Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-31
faII a.

fellows than to me-"
"I hev told ysu the truth, Gineral." he said,
proudly. "We hev fifteen hundred men, and
they amt less than four thousand. It mought
be hard fight, but We kin git the best of 'em
for all that But eff you've any misgivings,
Gineral, taint too late yit. It's easy callin OF
'em back agin, though the boys looked mighty
we'll pleased at the chance for brush with
the critters"
nat this moment there was halt in the expe-
dition, having reached fork in the road. The
General hastily wrung the scouts hand and as
will not repent" Hardy returned the pressure
till the more delicate hand Of the officer felt as
| If it were in vice, and Immediately pressed
forward to the van Of the detachment. When
| he reached it, the road became clear, and at the
command " forward :" the troops marched On.
How Jared it with the rebels during these
stirring matters among their enemies? Peace
fully slumbering among the hills, and dream
ing Of anything but an attack from foe they
knew to be so inferior in numbers. They were
motley let For the most part composed OF
that class known as ''poor whites in the South,
strangely clad and but half disciplined, they
would have dispersed from their own internal
discord, had not their officers restrained them
Deserters from the Federal army, in which
they had found both education and subsistence
they turned their talents against their country,
and gave a life to the rebellion it could not
have had otherwise.
On this evening, while the men sat smoking Q
about their fires, alternately asserting the su-
periority Of their own States and cursing the
cowardly Yankees, as they called all Federal
soldiers, in not very choice language, knot
of officers were gathered in consultation.
Has anything been heard from d D'Arblay
to-day" asked one with colonePs Strap upon
his shoulders.
Nothing" said q captain, to whom the
question was addressed "Our messenger
brought note from him yesterday, that a
council of war would be held tonight. We
shall hear from him Tomorrow"
"Yes, yes; saw it," said the colonel "I
hope they will resolve to fight. Pm getting
tired of this inaction. Who is this Hardy he
cautions US about?"
"One Of the enemy's scouts" said the cap
tain. "They tell marvellous tales of him, and
even our tents ring with his exploits. This
very spot was his farm, and yonder chimney
stack the remains of his house. The man was
tory. and barely escaped with his life.''
The colonel was thoughtful moment "Was
this the man whose family never
mind, such things must be in war Keep q
lockout for him, and, if caught, give him short
shrift-he may be dangerous" Just then the
tattoo was beat, and with a courteous COED
night the officers separated.
8 l wish we could get along without such
fellows as D'Arblay," said one young officer to
another, as they strolled along the camp. "I
don't mind killing Yankees, but like little
fair play about it. This game of his can't last
very long, and he'll be coming among u.s."
"Don't be too nice, said the other. "By
and by you'll be abusing Burton for this Hardy
business. hear he and his Arkansas man did
that nice little job"
For Gods sake, don't talk so,n said the
other, shuddering, ~ have not heard all, but
twas brutal thing"
You'll want dictionary to give an adjec-
tive strong enough when you do hear it all.
They say the old man refused to haul down his
nag and shot one Of our men, when they fred
the house, and only Hardy escaped. Burton
stood by and saw it done. The women beaten
back by the bayonets did not scream, but
turned hopelessly inward. 1t is mystery how
Hardy got away, but he has been seen since,
and lives only for revenge. But, as the colonel
says, such things must be in war. Good night ~
and they parted at the entrance of a tent.
While quiet reigns in the rebel camp, the
little band we have seen set out under the
scouts guidance is cautiously advancing. On
throught belts of woodland, over hills, and
across some of the small streams with which
the country abounds, they march silently but
| surely on their prey.
The scout looked like new man. His tall
| form was no longer bent: or rather, it did not
appear so, as he strobe along at the head of the
column The sallow face was lit up with intel
ligence, and CLEAN of ferocity shot from his
eyes. The road was as familiar to him as the
beaten paths about his lost homestead, but he
trusted nothing to chance Not sound ESCAPED
his practiced ear, nor an unusual appearance
the keen scrutiny of his eyes, and more than
once be called halt, while he reconnoitered
| in the darkness
At last they reached the foot of hill, when
hardy whispered to the colonel in command,
and while the troops rested on their arms, he
| went forward alone.
TO BE CONTINUED