Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-11-21
CHAPTER XIV.

Lieutenant Oakman had let his tired
horse gd free. and. lesping the fence,
he ran swiftly toward the grove Of trees
that inclosea the mansion Of General
Eldridge At the moment OF daTting
among the shadows he glanced toward
the highway. where no saw Captain
Trenholm surrounded by the enraged
raiders
The fugitive felt some qualms at de-
serting the man who had given such
proof Of his chivalry, but the captains
own words left no doubt that the ap-
parent desertion would In reality con-
tribute to the safety Of his gallant foe
and friend. But for that. OaEman
would have stood at his side TO the last
extremity.
There are crises in mems lives when
the brain works with marvellous swift
sess II was while Lieutenant Oakman
was running with his utmost speed for
the shelter Of the house that il flashed
upon him there was way by which he
could not only increase his own prospect
cf escape, but at the same time save that
good family an infinite amount OF an
noyance.
He would not enter the dwelling at
all. but pass into the woods at the rear.
The opportunity to do so was his
while Captain Trenholm was holding
his vigorous debate with the raiders in
the highway. II the captain could not
keep of the angered guerrillas, the lat
ter in their desperation were li.tly TO
force an entrance into the dwelling. in
order to take vengeance on the man
that had shot their leader. They would
offer no violence to the captain himself
while the debate was under way. since
al were fighting under the same flag.
and the officer was therefore strictly
truthful when he declared himself to
be in no danger. But, with Oakman in
sight, neither the rage nor the threats
nor the resistance Of the captain would
be sufficient to prevent the fierce troop
ers from shooting the Union officer.
"He may hold them in check for
brief time" thought Oakmnn, ''but
they will not allow me TO escape. There
will be more fighting if / stay and
some of these people will be hurt. The
right course is for me to take to the
woods
He was passing the farther end of
the mansion, with the intention of
reaching the forest. from which he had
taken his first survey of the place. when
some one called to him in guarded
undertone:
Zone moment, heutenantr"
He stopped short and looked around.
GOOD heavens, Miss Eldridge! What
brings you here at this timer
She paused couple Of PAGES away,
where she could be seen only indistinct-
ly in the gloom. That her voice was
tremulous and that che betrayed much
excitement was no reflection on her
bravery.
Ignoring his question. she said re-
provingly:
"The captain told you to come into
the house.
"He did. and he is brave. honorable
soldier!" replied Oakman, eager to rem
der this tribute to the gallant officer.
"But I shall be safer In not obeying
him."
do you not believe we can hold
them at bayf"
There was something thrilling in her
reference to the defenders as eve.
'If bravery alone were sufficient. !
should be safe in the hands Of you and
the captain. But this house was never
intended for fort, and. il they perse-
we're. they may burn it about our
heads"
'They would not dare do that"
Ordinarily they would not. but I
shot their leader, and they are deter
mined to get at me. II will be easy to
reach the woods at the rear Of your
plantation, and I am sure they cannot
6nd me there.
"Your plan il a good one. but there
II . better.
"What is thatf'
"Take my pony, Jack. and ride away.
There isn't an animal In Georgia non
| in the whole south, " she proudly add
| ed, "that can overtake you"
| "Where 10 her.
"When Pete brought mo word that
| You refused to use him. I told him To
return hin TO his hiding place in the
| woods. Hunt up Pete. You know where
| 10 find him. Let him conduct you round
| TO the road. and then don't spare Jack. y
The seconds were of msasureless val.
=. In the stillnss q ~ night III