New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-09-02

gasped. >.
CHAPTER TX.
THE PLEA.
The prisoner heard her exclama-
ton. His quick glance took in her
figure and that of her escort. "A
scowl settled upon his handsome
brow and his lips set in a firm line of
anger. AS they advanced, he drew
himself up between his captors and
made stately but freezing abeisance
to the lady.
"What is the meaning of this dis
turbance?" Bessemer demanded of
the sergeant in charge of the sol
diers. -
'This is the rebel, sir" the man
answered, saluting, upon whose trail
you sent us. We captured him some
miles back and were bringing him
into camp, but when we reached the
gate yonder he broke away from u.s.
'"Well," Bessemer inquired sharply
what did you find on him? Any.
thing?"
II searched him as soon as we cap.
tured him." the sergeant answered
"but could find no papers,"
Bessemer tapped his foot upon the
ground and studied moment. doubt.
less," he said at last, ''he carries his
dispatches in his head instead of in
writing. You come from Gen. Gates
I believer" He turned to the prison
er.
"Indeed?" the other responded
with an interrogatory infection.
Bearing messages to Col. Sum
ter?"
"Ah?"
Bessemer's black eyes flashed an.
grily. "No insolence, sir. I recog.
nize you now. Unless I mistake
greatly, you are one of those arch
conspirators who last month hung
three of his majesty's most Loyal
servants. The leader of your band
is in my hands, prisoner. He hangs
at sunrise. You hang with him, save
on one condition only-that you re.
veal within the hour the contents OF
those dispatches, be they written OF
verbal, which you were conveying
from Gen. Gates to Col. Sumter. On
those terms alone will spare your
life;- indeed. it is a piece of clemency
in which I am scarce warranted"
"Col. Bessemer's reputation fol
mercy is world renowned. His quar-
ter hath become a household word
Of like fame are the honorable terms
he ever offers those who have that
which he would wish to purchase
IT'S strange so few honest men take
advantage of such magnanimity."
The hooking bow matched the
hooking words. Bessemer's fury
came near choking him. Jane hall
started forward, as though she
would save the reckless American
from his own mad folly-the1
checked herself.
Enough. sargeapt, take him tt
the house by the back way. Have
him securely locked in some upper
room and we'll guarded until I car
find time to deal with him. Deal
lady," he added, turning to Jane with
softened tone, as the soldiers obeyet
his orders, II most hu1nbly crave
your pardon for this unseemly in
terruption. Let us dismiss it from
our minds and take up our discourse
where it was so rudely broken"
Nay" Jane answered in a low
tone, her face pale, her eyes trou
bled, first tell me that you did no
mean your threat to hang Capt
Worthington if he does not give yo1
the information you desire. thin,
ne Will never do if he possess any
l am sure, however, you do not mea1
to hang him. 1t was but a ruse, wa!
it not, ito induce him to speak:
mere bit of play?"
"A bit OF play, madam, which will
cost Capt. Worthington his neck. H.
is a troublesome fellow whom
have long wished to be rid of; pesti
ferrous gadf1y, ever buzzing arount
and annoying our troops. Besides
he is cold-blooded murderer. wei
deserving of his fate. Nay, he shall
hang by the side of his fellow-knave
and soon, at that
"Oh, you cannot mean it," Jan,
cr1ed. surely, surely you are onl,
saying it to-to-appall me-
| "And is your interest, then, 81
great in this rebel?"
my interest is great in anyon,
who is the subject of injustice. I
Is enough that you should hang tina
poor old gentleman who to-day hat
the misfortune to become your pris
oner, but that you should contem
plate hanging a man whom vo,
have sent out your scouts, your spies
to hound down, and who has no
even an discriminating paper upo1
| his person, that is passing al
bounds! I cannot believe tha
the king would approve of having hi
cause sullied by such acts.'' Sh,
spoke with fervor, carried beyond tn,
point of discretion.
"You speak with most surprising
ardor, madam" Bessemer remarked
his face black with passion, .ebu'
permit me to advise you that his mai
esty the king wisely leaves such mat
tiers to the Judgment of his trusted
officers, well understanding that Al