Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-10-10
CHAPTER XVI.
ACROSS THE BArrLE-rTEuD.

British officers regarding the burial
of the dead lying so thickly tumbled
together on that bloody plain. In
the course Of the interview he did not
fail 20 make inquiries concerning the
captive ladies, and when he was told
that they were in a small country
house not far from the battlefield. he
felt bis heart leap. He had to
smother impatience, however, and 60
on with his military duties just as
though love we're a matter Of subordi-
nate importance. and If the burial of
few hundred invaders were OF
higher obligation than rescuing
beautiful aud adorable sweet
heart from situation OF suffer
ing aud danger. A young man must
be under good discipline TO be thus
welded 10 military duty: but it may
be remembered that Andrew Jackson
had way Of making everyone about
him regard orders as absolutely bind
ing beyond even life itself
What set the terrible sting OF doubt
IN the lieutenant's heart aud made
him cnafe through every moment OF
that seemingly iuterminable confer
ence, was the fact that none OF the
British officers could tell him whether
or not the captives were still safe
from harm. All that they could say
was go the effect that the ladies had
been kindly treated and safely guard.
ed mp 10 the time OF the battle. Since
then no one had seen them nor heard
of them. And what might have hap
pened during that wild rush OF over
throw, when the whole British army
was torn and scattered. and when the
exasperGted soldiers were left 60 shift
for themselves without officers to re-
strain them? The thought was one
to chill the young mans blood: but
he went on with the conference his
agitation showing only in certain
austcrity Of manner which the British
officers attributed 90 native churlish-
ness. When az last be bad finished
the matter. he FASTENED to General
Jackson with his report.
Mr.. Vernon was present when he
arrived at headquarters and had al
ready asked leave 90 60 in search of
his family. The old man's face lighted
up wonderfully when Ballanche told
what he knew.
And they are safer' he exclaimed.
showing more passionate excitement
than any one had ever witnessed in
him before. They told You that
they were safes' A singularly be-
seaching note rang through his words
The lieutenant could not have the
heart TO tell him that there was a
doubt
General Jackson would not permit
any precipitate action. He reminded
Mr.. Vernon that truce was pending
and that due fOrmalitics must be ob.
served in the matter of penetrating
the British lines for any purpose.
The old man bore the delay in the
, spirit Of a Gagged lion. 1t seemed "a
him that year might have elapsed
since he parted from his wife and
daughter; every moment ROW dragged
by like a snail.
What added peculiar dread 20 the
situation was the Thought of Loring.
Vassenr and old man Burns all goine
In the direction which might leat
them to where Mrs. Vernon and Paul
ine had been left by their captors
Mr. Nernon's whole mind dwelt on
the fear that his wife aud daughter
might be told the secret of has pas
life. His imagination, which was a,
vigorous and lawless as his frame wa.
stalwart, built up all manner of darl
prophecies and filed him with fore
bodings too dreadful for any though;
to give them dehnite form. He ac
cusel himself with all the bitterness
of which self accusation Is possible
Why had he not left his loved ones a
home, where they would have beer
so safe now? What demon had pos
sessed him to send them (of all place
in the world 10 that plantation nous
right al the path of the British army
When at last, after hours of delay
! all necessary formalities had been ob
served and everything was ready
General Jackson ordered six men De
tailed 10 accompany Mr.. Vernon an
Lieutenant Ballanche on tn cir iourne
OF love.
Old Enos Peevy was one of til
squad 4 yoane British officer joine
them TO see them safe 10 their destiu
alton. They were all mounted: bu
three of the horses were TO bear TIA
ladies back to the American lines.
A rough bridge had been hash
cast across the ditch of death, an
over this Mr.. Vernon led the wa,
passing into the awful swaths of war
Il reAping Peevy rode beside him, 81
4 ting awkwardly but firmly on lit
creole pony, his long, bony legs reacI
ing down SO far that his feet almo
touched the blood-tinged ground. +
was very much interested in notIr
the condition of the dead British
he passed along.
''Thar's q Teller at plumpted
hole through" he exclaimed preser