Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-04

any remarkable event should take place
was in exactly the position to see it.
Lieutenant"
1.-THE devill''
A second time I had been caught
sleeping on post. looked up, and saw
Margaret standing beside me. IT was
broad day.
81 beg your pardon; thought
stammered.
Look"
Five thousand cavalry were march
ing northward through the valley.
Whoever has seen such sight can
never forget it, Five thousand men
aud 5000 horses. First rode thin line
deployed across the road, its wings ex-
tending TO the right and 10 the left.
Then came knot OF men. the com
maHding general and his staff. They
were followed at some distance by
smaller knot. doubtless the commander
of the advance brigade. Then came the
line by regiments, squadrons, com
ranies, platoons, the men in the ranks,
the officers In their respective posi-
tons. The rising sun lit up their bat
tie flags. their guidons, glistened on
hue the dust that enveloped them.
They were moving steadily, but horses
viii not have the same gait. and here
and there a squadron that had fallen
behind was pushing along at a brisk
trot or n gallop to overtake the corps
TO which it belonged.
Margaret" 1 exclaimed, springing
up; you have won. There are the cav
airy; the infantry will go by the rail-
road"
AS I spoke. we heard whistle to the
south, q rumbling, putting, and along
came n train. 1t was loaded with
troops. They filed the cars, the plat
forms; they swarmed on the roofs.
With a screech from the locomotive
they passed, and were lost in the dis
tance. ,.-ss.s ,,.s-SAs, ~.
Another whistle; another train
This is made up of platform cars
What are those great wooden objects?
AS they came nearer we discerned the
shape of huge boats. And those piles
of timber? They are connecting pieces
and flooring. 1t is pontoon train
They will need it to cross the river
above.
Margaret, the rumor has become q
fact. That is doubtless Wheeler's cav
airy marching through the valley
while Longstreet's corps is moving by
rail. They have left Bragg's army be
fore Chattanooga, and are going to joiT
the forces threatening Burnside. TX
you belongs the credit of the discovery
I was fast asleep, PUNK was asleep, anC
4.1,o oil h,,
passed without our knowing it. The in
r formation the general sent for, you
r have acquired. You are saved"
''But why is it so important to l0nov
of this mover" asked Margaret, Gag
l erly.
Important That Burnside may b
warned. Grant, knowing that thi
? force is detached from the army threat
ening Chattanooga. may attack tn
weakened lines, break up the beleagur
r. ! ment of the Army of the Cumberland
and open an aggressive campaign"
Margaret stood for few moment
8 LOOMING alternately at me and at tn
troops below, then threw back he
head and gave an exhilarating laugh
, 1t rang through the ravine, then ros'
!. like bird that sings as it flies, to tn
very heavens. Then she turned and IA
into the cave.
There was something so mocling j
that laugh, so keen a relish. such a rim
of one who has suddenly acquired III
= whip hand of an enemy, that ever
: doubt I had ever had of Margaret SUD
denly rushed back upon me.
What did it mean?
What would now be her purpose?
Would she return with us, or ste;
away from us to tell our enemy wins
we had been watching for, and thu
give him the advantage?
1 must wait for an answer. .zStS
3 .SEsss6.