Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-03-12
Original Nourllctte.
Written for the CIarksviiie Chronicle
IDA HOLMES,
OR TUE
Belle Of the Fort
by r. ". THOMAS,
Au,hsr Of the "Young Colonel" the "Refugces'
"Liny Dale" the "Convent Prisoner
"Jane Mastop," !" the "Bride Of
an Hour &C.. &c.
CHAPTER XII.


BEFORE sunrise our little party were all
astir, and eager to be in motion. Ida arose
much refreshed, and, though feeble, was
in good spirits, and laughed, as she was
wont to do, when Wilmer rendered her the
use of n neat comb and brush--articles she
had not seen since the day she LETT the
fort. The business ofthe toilet dis sIatched,
she was summoned to the homely, but
abundant fare, from the Hermit's store,
and for the first time, in her life, she re-
allied the fact that circumstances may i'm
part to the plainest food relish greater
than that oftho daintiest feast, when feast
ing is the daily habit.
But time was pressing, and the men soon
left Ida alone. and betook themselves to
the task Of saddling the horses, and secur-
inc the surplus rifles upon the mustangs,
40 recently the property of the three In
dinns. whose lifeless forms had been re-
moved some distance, the night before, in
Difference to Ida's feelings. Wilmer led
Ida'shorsc TO the side ofthe fallen tree, from
which she reached, with case, her seat in
the saddle, and then turing to Gen, Holmes,
he said (;
YOU think, sir, that your escort is suf-
ficient to ensure your safe return, would
like to 90 forward further into the Indian
territory"
Mr.. Wilmer" said the General, earnest
", ''I owe you more than can ever hope
to repay you have saved my life and res
cucd my daughter from captivity, COM
pared with which, death were blessing.
How then can l ask you to add another to
these obligations in value, as
they are, by the knowledge that they have
been conferred in rcquital of injustice? No
sir. make no futher sacrafce for us but
accept the assurance that, should it ever
be in my power to serve you, will do II
at the hazard of my life
al believe it, sirr' Wilmer replied. "But
the question is not whether | shall make
a sscraice-for that is o small matter; but
whether you and your daughter will be
better satisfied with, than without me.
have an important duty to discharge, it il
true but delay of a few days is nothing
compared with your safety
"Then 90 with us Mr.. Wilmer" sale
Ida Like my father, dislike to trespas
further upon your time, after all you hav
done for Us; but we know not these men
they have betrayed their companions, an(
may bctray us. You, too, know the ccun
try, aud under your guidance, |, at least
will feel a security that must be cHchang
cd for distrust in your absence
The manner, moro than the words, in
luenccd Wilmer and as he gazed upor
her face, with its heightened color, an
read the language of her pleading eyes, hi
course was shaped, and he avowed his pur
pose not to quit her until her safety wa
ensured, lie mounted his horse; and wa
about to leave the lady in charge of he
father, when the General remarked to hil
that he desired TO converse with the Hei
nit. and would leave Ida under his car,
This mark Of confidence made lda's heal
beat with warmer glow but Whine
more practical, if not as impulsive an
credulous, saw in tho conduct of the Ger
eral a manifestation of gratitude rathc
than change of purpose or opinion an
acknowledging ~ bow, his sense of Il
obligation, rode by Ida's side, preceded b
Gen. Holmes and the Hermit, and followC
by Mike Sloan and Joe Sullivan, wi
we're requested to keep sharp loOk-ol
for the FIRST signs Of approaching DANCE
Theirs no danger nsw," said Mike
fur heerd them desarterS from the fort
movin OF three hours ago AID the dur
cd fools tuck the hack track, and of for
is aEcomin ont Cur to reeaptivate the Gil
eral aai his Iartcr, they'll moc., su-e III