Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-05

time in which these things had been enac.
ted, Ida, whose meRtal faculties were in
full activity, had risen to her feet and, on
hearing the weff-khown voice of her de-
liverer, comprehended the whole scene,
and, stepping forward to greet him, as he
quickly turned from the General to her,
she would have fallen, had he not caught
her in his arms. She feebly pronounced
his name, and wept-the FIRST tears she
had shed since her captivity. 1t was a
relief to her highly wrought feelings, and
even her physical energies seemed to re-
vive, as Wilmer gently and considerately
transferred her to the arms of her father
We shall not attempt to portray their feel
ings on an occasion SO replete with sud
den joy; nor can we express, for them, the
grateful emotions called up by the gener-
Gus daring of their deliverer, whom the
General thanked by silent pressure of
his hand--more eloquent, and more ac-
ceptable to Wilmer, than any language he
could have employed.
The first excitement over, and few
hurried questions asked and answered,
Gen. Holmes, aware of the indisposition
of Ida, seated himself by the replenished
fire, and laying her head against his breast,
pressed his hand upon her aching brow,
whilst Wilmer, by the light of the fire, re-
loaded his rifles and pistol. Scarcely had
he done this, when his quick ear detected
the light tread of approaching footsteps,
and stepping in front of Ida, so as to
protect her in case of attack, he raised his
rife to his shoulder, and fixed his eye up
on the point whence came the unwelcome
sounds.
"Hold on thar, stranger, that ar shootin-
iron of yourn mout go off, Exclaimed
some one out in the dark, and the next
moment Wilmer was greatly-if not agre-
ably-surprised at seeing Mike Sloan and
the Hermit step within the circle of light
Lowering his rife, and assuring his start
led companions that there was no danger,
Wilmer advanced, and, speaking kindly
to Mike, warmly grasped the hand of the
Hermit, whom he introduced to Ida and
the General as trusty friend.
Reckoning Wilmer aside, the Hermit ex
planned, in few words, the reason of his
being there, and in view of the danger so
near at hand, urged an immediate retreat
Possessed of the facts, Wilmer explained
them to Gen. Holmes, and pressed the
views of the Hermit in favor of an i'm
mediate movement. He was aware, he
said, of the indisposition of Miss Holmes;
but feeling certain that the report of his
firearms had aroused the worse than
savage band that pursued them, he hoped
she felt able to make an effort for their
common safetety. If, however, she was
too feeble, he would make immediate ar.
rangements for the best possible defence
and as long as his life was spared, she
should not fall into the hands of hel
enemies.
Ida thanked him for all he had done
and proposed to do, and assured him that
though feeble and suffering, she was ready
TO undertake the journey, at once, and
hoped to be able to hold out to the end.
"My dear young lady" said the Hermit
feeling her pulse, "you have overrated
your strength. The fatigue of ride, to-
night, may prove very serious, if not fatal
and you must not undertake it. I have
some medicine with me, which will sooI
cure you, provided you keep quiet until
morning; but an attempt to escape by
fight will fail, and result in your captivity
and, prehaps, the death of all your de
tenders"
"What, then, is to be done p Asked
the General. care we to await an attack
of nine to four"
eyes, sir, and beat them too" Was the
Hermit's emphatic answer.
"My friend is right, General r. SAID
Wilmer. "Miss Holmes can not bear the
fatigue of rapid retreat, Could she dc
so, I would gladly spare her the sight oi
more bloodshed, tonight, But we must
make stand here, or elsewhere, and thi:
is the most suitable spot we are likely to
find. There are but four of us, it is true
but, including the rifles of the dead sayages
VIC have seven, and they, we'll used, from
behind trees, against a mounted band
taken unawares, must ensure victory
and that bloodless one on our side"
"Ef Joe Sullivan wont thar - remark
ed Mike, "that'ud be fust rate plan but
I'd hate to see him come to any harm