Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-04-16
CHAPTER III.

ue lutTuueTS WdNeTeu anu COuuScleu
before scattering over the place in
quest Of plunder. Tom whispered to
Polly, and her eyes flashed bravely
back to his as she nodded and darted
into the big hall, where such Of the ne
groes as could had gathered for shelter.
She gave directions to Caesar, who
scurried out of the rear door to reach
the soldiers quarters unseen II possi-
BILE. The leader and couple Of the
rascal crew came now to the front and
greedily eyed the silver on the table
and the sparkle Of a ring on the clench.
ed hand of Polly, who stood defantly
by her grandfather's chair.
II shall hev to report ye to yer COM
mandin officer fur bein on guard wild.
out yer belt" said the corporal with
a mocking smile, "my dandy hoss so5er.
I'm good mind to court marshil ye here
myself, but we hain't time. I'm rally
'shamed O. ye, though, fur the sake o
the discerpline O. the army. I'm great
stickler fur discerpline," he went on,
with drunken humor. Just then one
of his party rushed up, dragging the
scowling Caesar by the ear, with Toms
weapons hanging on their belt over his
arm. The corporal, with great chuc-
kle Of laughter, slipped off his own and
buckled on the cavalry belt.
Our soldier, finding himself stripped
Of his arms under conditions Of such
deadly insult, burning with rage and
humiliation unspeakable, stood speech
less, madly impelled to hurl himself
against this jeering devil at any risk to
himself. But for the sake Of others he
dared not yet force the issue and could
only wait on the turn Of the cards. The
rogues had laid their rifles on the grass
and gathered close, grinning at the fun
Of such congenial comedy.
"We'll pay that niger we found
t'other side o. the woods fur tellin
us bout this soft LAY by freein 'em
from slavery, fur slavery is an orful,
orful crime, an ole horns and hoof II
git We fur It, ye wicked ole man. as he's
already on to ye with both claws, I
see."
The corporal, tickled at his own con-
ceit, shook his finger with mock re-
proach at General Brundage. The help
less virginian's face was empurpled,
his eyes bloodshot with the storm
which rended him within, this old man
who had the strength Of baby and
the wrath of Titan. till scalding tears
rolled down his face In his torture.
"a gal, too, as handsome as prize
doll at church fair. Waal, I say, we
hev struck it rich, boys" The ruffian,
leerng at Polly, threw kiss to her
with his dirty paw and ascended the
steps to approach the family group.
Wentworth instantly shaped his plan.
He allowed himself 10 be rudely JOS
tied as the man lurched by toward
Polly, but with a motion Of lightning
he snatched the pistol from its holster
and felled the rascal with a smashing
stroke of the butt. Before the gaping
trio could shake of their daze he stood
between them and their guns, with
leyeled six shooter in hand.
"Quick, Caesar, rifle there, and
stand readvw he sang to the black boy,
who had watched the spectacle with
big eyes, and scarcely had this recruit,
armed himself when another tumbled
over the fence and clutched a second
gun. With a gush Of penitence, Pom
pey had followed the marauders from
the woods. "I'Ze wicked niggah
mars" he blubbered. "Dem Unioners
gwine to shoot me, an tole um bout
Mars Ginnul. But I'ze fight now, deed
will" And he pulled the trigger with
such remorseful zeal as to send the
bullet humming far wide Of its mark
The stupor of the rascals was broken
by the shot, and they scuttled like rab
bits around the far side Of the porch tt
Join their comrades, busy In plunderine
hen roost and smokehouse.
The shot upset Wentworth's calcula
tions. He had fancied that the gang
deprived of their leader and confronted