Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-03-20
CHAPTER XVI.

Scarcely had the court martlal prouBus
In O verdict when an order came to
Colonel Maynard to move his brigade
across the Chickamauga creek by way
Of Dyers' bridge, to DO ready early the
following day to make reconnaissance
beyond the Pigeon mountains. He or
dered an ambulance for his prisoner to
ride in, since he had no option but to
take her with him. The distance to be
trayersed was but few miles, and al
though it was nearly sunset before the
command broke camp it was barely dark
when the tents were pitched in the new
situation. Luckily q house was found
for the reception Of the prisoner, and
the headquarters of the colonel COM
manding were established near it.
AS soon as Maynard's tent was pitch
ed he went inside and shut himself up
from every one. The matter Of the life
in his keeping, his desire to save his
prisoner, the impossibility Of his doing
so except by betraying his trust and con-
niving at her escape, were weighing ter
ribly upon him. A desperate struggle
between his duty as an officer and his
repulsion at carrying out q sentence
upon a woman which had once been
passed upon himself was driving him
we'll nigh distracted. One thing was
oertain-he could not save Miss Baggs
without sacrificing himself. He was
ready to sacrifice himself if he could do
80 honorably. He might even consider
the matter of doing that which he had
no right to do, but since the devil MAJ
care days Of his scouting new word
had opened to him, which made ne
struggle more complicated than it wsuld
than have been. He had wife whom
he loved devotedly, and any oblo4y NO
might take upon himself must be dared
by her and his son. He knew thyt II ne
could conceive it to be his duE, or II
he could make up his mind without the
approval of his conscience to connlVe
at the prisoners escape, he w6uld have
a fair chance of success He was charg:
cd with the execution, and this wouM
give him power over her person. on
the other hand, such violation OF Inst
was too horrible even for consideration
and if he did not so regard it the pen.
atty he must suffer-disgrace, II not
death-would we'll nigh kill bis wife.
For O long while he revolred these coll
siderations in his mind aud atlast came
to decision. He would suffer the tor
ture of carrying out the sstence. ne
would do his duty to hiscountry' his
wife and his son.
He had scarcely arrivsd at this decl-
sion when a message fame from thei
prisoner asking to see HIM. i
The racking of b whole nature
which had been partially allayed by nj
decision, came bad to him with tb
summons. He dynded an interview:
He felt that TT resolution he hsd
formed was Of too little inherent
strength to wkrant placing himeif
under so greaya temptation. Buthis
memory toolvhim back to the ial in
which he bA been confined on To eve
Of his owptntended execution aichat.
tanooga, ia he thought how hswould
have regfded any one who wouh refuse
him sud a request at such time. He
got uvand walked over to he house
wbere{he prisoner was confiNd.
Hebaused few momentsSbefore ell
terik, in order to collect hi1self, then
walked slowly up the steps. The guard
stod at attention and brought his piece
toa ..nrescnt, but Msyaasd did not SEED
him. did not return big aidte He ops1
edthe door, entered tbshouse and
tev minutes was in asroom inl
The prisoner was couhed. 8
Standing by window. AS he
she turned and stoodwith he
hanging clasped before her, hi
ful eyes 5S11n -