The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-17

doubtless got beyond the range of his
own comrades. and now came a great
danger OF meeting the Confederate
pickets. Leaving the creek, he ascended
o slight eminenco and made survey of
the surrounding country. All was ST.
lent. except that he could hear an occa-
sional sound like distant burst OF
laughter, or a shout from the direction
OF Ringold, in his front Presently he
heard the unmistakable rumble Of a
train coming from the south.
1T will pnss right down there be-
hind that clump of trees and go through
the cut. I" said the corporal. "Oi wonder
wouldn't il be a good plan to take adj
vantage Of its noise when it passes to
slip through the outposts. They'll be
thinkin Of the train. and Oh can follow
In its wake"
Ho advanced cautiously to the trees
beside the track and waited for the
train. Presently the headlight of loco
motive shot out from around curve
The corporal had forgotten that its light
would reveal him TO the engineer. He
crouched down ont of sight with high
beating heart, and none too soon, for
had he staid where he was the light
would have shone directly on him. Ho
waited while the engine puffed slowly
by 1t was drawing long train of mix
ed passenger, cattle and platform cars,
every car crowded with troops.
They re preparin to give us brush
in earnest Like enough these are re-en-
forcements, {" muttered the corporal.
Ratigan determined to follow the rail
road north to Ringold, which he judged
to be only O mile distant The train
loaded with Confederate troops having
just passed, the guards he might meet
would probably not be very suspicious
Of an enemy. He walked ON the track
for short distance, expecting a chal-
lenRe with every step.
He received one suddenly, just before
entering wood. A man ON horseback
aimed carbine at him and gave the
customary:
"Who comes thar"
Ratigan at once threw up his hands,
which his challenger could distinctly
see. and cried out. II want ye to take
LILO W SoiOucA 4 itL iluRU.
"What do you want with him?''
'Do ye know hims'
'He commands a regiment in our bri-
gade."
Seeing that the corporal held his
hands above his head, the man permitted
him to draw near Once here, Ratigan
informed him Of the nature Of his mis-
sion and begged him for Colonel Fitz
Hugh's sake to send him to Ringold at
once. The vedette was convinced from
Ratigan's carnestness that he bore a
message OF importance, and calling his
comrades ordered one Of them to dis
mount. Then. taking the precaution to
blindfold the stranger, he mounted him,
and placing horseman on either side
Of him sent the three Gathering toward
Ringold. 1t was not long distance TO
the town, but all distances. all periods
OF waiting seemed long TO the corporal
Was not the terrible event TO take plaza
at sunrise? And now it must be near
midnight.
"What Is the timer he asked of his
conductors.
Twenty minutes to H..
Lets 20 faster Colonel Fitz Hugh
would be as anxious for me TO get on s.s
Oh am meself if be knew me GRAND.
Albright. Let's light out, Pete. F"
And Ratigan felt the motion of gaIlop
in the horse he rode And now came
Q .Halsn from gnnrd and an answer,
followed by Advance and give The
countersign. One of the men goes for
ward for the purpose Then the party
goes on again, but what they pass or
where they are going Ratigan knows
nothing about. He only kAows that
they are moving. and that they are not
moving fast enough to suit him. Pres
emily they stop. and the corporal can
hear one OF the men dismount. There is
q stroke Of a clock evidently from u
church spire. He counted, Zone, two.
three, and on to eleven.
"Dismount
He lost no time in throwing himself
from his horse and was led forward.
The air became warmer. He must be
in an inclosure. The bandago was taken
from his eyes.
de was standing III tent lighted by
candle fixed to the end of a stake
driven into the ground. There was but
one other person present, Confederate
officer. He was tall, slender young
man, with long black hair, mustache
and goatec and an eye honest, respect
Inspiring, and with all the gentleness
OF a woman's.
Are ye Colonel Fitz Hugh?' asked
the corporal. making salute as il in
presence Of an officer of his own side.
II am"
"Oi have message from yer sister"
Colonel Fitz Hugh turned ashy pale
No one could come to him from her
without striking terror into him, for he
knew the work In which she was engag
ed. For months be had lived in dread
OF her capture If the messenger had
been citizen or n Confederate soldier,