The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-04-25
CHAPTER XIV.
A SECOND FRIEND IN NEED.


Lieutenant Oakman had let his tired
horse go free, and. leaping the fence,
he ran swiftly toward the grove Of trees
that inclosed the mansion Of General
Eldridge. At the moment Of darting
among the shadows he glanced toward
the highway, where he 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
Ind friend. But for that, Oakman
would have stood at his side to the last
extremity.
There are crises in mems lives when
the brain works with marvellous swift
ness. 1t was while Lieutenant Oakman
was running with his utmost speed for
the shelter Of the house that 1t flashed
could not only increase his own prospect
CT escape, but at the same time save that
good family an infinite amount of an
noyance.
| He would not enter the dwelling at
Ill, 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. If the captain could not
keep off the angered guerrillas. the lat
ter in their desperation were likely 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
Ill were fighting under the same flag,
land the officer was therefore strictly
Truthful when he declared himself to
be in no danger. But, with Oakman in
Isight, neither the rage nor the threats
lnor 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 q
brief time," thought Oskman, "but
they will not allow me to escape. There
will be more fighting if I 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 oi
reaching the forest, from which he had
taken his first survey of the place, when
Eome one called to him in guarded
undertone:
Zone moment, lieutenant"
/ H. Oh boz nd
"Good heavens, Miss Eldridgel 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 wa
tremulous and that she betrayed mucl
excitement was no reflection on he
bravery.
Ignoring his question, she said re
provingly:
1.-THE captain told you to come int
the house.
"He did, and he is brave, honorabi
soldierp' replied Oakman, eager to rem
der this tribute to the gallant officer
"But shall be safer in not obeyinI
him."
"Do you not believe we can hol,
them at bayf"
There was something thrilling in he
. reference to the defenders as "we."
: eff bravery alone were sufficient,
should be safe in the hands of you an
the captain. But this house was neve
intended for fort, and, if they perse
we're, they may burn it about on
heads.
"They would not dare do that"
"Ordinarily they would not, but
shot their leader, and they are dete,
s mined to get at me. It will be easy
reach the woods at the rear of you
plantation, and I am sure they canne
find me there.
Q "Your plan is good one, but thel
9 is better
: "What is that?"
1 "Take my pony, Jack, and ride ava,
g There isn't an animal in Georgia NJ
in the whole south,' she proudly adj
g ed, "that can overtake you"
: "Where is herr
: "When Pete brought me word tn,
8 you refused to use him. told him [