The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-11-07
PART III.
CHAPTER vI.-CoNTrNUED.

CHAPTER VI.-CoNTINUED.
It wanted still an hour of the dark
ness that would probably close the fight
of that day. Could he hold out, keeping
his offensive position SO long? hasty
council with his officers showed him
that the weakness of their position had
already infected them. They reminded
him that his line of retreat was still
open-that in the course of the night
the enemy, although still pressing to-
wards the division center, might yet |
turn and outhank him-or that their
strangely delayed supports might come
up before morning. Brants glass,
however, remained fixed on the main
column still pursuing its way along |
the ridge. 1t struck him suddenly, |
however, that the steady current had
stopped, spread out along the crest on
both sides and was now at right angles
with it's previous course. There had
been q check! The next moment the
thunder OF guns along the whole hori-
zon and the rising cloud of smoke re-
veaIed n line OF battle. The division
center was engaged. The opportunity
he had longed for had come-the des-
perate chance to throw himself on
their rear and cut his way through
the division-but it had come too late!
He looked AZ his shattered ranks
scarce n regiment remained. Even MS
a demonstration attack would fail
against the enemy's superior numbers
Nothing clearly was left 10 him now
Int to remain where he was-within
supportine distance, and await the is
sue of the fight beyond. He was put
ting up his glass when the dull boom
of cannon in the extreme western limit
of the horizon attracted his afternoon.
By the still cleaning sky he could see
n long gray line stealing up from the
WILEY from the distant rear OF the head
quarters to join the main column. They
were tho missing supportsl His heart
leapedl He held the key Of the mystery
now. The one imperfect detail of the
enemy's plan was before him. The sup
ports coming later from the west had
seen only the second signal from the
vvindow-when Miss Faulkner had re-
placed the vase-and had avoided his
nosition. II was impossible TO limit
the effect OF this blunderl II the young
girl who had thus saved him had
reached the division commander with
his message in time, he might be fore
warned, and even profit by il. His own
position would be less precarious, as
the enemy already engaged in front
would be unable 10 recover their posi-
ton in the rear. and correct the blum
der. The bulk of their column had all
ready strcamed past him. If defeated
there was always the danger that IL
might be rolled back upon him-but
he coniectured that the division com
mander would attempt TO prevent the
junction of the supports with the main
column by breaking between them
crowding them from the ridge and Jom'
inc him. AS the last stragglers of the
rear guard swept by Brant's bugles
were already recalling the slSirmishers
He redoubed his pickets, and resolved
to watch and wait.
IL was past midnight. when, without
undressing, he threw himself upon hi'
bed in the little conyent-like cell Z
snatch a few moments OF sleep. IL
spotless, peaceful walls and draperiei
affected him strangely as " he ha'
broupht INFO its immaculate serenit,
the sanguine strain of war. He wa
awakened suddenly from deep slum
Der by an infinite sense OF alarm
His first thought was that he had beer
summoned to rcpel an attack. He sa
UP and listened. Everything was silcn
except the measured tread OF the sentr
on the gravel walk below. But the doc
was open. lie sprang to his feet an
slipped into the gallery, in time to sc
the tall figure OF a woman gliding befor
the last moonlit window at its furthes
end. lie could not see her face ou
the characteristic turbaned head OF th
negro race was plainly visible.
lie did not care to follow her, or eve
alarm the gunrd. " il were the spy q
enc of her einissaries, she was powerle'
now to do any harm. and under his lni
orders and the ~ orous vigilance OF u
rcntinels she could not leave the line
Or indeed the house. She probabl
knew this MS well as ne did; itwas' Their
fore. no doubt, only an accidental II
trusion OF one OF the servants. III r
entered the room ana stood foi it
moments Ivy the window looking ov'
the mooulit ridge. The sounds OF di
tant cannon had long since cease