Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-24

as to what he had accomplished There | was little that it was essential should | be told except that Colonel Fitz Hugh | would meet him between the lines as soon as he could get there. Casting a glance at his watch, Maynard noticed that it was 20 minutes to 12. The dis tance to the point of rendezvous, as near as they could estimate it, was two miles. Every minute was precious. It would be midnight before they could meet, and then they would only have about six hours in which to take measures to se- cure reprieve. They could only do so by communicating with general head quarters, some 15 miles away. In any event the case was desperate. However, Maynard had been used in his scouting days to sudden transitions and had him. self escaped from prison on the very night before his intended execution. Calling his striker, he bade him saddle Madge, who, he knew, could carry him over the ground at no laggard pace, and, ordering n mount for the corporal at the same time, the two waited impatiently till both animals were led up before the tent.
 Mounting, they began to climb the Pea Vine ridge. RatigeA, who had been over the ground, led the way. They reached the top of the ridge, and the corporal pointed out the position on the creek, due west of Ringold, where they were to meet Colonel Fitz Hugh. De- scending the slope, they came upon a Union vedetto and were challenged with the usual words. "Who comes there?'' "The colonel commanding, with an orderly, inspecting vedettes."
 They were advanced, gave the coun- tersign and passed on. Taking route between twa roads and meeting no more guards, they cautiously approached the place of rendezvous.
 On reaching the bank of the creek | they descended it, the corporal riding ahead and peering through the darkness to discover what they were looking for. Presently the dark figure of horseman emerged from a clump of trees on the opposite bank and rode forward toward the creek. Ratigan saw him, and, believ ing him to be some one in attendance upon Colonel Fitz Hugh, called: i "Oireland. "
 ''To the rescue" called the man in n i low voice, and rode up to the margin of the creek.
 Tho two men arranged that Colonel Fitz Hugh and Colonel Maynard should advance to the respective places they themselves occupied as soon as they had withdrawn. Then, wheeling, each rode back to his principal. and in few mo- ments more tho Union and Confederate officers faced each other from opposite banks of the creek TIC distance be- tween them at this point was but a few yards, and the night was not so dark but that they could plainly see each oth- CT. The equestrian figures stood silent, each waiting for the other to speak. The only sound came from the gurgling of the stream which flowed between them.
 "You are Colonel Fitz Hugh, be- lieve.' - said Maynard.
 II am. IrCcognize Colonel Maynard's s voice."
 ''I heard yours last on q certain even- ing year ago-an evening memorable to both of us. Then you gave me my life, and by doing so placed yourself in position to bo shot for traitor to your cause"
 "Not for your sake, colonel-for the 6ak6 or anOLlGr.
 "It matters not for whose sake; the act remains. Once before you spared me when you found mo under a roof which covered'-
 '"Then respected the laws of hospi tality, sacred in the south. Let us not dwell on these matters, colonel Let us proceed with that upon which we have met for consultation.
 "You arc right. Time presses. Your sister stands convicted of the same of fense as mine at the time of which we have been speaking and sentenced to die at sunrise. We meet to concert a method to save her"
 ''At my request. But any proposition must come from you, Colonel Maynard. I am unfamiliar with the feeling on the part of those in power in the Federal army as to executing a sentence of death upon woman.
 Circumstances which 1 cannot eX- plain, Sor they pertain to the situation in which these two armies are plaCS1 render tho feeling against your sister very severe"
 "You have suggested my oxerting in
 fuence from our side?' "It was your sister who suggested it. , have little faith i'll it.
 "What did you propose?'
 That which your sister would not accept"
 , And that was?'' Maynard whispered in a strange, say
 ago tone:
 ''To use my authority as command . ing the brigade charged with her keep 2 ing to place her within your lines.
 And now?''
 II listen for some suggestion iron = you"
 ! 'I can think of none except, witt your permission, to enter a protest owe
 the signature of our commanding off cers of highest rank. " "It would avail nothing.' D 'Then there. is nothing to save he 0 from this sacrifice, which, though sh @ has always been prepared for it, an !. doubtless will now meet it. like the re n markable woman she is, with becomin
 fortitude, is still hard for those of u who love and respect her to bear. W a will revere her memory as . martyr. v @ During this dialogue each man sat O e his horse without any movement an IS spoke in measured, formal, automati n tones. Maynard's words were quicke g than Fitz Hugh's, who held to tho slow IT CT fashion of speaking common in th
 south. After the last sentence spoken b 70 Fitz Hugh there was a long silence t. They had met for q purpose. Their mee
 ing was failure.
 g. It seemed to both that they could he; m their watches ticking away the second 10 that lay between Caroline Fitz Hug