Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26
CHICKAMAUGA.
By Captain F. A. MIT0HEL.
Copyright. 1904. by American Press Associa.
tion
CHAPTER XIX.

1
ton.
CHAPTER XIX.
IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Once inside his tent Colonel Maynard
said:
Corporal, / want you to get me the
uniform of private soldier You must
10 so without exciting suspicion.
''Oi don't know how Oi'll do it, COLO
1el, without goin back to me own
camp"
II fear that will take too long. Can't
you steal one from one Of the tents near
by"
''Oi moight be able to do ii, and Oi
might spend the whole night tryin
Oi can get one at me camp certain. "
IL would take your jacket, but |
want your assistance. There's no other
way but for you TO 60 to your camp.
Colonel. Oi1l ride hard"
ride, and remember that every mo-
ment is worth years ut any other time ;"
Ratigan lost no time in mounting and
was soon galloping on his way. Once
ont Of the camp from which he started
he found no guatds 10 pass and was able
90 drive his horse to the utmost. The
night before he had chased the woman
whom he had then known as Betsy
Bags in mad race TO capture her. Now
he was tearing along in mad race to
save her from the consequences Of his
capture Past woods and waters flew
the corporal, over bridges and hills,
through hollows and riyulets, till he
came to his own camp. There he at
once sought tho quarters OF Private Elan
agan.
Flanagan" he cried. sL,.Aing tho
private, yer wantedV'
What is it, corporal?"
"Lot me take yer clothes and ask
no questions "
Take 'em. And divil a question
will Oi ask except what ye do be wantin
'em for. "
Ratigan seized the bundle. and, with
an injunction 70 Flanagan to keep his
mouth shut IL he wanted to save him
self from future trials, mounted his
horse and was again flying over the
ground back to Colonel Maynard s head
quarters.
IL was now the small hours Of the
night. The corporal cast his eye TO the
east and saw faint streak Of white
light there Digging his spurs into his
beasts tanks and urging him with his
voice at the same time, rider and horse
sped Oh in a race between life and death.
"Go on, ye BEAST" cried the corpo-
raj. "Go on. me darlin Stretch yer
cussod legs, for / don't care II ye Kill
yersilf if we lose no time. What's yer
| loife compared with hers? On with ye,
me beauty Win the race with the sun
that is showin his light there, and
DILL worship ye forever.
With such contradictory and incohe-
rent phrases Ratisan urged his horse
till he coul6 20 no faster. Again did
hills, wales, woods, waters, fences fly
by till at last the corporal dismounted
ut the camp he rode for, and i'll mo-
mont was in Colonel Maynard's tent
The corporal started back. A man
stood there whom he did not recognize
for few moments as Colonel Maynard.
He had no beard. while the colonel had
had a heavy one His hair and eyebrows
were black. while the colonol's were
light, and the hair which had hung be-
low his hat in short curls was now crop
ped.
Give me the clothes, quickr'
The corporal handed him the bundle,
and MAYNARD lost no time III getting
into them.
Corporal, said the colonel. let me
explain what am about to do know
something Of the blood that flows in
the veins Of Caroline Fitz Hugh. She
will never accept her life at the price ]
intend to pay for il. She must not know
that intend 20 save her by violating
trust, by incurring my own downfall,
or she will not leave her Jail. Do you
understand?'
Il do, colonel. She would chide me
if she knew was doing the same. y
while you have been away ! have
placed three horses in the wood yonder. "
Il see, colonel "
Corporal Ratigan, every man has
his own part i'll life to perform. The
distinctive feature in mine seems TO be
to decide quickly between conflicting
duties / am going to violate trust, to
perform a sacred obligation. If you will
aid me, follow ME. "
Taking up u slip Of paper lying ON
his camp cot, on which he had written
all order, the two left the tent They
were challenged by the sentry on post,
but giving the countersign proceeded
till they were again challenged by the
guard ut the temporary prison. There
the colonel advanced and gave the coun-
tersign and passed into the house.
The sergeant i'll charge met them and
asked what they wanted. The colonel
handed him the paper he had brought
with him. 1t was an order for the per-
son of the prisoner. The place was only
lighted by candle, and the colonel took
care to stand with his back to it. But
this was not necessary, for his disguise
was complete. Corporal Ratigan re-
mained without the door, OH the porch
The sergeant looked from the paper to
the man who stood before him inquir-
ingly.
''This is very strange, he said.
Maynard made no reply.
Here is Colonel Maynard's order,
the sergeant added, reading it over
again. "Do you know what he wants
with herr"
"Do you suppose / don't know any
better than to ask questions when get
an order?" replied the spurious private
gruffiy.
The sergeant went into the room
where Miss Fitz Hugh was confined and
led her out, pale and wondering.
"It isn't sunrise" she said in voice
which it was difficult for her to keep
from breaking.
Come" said the colonel. She fol-
lowed him to the porch, and Corporal
Ratigan joined them, but 1t was too
dark for the prisoner to see who he was,
and he did not dare to make himself
known. AS soon as they had got to
safe distance he whispered:
''Darlinp'
"Ratsp'
"Not a word till we get further
away
They walked on at an ordinary pace,
though all desired to hasten. After pass
ing some distance from the house May.
nard turned and glanced back. He saw