Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-05-04
CHAPTER XIV.


their blankets, like SO many mummies
laid foot foremost to the heat to thaw
the cold of centuries out of them. For
the country was clear of any enemy for
many a mile, and no fear of a movement
came in such weather as this.
Surprise, quick query and rapid ex-
PLANTATION over, Evan turned to the lieu
tenant in command:
81 must get to headquarters the first
moment possible, Mr.. Barron. And I
would ask the best horse you can
spare
''Bad's the best, so far as speed goes,
in this stage of forage" the officer an
swered. ''But you can take mine, if
he'll stand a rider with that marvellous
costume. My relief comes soon after
sunrise, Miss Clay, and can carry You
in them
''Is there no chance of my getting a
horse?" the girl asked, pleadingly.
ST fear not, much as / would like to
oblige you," he answered. 81 am dis
mounting myself to send Fauntleroy in;
but that is duty
"'Tis only few hours more, Cousin
Caro- Evan said. Anyway, you could
only hold me back or be left on the
road
Pardon my selfish impatience," the
girl replied, quietly. but, Evan, send
word to mamma by the very first courier
to Richmond
The boy gulped some steaning coffee
from tin cup; the horse was brought
from screening woods and saddled, and
as he was about to mount Miss Clay
whispered, warningly:
Remember! when you report to the
general, do not say too much. Tell him
prefer to report my own capture and
escape. You underestimate
81 suppose I do,'' the boy replied;
though a comical look of bewilderment
crossed his frank face, as he added:
but I'll obey, all the same. Good-by,
Mr.. Barron; and thank you heartily,
sir. Good-by, Pete. Here, shake hands.
You're perfect paragon among boat
menu
''Thank'ee, bossy, I is, sholy," the
black answered, gravely. 81 wor
fetched up dat way, from de nuss."
And the hard hand he withdrew from
the boys friendly grasp held one of
Peyton Fitzhugh's crisp greenbacks.
"Good-by, Caro-, you dear, brave grill
You ought to be man." The old vein
dominated the reckless boy even then;
for he bent from saddle to whisper low:
Gwen though Capt. Charlton would not
think SOP
He touched the spur, galloping
through the familiar woods towards
Stuart's camp, and the CHEEKY notes of
'dinner-cau'' were ringing from the
bugle as he halted at the guard-hoAse.
Briefly reporting to the officer of the
day, the scout sought the generals
tent.
The great cavalry leader was pacing
to and fro in the sunshine, his plurned
felt hat drawn down over the high,
broad forehead. But the wavy brown
hair escaping beneath the hat, and the
huge, curly brown beard, were jauntily
combed, the great mustache twisted
away from it in massive curves. Freez-
ing cold as was the day, Gen. Stuart
wore no overcoat; and his double
breasted jacket, though carefully but
toned back, swung wide open over the
brown shirt that covered his broad,
deep chest. Well-worn corduroy riding
breaches, ending in heavy knee-boots,
and long, strong gauntlets, completed
his simple attire.
From within the tent came the jocund
stunning of well-managed banjo;
and the generals rich laugh rang out,
as he turned from some jest to the
player. It showed the strong white
teeth cleaning under the mustache;
and his merry, bluest eyes, filed with
sparkling fun, softened into kindly
warmth as he exclaimed:
''Fauntleroy! or his ghost dressed for
Sunday! Why, boy, we thought you
were in PRISON.
81 was, SIR" the scout answered.
''But I'm out now, and come with i1e-
portant information
Important? Out with it, then!''
The laugh in the blue eyes quickly
faded into gravity, as the general
turned towards the tent.
'Beg pardon. sir, but was instructed
to hand you this paper-Glone," Evan
said, very timidly for him. '.And when
you open it, general, suppose you'll
order me in arrest, for disobedience of
orders
From his shirt pocket the boy drew a
small, thin packet, securely tied with
silk and the knots sealed with wax, its
only superscription being: destroy, if
close pressed"
''Why, there's no one but Sweeny in
side" Stuart said, taking the letter
carelessly; but the instant his eyes fell
upon the writing his brows contracted,
and he slipped the paper into his glove,
as he called:
.'Come ont, Sweeney. Dinner call
sounded"
Then, as the generals banjo player
passed, staring at the scouts strange
clothes, the chief beekoned him into the
tent, dropped the fly, and turned full
upon him: