Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-10-04
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Wartime Adventure.
lOrIginaL1

LhGONOIO 1edTSOl,. SSCdPCo PAASN~A
of war, had been hiding all day in the
woods beside the James river, but now
that the dusk of evening was coming
on he left his hole under log ana
made his way along the bank III
southeasterly direction. He had left
Libby prison by means of tunnel, In
company with a number OF others,
few days before and was aiming TO
reach the Union fleet in Hampton
Roads Coming to Il fence inclosinS
plantation, he made q careful survey
of the premises and was about to pro-
coed by the river margin when young
| girl left the house, hurried down to
boat, untethered it and, seiZing pair
| of oars, rowed away from the shore.
The current being very strong, she
| pulled diagonally against it. She had
not given a dozen strokes before her
boat was carried against sunken log,
and the full force of the water, strik-
| ing it sidewise, turned it bottom up
ward. The girl was whirled rapidly
away.
Although Lieutenant Pearson was a
good swimmer, having been on prison
| diet for months he would not have
had the strength even to attempt
| rescue had he not received in the last
few days a good supply of salt pork
and corn pone from some negroes.
However this may be, he ran swiftly
down to a point below the girl where
he would have but a short distance to
swim to reach her as she foated by
and plunged in. She had gone under
on leaving the boat and had come up
just as Pearson left the point. Before
he reached her she sank again. Pear
son dived, made Il fortunate clutch, for
he could not easily see through the vel
low clay mingled with the water, and
caught her skirt Then he struck out
for shore, which he reached safely.
He had scarcely done so before he
heard the sound of oars, and In 4 few
minutes a boat came from out the
cleaning. Its single occupant, seeing
Pearson standing over the unconscious
girl. pulled toward him. When the
Union officer saw that he was in Con-
federate uniform, he made up his mind
to return to Libby.
A few snatches of words explained
the situation TO the Confederate and
to Pearson that the others were to
have met in the middle of the river.
on. He begged Pearson to go to the
house for assistance. Pearson started
and for a moment was tempted TO
take to the woods, but was incapable
of gaining his freedom by deserving
girl whose life was still in jeopardy.
In a few minutes the household was
aroused, and the girl was revived, car
ried to her home and soon recovered.
When the excitement had subsidized.
the Confederate looked about him for
the stranger. He had disappeared.
Every negro on the place was started
to search for him and to say that Cap
tain Pemberton desired to thank him
for saving Miss blair, his betrbthed,
and to entertain him for the night
An hour later all the negroes had re-
turned and reported that the man
could not be found.
Captain Pemberton remained at the
plantation. During the evening he
heard the barking of bloodhound.
'Some poor devil is in hard luck"
lie said. THAT dog has caught the
SCENT
About 10 o'clock. Miss Blair having
entirely recovered, her lover started
on his return to his command. The
girl insisted on saying adieu at the
door and came downstairs with him
into the hall. At the same moment
the front door was thrown open, and
at the entrance, surrounded by guard
of Confederates, stood the man who
had saved Miss Blairs life.
MAY we keep this man here over
night?" asked the leader. He is an
lescaped Libby prisoner"
Miss Blair was about to enter n
protest when her lover stopped her.
Certainly" he said, then to Pear
son, 81 assure you, sir, after what we
owe you, this is a very painful meet
ing"
Pearson was taken to one of the out
houses, and the plantation gradually
quoted down.
At midnight Pearson heard a voice
say to his guard: 'Take your blanket
to that gallery and go to sleep. Ill
stand watch for you awhile" A few
minutes later Captain Pemberton
through n window beckoned to the
prisoner to follow him. Taking Pear
son by circuitous route, in order to
avoid the guard, he led him to the mar
gin of the river.
There is my boat" he said. In it
you will find provisions for n week.
Here is my uniform coat. With these
you ought to be able to make your way
to the Federal fleet below. If you are
taken. send for me at once. / prefer
to be shot for this rather than that you
should go back to Libby.
Pearson tried to speak. but could
only mutter incoherent thanks.
And here is a note of thanks from
the dear girl whom you saved for me-"
added Pemberton.
/ Pearson took the note. thrust it into
his pocket. the captain tossing his coat
into the boat as the other pushed off.
All night the fugitive pulled down the
river and in the morning tied up for
-~I q r,oOd hroo xvhinh no