Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-13

center of an open field was a haycock.
It was the first and only place of ref
uge could see, and l had no time to
waste. Dragging Margaret after me,
we staggered across the field. keeping I
the haycock between us and the men
in advance; once there we plunged un-
der the hay. 1t was the worst possible
place to hide, for it would be the first
place one would be likely to search.
The absurdity of staying there soon
struck both of US. crawled out eau
tiously, but scrambled back on mistak-
ing stump for man; waited,
crawled out again, listened, stood up,
and looked about me. A hundred yards
away, in the direction wanted to go,
was more timber. Could I reach it with
out being seen? The men in advance
had passed on, making to the left, but
there was great risk in passing over the
open ground between the haycock and
the woods, as other searchers might
still be coming. Icursed my stupidity
in getting into the center of an open
field, for now saw that 1 could have
gone around it, slsirting the edge of
the woods. But it would never do to
stay where we were, and was about to
call Margaret to come out, when man
emerged from the woods in the direc-
ton of the rebel camp. Twas standing
out where he could see me plainly.
AT last it was all up with us.
"Hev y sarched the hay?" he called.
Heaven be praised! He was mistak-
ing me for one of his comrades.
I Reckon" replied.
"Nothin' thar?" n
"Nothin' but fodder"
Without word he started of down
the creek.
"Come,' whispered to Margaret, a.
soon as he was out of sight.
She crawled out; helped her to her
feet, and we started for the wood. And
now suppose we should encounter some
of the searchers in the timber? It was
more than likely that we would. liam
cied it full of armed men and every man
| pointing carbine at me, ready to call
on me to surrender the moment !
reached the edge. And no sooner would
they discover the man had left in the
creek than they would dash my brains
out with the butt of a gun OF shoot me
down.
| We hurried on and at last reached
cover. Once there, we stopped and lis
tened. All was still. We leaned against
tree, not so much for rest as to give
our hearts time to stop humping. But
we dared to remain only moment.
took Margaret by the hand and led
her trembling onward. Hooked up fol
the north star, got my bearings, and
turning to the southwest, there was the
crested hill.
"Do you see that hills" asked 'ot
Margaret.
"Yes."
"Isn't it near your home2"
eyes"
"Good! we'll go for it."
We started on, walking briskly, TO,
hope had come to give US strength
There was timber on either hand; W.
kept sharp lookout ahead, intending
to dodge into the woods in case w
should stumble on any of our pursuers
Passing plantation, trembled as
heard the low growl of dog, but W.
shot in among trees on the opposite
side and got by without further at
tracing his attention.
Sometimes we left the road to take t.
the woods, sometimes crossed fields
followed by-paths, always keeping on
eyes on the crested hill. When ex
!, hausted we rested in a secluded spot
then arose and trudged on till we wer
again exhausted, then rested anew
The distance we traversed was, as tn
! crow flies, not more than six or sevel
. miles, but there were hills and ravine
and creeks, and obstacles of ever.
kind, and when we followed the road
they all led the wrong way. However
) the nearer we got to our goal the bel
ter Margaret knew the way, and at las
she was enabled to point it out throug
by-paths and patches of wood till W
> came to the base of the hill Slowl
we climbed the ascent, and at las
. !. standing on the summit, by the ligh
: of early dawn saw beneath us the plar
: tation.
Thank heaven! There are the star
! and stripes flying in the yard, the whit
tents, the sentinels pacing, the lines c
, horses tethered to the horizontal pole
Oh, the exhilaration of the sightl
Margaret" cried, 1--WE are SAT-
See, there is the plantation"
e "Tm glad for your sake"
Z "Why not for your own?"
: She shook her head mournfully. /
t moment the position she occupied o.
e CURED to me.
|, "Oh, Margaret, how could you brea
8 your parole?"
S She was silent.
"You agreed not to aid the reb'
> cause, and you went straight from OF
camp to theirs"
: Still she gave no reply.
Then fell to thinking, conjuring u
all sorts of plans by which she migt
: escape the consequences of her &C
They were all worthless. At last
despair exclaimed: $50 back; rejoi
: the confederates, and never see tt
: general again"
She laid her hand on my sleeve to sta
!. my heated judgment, but did not spen
= made no defense. Then she starte
: on. hung back.
n care you coming?"
d She turned and looked at me. ]
e my fathers house at home hung pi
o ture of Iphigenia going to the sacrific
1 turning to look at the musicians benin
l. her. The melancholy of the girls ey'
f had haunted me from boyhood. So
l. it now in Margaret's.
e "You shall not" I cried, with almo
o a sob.
y She came back and took me by Il
d arm. suffered her to lead me o