The Delta independent., 1896-03-11
CHAPTER XIII.

d fslsSt lilC EScliCo Noiii navy 1taiA
fraught with an almest supcrhuman
The confusion was appalling
and the noise deafening. But even his
distracted perception could distinguish
in it all the effort of system and discip-
line forcing matters slowly into pur-
pose Squads We're forming and march
ing through the corridor, towards the
rotunda, choking the passages; officers
were running and shouting; litters
were passing and rcpassing with
wounded; groans, curses. commands
loaded the heavy air with satanic tu-
mutt, and the cavernous surroundings
and ghostly lights completed the infer
nal hue of the picture.
A man suddenly plunged into this
subtcrrancan scene, as, indeed, many
of the wounded captives We're, might
r,,dcly imagine that he had died and
been thrown into the traditional hell.
Calicot was about to make very
doubtful experiment. He was going
to determine if his estimate of Hen
bricks character was correct. While
looking for him he came near the
portal; it had occurred to him that in
this confusion it might be possible for
Stocking to get up the shaft unde.
tectcd. But he was quickly convinced
of the folly of that idea. The exit was
well guarded, and the men had
countersign which was changed every
day lie saw several of the new detail
turned back because they had for
gotten it.
While he stood there Hendricks came
up and spoke to him.
"Thcre are two of your wounded
friends there in Mr.. Franklins office"
he said. ''They need intelligent care.
You might lend hand. am sending
all the captured back to the surface as
fast as possible where they can be re-
covered. We cannot do them justice"
lam at your service" replied Calicot.
"But wish to speak to you of another
matter"
"What is itP" asked Hendricks,
brusquely, as he stepped aside.
"Mr. Franklin spoke to you about
removing his daughter?"
"Yes; / told him to get her out as
soon as possible. We move from here
in three days"
II wanted to suggest to you," said
Calicot, ito let the other girl go. She
will die of nervous shock in this up
roar"
"You wish to escort her?"
mo. Let Lieut.. Stocking dol it. The
old man will need somebody to pilot
him to Memphis. AS you probably
know,he is in love with Miss franklin.
The lieutenant will return here to me.
am sufficient hostage"
"Your friend is a vindictive man."
said Hendricks. "But you have noticed
that haven't time to be-
81 said to myself" replied Calicot,
"that the execution of your plans no
longer depended on our captivity or
secrecy"
"Ah, you have arrived at that conclu-
sion."
II acknowledge facts. So far as
can see you are in armed rebellion.
It is no part of the nagnanimity of
war to entornb helpless women. From
what have seen of your character
believed that you would accedc to my
wishes
"But your friend did not think So"
''No, but he, perhaps, does not under
stand you"
"At nightfall," he said, 81 will give
your party an escort and pass them out
of the bayou end. My own men are
in the woods between the bayou and
Memphis, and the women would not
be safe"
Then Hendricks abruptly left him.
Calicot's anxiety now grew hourly.
He had sickening fear that Fenning
might arrive at any moment and frus-
trate the whole plan.
The women spent the intervening
time in preparation, and Calicot, after
> hurried consultation with Stocking,
repaired to Mr.. Laport's quarters, and,
Ending the wounded men had been re-
moved, he sat down at the table, and
Tor an hour gave himself to the writ
ng OF what seemed an interminable
etter, which he concealed on his per-
son when completed.
He then wandered aimlessly through
the long passages. waiting impatiently
for the nisht.to come.
1t was eight o'clock, as near as he
could guess, when Stocking and the
,wo young women got aboard one of
jhe box-cars and accompanied him to
the bayou entrance. Very little was
said on the way. Calicot was appre-
lensive and not disposed to talk His
,hief fear was that something would
occur to interfere with their departure
1T the last moment. 1t seemed to him
hat the rotunda was full of men and
ne suspected that Hendricks had been
getting fresh recruits at the bayon
md during the fight at the Laran
portal.
When they arrived at the end OF their
Journey, Stocking very nearly upset
,he project by suddenly refusing to
20 unless his friend accompanied them,
Ind it required all the firmness and per-
suasion that Calicot could command to
induce him to proceed. "Do not" he
said, "imperil everything by giving up
four faith in me now. On the day after
tomorrow, when you have secured the
safety of your companions, you are to
.ome back for me. The government
will have sorne of it's forces here then,