The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-31
CHAPTER III.

j A slight, almost boyish figure, passing
7 to and fro with restless, tigerish move.
ment, cut the red CLEAN of the smolder-
ing campfire with frequent shadow, as
the two prisoners and their escort rode
up to the bivouac on the river bank.
Challenge, reply and report quickly
made, the provost-marshal asked numer-
Gus questions Of the captive pair, get
ting but scant information in return.
Then he moved forward to the restless
PAGER by the fire, halted, and, saluting,
said:
tsMaj. Conyer's scout sends in two
prisoners, general. Would you care to
question them, Or"
ssSend them to the rear, sir, brusque-
;ly replied the officer addressed passing
into gloom.
Zone of them is a woman, SIR"
(; The returning shadow promptly
halted, raised pair of keen blue eyes
to the others face, shook the snow out
of the long brown curls escaping be-
meath his plumed felt hat and resting
on his collar, as he asked, crisply-
'sCamp woman, or spy?"
Certainly not an ordinary camp
woman. A lady, seemingly; though she
will not talk" replied the provost
marshal, glibly. s'And, SIR, when a
woman won't talk"
'sAny papers? Have you searched
themp" cut in his superior.
s'No, sir. I had supposed Maj. Con-
'yers-"
SO sSupposed?' Search them, STRIP And
the young general, with scarcely sup
pressed oath, locked his hands behind
him, stood with back to the ERE, wholly
careless Of the fast failing snow, and
watched his officers retreating form as
he approached the pair.
Fauntleroy had been lifted from his
cramped perch behind Doyle's saddle,
and Miss Clay, dismounting, had ap-
preached him, with eager query as to
his hurt
LEG busted, but only strain, !
guess he answered, cheerfully, add
ing, rather ruefully: "It will be in
marching trim hong before I get the
chance to test it, now!'
''Poor, dear. boy! And all for my
salke!'' Miss Clay whispered back. "But
perhaps we mag getoff, if
Her suggestion was cut off unfinished
by the hrusgue order of the provost
marshal:
s'Fall back, madami - Sergeant,
search that prisonerl Why in thunder
haven't you done so already?" he added,
in lower grumbhng, venting spleen at
his own repToof upon his inferior.
GAN right! Search away" Evan re-
sponded, with a loud laugh, as the girl
stepped back without word, only one
quick motion of her hand TO her lips.
And, noting it, the boy swiftly carried
his hand to his mouth, as though to
stop his laugh. With dash upon him,
the sergeant had his wrist in iron grip.
forcing down the tightly-clinched hand
and struggling to open it. But ere the
long, powerful New Highlander could do
this, only to find it empty-Evan's
jaws had worked rapidly, and he gave
great gulp, as the officer cried:
ssChoke him, sergeant"
ssFor what?" the reb answered, de-
family, springing back. you've made
me swallow my tobacco now; and Oh,
Lord! I'm getting sicle!'
With a sudden lurch forward, he
leaned heavily on the officer, almost
tumbling him into the arms of the agile
sergeant.
Clean up, damn your growled the
provost marshall volunteer commits
sion by recent grace, but politician by
descent, profession, and lifelong prac-
tice.
There was apparent agony of nausea
upon the boys face; but had the light
been stronger the captors might have
caught a 0fea,n Of merry devilin tina