The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-30

the captain of your company that yoa
have been detailed.
AS Kenton left headquarters he felt
that something was wrong. Just what
it was he could not determine, but 1t
seemed as if there were mistrrst n
suspicion. He had been thoroughly
loyal in making his previous observa-
tons and reports, but an enemy was at
work to discredit him. He was fully
satisfied Of this as he left camp on his
scout. After reporting to Captain WYE,
who treated him with strict military
etiquette, he went to his tent to make
a few preparations. He had left it and
was making his way out of camp when
he was oyerhauled by Steve Brayton,
who said:
"The gineral is sendin yo' off on an
other scout: Yo' think yo' ar; goin
alone, but yo' hain't. I've follered
along to tell yo' that the captain has
put Reube Parker on yo'r track. Yo'
know Reube? He hain't bin abusin yo'
with his mouth as much as some others,
but he's down on yo' and playin into
the hands Of the captain. Itell yo' to
look out fur himt"
Kenton turned white with anger. and
started 10 retrace his steps.
"No, yo' don't,".said Steve as he
barred the way. II fust took to yo' on
account of yo'r sense, and l hope you
won't lose it. now. Thar's a game bain
played, and yo' wanter come out on
top!"
rs it possible that after what has
passed they still continue to lc upon
me as a t1aitor?:;' demanded Kenton in
a voice broken with emotion.
"They do, but it's fur an object, 70
see, " replied Steve. Its all on ac-
count of the gal. If thar was no gal,
yo'd be the first lieutenant OF mebbe
captain Of the company today. If thar
was a gal and no war, yo' and Wyle
would hev fit a duel over her befo' this.
One would hev challenged t'other."
"But, but stammered Kenton.
boiling over to say something and yet
not wishing to drag Marian Percy's
name into the case.
"It's jest this way" interrupted
Steve: "Yo' un's got the inside track,
and thar's but one way to keep it-play
to win. Beat the captain at his own
game. Go right along about yo'r biz
ness, bit keep an eye out fur Reube.
He's put on yo'r track to sell yo' oct,
and he'll do his purtiest to please the
captain"
1t was true that Banks was moving
up the valley. He had an army five
times as strong as Jackson's, and he
meant to annihilate the latter before
re-enforcements could reach him. Ken
ton had set out in good time. 1t takes
an hour to 10 a regiment OF men as
signed to a certain place on a march.
It takes three hours for a brigade to
march and counter'narch and file out Of
its camp onto the highway. Divisions
ordered to move at I O'Clock a. M. are
halting and lingering at noon. An army
of 20, 600 men with its artillery, bag
gage trains, ambulances, camp follow
ers and beef cattle is a gigantic sloth.
It must open its eyes. 1t must wink
and blink and nap again. 1t must
stretch and yawn and complain. 1t is
as if a huge tortoise was trying to work
loose from its she'll.
Banks was getting ready for his move.
Every report which Kenton received as
he neared the front went to assure him
Of the fact. He wa on foot, lodging
from forest to forest and from field to
field and betraying himself only to a
few whom he knew could be trusted.
After the first day out he became salts
fed that he was being logged by Reube
Parker. The latter must also have been
provided with a pass to take him
through all Confederate lines, but
though he hung to Kenton's trail he
did not betray his presence except by
accident. Everywhere along Banks
front were evidences that a forward
move was on the tapis, and before Ken
toms work was finished he had secured
a pretty,fair estimate Of the Federal
strength. Banks knew that Confederate
scouts and spies would be seeking in
formation, and he was guarding against
them as much as possible by covering
his front with scouting parties Of cav