. This very night part of the troops shall
set forth" With these words he rose and dis
missed the council.
Every heart was now alive for the enterprise.
The memory of the outrage alluded to stung all
to pitch of indignation little short of frenzy.
The watchword-" The Oath of Marionn"' was
adopted by general consent, and passed from lip
to lip.
Preston, it may well be supposed, was even
more excited than his commander. His emily fear
now was that succor would arrive too late. Ag-
itated by this thought he tossed to and fro on
his couch, vainly seeking slumber. Many NUT
tered imprecation fell from his lips on the vii
lain who had destroyed his happiness and that
of Kate Frequently he half groaned aloud
the wish that his enemy was before him, man to
man, with none to interfere between him and his
revenge.
These thoughts mingled with his dreams, when
exhausted by his agitation, he finally sunk into
feverish and troubled slumber.. Strange ina
res lowered around his bed, and haunted his
morbid fancies. He imagined himself bound
hand and foot, while his enemy came to exult
over him, leading Kate by the hand, now a bro
/ AcNA
tears start to his eyes. Then again she wasseen
clothed in bridal white. extended like human
sacrifice upon an altar; while Major Lindsay,
converted into a hideous priest Of Moloch, stood
ready to plunge the knife into her bosom. A
third time he saw her, standing before clergy
man, while the marriage ceremony was perform.
ed between her and MAJOR Lindsay; he thrilled
with extasy to find he was not too late-and
rushing forward to save her, the bridegroom was
suddenly transformed into grinning 6end. and
she into pale cold corpse. Shivering with hor'
ror he awoke and started from his bed; nor was
il until he had passed his hand across his brow
that the ghastly vision faded entirely.
But his waking thoughts were scarcely les
narrowing than his dreams. Slowly the recol
} lection of Hates sacrifice, and of his own un
! happiness, came back upon him.
ITO learn that l am loved, yet perhaps too
late," murmued he. 81 Oh! why was so proud
when last we metf'
The sound Of the reveille, however, summon
ed him to his duty. On emerging from his mar
quee he saw that the camp was already in mo
ton. The dragons wero rubbing. their horses
the legion were polishing their arms-Of6cer
were experimenting the mastering Of their sew
eral corps-and the whole scene was alive will
hustle and notes.-the neighing Of steeds, ant
the voices Of men mixed Unfortunately. Al
most the first person Preston met, was Sergeant
Macdonald, dragging along the old butler.
"Are you quite ft for duty, Sergeant7" sait
Preston. "That was a bad example you set be
fore the men last night"
The Sergeant looked somewhat abashed, anC
he stammered out his apology.
"why, you see, Captain, We had no work OF
our hands, and the Jamaica was uncommon good
Besides We wished TO do honor to this gentleman
Mr.. Snow, believe"
"Not Mr.. Snow said old Jacob, drawing
himself up with dignity, but Jacob Blakely
sar-massa glib me his own name. Massa Capt.
Preston know dat well enough" and he bowed
but with familiar smile to our hero.
al remember you well, JaeOb," said he, ''bu
l fear you do not find eur quarters as comforta
BILE as those of Mrs. Blakely's- We set out il
less than an hour on a secret expedition, am
: perhaps you hao better return home"
" Please God, no Nasal" interrupted the oil
r man, emphatIcally. 81 volunteer sooner. Di
affair, I inspect, hab something to do with sEee
> missus Kate; and old Jacob viii never deser
ther wh;la he nap nChk