The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-09
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CONTINUED


Win une COnteuefhteS on the HeldS and
meadows to the south. Battles were
fought on the eastern coast and on the
western rivers-battles which made
history were fought In North Carolina,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, but
the Army Of Virginia remained in its
camps. Its leaders realized from the
beginning that Virginia would be the
real battle-ground of the war, and that
the Army Of Virginia would be called
upon to render heroic defense. Every
hour gained was an advantage, every
day gain of men and material and
experience.
When Royal Kenton reported to
General Jackson as per order, he was
asked If he knew the country to the
north of the Confederate outposts. He
was forced to reply that he was entirely
ignorant of it.
This is a disadvantage, but ono you
can overcome, said the general. I'VE
arc In need OF few more bravo men at
the front to act as scouts. Would you
havo any objection to serving in that
capacity"
II should not Hike to act the part
VI u pIlf lNtHlOu III IlluGh
confusion.
Nor would ask you to. A spy is
generally brave man and often moved
solely by patriotism, but few of them
arc soldiers, and the profession is un-
der stigma, AS scout you 20 in
your uniform, secure such Information
as You can in a legitimate way, and if
captured you are treated as prisoner
of war. You can take a comrade with
you or go alone, as you elect. Do not
be afraid TO state your objections if you
havo any"
II will go and go alone" replied
Kenton after moments thought.
VERY well, am glad to hear 1t.
You can now return to your company,
and during the day l will send the
proper order to your captain. Upon
your return report to me direct, and |
have no doubt you will bring informa-
tion of value"
That afternoon Captain Wyle return
ed to his company, and when he re-
ceived the order detailing Private Ken
ton for temporary duty at headquarters
and learned Its object he was almost
tempted to congratulate him. As be-
tween captain and private or between
man and man, he would have done so
with great heartiness, but as a rival
lover he could not. When Ike Baxter
had related the story of the attempted
removal" as he called it, he expected
words of praise, but they were not ut
tered. On the contrary, his action was
severely criticised, and he went away
TO sulk and growl.
Understand me, +" said the captain
as Ike betrayed his disappointment by
word and look, II don't want murder
or assassination. | hate him because
he's Yankee and because he is an en-
emy among us. | want to drive him
out-force him to desert to his own
eide. want the news to 90 back homo
that he has deserted and is a traitor to
us. Bring that about, and III do any
thing ! can to reward you, but don't
shoot him down in cold blood. Now
that General jackson has taken him un-
der his wing we must DO more careful
than ever.
Armed with pass that would take
him through the Confederate lines and
pckets, Royal Kenton made his way to-
ward Washington. When he reached
tho last outpost, the officer in command
gave him tho lay of the country along
that front, the position of the Federal
videttes so far as known, and named
many farmers who sympathized with
the Confederate cause and would give
him shelter. 1t was about 10 O'Clock
In the forenoon when kenton left the
last post behind him and disappeared in
the woods. He knew in general way
what was required OF him. 1t was. first.
to pueh AS near the Federal lines as pos
sible, and then to estimate the strength
of camps or marching columns, locate
forts and earthworks and sock to dis
cover the strength of positions. Spies
go In disguise and often remain in q
camp for days. Scouts are saved from
the halter when caught only because
they arc not an enemy in disguise. "
The spy Is detested simply because he is
generally moved by financial consid-
Grafton and is often person who will
work for the side paying him the best,
The neutral ground between the two
armies was strip of territory from
tHttb ~ elA IulltS "itt. heCOHIlOls-
sances were almost of daily occurrence
from ono side or tho other, and cavalry
commands patrolled tho highways at
frequent intervals.
The sentiment of the Virginia farm
ers was overwhelmingly Confederate,
and whenever Kenton identified himself
he was given all information at hand.
During the first two days he had several
narrow escapes from Federal cavalry
patrols, and on the third day he was
treated to a double surprise. The farm
er with whom he had remained over
night had recommended him to one
much nearer the Federal outpGsts to Sc
cure additional information. He reach
ed this place about II O'Clock in the
forer oon, and the first face he saw was
that Of Marian Percy, the next that of
her mother. Tue meeting appeared
be as pleasant to all as it was unex
pected. The Peroys had arrived only
two days before in hopes to remove IT,.
farmers wife. who was relative, t.
their home in the valley. The woman
was ill-too Ill to stand the journey
and they would wait for few days in
hopes of an Improvement The houst
had been visited daily by parties from
both armies. but thus far no violence
had been offered nor had anything been
taken from the farm.
For almost the first time since he had
known her Royal Kenton was left alone
with Marian Percy for an hour. They
sat under the apple trees, and he told
her the details of the hattle of Bull Run
as far as he had gathered them, Of his
interviews with Jackson, tho object of
his scout, his hopes and fears of the fu-
TIE, ignorant of ourSezz