Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-01-11
CHAPTER XIV.

| with rays of the rising sun, and mile
beyond they reached a cavalry picket.
The men were sitting close about a
roaring blaze or slceping soundly on the
frozen ground, wrapped head and heel in
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 mile, and no fear of movement
car,e in such weather as this.
Surprise, quick query and rapid ex-
PLANTATION over. Evan turned to the lieu
tenant in command:
| Il must get TO headquarters the first
moment possible, Mr.. Barron. And
would ask the best horse you can
spare"
Dads 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 & rider With that marvellous
costume. .-y relief Genes soon after
sunrise, Miss Clay, and 1 can carry you
in then
rs there TO chance of Ely getting a
horsc?' the girl asked, pleadingly.
Il fear not. much as I would like to
oblige you." he answered. Il an dis
mounting myself to send Fauatleroy in;
| but that is duty
| "'Tis only q few hours more, Cousin
Caro-" Evan said. Anyway, you could
only hold me back or &c LETT on the
| road"
Pardon ny selfish inpatience," the
girl replied, quietly. Bat, Evan, send
word to mamma by the very first courier
to Richmond"
The boy gulped some steaming coffee
from a tin cup; the horse was brought
from screening woods and saddled, ard
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 understand"
Il suppose 1 do" the boy replied;
though 4 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 q perfect paragon among boat
men,
"Thanlzee, bossy, 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 greenbacizs.
''Good-by, Caro-, you dear, brave girl:
You ought to be a 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 sou
He touched the spur, galloping
through the familiar woods towards
Stuart's camp, and the CHEEKY notes of
''oinner-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 plulned
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
com5ed, the great lnustache 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
strtmming of well-managed banjo;
and the generals rich laugh rang out,
as he turned from some jest to the
T,10 cho1roI no CT 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.
Il was, SIR" the scout answered.
''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, IS the general
turned towards the tent.
Beg pardon, sir, but was instructed
to hand you this paper-oloaae," Evan
said, very timidly for him. ''And when
You open it, general, I 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
Then, as the generals banjo player
passed, staring at the scouts strange
clothes, the chief beclzoned him into the
tent, dropped the fly. and turned full
upon him: