Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1895-04-03
CHAPTER XIII.

4 ~
gaunt, mingled among the crowds in
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
abstracted 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; filters
We're 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 a very
doubtful experiment. He was going
to determine if his estimate of Hen.
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
countersign which was changed every
day. He 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
he said. They need intelligent care.
You might lend 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 your service, replied Calicot.
'But wish to speak to you of another
NATTER
"What is it?" asked Hendricks,
brusquely as he stepped aside.
Mr.. Franklin spoke to you about
removing his daughter?"
Eyes; 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?"
''No. Let Lieut.. Stocking do IL. 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.
l am sufficient hostage"
'''Your friend is a vindictive man."
said Hendricks. ''But you have noticed
that haven't time to be-
Il 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-
SON.
Il acknowledge facts. So far as l
can see you are in armed rebellion.
1t is no part of the magnanimity 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.
eat nightfall," he said, 81 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.
Calicot's anxiety row grew hourly.
He had a sickening fear that Fenning
might arrive at any moment and frus-
trate the whole plan.
The women spent the intervening
time in preparation, and Calicot, after
a hurried consultation with Stocking,
repaired to Mr.. Laport's quarters, and, :
ending the wounded men had been re-
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 .
.or the night to come. !,
10 BE Continued