Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-08-29
CHAPTER TX.
CONTINUED.

Mr.. Vernon did not try 70 hinder
him. The whole thing seemed nm
real. aud the old mans going had no
significance beyond its connection
with that sense OF inevitable doom
which impended shapeless. vague and
altogether terrible, somewhere III the
cloud Oh 1Ir Nernon's life.
And so. as they vent riding down
through the solemn woods In the fine,
gray ram that began To- fall. Mr.. Yer
non scarcely spoke or lifted his gaze
from the grOgnd until they came near
to the bank of Bayou B.envcnu, and.
even then. lt was the young man who
broke the silence.
They were side by side. a shor. way
in advance OF their little troop, aud
the rain was blowing in their faces,
when q nan stepped into the road IN
front o. them. not fifty PAGES distant.
Bellauche drew mp has horse. Mt tho
same time touching Mr.. Nernon's
arm.
Hold be exclaimed, In low
voice. ne he reached for his pistol.
"Whom have we hCrol'
The man held up has hand and made
friendly sign.
ant. Zone o. our special scouts. The
English are not far away, 1 Judge,
else he would not bc here. We will
ride on and see what he is ND 90.
Mr.. Vernon was all attention now
the suggestion Of proximity 20 the
British army made him think at once
OF his wife and daughter. The house
was still two miles farther on.
How now. Peevy?" called Bal
lanche. as soon as they came up 70
the scount. ''What DO You know 10y
this times"
Peevy saluted awkwardly and gazeJ
OF into the woods as If with utmost
concern. chewing his quid meantime
Il hcv' seed some sign @ the enemy
down var a piece" he said
Some sign? What like? Where?'
demanded Ballauche.
They air rst over var on th'
marsh. I counted nigh onter two hun
dred of en- ies', at daylight this morn
in"
'But how far from here?"
az the crow flies, hit air thre
miles mebbc 70 whar' they's as thicl
ez birds IN er pea hei.
Three miles In what directions
Peeyy ierked his thumb backwar
over has shoulder 70 Indicate the point
and they are moyiug?"
"They moved las night some
(Which way Up the bayou
"No. les er fooiin' Ground hk,
Some OF en- war down var ter this va
house below var.
"What h0use2"
"Niy house DO YOU means"
Mr.. Vernon and the lieutenant spoil
together. both OF them leaning fo
ward as 81 about 90 throttle Peev,
whose, dry, withored countenanoe di
not change It's expression.
"What did they dos" stormed fori
Mr.. Vernon right IN the mans face.
'Cut up Jack they did; kind
cleaned ont the place. weemiug fol-
an all the likes. Ler nothin' tia
'cepting a lot o. scared servants "a
er couple O. lame mules.
Mr.. Vernon did not wait 10 he
more, but drove his spurs into j
horse. The nervous animal rush
away like a bolt from some powerf
engine, tumbling Peevy fiat on D
back in the road.
"Golly mussyl Land o Canaa
Better les onInt a feller's mort
frame an tangle is bone etarnally
cried the surprised scout, scramble
4 to his feet aud examining his gun
see if il was injured. Guess Ma
Ann air not hurt-air We Mary Ann
He patted the long, heavy weapon
he spoke 20 it. "Ef Mary Ann air
4 right. Il don't max no difference 10
me.
Lieutenant Ballanche was. first
all, good soldier, and althou
4 Peevy's communication had sent h
81 ror through his soul he kept his he
The detachment headed by a S
Il geant reached the spot at this mono
81 and he ordered a halt while he hast
a piled the scout with few more qr
tons.
4 ''Do You mean the house Ii
ahead on this road, two miles II
81 hereg' he demanded.
N Peevy was busily wiping some
from Mary AIMS barrel and stO
~ Without looking up. he answered:
''Thct's les' Wat | said ter ye.
The lieutenant moslored the tn
TO follow HIM, and set of almost
rapidly as Mr.. Vernon had; but
scout took care TO keep ont OF the
this time and stood looking after
riders till they passed ont OF sight.
''Weli OF all etarnal fools the
the boatenest at ever seedl he
claimed, still rubbing Mary \
eff they don't watch out, them