The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-28

challenge rang from the darkness. "Wht
goes there? Haiti
Answer him. whispered Benham. while
run on to draw his attention to me. and
then perhaps You can slip past him.
MOI" cried Yoike.
You shalt 1 gave her my word; and
Benham dashed on by the sentry.
'Halt,' commanded the man again. run
ming toward Benham. and then firing after
him without further delay. Meanwhile
Yorke had made his escape.
Half an hour later a party from head
quarters found Benham lying unconscious
few rods from the picket line. wounded
slightly but painfully in the shoulder.
When he came to his wound was dressed
and he was placed under arrest upon the
charge Of aiding a prisoner to escape. He
stubbornly refused TO explain to any one.
though he knew he would be subject to
court-martial. the penalty might he death.
at the least the loss OF his commission and
dismissal from the service. He was miSer-
able when he thought of the pain his dis
grace would give to his family: he almost
hoped for death in preference TO the shame
that was harder to bear. but his heart ex-
ulted that he had kept his word to Phyllis
in spite of the cost.
AT the court-martial bis behavior was q
battling mystery to his friends. He again
refused to explain. pleading guilty to the
charge. he had nothing further to say
There was no wincins. no sign Of shame
when he heard his sentence, and he stood
straight and tall between his guards, gazing
fearlessly at the judge advocate as that
official solemnly read:
Loyal Benham. Lieutenant in the United
States Navy. having been, by his own asser-
ton and by the finding of this court. proved
guilty of treason in willfully aiding and
abettiug prisoner to escape. Is hereby sen
fenced to lose his commission in the said
navy. to be dishonorably dismissed from Its
service and to be deprived of his epaulets
and insignia OF rank before his ships COM
pany and the officers and men Of the Army
of the Potomac to be assembled on the
parade ground at Harrison's Landing at
noon on the seventeenth day Of July. is52-"
When the prisoner was taken back to his
cell the judge advocate said: Gentlemen.
we have not yet seen the bottom OF this sf-
fair Mr. Benham's manner is not that of a
guilty man.
On the morning appointed for Benham's
degradation Captain Crane was closeted
with the General. The Captain felt great
repugnance for his part in the execution of
the sentence, for as Benham's commanding
officer II was Captain Cranes duty to tear
from the traitors coat the insignia of his
rank. The punishment, was severe for even
so fragrant military offense. but in those
stern days Of war severity was practiced
for the sake Of example. as a warning to
probable breakers of military laws.
The officers talk was interrupted by the
not unusual sound Of a galioping horse
stopped at the door. Tho orderly came In
and said: Captain Yorke would like to
see you. SIR"
Bring him IN" said Mcclellan. Before
Captain Crane and his host could exchange
more than giances the door opened to admit
a tall. slender young man in shabby uni
form of Confederate gray. He saluted
stifhy, waiting for the General to speak,
you have come to give yourself Up,
SUPPOSE" asked Mcclellan. crisp!y.
Eyes. SIR" answered the Captain.
why? Were you under parole not to r.
turn to your regiment?'
mo, SIR. but I hoped that my return
might save Mr.. Benham-"
Nothing. sir: his offense remains the
same and he shall pay the penalty"
Captain Yorke made no reply. and the
General continued: You know the treat.
ment due prisoners that have once es-
caped7'
Yorke bowed. The General tapped the hen.
saying to the orderly who answered the
summons: Send for guard to escort this
man to the guardhouse. where he n to have
an inner cell. He Is also to BE- put In irona.
tell the officer Of the guard"
Five minutes later the heavy tram Of
feet was heard in the hall. A soidisr
stepped to each side Of Ysrks. who again
bowed.
Corporal. and Richard Yoke was marched
away through the shimm}rinx heat to his
self-sought prison.