The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-17
CHAPTER XXXII.

IN WHICH AM BEDDED IN A GAR
RET.
"'Tis very pretty hazard. Captain Ire
ton. But can it be brought off successfully,
think your
LAS have said, 1t hangs somewhat upon
the safety of my portmanteau. If that has
come through unseized, to Mr.. Pettigrew,
at Charlotte, and L can lay hands on it.
twill be half the battle
You say you left it behind you at New
Berne?"
YES; Mr.. Carey was to forward it as he
could"
Colonel Davie had given me bite and sup,
and 1 was ready to take the road. My plan,
such as 1t was, had been determined upon,
and to the furthering of it. the colonel had
written me letter to a friend in the town
who might shelter me for a night and make
the needed inquiry for my belongings. Also.
he had given me another letter. of which
more anon. and had pressed upon me
small purse of gold pieces-a treasure rare
enough in patriot hands in that impover-
shed time.
When all was done. two of my late cap
tors were ordered to set me straight in the
road and some half hour past noon had
shaken hands with the big fellow in home
spun who had been so bent upon hanging
me without benefit of clergy, had crossed
the river. and was making the first looping
in a detour which should bring me into
Charlotte from the westward.
Twas drawing on toward evening. and I
had recrossed the river a mile or more be-
low Appleby Hundred, when l began to
meet the outposts of the British army. /
was promptly halted by the first of these
but my borrowed uniform and a ready word
or two passed me within the lines as a
courier riding post to headquarters from
Major Ferguson in the west
The lieutenant in command of the first
vedette line was not overcurious. He asked
me few questions about the majors plans
and Neutrality-suspicious. which, thanks
to Colonel Davies information, was able
to answer glibly enough. swallowed my tale
whole. and was so obliging as to give me
the password for the night to help me
through the inner sentry lines.
Thus fortified, rode on boldly, and hav-
ing the countersign the difficulties van
ished. When 1 was come to town it was
was out in force. But by dint of using the
password freely made my way unhindered
to the house of the gentleman to whom
Colonel Davies letter accredited me.
III.
Though the camp of the enemy lay just
without the town to the southwark, the Off
GERS We're quartered in every house. and
| that of Colonel Davies's friend was full to
overfiowing. What was to be done We knew
not, but at the last moment my friends
| friend thought of an expedient and wrote
note for me whilst waited, half in hiding
| in the outer hall.
"'Tis desperate chance, but these are
desperate times, said my would-be helper.
Il am sending you to the town house of
of MIA nflfi ion oofcy
| is fish, flesh or fowl, as his interest de-
| mands. hear he came in to-day to take
| protection. and there is a chance that he
| will shelter you for the sake of your red
coat and gold piece or two. But 1 warn
| you, you must be what you appear to be-a
soldier of the King-and not what this note
| of Colonel Davies says you are.''
| Seeing a wide field of danger chances in
| this haphazarding, l would have asked
more about this trimming gentleman to
/ whom / was to be handed on: but at that
| moment there came a laundering at the
| door, and my anxious host was fain to hus-
| tie me out through the kitchen as he could.
catching up black boy on the way to be
| my guide.
God speed you." he said,. at parting.
| Make your footing good for the night If
| you can and we'll see what can be done
| Tomorrow. I'll send your portmanteau
| around In the morning, If so be Mr. Petit
| grew has it,"
With that / was out in the night again.
turning and doubling after my guide, who
seemed to be greatly afeard lest 1 should
| come nigh enough to cast an evil eye upon
him.
Twas but little distance we had to go.
| and / had no word out of my black rascal
| till we reached the doorstone Of a familiar
| mansion but one remove from the corner of
the courthouse green. Here. with a slut
| tering D-d-dis de house, Massa," he fled
| and left me to enter as / could.
Since the street was busily astir with red
coat officers and men coming and going,
and any squad of these might be the oues-
l TONERS har r;a
| tale, lost no time in running up the steps
| and hammering a peal with the heavy
knocker. Through the sidelights 1 could see
that the wide entrance hall was, for the
moment, unoccupied; but at the knocker-
lifting had fitting glimpse of some one
little man all in sober black-coming
| down the stair. There was no immediate
| answer to my peal. but when I would have
knocked again the door was swung back
and stepped quickly within to find myself
| face to face with-Margery.
/ know not which of the two of lis was
the more dumfounded: but this I do know
that was still speechless and fair witless
when she swept me low-dipped curtsy
and gave me my greeting.
Il bid you good evening, Captain Ire
tom. she said, coldly: and then with still
more of the frost of unwelcome in her
voice: To what may we be indebted fol-
this honor?"
Now. chilling as these words were. they
thrilled me to my fingertips for they were
the first she had spoken to me since the
| night of my offending in the black gorge
of the far-off western mountains. None the
less. they were blankly unanswerahle and
had the door been open / should doubtless
| have vanished as I had come OF ali ths
houses in the town this was surely the last
should have run to for refuge had
known the name of its master: and II wa
some upfashing of this thought that helpef
| me find my tongue.
II never guessed this was your father;
house. L stammered. bowling low to match
her curtsy. II beg you will pardon me. anf
| let me go as / came"