Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-01-17
That's jis what Major Ingersoll told

me
Where did y0u see Major IngersallI
Just along the road here little ways.
The major and Lieut. enaht Crane are on
the piazza OF little house, waiting for tie
moonrise to fini their way.
And its my opinion said the artil-
lerylnan who had grieyei over his horse--
1T : my opinion that Confederate moon
amt to be depended upon
Ingersoli aud Crane were tie fellows
Talbot had been asked To look out FOR.
They, it appears, had been outside The
call upon some ladies Talbot was very
glad to get this news OF them, and felt sure
they could give him a straight account OF
the brigade, as they were the last from
the front, for he did not know Just how
much he could believe Of the straggler's )
story. But before going forward he in
sisted that the three stragglers should get
in motion, for he understood that half tip
going ahead as they are Ill staying when
once at rest, Ii was very much surprised
to see them take tie road in what seemed
to him a wrong direction, but found upon
touching this point that they knew just
where they were, aud that he, when he
found them, had been actually going tow
ard the river.
As he had in the directions Of the SOL
diers reasonably sure guide to the place
where the other officers were, he logged
along confidently and with a light heart,
for the accidental encounter with these
tipsy comrades had ligbtened his labor.
Half u mile from the point where he left
the soldiers, Talbot came upon Ingersoll
and Crane in the road. An unknown
horseman, approaching at night on doubt
ful ground, is watched, upon the theory
that he may be an enemy, it is safe to as
sume thai he is one until the contrary is
shown and thus the Others prepared for
defence but hearing them near, Talbot
hailed them by their names, and was rec
ognized at once They could give him
good news on the subject of his errand.
They knew exactly the position of the
brigade They had gone through its lines
III the afternoon. They had returned Ut
the same point only all hour ago, and the
brigade was not there. They did lot know
what road it had taken, but nothing could
be more certain than that il had followed
the army.
But now how were they all to get to the
river the easiest wayf
We'll" sa id Ingersoll, that is what
has troubled us ever since since it became
so very dark We b ave in the road here
all ancient person Of African origin who
pl opposes to help US ont of our scrape, and
his plan seems to us good one. We are,
it appears, near to the Saldagnia ruin, and
an easy road goes the whole distance,
while from the ruin to the river there is al
so all easy way. We propose to wait at the
ruin until moonrise, which is only abont
an hour, and then, if We cannot reach the
shore. we can swim our horses over. The
reLs won't push in here until daylight -
Talbot agreed TO act with them on this
plan, aud they went on together, talking
over the experiences of the night, the col
ored man keeping exactly III. front Of the
nose OF IngeIsolPs horse, and showing the
road, They rode for some time III that
way, and then Talbot made singular dis
covery. He perceived that u fourth horse
man was riding with them. The guide
was OH foot, but another horseman was III
the company. 1t was q bewildering fact
that made a strange, unpleasant impres-
sion on the mind. The captain made this
discovery by observing that at the very
Crane showed that one was in front of him
and the other behind him, there was yet
one more rider, almost keeping step with
him, close at his side.
Talbot could not make up his mind what
10 do about this. Perhaps this othei
horseman was not the only one there.
There might be party; they might have
some evil intention, aud 1t might be dan-
gerous To give all an alarm that would
cei tainly precipitate whatever wa, im-
pending How could he give notice to the
others without informing this fourth rider
that his presence was oBservedf Before
he could determine this point b solution
came.
Gentlemen" said loud, clear voice,
Il would like to say word, if you please. "
There was u sudden halt of every one.
"Who said thatf" said Ingersoll.
Stranger has the floor" said Talbot
but who in the deuce Is he, and where
does he come 'FRONT.'" said Crane.
Gentlemen, | will answer your ques
tions Nv name il Wrayburn. | am d
civilian, and peaceful citizen OF Virginia.
| have been at the house of a relative on
the north side of the river. and the armies
were between that place and my own
house. Taking advantage Of the military
movements the other day, l started to &c
to my home; for | thought your army
would be by this time far south of this
and that this region would be clear As
it has not turned out that way, my ride
home is not so easy. | am an old man,
and have a pass from the commander o
| your army. Just now, Oh the road here
| / found myself suddenly i'll your company
| You did not perceive me; and as | heard
that you were going by the way of thu
| Saldagnia ruin I was glad, for | am goinl
the same way. But | discovered that
was hearing conversation not dec
for my ears, and | determined TO declare
myself; first that / might not unintention
ally play the spy upon you, and next thai
1 might not put myself in a false position.
"Why, that's all right" said Ingersoll
Does anyone objectY'
II do not" said Talbot.
"Nor ], ," said Crane.
Gentlemen, you are very courteou
and kind" said the old gentleman; ant
they rode on. In u very short time they
reached the min, as the colored man hat
promised Ingersoll; and the arrival any
where without an accident ON such
night was good reason for feeling o
satisfaction The ruin was sort Of land
mark il that region. 1t was all that wa
left of house that had apparently beeI
a large as an ancient abbey, aud buil
in that style, There were ranges Of ruiz
that indicated the general plan Of thu
outer wall, and across, in one direction
or another, traces of wall which divide,
the ground covered into the semblanc