The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-03
CHAPTER XIII.
A BREAK FOR LIBERTY.


A deep sigh and partly suppressed
moan broke the sudden silence that fell
upon the group They were from Mrs.
Benware, who moved backward a step,
as if to recoil from the impending
tragedy.
"You seem interested in the prison
err" was the cutting comment Of Miss
Hartman, but the woman addressed
gave no answer She and her sister
who seemed equally affected. but in
better control Of her nerves, moved to-
ward the door leading into the hall.
Their action suggested to the other
woman the propriety Of all withdraw
ing for brief while, and they passed
out of the room into the wide hall.
Lieutenant Oakman, without any
evidence of emotion except slight
paling of his countenance said to the
leader Of the party:
''Search me if you choose I shall
offer no resistance
at makes little difference whether
you do or not" grimly replied the Con-
federate, who without ceremony began
the work, which was simple in its ma
ture.
From the inner pocket of the prison
er's coat he drew forth several letters
and folded documents. They included
two missives from his mother, another
from an army friend with General
Grant in Virginia, and that was all.
Every other part of his clothing was
searched, including his cap and cavalry
boots. which he was compelled to draw
off. There was nothing contraband in
them, and the heels of his boots, which
were tapped and examined. gave evil
denco Of being solid and devoid of any
secret receptacles. Of course his revolv-
er was contiscated
1t would have gone i'll with the lieu
tenant had that document which he re-
ceived from the hands of Mrs. Benware
been found, but, strange as it may
seem, it had vanished, the thorough
search of his captors making it impossi-
BILE for it to remain hidden about his
person.
Itwould appear that, the search of the
prisoner having resulted as stated, his
peril had disappeared. Such would have
been the fact had he been in the custody
of con pany of regular Confederates,
but, unfortunately, these men were If
regulars, known as Wilkins cavalry,
who did not consider themselves bound
by the usages of civilized warfare.
"Well, Yank," coolly remarked the
leader. lyon seem to be what you claim,
and Miss Hartman says that this letter
(handing it tck to him) was written
by Captain Ltcnholm, but it happens
that the captain doesn't command our
company"
~ do not see what that has to do
with my case" replied the lieutenant,
who, nevertheless, was quite certain Of
the drift Of the word
you'll he likely to see pretty soon,'
was the significant remark of the lead
er. These arc not the INES to show
much consideration to the like of you,
III own thu. The question isn't clear in
my mind. I'll have to talk it over with
tho Boys. While we're doing SO, you
can Withdraw. Stay Y i.h The women.
No douhS they'll frd your company
agreea lie. Btll, go along and keep an
eye on him all the time, remembering
that, il he hasn't any weapons except
his sword, the fact won't hinder him
from running, if he gets the chance. "
The soldier addressed as 'Bill'' mo-
toned to Oaklnan to follow him into
the hall. The prisoner did so, the two
joining the three women, who were
seated near the stand or table upon
which was the candle, with their arms
folded, grim, silent and waiting. They
turned their eyes toward the couple, but
not word was spoken by any one.
All the chairs were occupied, and the
men kept their feet. Bill wished to fol-
low the debate that was going on in the
next room and placed himself near the
door that he might catch the words
spoken, an easy thing to do, since there
was little or no attempt at secrecy by
the others.
While posted thus the soldier motion
cd for Oakman to take his place in
front that he might observe his every
movement, the guard meanwhile keep
ing his hand on the revolver at his hip.
Less than five minutes later scream
rang out from Miss Hartman, and the
startled company in the adjoining room
dashed into the hall to learn its cause.
She was in her chair, gasping and strug-
Cling, with frightful attack of hys-
terics; Mrs Benware and her sister, as
white as death, sat silent, upright and
evidently on the point of swooning;
Bill, the cavalryman. was stretched on
his back, to all appearances as dead as
dead could be. Tho open front door left
no doubt whittier the prisoner had gone,
and with fierce imprecations the raiders
streamed outside and made for their
horses.
Not minute was to be lost, for in
the vivid moonlight he was seen in the
act of swinging himself into the saddle
Of one of the animals that had been
tied at the side of the lane, fully alive
to the fact that his life depended upon
using every second at his command.
Not doubling what the verdict of the
men would be- Lieutenant Oakman,
while in the hall with his jailer, deter
mined to discount it. The fact that his
guard did not suspect any such wild
purpose increased the chances Of the
officer Without his motive being dis
trusted by the man whose attention
was centered upon the discussion in the
adjoining room the lieutenant stepped
up near him. The next instant he was
throttled with such lightninglike
quickness that he sank to the floor and
collapsed without being able to make
an cutlery.
(To be utluod.)