Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-11-01
CHAPTER xv.-(Continued.)

Copyright l9u2, BY
CHAPTER xv.-(Continued)
Yes" sharply repeated the first
speaker, papers and, doubtless, valu-
able information. You saw them pass
to Jennings, as he calls himself, did
you not2"
Il saw nothing of the kind!" an
swered Benton, inexpressibly relieved
that as yet, at least, he had had no oc-
casion to speak of her. Indeed" he
went on eagerly, 81 was too busy try
Ing to get out of the scrape to think Of
Jennings at all / made a jump for
my horse and was in a hand-to-hand
fight in two seconds. l never knew
what become of Jennings
You remember Sergt. Miller, do you
not?"
II remember a sergeant-an Indiana
sergeant, and very keen one who was
there, but / feared he and his party
were killed or captured"
Some of them were," said the OK
amining officer, grimly, 'but Miller
Owed into the bushes, made his way
through the darkness and escaped. He
declares he saw the young rebel officer
toss the packet to Jennings and heard
him cry, For Gen. Armisted-to-n night
s-sure!' And now here is Jennings
begging to be allowed to see two pris-
oners--Maj. Lounsberry and the young
Virginian, Pelham. who was wounded
protecting him the day you were res
cued. He brings note from the pres
adent. Look here!" and taking q scrap
Of paper from his desk the staff officer
held 1t forth for Benton's inspection.
It was brief and to the point:
'The bearer, Mr.. Jennings, has been
Of service and asks to see two friends
prisoners-Maj. Lounsber7y and Troop
er Pelham, I shall be glad If oppor-
tunity can be given him.
"(signed) A. LINCOLN"
Benton read and looked up inuuir-
fngly. ri, too, should like to see them
-Lounsberry, at least" said he, with
eyes that kindled and lips that set,
"but not as prisoner. I have score
to settle with that gentleman. When
does Mr.. Jennings go?"
Cant say. The secretary said no
emphatically-not until matters were
explained. It was thought you might
settle 1t one way or another before
we questioned him." And the officer
was 'manifestly disappointed, and still
he lpersisted. "You heard nothing
about h;Nlo-Dr. Chiffon never spoke
of him while you were at Charlottes-
ville?"
II cannot recall his ever doing So
except casually But Judge Armistead,
not the general, was there at Gaines
vile. My belief is that Gen. Armistead
was not near Manassas when was
taken. Miller must have misunder-
Stood"
We'll" said the officer, finally, "r'm
sorry we had to trouble you, but the
secretary thought you would know
more of this suspected stranger. Gen.
Mcdowell trusted him, we fear, too
much, and as you are to see the presi-
dent we thought you might open his
eyes if the fellow were playing a
double game. l dare say you know
people sometimes impose on the presi-
dent" and here the captain smiled,
whimsically, 'and that's why when he
could issue these things as an order,
he won't. He thinks it wiser to let
the secretary handle matters of the
kind. Now, your general, Mr.. Benton.
is being accused Of having southern
leanings because he has been protect
ing southern property there about
Fredericksburg.
Some defenseless women, left all
alone, asked for guards and got them"
answered Benton, stoutly. II shouldn't
wonder if their lords and masters are
secesh, but we're not warning on wom-
en-. take 1t"
CAS- yet-no," was the thoughtful
reply, "and may God forbid our having
to come to it. But, my young friend.
II you knew half what we know-and
we don't begin to know half that those
brainy, daring, scheming, smiling
southern women are doing all around
us-you might think the time close at