The Red Cloud chief., 1895-03-15
CHAPTER Xxx.

tASiIIEl'ED.
Tie cheer, the shrek. Miss Fitz
Hugh's words. sounded in Colonel May
nard's ears as he pat spurs to his horse
and dashed away up the stream in a Iii.
rection parallel with the Union lines.
The cheer was the announcement of the
completion Of al act by which he had
parted with what he held most dear
the confidence Of his superiors, his peers
and the rank and file Of the army. He
had given to Caroline Fitz Hugh to see
the rising Of the sun whose light was
now broadening in the east. He had
called down upon himself what to him
was the bittorest Of all degradation, per.
haps 10 meet the fate that had been in.
tended for her. Riding up the creek on
tho bank nearest the Confederate lines,
ho approached q wood. This he entered,
crossed the creek unobserved and emerg-
oil ~ see the men by whom the escaping
party had been chased returning toward
the ridge. Not caring to be questioned
by them, he rode back into the wood un-
Ill tlicy were in q position not to see
him. Then he trotted slowly to the ridge
and over it, making his way back to
his tent.
1t was o broad daylight. As no
dismounted no noticed q detachment Of
cavalry marching on foot, under the di.
rection of an officer, toward the house
where Miss Fitz Hugh had been con.
fined. On arriving there they halted,
and tho officer went inside. In q few
minutes no came out and strobe over to
Colonel Maynard's tent. The colonel
had gone in. He had thrown off his
cavalry jacket and was waiting for what
was to follow. The officer entered the
tent, and not recognizing Maynard,
shorn Of his beard, asked for the colonel
commanding.
81 Am Colonel Maynard"
"Ah! l did not recognize you, colo
mel. have just called for the spy in the
house where / expected tn find her and
wa told by the sergeant that he had de.
livered her soon after midnight to two
men bearing an order from you"
"Well?"
II suspeo. something must DO wrong.
Was the order u forgery"
"No."
Then tie prisoner is in your keep.
ingT
NO"
Escaped"
Yes"
The officer was too astonished to ask
any more questions at once.
"Who is responsible?" no asked pres.
emily.
II am"
"You?"
Eyes, /. You will march you men
back to camp. You need not make n
official report Of the matter unless you
choose. will report the escape myself"
The officer bowed, and with the same
establishment on his face that had been
there throughout turned from the tent,
and going to the men standing in tho
road marched them back to camp.
Colonel Maynard came out of his tent,
and mounting his horse rode to the
headquarters Of his division command.
er. He rode slowly, his head bowed al.
most to his saddlebow. Refining up be.
fore the generals tent, he sent in his
name by al orderly, and was soon ad.
United.
General" he said, II have come to
prefer charges"
"Indeed." said the general. "Why
not forward them in writing in the reg.
ular wayy'
1T is because Of the person against
whom ! am going to prefer them"
"And that is?"
myself"
The general looked at him with q
puzzled expression.
Colonel, are you ill7"
"No, general"
II suppose it would DO ridiculous to
ask q man il he is all right here?" and
he tapped his forehead with his finger.
II am sound Of mind and body"
"Well. we'll, colonel, what does II
all mean? It's too early in the morning
for joking" and the general yawned.
II have to report that the spy left 10
my charge has escaped and through my
connivance."
GOOD Lord!' exclaimed the general.
'That is o serious matter"
Maynard remained silent.
"And tho explanations"
"Thcro is none"