The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-12-20
CHAPTER TX.

During this talk with Jones, MS men
had removed tho equipments from my
horse, and some Of them were search
ing my saddlo-bags, in which was the
evidence had so far obtained in favor
OF Frank Brent.
was about to tell the Confederate
Captain the condemned mans story,
when a tall, slender man, with the stars
of a Maior-General on his gray collar.
strobe into: the group surrounding me.
The reddish hair and beard, the high,
thin and much-freckled nose, and above
all, the keen, steely-gray eyes, told me
that the newcomer was no ordinary
person.
General Wharton, this is Captain
Watt,'' said Jones, by way of introduce
ton.
Tho leader Of the Texan Rangers
bowed stiff1y, and acknowledged the sal
utation in the same way. He was about
to question me when his keen eyes fell
on the papers the man had taken from
nv saddle-bags, and in an instant they
were in his hands. w..
I could see from the expression OF
Wharton's face that he was becoming
excited as he read. Suddenly he STROBE
mp and said, tiercely:
ssI see Captain Brent is prisoner and
condemned to death by your people!'
I tried to explain the unfortunate
mans situation and my connection with
it: but Wharton would not hear me out.
He ground his heels into the earth, and
Kissed:
ssBy c., sir, hanging is a game
two can play att Burnside hung two of
our people up there in Kentucky, and
two Yankee Captains are now awaiting
death in Libby Prison. I'll take this
thing in charge myself, and I'll see to
it that your neck is stretched if they
execute Captain Brent"
Burning with Indignation at this
treatment, tried to explain what I had
done to save frank Brent, but, with an
insulting sneer, the Texan turned and
left me.
'sIt's bit tough, I'll allow" said
Jones, shut war 8 war, and the man that
expects to find any kid-glove etiquette
or ballroom manners in the field is
!, bound to be badly disappointed"
With this bit Of philosophy, Captain
Jones left me, but not till another Of
fcer, who told me he was s:acting
division provost marshal" appeared.
The provost marshal took my name,
rank and regiment, and then asked for
the United States property in my pos
session when was captured. pointed
to the dead horse, to the sword and belt
lying on the ground, and said:
Captain Jones thoughtfully took
charge of all my personal property, and
left me his boots and hat as an evidence
of his affection. .....
I had put on Jones' dilapidated foot
gear in the meantime. and was ready
for any disposition they chose to make
Of me.
ssWe are moving rapidly" explained
the provost marshal, ''and you'll find it
ghty hard keeping up on foot Now,
if you'll give me your parole not to at
tempt to escape while you're in my
charge, I'll mount you and lot you. stay
back with the wagons. What do you
say?'
/ said eyes," signed the parole and
was at once led over the hill to where a
dozen or more army wagons were
drawn up on the road. Here was given
horse that had been ridden by one OF
my men that morning, and soon after
the wagons started off in a hurry.
Straight for the purple line OF noun
tains looming up through the clouds to
the east we marched. Now and then,
when the road wound over a hill, l
could see the dark figures of swarming
horsemen, and it needed no field glass
to assure me that they were my own
people.
Here and there silvery puffs Of smoke
Indicated sskirmishing and told how
close the opposing lines were at points,
while during the day and at irregular
intervals, the deep booming Of guns
came up from the direction OF Knox
vile. l
as night came on the rain poured down
il torrents, no unusual experience with
me, but as / had no overcoat and Was de-
pressed BY what I felt TO be the humiH-
alton OF my situation, ! suRere9 from