Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-06-19
CHAPTER MI. Continued.

70 attract their attention. Suddenly
they seemed to take in the situation.
l heard the sharp word Of command
and saw them coming at a gallop.
CHANGING at the Euerrillas. saw them
vanishing in the distance.
Saved" l cried.
''De Dressed Lawd be t'ankedw shout
ed Ginger.
'Gol darn it," said Buck. "ef I'd "a
had a shot I'd "a plunkcd one of 'em"
by love-" remarked Beaumont, star
ing at the approaching troopers, I'm
prisoner
There was puff Of smoke among the
retreating guerrilias. the crack of
carbine. and Jack fell into Helen's
arms.
Never was the pleasure Of hard earn
ed success more cruelty dashed at the
moment of triumph. We had fought
these fiends off for days, we had es-
capped from them to a coveted prOtec-
ton, and now, Mt the last moment, they
had struck us severely. JaQueline lay
on the grass, her head and shoulders
resting on Helen's arm, who stanched
the blood which flowed from a wound
in her side. l bent over her with a
groan. Captain Beaumont for q mo-
ment seemed fired to chase the man
who had shot her, then Joined those
about the wounded girl. muttering i'm
coherently begging US to save his little
Jaqueline.
"A surgeonw cried to the troopers,
who were sitting on their horses look
Ing on. "Some one 60 for q surgeon"
ride Quickv' said the captain in
command, turning to the man nearest
him. "and bring a doctor and a con-
veyance from the town." Then to an
officer: lieutenant, follow those men,
and don't come back till you have cap
tured every one of them: Take 20 men
with the best horses. With fresh
mounts you can run them all down."
A man dashed of toward the town
and 20 more after the retreating guer-
rillas. Jack lay with her head on
Helen's shoulder, her eyes closed, her
face white as cloth, we all about her,
dreading every moment that the life
blood would run out. Presently she
opened her eyes, looked about her. then
tainted away.
"Oh. my Godv' cried Beaumont, 'she's
gonev'
Keep or" cried Helen, land give
her air."
Jack" cried Buck. terrified at her
CHASTITY appearance. wake upg"
I. with a soldiers knowledge of the
thirst Of q wounded person, dashed
away In a hunt for water. l found q
well IN yard on the outskirts of the
town and. drawing the staple to the
chain that held a tin cup. brought a
plentiful supply. Helen was still sup
porting her cousin. Buck was striding
about nervously. with his hands thrust
down into his pockets. while Captain
Beaumont was kneeling, his eyes peer.
ing into Jacks as though by his gaze
he would hold the life that he dreaded
was ebbing away. I sprinkled water
In her face, and she opened her eyes.
looking about her as If unable to under.
stand her surroundings.
whats the matterY'
Curi0usly enough, the words were the
same as those had first heard her ut
ter when, wounded, I reclined on a
sofa at her home.
you're hurt, Jack" said Helen.
"Am going to dep
"Oh, no, dear. hope not"
Don't die" said Beaumont In a bro
ken voice. Don't leave me. couldn't
bear it."
She looked up into his face sadly. II
have been a bad girl to yo', captain.
Forgive me-"
Forgive you7 1 love even your harsh
words"
"Oh. Helen" she said. II hope I won't
diet"
you won't, surely, Jack"
Because II do l can't dance any
mo- TO the colored people. Who'll look
out TO 'em, Helen? Papa's away, and
no one else cares TO- 'em as he and ]
do"
They'll have You with them fos
many year, Jack"
An open wagon appeared In the road
and drove up beside us. A doctor with
. satchel in his hand got down and ap-
preached Jaqueline. Making a hasty
examination Of the wound. he ban
daged II, then told us to lift her into
the vehicle. The seats, except the front
one, had been removed and their cush-
ions placed on the bottom. Some of
the cavalrymen tossed In their blan-
kets, and smoothed them over the
cushions, making a comparatively COM
Portable bed. We placed little Jack up
on 1t. Helen got in with her. and. the
rest of us walking beside, the cavalry
acting as escort, we bore her to the
town and lodged her in a room in the
main hotel of the place.
We found the town agog with news
Of the first days battle at Pittsburg
Landing, and knew that my general
would hold himself ready to cooperate.
l determined to join my command at
once. Having been assured that Jacks
WOUND would not prove fatal. I ar
ranged for the transporta ton Of the
party as soon as she could be moved,
then gathered my little force in her
room and announced my intended de-
parture.
II must now bid farewell" said, ''to
my little army. every one Of whom has
become dearer to me than life"
Like General George Washington"
said Buck. "sayin farewell to his ossi-
fers. There Is a picture Of it In my
American school history"
"Goodby. Buck. Remember to get a
book and pencil and break yourself of
the habit of saying bad words"
Il will. by thunderw
"Goodby, little girl" 1 said to Jack,
bending down and kissing her on the
forehead.
Where yo' going"
Il? Oh, I'm going away"
Helen's eyes were cleaning. where
are you going?" she asked, repeating
Jacks question, though in a different
tone.
had managed to keep my connection
with the Union army thus far secret.