The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-10-30
CHAPTER XIV.
wnMAN'a pIncK

GUESSING the situation. They
talked SO loud that we could often
catch q word. and their gesticulations
were plain to us all. AT last the cap
tain took a white handkerchief from
his pocket. fixed 1t to n stick and. hold
ing II over his head, advanced toward
Us.
"a dag of truce!' we all exclaimed
together.
"He's going to offer US something to
eat!" cried Jack. 81 knew he wouldn't
let us starve!'
stepped over the breastworks TO go
end meet the bearer of the Gag. Buck
called out:
"Tell him I'll take some fried chick
en- TO miner
met the captain at the spot where
we had built our fire, His arm was In
q sling, and he was very pale. Some
thing told me that he did not relish the
work In which he was engaged.
"I've come to tell yo'." he said. "that
II YOU surrender the rest Of yo' people
can 60"
What assurance have 1 that you will
keep he terms?'
'"The word of az He stopped. i
saw that habit had led him to use an
expression common among gentlemen
In the south, but the word had stuck
In his throat.
Captain" / said. "you are a better
man than the company you keep. Sat
isfy me that the women, the boy and
the negro shall go free, and you are
welcome to me-"
'"The men are divided about the wo-
men," he replied, lowering his voice.
(which party holds the Balance of
powerT
"Then we have no assurance that IL
we surrender you can keep your prom
Use to let them go unharmedP'
'"There's no telling. Befo' yo'r es-
cape II the killing yo' all nave been
doing l could have fixed 1t, but the men
are exasperated at the damage yo'vc
done"
Cant you be blind and let us out to-
night?"
"No; I've lost more control of my
men within the last few days than all
the time I've commanded them. If they
saw the slightest move on my part to
let go slip, they'd shoot me, and yo'
would never get out alive either. l
can't stand here talking any longer.
They'll suspect something. What's yo'r
answer"
turned the matter quickly over in
my mind.
Captain" I said, 81 will transmit
your proposition. If your terms are ac-
cepted, l will go down to your camp,
1~l -, ,t@rI, I'LL qon~-r Ip Hl0,
are not accepted, we will wave to you.
In this event you will know that these
noble girls, this brave boy. this faithful
negro, prefer to take their chances with
me-"
Both of us turned without another
word, and in a few minutes the captain
was with his men and had Joined my
little half starved army. 1 was re-
ceived with eager, questioning looks.
He has made a proposition" / said.
Il will give 1t to you with the informa-
ton that goes with 1t. If we will sur
render, he promises that all shall go
free except me-"
i paused q moment to watch the ex-
preston of their faces. l saw at once
that they were all bitterly disappoint.
ed.
II feel bound to state further that
the captain has Informed me that he
cannot surely guarantee your safety,
though he would If he could. He tells
me that the men are divided, and he
does not know himself which party is
the stronger. You are not sure of
safety. but you have a chance, whereas
IL we are taken by force the chances
are all against you. Before giving my
views wish to get an expression or
opinion from each Of you separately.
Miss Stanforth, shall we accept the
proposition or not2 Say yes or no."
She curled her lip. 81 don't care to
consider such a proposition"
"Miss Rutland?"
"Nop' cried little Jack. with q snap
in Der eye.
"Buck?"
Reckon I'd ruther stay whar 1 am
awhile longer. though, by golly, Pm
mighty hungry" He spoke the last
words ruefully. r..
"Gingerf"
81 amt no traitor man, mars, eff 1
air black. Ginger haln't gwine t. talk
bout gibbin nobody up t save hisself,"
eStand2" \ said and I could not
repreSs a tremor In my voice, though
God knows I tried, II cannot accept
your sacrifice. The guerrillas, having
secured me, will doubtless quarrel
about you, and the captain and those
who are with hin may find an oppor-
tunity to let you get away under cover
Of the night"
mo. mop cried all. "We'n stand to.
gether."
How were you to reply?" asked
Helen,
IF the terms were accepted, we were
to go down; IL rejected, we were to
wave"
Helen took Off her check bonnet and
tying 1t to a carbine, stood up on the
rocks and waved 1t to the guerrillas,
who were standing below watching for
u signal, while our little command
gave as lusty a cheer as their exhaust
ed condition would admit.
But the real heroism YVES yet to Gomez
j had seen evidence that the woman
wing OF my army was not to be appall-
ed at any proposition, but 1t was im.s
possible that l could be prepared for
what wa to follow. I have sometimes
wondered IL 1t was not rather an emas
nation of genius than heroism, but