Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-07-13
CHAPTER XXIII

/ the arena. To anyone less absorbed in
purpose the scenes would have been
fraught with an almost superhuman
interest The confusion was appalling
and the noise deafening. But even his
distracted perception could distinguish
in it all the effort of system and discip-
line forcing matters slowly into pur-
pose. Squads were forming and march
ing through the corridor, towards the
rotunda, choking the passages; officers
were running and shouting; litters
were passing and repassing with
wounded; groans, curses, commands
loaded the heavy air with satanic tu-
multi and the cavernous surroundings
and ghostly lights completed the infer
nal hue of the picture.
A man suddenly plunged into this
subterranean scene, as, indeed. many
of the wounded captives were, might
rudely imagine that he had died and
been thrown into the traditional hell.
Calicot was about to make Il very
doubtful experiment He was going
to determine if his estimate OF Hen
bricks character was correct. While
looking for him he came near the
portal; it had occurred to him that in
this confusion it might be possible for
Stocking to get up the shaft unde'
tected. But he was quickly convinced
of the folly of that idea The exit was
well guarded. and the men had a
counter i'm which was changed every
day. lie saw several of the new detail
turned back because they had for
gotten it.
While he stood there Hendricks came
up and spoke to him.
There are two of your wounded
friends there in Mr.. Franklin's office, T"
he said. They need intelligent care.
You might lend n hand. am sending
all the captured back to the surface as
fast as possible where they can be re-
covered. We cannot do them Justice" &"
II am at your service, " replied Calicot.
''But wish to speak to you of another
matter"
What is it?" asked Hendricks,
brusquely, as he stepped aside.
"Air Franklin spoke to you about
removing his daughter?"
Yes; ! told him to get her out as
soon as possible. We move from here
in three days"
II wanted to suggest to you," said
Calicot, ''to let the other girl go. She
will die of nervous shock in this up
roar"
"You wish to escort her?"
mo. Let Lieut. Stocking do it. The
old man will need somebody to pilot
him to Memphis. As you probably
know, he is in love with Miss Franklin.
The lieutenant will return here to me.
am a sufficient hostage"
"Your friend is vindictiye man."
said Hendricks. "But you have noticed
that / haven't time to be-
II said to myself" replied Calicot,
that the execution of your plans no
longer depended on our captivity or
secrecy"
"Ah, you have arrived at that conclu-
sion"
II acknowledge facts. So far as !
can see you are in armed rebellion.
1t is no part of the marnanimity of
war TO entomb helpless women. From
what have seen of your character |
believed that you would accede to my
wishes"
But your friend did not think So"
mo, but he, perhaps, does not under
stand you"
Hendricks smiled rather grimly.
"At nightfall," he said II will give
your party an escort and pass them out
of the bayou end. My own men are
In the woods between the bayou and
Memphis, and the women would not
be safe"
Then Hendricks abruptly left him.
Calicots anxiety now grew hourly.
He had a siclScning fear that Fcnning
might arrive at any moment and frus-
tratc the whole plan.
The women spent the intervening
time in preparation, and Calicot. after
a hurried consultation with Stocking,
repaired to MIR. Laport's quarters, and,
finding the wounded men had been re
moved, he sat down at the table, and
for an hour gave himself to the writ
ing of what seemed an interminable
letter, which he concealed on his per.
son when completed.
He then wandered aimlessly through
the long passages, waiting impatiently
for the night to come.
1t was eight o'clock, as near as he
could guess, when Stocking and the
two young women got aboard one OF
the box-cars and accompanied him tc
the bayou entrance. Very little was
said on the way. Calicot was appre
hensive and not disposed to talk. His
chief fear was that something would
occur to interfere with their departure
at the last moment 1t seemed to him
Al Al 4. FL
he suspected that Hendricks had been
getting fresh recruits at the bayon
end during the fight at the Laran
portal.
When they arrived at the end of their
journey, Stocking very nearly upset
the project by suddenly refusing to
go unless his friend accompanied them,
and il required all the firmness and per-
suasion that Calicot could command to
induce him TO proceed. "Do not" he
said, "imperil everything by giving up
your faith in me now. On the day after
/ tomorrow, when you have secured the
safety of your companions, you are TO
come back for me. The government
will have some of its forces here then,
| and the issue will not be doubtful, be-
| lieve me. But ! must stay here to-
night and tomorrow to learn all can
| of the plans at the conference. Mr..
| Franklin, | understand, has secured
money enough 10 take care of himself
and daughter. You are a free man.
! DO not hesitate"
They parted at the entrance to the
! lift. Stocking was sullen and uncer-
! tain, but he came back and wrunR his
friends hand silently, and Calicot felt
that the action was pledge. A mo-
ment later he turned and mounted the
steps of the railway platform with a
sense of desolation in his heart and an
unmistakable moisture in his eyes.
When they came to the rotunda he
told the guard that he would get off
and walk back later to the arena.
He was left standing on the plat
form when the car moved away. The
great dense shadows covered him from
the army OF men below. He walked
along the ties TO the great wooder
doors of the magazine and stood there q
moment. Then he descended the
steps and was lost in the crowds OF
men below.
lie had expected To meet Hendricks
at his military headquarters, but one
of the captains who knew him said
that there was meeting of some kind
and Hendricks and all the other chief.
had gone to the Office In the arena
where il was quiet.
He then mar his way as speedily at
he could through the coal corridors tc