The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-08-13
sr betray her true feelings toward

feeling.
Its no use to deceive myself!" he
muttered as he walked slowly down the
street. "If the Yankee doesn't desert,
and if he is not killed in battle or other
wise, he will return to wed her. With
him removed my path is clear. 1t will
be my fault if something doesn't hap
pen to him very soon!'
Something did happen-two or three
something's before the captain s return
to camp. Ike Baxter thoroughly under
stood what Captain Wyle desired, and
he was eager for an opportunity to car
ry out his wishes. One night when
both were on guard about the camp he
wheeled in his beat, drew up his musket
and deliberately fred to kill. Kenton
was hardly 90 feet distant, face turned
away and completely at his mercy The
heavy bullet passed between his arm
and side and sped across the camp and
killed poor sergeant as he lay sleeping
on his bed. The would be assassin plead
ed accident, and it was natural to be-
heve that it was such. Kenton was one
of the first to excuse him, and not the
slightest suspicion of the soldiers MUIR
derous intentions found lodgment in his
mind.
Another incident, and one>with far
more pleasant surroundings, occurred
the very next day. A message came to
the commanding officer of the guards
from Stonewall Jackson to send Private
Kenton to his headquarters. The gen.
eral looked at the young man before
him for half minute before saying:
"You headed the detachment which
captured the gun in hand to hand
fight. You did nobly. Who is captain
of your company"
Captain Wyle, sir.'' -.E
"Ah, yes. Captain Truesdale was
wounded and crippled for life. see.
And you are still private?''
Yes, sir. -
HIN! ought to have remembered
you, but l have been busy-very busy.
Is your captain with his company"
mo, sir. He left several days ago on
furlough."
Him! And haven't you asked for
furlough too?"
Il have not
We'll, we'll see about it later on.
Tomorrow l shall be away. The day
after at 10 o'clock in the morning
wish you to report here to me. Stayl |
will write an order to that effect, which
will be your authority for leaving camp.
Show it to your commanding officer.
And when Kenton returned to the
guards and related his interview and
exhibited the order all congratulated
him-alI except Ike Baxter. That in
dividual felt himself greatly wronged,
and his mutterings took the form of
words:
"Drat that burned Yankee, but he's
jest gwine to boss this hull army if the
captain doan' dun hurry back to camp!"
CHAPTER VIII.
As with the Federals at Arlington, so
with the Confederates on the fields and
meadows to the south. Battles were
fought on the eastern coast and on the
western rivers-battles which made
history were fought in North Carolina,
Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, but
the Army of Virginia remained in its
camps. Its leaders realized from the
beginning that Virginia would be the
real battle-ground of the war, and that
the Army of Virginia would be called
upon to render heroic defense. Every
hour gained was an advantage, every
day gain of men and material and
experience.
When Royal Kenton reported to
General jackson as per order, he was
asked if he knew the country to the
north of the Confederate outposts. He
was forced to reply that he was entirely
ignorant of it.
This is disadvantage, but one you
can overcome, said the general. I'VE
are in need of few more brave men at
the front to act as scouts. Would you
have any objection to serving in that
capacity?''.
IL should not like to act the part
of spy" stammered Kenton in much
confusion.
Nor would ask you to. A spy is
generally brave man and often moved
solely by patriotism, but few of them
are soldiers, and the profession is un-
der a stigma. AS scout you go in
your uniform, secure such information
as you can in legitimate way, and if
captured you are treated as prisoner
of war. You can take comrade with
you or go alone, AS you elect. Do not
be afraid to state your objections if you
have any"
Il will go and go alone" replied
Kenton after moments thought.
Very well, 1 am glad to hear it.
You can now return to your company,
and during the day l will send the
proper order to your captain. Upon
your return report to me direct, and
have no doubt you will bring informa-
tion of value.
That afternoon Captain Wyle return
ed to his company, and when he re-
ceived the order detailing Private Ken
ton for temporary duty at headquarters
and learned its object he was almost
tempted to congratulate him. AS be-
tween captain and private or between
man and man, he would have done so
with great heartiness, but as rival
lover he could not. When Ike Baxter
had related the story of the attempted
removal, as he called it, he expected
words of praise, but they were not ut
tered. On the contrary, his action was
severely criticised, and he went away
to sulk and growl.
Understand me-" said the captain
as Ike betrayed his disappointment by
word and look, 81 don't want murder
or assassination. l hate him because
he's Yankee and because he is an en-
emy among US. | want to drive hin