The National tribune., 1903-12-03
CHAPTER Xxx
A u0NiE-CnMINC

"What think yon? have you beheld.
Or have you read or heard? or could you
think?
Or do you almost think. although you see
That you do see? Could thought, without
this object $50. ,,-
Form such another!" -Shakspere.
Meade's advance was pushed without
quarters were established on the oath.
On the same day Gen. Lee, with Long.
streets Corps. reached Culpeper. On the
night of the 18th. while Freeman's small
force had been in bivouac near Hills
borough, PleasOntOn's cavalry held Snick-
ersville. Bloomfield, and Upperville, and a
brigade had already passed on to occupy
Ashby's Gap.
Before Morgan and his men had ridden
they learned from citizens that Smokers
vile was in the hands of the Federals,
with the whole country near the eastern
slope of the Ridge under their power. Too
great discretion might have determined
the little party to remain hidden in the
mountains until night, but West was con-
fident that he could get across the roads
on which the bodies OF Federals were mOv-
ing. He reasoned that as yet the eastern
side of Loudoun Valley was comparative
ly clear OF the Federals, so that the only
great danger of the journey wonld come
almost at the start; better make the move
ment at once: the delay of few honrs
might fill the Valley with enemies. Nor
gan also believed that once across the
roads that connected the gaps of the Blue
Ridge the party might feel reasonably
safe; while he shared but little in Ush-
er's desire TO speedily join MOsby in order
TO make use of the great opportunity for
reaping glory and spoil when Meade's
army should have passed on to the Rap
pahannOck. the condition of his brother,
whom it was now possible to see again,
had become a subject of deep interest,
and he required but little urging to take
what proved in the end successful if
not the wisest course.
In the meanwhile Private Hawley. af-
ter wandering over the mountain as West
had counted upon, succeeded in reaching
camp. where he found that the company
had marched to Purcellville, Capt. Free
man having left O'DOnnell with orders
to wait a given time for the missing man.
'And it's yerself that's been getting yer
purity face tOrn-and yer hands torn-and
yer breeches all torn. and making the Cap
tain as mad as hornet wild je."
Couldn't help it. O'Donnell. I've seen
torment. and don't know how it's going
to end"
Faith. and the pit of torment shall
niver see the day whn she shuts up
shop
do you know a man named Squire: 2"
Hawley's intOnation revealed certainty of
the reply.
THAT oogly black naygnr, We mane?"
and O'Donnelrs eyes met his question
er's witt, demand for more than the
words required.
"Yes. that's exactly who I mean. And
/ want to know if you remember a man
that you called your number 49,
"An. hwat dye name be asking me
that, now? Why cahn't ye say hwat ye're
going to say and have done with ut:'
'Well. I've seen both of 'em, and I've
seen more. I'm paroled prisoner" said
Hawley. with dignity.
Dye name utT
81 mean it. ! was in the hands of
party of six rebels, and that Niger was
with 'em. and they were under Serg't Nor
gan. and mes your number 49, It's true,
by -. and Hawley held up his hand,
and looked very solemn.
''And how did ye get yerself caught, IL
ye plaise. Misther HawleyY'
ITO tell you the strai ght truth, O'D0n-
nell. it was all along o that cussed mig
GER" replied Hawley. shaking his head.
II had him; got him dead, an was bring
ing him back. and all of a sudden found
myself looking into the barrels of half a
dozen carbines. tell you the fact, O'Don-
nell. l was never SO skeered in all my
life"
'.The farchune Of war;, Misther Haw-
ley. And ye say, do ye. that me frind
S4uOre it was that parOled ye!"
''Oh, go to hell. You know better'n
that"
''Oi do. sor; Oh know betther; but hwat
OF name TO impress uponn We. AIisther
Hawley. is that wanst We spurned ME wild
ridicule whin Oh made me claim to that
same S4uOire as me own take, and ye
said We had killed him. Reminder that
now. Misther Hawleyw The charge was
delivered with smile designed as a
crusher.
'Yes, I'm compelled to admit that was
wrong in that" returned Hawley; but
was. telling you that they paroled me-"
And ye say il was the inimy's cavalry
il was that did ye that koinduess, Misther
Hawley?"
'Yes; they were a squad of Stuart's
men, l suppose. Didn't you hear that
Capt. Freeman worned it out of Squire
that he belonged to man in Fitz Lees
Brigade!''
s.Sure and O;'va hean told that soma s.