Evening star., 1901-02-09

which stepping to one side, the seniors
compared with the map In the hands OF
McCook and lowered their voices as they
talked. 1t was McCook who finally blurted
"Do You suppose Hardee will be deceived
by the sight of single division? ! don I.
I've served under him. l know him.
There are-other ways, answered Inc
chief of staff, placidly, with warning look
at the impetuous speaker and a quick
glance at the three junior s1 o ofncers 1 IN 'he
Late that night Norman lay ponderfng
over the events of the day. over kate's let
ter. over Gaffney's bibulous excitement.
over the dramatic meeting a. genera genera ets,ua neaa-
OF one thing he felt assured, yet could not
say why-the major had not yet prevailed.
Daisy Lane had not surrendered Tne regi-
ment must have been sent forward within
a day or two of Kate's announcement.
probably shipped by river all the way from
Cincinnati to Nashville, This was one
cause at least for rejoicing. AND ne mad
another for even in the intensity of his
devotion to his soldier duty Norman Holt
was human. In the hearing and presence OF
the highest officers Of the army he had been
able at last to express his contempt for
Burnett Malloy.
Gaffney was awaiting his return. The
Irishman had heard the story as 1t reached
the Buckeyes, and after wild hurrah and
a rousing drink had rushed to "tinder his
sarvices," for of course, Malloy must fight.
Even in an age when dueling was on its
last legs soldier would not submit to such
ignominious treatment without losing caste
in the whole corps. "a missidge," said
Gaffney, SHOULD come furrst thing in the
mornin'" If it didn't, bedad, he'd cyarry
wan to Malloy." and Norman, knowing that
long before Gaffney's infiamed peppers
left long miles behind, but remembering,
nevertheless. that he was enjoined to ST.
lence. finally got rid of his importunate
its bearer should be referred to Gaffney the
instant 1t was received
"And you promise me you'll go straight
to bed, Gaffney, and drink no more to-
night You'll need clear, cool head in
the morning" was the only stipulation,
and Gaffney gave his word and went his
way.
At o'clock in the soft summer-like
morning there rode away from corps head
quarters a squadron of cavalry led by the
Paducah captain. and at his side rode Nor
man Holt. Five miles out they reached the
stations of the southernmOst command of
the Army of the Cumberland. Between
them and the enemy's pickets, which COW
cred the country from beyond Columbia on
the west far up to McMinnville the
heights, there was now nothing but the
Union sentres and their supports, but un-
der the dawn were dozen strong squad
rons of cavalry feeding and grooming in
the fields to the right and left of the Shell
byville pike and staff officer, coming for
ward conducted O'ConnOr and his tall Ken
lucky comrade to the presence Of the gen.
eraI In command The sun was Just CLINT
ing the tips of the trees they came
upon the party, slipping coffee at a camp
fire. Coffee and welcome both were ten
dered to the newcomers and then the gen.
eral. tall bearded soldierly, took Norman
to one side and drew from the breast of
his uniform coat a paper which Norman
recognized at once. 1t was the map he
made for Rosecrans the night before. The
other was in the hands of Sheridan. 1--WE
mount in twenty minutes,"' said the gem
eral "What / wished to ask WAS are Won
SO familiar with this neighborhood'
he struck the sheet with his gauntleted
hand-"that you could lead through there
back of Wartrace-in the dark?"
Norman hesitated He had. as he told
the general in chief. abundant reason to
know that region but there was something
in the question, the tone, that brought up
instantly the memory of that ride in the
dark across the Hardin hills. through Shell
by gap. The very next words decided him.
The very name was enough.
''Bragg's main body Is at ShelbyvilIe"
said the general quickly. ''Hardee is to his
right at Wartrace, covering Tullahoma, and
there's nothing but cavalry from there out
to McMinnville. l need not go into details,
tour to the east. while Sheridan holds them
in front of Wartrace and-others occupy
everybody else the whole length of the line
We are 10 burst through there and try to
get peep at Tullahoma. 1 estimate that
IL will take the best of two days and ali
tonight"
The answer was prompt 'I can guide
you along the creek. sir. anywhere to the
were forbidden to cross"
Yet I'm told many Of your fellows Gid
cross"
"Only a few parties scouting for stills,
moment"
At this moment an aid approached ana
pointed north. Two miles away, over .