The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-02-22
CHAPTER L
4 TRYING SITUATION

l
looked at the prisoner and was
vexed by doubt. With battle on one side
of him and woman on the other what
is man to do? She returned my gaze
with great. pCre eyes, which seemed to
say | Wcs Il villain, a monster, yet
had been doing my exact duty, that of
| faithful soldier in the cause of the
Continental congress and freedom, while
| she, woman, girl, had presumed to
turn from the things for which God
had intended her and to meddle with
war. l was more than vexed-I was an
CRY, angry at her for attempting such a
task and angry at myself for being forced
into situation SO full of troubles
On the right, in the fringe Of woods
d quarter of mile away, the last rifle
shot had been fired, and it's echo was
speeding across the far hills The pow
der flashed 10 more, and tho smoke rose
in lazy coils over the ground OH which
men had fought and some had died.
The victors, the captured detail with
them, were riding away. almost fan
cied l 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 nay comrades and alone
with this girl.
The horses shifted about uneasily,
stamped their feet, and once mine raised
his head and neighed, as if i'll truth he
heard the beating hoofs of the galloping
detachment He knew that his COM
rades, too, were leaving him, though
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 log, her
little riding whip hanging -fetfy i4iff IN ner
hand. For the first time took note CT
her face-the delicate Lut firm molding
of each feature; the clear depths of her
dark, blue eyes; the bronze gold of her
hair, clustering III tiny curls around her
forehead; the rose red of her cheeks. like
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 me 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 l will not do -
"Then you remain my prisoner.
Yet would have been fool even to
have taken her word of honor What
woman has any regard for the truth in
military matters? If she could find a
chance, she would certainly give infor-
nation that would bring CORVALLIS, as
we'll as Tarleton, on Morgan.
81 think that it is enough for Eng.
lishmen 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 own accord.
$50 much the worse, l replied
But nothing was to be gained by
standing there and talking. Besides, it
is never we'll for q soldier to dispute
with his prisoner 1t argues an INSULT
cheney for his position. A captor should
bear himself with dignity and reserve.
l would show my quality.
united the horses and led them to
the log on which she was sitting
"Get upl' said curtly and in a tone
of command.
The natural rose flush of her cheeks
deepened little
lyon speak as if you were my mas
ter" she said.
"That is just what l am-for the
present, " l 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, " sho said
stepped forward and held out my
hand to assist her
Don't touch me, You REBEL" she
cried and leaped lightly into the saddle
/ felt hurt
81 wish you wouldn't call me a
rebel, l said.
"Why?"
cts impolite. -
"But it's true -
"Well, perhaps it is in way, and in
way, too, am proud of it. Are you
proud of YOUR king?''
"Yes. ~
at doesn't take much to arouse Eng
lish pride. "
"You will think more of him when the
war is over 1t will pay you to do so. F."
Meanwhile we will wait until
then"
"What do you purpose to do with
me-keep me prisoner?'
at is my misfortune.
"The courtesy of rebel"
~ shall take you to General Nor
gan"
'Then Tarleton will rescue me. Youi
Morgan cannot stand before him.
was afraid that she spoke the truth.
We were outnumbered, and besides
more than half our force was raw mill.
tia The odds were great against us,
and knowing it / did not reply to hel
taunt
While we were talking size sat in the
saddle with the easy seat of a good
horsewoman. l held my horse loosely
by the bride. She was twiddling the
whip in her hands Suddenly she leaned
over and lashed my horse across the