Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-03-30
CHAPTER /.
A TRYING SITUATION.

] looked at the prisoner, and / was
vexed by doubt. With q battle on one side
Of him and a woman ON the other what
is a man to do? She returned my gaze
with great, pure eyes, which seemed to
say / was a villain, a monster, yet ]
had been doing my exact duty, that of
a faithful soldier in the cause of the
Continental congress and freedom, while
she, a woman, a girl, had presumed to
turn from the things for which God
had intended her and to meddle with
war. / was more than vexed-I was an
CRY, angry at her for attempting such a
task and angry at myself for being forced
into a situation so full Of troubles.
On the right, in the fringe of woods
a quarter of a mile away, the last rife
shot had been fired, and it's echo was
speeding across the far hills. The pow
der flashed no more, and the smoke rose
in lazy coils oyer the ground on which
men had fought and some had died.
The victors, the captured detail with
them, were riding away. / almost fam
cied / could hear the beat Of their
horses hoofs, and the dead, / knew, lay
with their faces upturned to the sun,
waiting there until the last trump called
to them to rise again. And here was /,
an atom, left in the drift Of the armies,
cut off from my comrades and alone
with this girl.
The horses shifted about uneasily,
stamped their feet, and once mine raised
his head and Weighed, as il in truth he
heard the beating hoofs of the galloping
detachment. He knew that his COM
rades, too, were leaving him, though l
cannot say that it was a desertion in
tended by either horse or man.
The girls look Of reproach turned to
one Of inquiry. She sat on a log, her
little riding whip hanging idly in her
hand. For the first time l took note Of
her face-the delicate but firm molding
of each feature; the clear depths Of her
dark, blue eyes; the bronze gold of her
hair, clustering in tiny curls around her
forehead the rose red of her cheeks, like
a flush; her 1.-the, strong, young figure.
Why is it that when God wishes to
make women especially wicked and
troublesome he makes them beautiful?
"Well, you REBEL. she said. when
do You purpose to set M free?"
"When you give your word of honor
that you will tell CORVALLIS nothing
about the strength of Morgan's forces
and our present movements,
"That | will not do.
"Then You remain my prisoner.
Yet would have been a fool ever to
have taken her word of honor. What
woman has any regard for the truth in
military matters? Ii she could find a
chance, she would certainly give infor-
nation that would bring CORVALLIS. as
well as Tarleton. ON Morgan.
81 think that it is enough for Eng
.Gshmen themselves to fight us without
sending their daughters also against us.
/ said.
my father did not send me, ''she said
quickly. II came of my w accord.
$50 much the worse, " ! replied.
But nothing was TO be gained by
standing there and talking. Besides, it
is never we'll for a soldier to dispute
with his prisoner. 1t argues an INSULT
cheney for his position. A captor should
peal himself with dignity and reserve.
/ would show my quality.
l united the horses and led them TO
the log on which she was sitting
"Get upl" l said CURLY and in a lone
of command.
The natural rose flush of her cheeks
deepened a little.
lyon speak as if You were my mas
ter" she said.
"'That is Just what / am-for the
present, " 1 replied Mount your horse
at once.
She gave me a sidewise look from eyes
that flashed, but she stood upon the log
"This log is too low, and the saddle
Is too high, she said.
| stepped forward and held out my
hand to assist her
Don't touch me. You rebelp' she
cried and leaped lightly into the saddle
| felt hurt.
II wish You wouldn't call me a
rebel, " | said
"Why?"
ats impolite."
1ub IL = TRUE.
"Well perhaps it is in a way, and in
a way, too. / am proud of it, Are you
proud Of YOUR king?"
yes"
sit doesn't take much to arouse Eng
lish pride"
You viii think more of him when the
war is over. 1t will pay you to do SO. +"
Meanwhile we will wait until
then"
'tWhat do you purpose to do With
me-keep me a prisoner"
lit is my misfortune"
1.-THE courtesy Of a rebel"
II shall take you to General Nor
gan"
''Then Tarleton will rescue me Your