The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-26

effectively; and had only black looks for
my pain pains. - .
strange to be believable," quoth Shelby.
You are a traitor. Captain Ireton-of the
kind we need not cumber ourselves with on a
march,"
who says that word of me?'' I de-
manded. caring not much for that 10
which bis threat pointed. but something
for my good name.
Shelby turned and beckoned to man in
the group behind him. Stand out. John
Whittlesey." he directed: and ! found my
self face to face with that rifieman of
Colonel Davies party who had been so
fierce to hang ME at the fording Of the
Catawba.
This man gave his testimony briefly. tell
ing but the bare truth. A week earlier 1
hal passed in Davies camp for true-blue
patriot. this though 1 was wearing rag
ged British uniform at the moment. As
for tho witness himself. he had mis-
doubted me all along. but the Colonel had
trusted me and had sent me on some secret
mission. the inwardness of which he. John
Whittlesey. had been unable to come at,
though he confessed that he had tried to
worm it out OF me before parting COM
pany with me on the road to Charlotte.
looked from one to another OF my judges.
IF this be all, gentlemen. the man does
but confirm my story" l said.
TT Is not ALL said Shelby. Mr.. Pengar-
vim stand forth"
There was another stir In tho back
grounding group and the pettifogger edged
his way into the circle. keeping well out OF
hand-reach of me. How he had made shift
to escape from Fersuson's men. to change
sides, and TO turn up thus serepely in the
ranks Of the overmountain men. 1 know
not to this day. nor ever shall know.
Tell these gentlemen what you have told
me-" said Shelby, briefly; and the factor.
cool and collected now. rehearsed the ur-
deniable facts: how In Charlotte l had fig
ured as a member OF Lord Cornwallis's
military family: how I had carried my
milignarry to the patriot cause to the
length OF throwing 4 stanch friend to the
Commonwealth. to wit. one Owen Penar-
win, into the common Jail: how. as Lord
Cornwallis's trusted aid-de-camp. I had
been sent with an express to Major Fergu-
son. Also. he suggested that If 1 should be
searched some proof OF my duplclty might
be found upon me.
At this William Campbell nodded to two
of his virginians. and was searched forth
with, and that none too gently. In the
breast pocket of my hussar jacket they
found that accursed duplicate dispatch; the
one had taken from Tybee and which had
so nearly proved my undong in the inter-
view with Major Ferguson.
ing letter and passed it around among his
colleagues.
81 shall not ask you why this was unde-
livered. SIR he said to me. sternly. lis
enough that It was found upon your person.
and it sufficiently proves the truth Of this
gentleman's accusation. Have you aught
further to say. Captain Ireton? Aught that
may excuse US for not leaving you behind US
in a halter?
Do you wonder. my dears. that lost my
head when I saw how completely the tolls
of this little black-clothed fiend had closed
around me? Twice. nay. thrice, l tried to
speak calmly as the crisis demanded Then
mad rage ran away with me. and l burst
out in yelling curses SO hot they would
surely dry the ink In the pen were to
seek to set them down here.
Twas a silly thing to do. you will say.
and much beneath the dignity Of grown
man who cared not bodle for his life. and
not greatly for the manner of its losing.
grant you this: and yet 1t was that same
buil-bellow of soldier profanity that saved
my life. Whilst was in the storm of 1t,
cursng the lawyer by every shouted
epithet 1 could lay tongue to. a miracle
was wrought and Richard Jennifer and
Ephraim Yeates pushed their way through
the ever-thickeninS ring OF onlookers; the
latter to range himself beside me with
his brown-barreled rife in the hollow of
his arm, and my dear lad to fling himself
upon me in bears hug of joyous recog-
milton and greeting.
Score one for me. Jack.' he cried. I'VE
were fair at tother end of the mountain,
and twas I told Eph there was only one
man in the two Car:linas who could swear
the match of that Then he whrled upon
my judges. What Is this. gentlemen? A
court-martial? Captain Ireton to my friend
and as true a patriot as ever drew breath.
hot 10 har