The National tribune., 1898-11-03

taking the money He did not seem to
understand the philosophy of a person in
my circumstances refusing money, and
when l looked at him again his face wore
doubtful, puzzled expression. which
alarmed me. | was actually frightened,
and bursting into passionate fit Of weep
ing, exclaimed vehemently:
oh, Gineral, forgive me! but me con-
world nor in the Mkt, If i wud take money
for carrying the dyin' missage for that
swate boy that's dead and gone-God rest
his soul Och, indade, indade | nivir cud
do SIGH name thing, If i am poor
woman"
The Major seemed satisfied. and told
| me TO wait until he returned with de-
| tachmert Of men. When he returned !
told him that i did not feel able To walk
that distance, and requested him TO let
me have horse, stating the fact that
had been sick for several days, and had
slept but little the night before. He did
not answer a word but ordered a horse
saddled Immediately, which was led for
ward by colored boy, wEo assisted me to
mount.
| really felt mean, and for the first time
| since | had acted in the capacity Of spy
| | despised myself for the very act which
| was about 10 perform. j must betray the
confidence which that man Ieposed in
me- He was too generous to harbor Il
suspicion against me, and thus furnished
me the very means OF betraying him.
This feeling did not last long, however,
/ for as we started on our mission he said to
| his men: Now, boys, bring back the
/ body Of Capt Hall If YOU have to walk
| through Yankee blood Ia the knees"
! That speech eased my conscience CON
siderably. j was surprised to hear him
say Capt. Hail. for did not know until
| then that he was an officer. There was
| nothing about his uniform or person to
indicate his rank. and had supposed he
was a private soldier.
RETURN FOR THE BODY.
We made our way toward the house
very cautiously, lest we should be sur
prised by the Federals. | rode at the
head Of the little band OF rebels as guide
not knowing but that ! was leading them
! into the laws Of death every step we ad
vanced, and If so il would probably be
death for me well as for them.
Thus we Travelled those five miles
silently, thoughtfully and stealthily.
The sun had gone down behind the west
ern hills, and the deepening shadows
were fast gathering around us we came
! in sight Of the little white cottage in the
| forest where had so recently spent such
a strangely, awfully solemn night.
The little detachment halted to rest
and TO make arrangements before APP
preaching the house. This detachment
consisted OF u men, under a Sergeant and
a Corporal. The men were divided into
turn at carrying the body Of their late
| Captain upon stretcher, which they had
brought for that purpose. AS we drew
| near, and saw no sign Of an approaching
enemy they regretted that they had not
brought an ambulance; but did not
greet it, for the present arrangement suited
me exactly.
Having settled things satisfactorily
among themselves, we again resumed our
march and were soon at the gate The
| Sergeant he To
proceed TO the house with a squad Of men
and bring out the corpse, while he sta
toned the remaining men to guard all the
approaches to the house.
LOOKOUT FOR YANKEES.
Ec then asked me to ride down the
road little way, and # should see or
hear anything OF the Yankees to ride back
as fast as possible and let them know. i
assented, and joyfully complied with the
first part OF his request; This was very
pleasant duty assigned me- for which l
mentally thanked the Sergeant a thou
sand times
turned and rode slowly down the road
but not seeing or hearing anything Of
the Yankees thought il best 10 keep
on in that direction until / did. | was
like the Louave, after the battle of Bull
Run, who said he was ordered to retreat
but rot being ordered Ia halt at any par
ticular place. he preferred to Keep on until
he reached New York. So ! preferred To
keep on until reached the Chickahominy
where ! reported progress TO the Federal
General.
had no desire 10 have that little escort
captured, and consequently said nothing
about il in my report: SO the Sergeant,
with his men, were permitted TO return to
the rebel camp unmolested bearing with
them the remains Of their beloved Cap
tam. After getting out of sight of the
rebel guards, l made that horse go over