San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-08


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
men,
"Thank'ee, bossy, | is, sholy," the
black answered, gravely. Il wor
fetched up dat way, from de puss. :"
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:
Even though Capt. Charlton would not
think SOL"
He touched the spur, galloping
through the familiar woods towards
Stuart's camp, and the CHEEKY notes Of
"dinner-call" were ringing from the
bugle as he halted at the guard-house.
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 plumed
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
breeches, ending in heavy knee-boots,
and long, strong gauntlets, completed
his simple attire.
From within the tent came the jOcund
stunning of a well-managed banjo;
and the generals rich laugh rang out,
as he turned from some jest to the
player. 1t showed the strong white
teeth cleaning under the mustache;
and his merry, bluest eyes, filled 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."
But I'm out now, and come with i'm
portant information"
Important? Out with it, them"
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-aLone," 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 out, Sweeney. Dinner call
sounded"
Then, as the generals banjo player
passed, staring at the scouts strange
clothes, the chief beckoned him into the
tent, dropped the fly, and turned full
upon him:
You know the writer of this letter."
81 do, sir"
You know its contents?"
"Only in part, general; in case was
forced to destroy it."
when did you get it? Go on, sir"
This impatiently.
From him, general; yesterday; at
Havre-de-grace."
Stuart showed no surprise. Strange
news came often by strange routes.
But he asked, sternly:
"You know the orders, Fauntleroy.
What were you doing with-with the
writer?"
Running for the Ferry, sir. He
got me out of Camp Morton, at risk Of
his life, brought me to the Ferry and
-" The boy hesitated
go on, sir!' Numbered the general
TEL your story in full, and quickly"
''He said, sir, he had imperative duty
in-in Washington, SIR" Evan went on;
and he briefly narrated his capture, i'm
prisonment and escape.
The general had seated himself, the
packet unopened in his hand; but the
shadow of the broad hat hid his bent
face, save for the twitch of his brown
nustache from time to time.
"And no news of Miss Clay since your
capture?" he queried, suddenly.
''She crossed with me, sir. She will
be in with Lieut.. Barrons picket and
make her own report"
'Did you bring her to the Ferry'2"