The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-06

l OpOu Counting 10 ulIuStlI, OHkIudu
was surprised to hear men conversing in
the front room. Listening for mo.
nent he recognized the voices as those
Of white persons who had made him the
subject Of their conversation. 1t was
easy to tell from their words that they
had come down upon the dwelling so
suddenly that the negro had no time to
warn his guest. As the only thing.
therefore. to do. he stoutly maintained
that he had no guest at all. "
II tole yo'." he insisted, "dere ain t
nobody hyah. Oar warn't nobody in
blue clothes like Marse Linkum's sojers
dat rid up here dis mornin jes' afore
day an had breakfas'. Oar amt no
such pusson, am dar, Diner"
Thus appealed to, the wife came to
the rescue of her embarrassed husband
nobly.
"Co'se dey ain'tr' she Indignantly
protested. IAN his black boss, dat's
de finest critter in Jawgy, amt out in
de bawn eatin like blazes. Co'se he
amt"
"All that being SO, said one Of the
men with a laugh, "there won't be any
harm in our taking look around"
He rose to his feet and moved toward
the open door, leading to the rear apart
ment, where Oakman had risen and
was listening to the conversation.
"Doan' go in darl" called Dinah in
comical CONSERVATION.
"Why not2" asked the man, stop
ping short and looking inquiringly at
her.
"Dat's my room. Amt 20 'nough
oh gemman not to intrcodf"
"But you're not in there, " was the
supertiuous remark of the man, who
was getting a good deal of fun out Of
the situation.
"But I'll be dar when bedtime
comes
"And We'll be somewhere else So
long as the lady of the house is not in
her retiring apartment, there is moth
ing improper
There is no saying how the situation
would have ended had it not been I'M
expectedly solved by Lieutenant Oak
man himself. After moments atten-
tion he recognized the voices of tho
two visitors, who were having some
quiet amusement with the simple mind
ed couple. Without hesitation, there
fore, he strobe from the darkened cham
Der at the rear and, advancing into the
front room, extended his hand toward
trance.
Hello, Jim. I'm glad to sec you And
there's Tim too. How are you, boyer
The callers at the negro cabin were
his old acquaintance, Tim Masters and
Jim Ackers, the same who had made
him prisoner on the plantation Of Gen
eral Eldridge weeks before.
The meeting was not surprise to the
two Confederates that Oakman antici-
pated. They had heard of his departure
for the Union lines. They knew the
circumstances and, understanding his
danger, set out to find him, that they
might offer their services. This was at
the urgent request Of Captain Trenholm,
who censured himself intensely because
a suitable escort had not been furnished
his Exchange.
Masters and Ackers were finely
but 1T took the greater part of
the day before they could overtake Oak
man, because of the speed of the
Jack that had horne him to
the friendly negros cabin. The shrewd
Enew that when he halted
it would be at such place, and, by !
keeping track of him, through inquiries
from those whor they occasionally met,
they finally ran down the fugitive.
When the delighted Oakman began to
explain matters. Ackers interrupted
with wave of his hand.
1--WE know all that. leftenant, so
you can cut it short. We don t want to !
see that letter of Captain Trenholm, Ell
ther, for he told us about it. He feels
mighty mean that you should DO left !
alone to grope your way back to your
lines, while it was all plain sailing with
him. +"
1.-THE captain is one of the bravest :,
md most honorable of men. He would
have been glad enough to provide me
with an escort, but there was none at
MS command"
"Yes, there was" remarked Tim
Masters, with twinkle Of his hazel
ayes.
How was thatH" asked Oakman.
"He could have given you squad of
Wilkins cavalry"
"Of course" added Ackers, land
here wouldn't have been left anything
or us to do"
"Nor for any one else, except the I'M
|ertaker, added the lieutenant grimly.
Those fellows were very pressing in
heir Intentions
"Well," said Tim, as he proceeded to
light his pipe, "Jim and me are going
o see you through this time. After I'M