Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-23
By Captain F. A. NIT0HEL.
Copyright 1904 by American Pros Associa.
toni
CHAPTER XIV.
sToRMING THE RIDGE.

|
take the ridge.
Maynard had not seen General Thorn
as for montha Indeed he had met him
but a few times since the days when he
was the generals favorite scout. Re
membering his disgrace, he was about ia
90 away, not caring, in his altered con-
dition, to meet the man for whom OF
all the army he felt the greatest rover
ence. But the general turned before he
could do so and looked in his direction.
1t was too late to 90 away unobserv.
cd, and Maynard felt desire to discov-
er il there were not something. after all,
in this great soldier so great that he
could afford to give him kind word.
He walked toward he spot where the
general stood.
What are you doing here, my man?'
said the commander Of all there was
left Of the Army Of tho Cumberland
sternly, seeing the begrimed Maynard
in priyate's uniform and not recogniz-
ing him. why are you not with your
regiment?"
IL have no regiment, general.
"Your troop, them"
II have no troop. am not sol
der"
"Who are your"
MARX Malone"
The sternness on the generals face
slightly relaxed. "Ah, Colonel May
nard. Pardon me. ! did not recognize
you"
"No, general. Twas Colonel May
nard. / am now private citizen. |
would be glad to assume my old scout
ing name, Mark Malone.
~ heard Of your-misfortune. l re-
gretted it doubly. remembering your
services when you were scouting"
"Yes, general Then my services had
some value was fitted for scout
q spy. You thought was fitted for
something better and advanced me. 1
was vain enough to think you right |
did not know myself, As n spy needed
no conscience. was not subservient TO
any principls. When as q brigade COM
mander was Obliged to choose on high
er ground, failed in the choice. have
proved myself unworthy Of your conf
dence. / have sunk to the level from
which l started"
The general did not reply. He was
watching the newly arrived division
getting into position.
lyon connived at the escape OF q
spy, think" be said presently.
Worse / assisted in that escape.
"A woman. was she not?"
"She was. general. "
"H'm. y isn't q pleasant task to
shoot woman. Yet soldier must do
his duty"
Maynard did not reply.
Colonel, there is going to DO weak
spot there. would like you to go and
see that that gap is closed. My staff are
all away. as yon see, on some duty. All
Never mind. They are marching by the
flank, / see. Now it's all right. "
He was so intent upon the forming OF
the line that for q moment Maynard
thought he had forgotten his presence.
"Who was this woman:" the general
asked presently.
"You remember when went to Chat
tanooga 10 bring you information OF
Bragg's movements to Kentucky met
Confederate officer-a Captain Fitz
Hugh-who twice gave me my life!'
"Yes, yes, remember. They re stand
ing well down there in the center and
with so little ammunition. They'll gel
their new cartridges presently from
those brought by the reserve division.
The ammunition comes rs opportunely
as the men.
They're making good fight every
where" observed Maynard.
LET me see. You say you were cali
ed upon to shoot a woman. She was
some relative to this Captain
"Now, Colonel Fitz Hugh. A sister. ="
"That made it pretty hard for You.
colonel. But soldier must do his du-
ty."
Have the Confederates possession Of
that ridge, generalg'
'"They have. "
"And are onr men going to retake IT.
"They' re going to try"
Maynard swept his eye over the posi-
ton.
"They must take 1t. "
The general shot aquick glance at
the degraded officer.
"You think it Important"
"The fate Of this part Of an army
il can't be- called q whole one-depends
upon it. p"
"You are right, colonel. We must
take that ridge or before nightfall be
fying over this field like the right and
center. or, what is worse, be captured.
This is not the first time / have observ-
ed that your eye is made for war. "
Maynard had become 80 engrossed
that he did not hear. He almost forgot
his chiefs presence.
"Ihaven'ta command to lead up that
hill, but have arms to carry musket-
I'll go in the ranks where I've been since
the fight began" and he started in the
direction Of the reserve.
'Stay, colonel, called the general.
MAYNARD turned and walked back to
where the general was standing. He
waited for him to speak further. but he
did not. Minutes passed, while May
uard watched the absorbed commander,
| who in turn was watching the line form
ing below.
"Colonel Maynard, he said at last,
"do you see that regiment down there'
| Il seems to be short Of officers. So far as
can Judge from its movements, no one
| is in command. ! shall have to make
an infantryman Of you, though you are
of the cavalry. Go and lead that regi-
ment in the attack about to be made on
the ridge.
"But, general
"There is no time for butts, sir"
81 am q civilian, with no right to
command"
"You ara In the service till the find
ing of the court. that condemned you
has been approved" Then to an aid,
who rode up at that moment: Cap
tain. 20 with Colonel Maynard and
place him in command Of that regi'
ment, " pointing. "And let there be nc
mistake. II the order Is questioned. say
that the exigencies Of critical moment
demand that it be obeyed.
i Maynard tried to speak the grateful
words that rose to his lips, but either be
could not OF he saw that the generals
ere had caught . new point Of danss'