The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-15

1atter's face was still covered with blood Jasmin
did not at first recognize him.
GOOD evening, Miss Oldri," said Barnard.
II see you don't know me- If you'll kindly
direct one of your servants to indicate where
| can get some towels and water I'll try to make
myself more presentable. You must excuse my
| appearance, for circumstances over which |
had no control have disarranged my toilet, SO
| to speak"
She was conscious that Gannaways jealous
! eyes were noting every expression on her face,
! but she showed not trace of embarrassment
| as she took Barnards hand and welcomed him
| as she did when he was guest at her fathers
| house il peaceful days. She called TO Mrs. SUIT
| ton and requested that she would see that Capt.
| BARNARD was provided for.
| As Barnard followed Mrs Sutton out Grim
| sted entered from another door, MS hat in one
hand, and his other engaged in rolling up the
roach that formed the pinnacle to his dome of
thought. He nodded to Gaunaway, by way of
saiutation, but the kentuckian paid no atten-
| ton to his recognition.
Eyes it's him." he said half aloud. AZ
| thought I'd taken bout all the fight ont of him,
| but from what Charlie Barnard says of the tus-
| sic he had with him he must we gethered up
another lot of it in going mile or two, just as
their spiteiu rattlesnakes down here crawl Oft a
little ways and pump Up a new supply o poison
into their fangs when they've bit away all that
they're loaded with"
He walked over to the fireplace and sat him
self down in front of il to warm his wet and
muddy feet by its glowing Goals. The look
that came into his light blue eyes when they
rested on Gannaway would not have pleased
any Of that gentienan's friends.
Presently Barnard came back much improved
in appearance by the making of his toilet.
GrImsted took him out on the porch for a con-
sultation. THAT Teller in there has brok zen his
parole" he said, when he thought they were
out of earshot.
"He certainly has" answered Barnard, I'M
less he's managed in some way TO get eE-
changed"
"Well, you know he hasn't for our Govern
ment has refused to make any exchanges, be-
cause it would look like recognizing their
sham Conicderacy as its equal"
"I'll admit that it seems almost impossible,
but let us give him the benefit of whatever
doubt there is"
There amt no doUbt-not the least in the
world. Now, what are we going to do with
him?"
Send him back to army headquarters, to
have his case investigated"
Send him back? l just see myself" re-
turned Grimsted, with tone that implied that
the most vivid imagination could not conceive
OF his doing any such thing.
What do you mean? asked Barnard.
al mean that that scoundrel has forfeited
his life, and that it's our duty, having taken
him in arms, to make sure that he wont repeat
his devilishneSS."
"Well?"
az mean that it's our duty to have that fell
low shot in regular form at sunrise, or tonight,
if you like"
You certainly don't mean that2"
L certainly do mean it ust as certain as
you are standing there"
But then, just think of the thing. Think
Of our constituting ourselves judge jury, and
executioner over an unarmed man. It's against
the laws of war;"
Look here, Charlie Barnard came into the
army to fight and to whip out these traitors to
the Government. God knows l hated to leave
everything and take up the trade of man.
killing, but it was forced upon me by such fal-
lerS as these, and now that / am in it, let them
look out for themselves, and let them look we'll,
/ can tell you. It's my life or theirs, every
time, and if they don't kill me l shall kill
them"
Barnard looked at the man before him in
amazement. He he'd known him many years,
and had only thought of him as plain, homely
farmer, rather uncouth in speech and dress,
with his strongest traits appearing to be the
thrift approaching stinginess with which he
managed his affairs, and his zeal for the Metho-
dist Church and the cause of temperance. He
had very gravely doubted whether Grimsted
respectfully well when he accepted commits
sion as Captain in his regiment. This reve!stion
of bold aud relentless temper astonished him
as much as if Gri,nsted had suddenly announced
that he was convert to infdeiity, and was GO
ing to open saloon.
"It's all right to fight these men and kill
them off," Barnard replied at length. THAT'S
what we're here for-that's our duty. But
there are laws Of war which must be observed"
II don't care about arguing fine points
splitting hairs" returned Grimsted doggedly;
"that'll do very well for religious discussions
but not for war as l understand it. l don't
know much about the rules of war, but nay
reading of the Bible and my common sense tell
me that it is our right and our plain duty to
the country to kill off our enemies by every
fair means. This feller's committed the unpar-
donable sin, and is outside the pale of mercy
and forgiveness. He forfeited his life when
he broke his parole and tried his blsmedest to
kill you and me and my men. We don't know
how many he's killed since he's beeu laying
around home. He's likely been egging on all
these whelps who've been shooting at US from