Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-11
MY CAPTIVE E.
By JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER, Avthor of .sA Soldier of Manhattan,' p s'The Sun of Sar0togu,'' Etc.
:; lcepuight, 1900, by Joseph A. Altsheler.1
CHAPTER V.

i gcepyTight, 1900. by Joseph A. Altsheler.1
 CHAPTER V.
 A CHANGE OF FRONT.
 e'Truss hiu up good, said one.N ssThese rebels are.not to be trusted even when they are tied. '' ,s
 gaze careful notice to the man who spoke, evidently the leader of the party. He was of middle size, middle age and truculent features. His most noticeable characteristic was his dropping eyelids, which would induce the casual observer to think he was fast asleep, though in reality he was wide awake. He was dressed in the uniform of captain ill the British army. l set him down as partisan chief on small scale. He had five comrades, cast in the same mold as himself, all dressed i'll British soldiers uniforms and rather wild of look.
 They bound me securely and set me with my back to the log and my face to the fire, much in the position that had occupied while the girl was singing. Confound her for lulling away my eau tion and suspicious in such 8 manner! l had no doubt now that she had seen the red uniforms of the British when first l went into the wood to search for the cause of the noise I was fool to let my distrust of her decrease for a mo- ment.
 ''That was complete job, Miss How ard" said the leader, "well done by ev erybody, and your part is the best done of all"
 s'You have rescued me from the hands of 8 rebel, Captain Crowder, '" she replied, ''and a1r back with my own people, for both of which I thank you. ' I thought it was time for me to say something.
 ''It is true you have trapped me be- tween you, Captain Crowder, for so 1 hear the lady call you, l said, ''but ! wouldn t exult, because the next chance might be mine, and it would hurt your feelings for me to pay you back. ''
 ''1 don't know about any next chance for you,' he said, .'because here in the south we generally hang rebels
 did not reply to his threat. thinking that had said enough, and turned my head away. My glance fell now upon Old Put. His eyes were full of reproach to me. The told you so expression was there, and the am sorry for you and myself expression was mingled with it. ''I will never lose faith in you again, best of all comrades!' l signaled back. Captain Crowder, having seized me, also seized my camp, evidently with the intention of spending the night there, and he posted one sentinel, while the others sat around the fire, making them selves comfortable. The girl occupied her old seat on the tree trunk, leaning against the projecting bough.
 ''Do you know where my father is, Captain Crowder?" she asked.
 "With Tarleton," he replied.
 ssAnd where is Tarleton?''
 "Hot on the chase of the rebel major and his men.o
 ''Can we overtake Tar1eton by noon tomorrow"
 Undoubtedly, for he has to go rather slowly, not knowing just where Morgan is. He doesn't want to run past the game. Morgan's s hard to catch, but when Tarleton once comes up with him there'l be an end to one rebel army.'
 listened to this conversation with the closest attention and continued to listen while he described Tarleton $ movements, force and equipment. If could escape him and the hangman' < rope with which he had threatened me, this information would be of great value to us. was glad that, for the sake of precaution, 1 had torn up the girls letters and other written facts about us when captured her, for now she could rely only upon speech. waited for her to tell Crowder about us bat she said nothing upon that point and reflected that her reticence wal natural, as she would want to give he. information herself to Tarleton, ant thus secure all the credit instead of let ting the guerrilla, Crowder, claim a least half Of it.
 Two of the men disappeared in tn wood and returned in 8 few moments leading the horses of the band, whicl they tethered to the trees near by. guessed that they had seen the light o our fire at distance and leaving thei horses there had crept upon me.
 You will excuse us, Miss Howard while we eat and drink little," sai, Crowder ''We've ridden far today, an' we're tired and hungry"
 Their appearance was sufficient indi cation tbat they needed food and rest for the grime of travel was thick upoj them. They rummaged their haversack and saddlebags and produced bread an meat, which they began to eat greedily They were absorbed like wild animal in their repast and paid no attention t anything else.
 The girl rose and walked over to me :, Reaching down, she seized the end c my silk handkerchief, which was pro jecting from my pocket, and jerked forth She threw it into the fire an watched it burn, the red heat grippin tho delicate silk and converting it in moment to ashes. Then she turned upo me face of flame.
 stYou dared to bind me, 2 she said-