Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-20


CHAPTER XIII.-CONTINUED.
The obsequious major in command,
gorgeous in new uniform, moved by
his side with an exaggerated Difference
all the more notable from his usual
self-importance. But very grave and
stern were the veterans set lips, as he
turned often to the aid beside him, in
structing entries in the book he bore.
But out of the grave, firm face the
eyes CLEANED pityingly and surprised
along that long and hideous line; and
more than once they fingered long
and painfully upon some object more
pleading than its neighbor, in the suf-
fering stamped upon bent frame and
worn face. Once the veteran turned
ahsuptly to the aid. cutting in mid
flow some unheard comment of the
prison com1nandant, with the quick,
impuisive speech:
my Godi captain, we have both been
somewhat in the front; have heard of
the horrors of war but never have I
seen them until now!''
Behind the general strobe a tall, sol
dierly man, wrapped in a long cloak,
but wearing neither plume nor rank
SHARKS on his hat. AS the inspection
halted in front of Evans squad, this
man moved nearer, and, saluting, said
loud and clearly:
''The McHenry prisoners we saw in
Baltimore Sunday, SIR
Then, fixing his gaze full upon Evans,
he forced his attention., and, opening
his cloak as though to readjust it, dis
played his full figure. hot flush rose
to tie young scouts face, and the prison
Isaa,sor, already beginning to creep into
his eyes, was burned out Of them by the
glow of angry contempt that met the
others stare. With one quick step in
front of his line, he folded his arms and
cried:
$50, It's you come to taunt us, Peyton
Fitzhugh! Here, boys!'' He turned to
the line, pointing straight at the tall
spy. ''Be men once more! Give one
groan for that Virginia deserterr'
Electrified by his voice and mien,
catching the full force of his taunt,
those worn, hstless men, i'll, starved
and broken in body as they were, re-
me1nbered they were soldiers still.
Turning with one impulse upon the spy,
they gave one hearty, kissing groan of
contempt. But the object of their
wrath, standing cold and unmoved,
changed neither pose nor feature; and
his voice rang out firm and clear as he
answered:
ave have met before, boyI''
But prison discipline was alert, re-
joicing.
''Order in ranks, there! Sergeant of
the guard" roared the major, drawing
his sword, "seize that rebellious traitor!
Yank him to the guard-house! He shall
have a bath for this!''
The angry glow had quick faded from
Fauntleroy's face, the wrathful light in
his eye changed to stare of wondering
doubt long before rough hands of guards
seized and hurried him away. And
even then, careless of indignity and
physical maltreatment equally as of
prospective torture of 1.-THE BATH" he
turned to look over his shoulder at the
calm, unchanged face of the man who
had spoken those words. For, burned
into his brain on the prison-car, they had
stood before him ever since as a sign,
as his sole hope of deliverance from this
living death.
But Fitzhugh seemed to have dis
missed the incident wholly from his
mind, speaking briefly to the general
and naming corps and histories of men
he recognized. Only when the inspec-
ton ended and the nervous major was
bowling the party to the gate, the spy
said, quietly:
with your leave. general, 1 would
ass the major to let me speak to the
prisoner who denounced me-
LAS you please, sir" the veteran an
swered, coldly, but with a glance Of sur
prise. Understand, you were assigned
TO me only to identify prisoners; and