The National tribune., 1904-01-07

age ration handsomely-andh had bought
bread also, and other. food, and he would
have nothing to do on the morrow except
to to get back to Mahs Charley, whom he
had left IN camp some 10 miles away. At
daylight Squire babe his kind host fare
well and started on his return; but he had
not got ACROSS the road to Frederick s
Hall when he heard shouts, Halt! haltv'
and looking northward saw a squad of
horsemen,, aud beyond them the road full
Of coming cavalry. He had no fears: he
been halted by a force of Federals.
Hello, old man! Where you belong?"
shouted the foremost of the group, and
now the negro saw that this man was in
blue.
Il b'longs to Mahs Charley, sah,v said
Squire, uneasy.
The advance guard had paused; the
away.
'.Hell you say! Where? What's that
you got? Whose mule is that?" but re-
plies surely were not expected. for the
man continued: Dickson, halt here, and
turn over this man to the Colonel. For
wardp'
And in less time than Squire would have
needed for telling it, he was in the pres
ence of three men whom he knew-three
men riding III ffie head of the column
Dickson saluted-"Ordered to turn him
over, Colonel" saluted again, and spurred
on.
Meanwhile, but one man had paused,
Dahlgren himself, who refined his horse
to the roadside that the troops might
pass.
There had been many EXPLANATIONS of
surprise or gayety, no doubt from amuse-
ment at the negro's peculiar appearance.
seated on his bag of corn, with three or
four fat hayersacks dangling on either
side of the tough mule which he had cheer
fully accepted from Mahs Charley in ex-
change for. Freeman's good horse. And
in these utterances the cry of Junior MOI
gan and that of Barney had passed un-
noticed by the troopers. Yes, both had
cried out, and had ridden on without
pause, each REFRESHING his emotion alike,
but from far different impulses-the one
concerned for Squire's safety; the other,
doubtless, for his own
Tell me what you are doing here, and
all about yourself, sir"
The negro's alarm was extreme: more
over, 1t was evident. He knew Dahlgren
knew him in spite of the crutches. But
he knew not how this great soldier had
enjoyed and laughed over Juniors reyela-
tions-how he had declared that Squire
was a man after his own heart, and the
rest Of it,. Yet, though Squire feared this
u
game of war, his greatest fear was not
for himself, but for Mahs Chahley and his
friends. This force of Federal cavalry
how strong he could not know--had passed
through to Lees rear; had passed between
Hampton and Fitz Lee. What was the
purpose of this advance? The idea that
Richmond was in danger could not occur
to Squire: his thought reached not to such
absurdly high emprise. lie knew nothing
of the fact that at this moment Kilpat.
rick's Division, with artillery, was also
approaching the Capital. No, his master
was in danger: this cavalry was in Stu
arts rear for the purpose of surprise and
attack. and he must defend his master,
| lying, he thought, unguarded in camp. The
truth is that Armstrong was at this mo.
| ment facing the enemy near Charlottes-
vile. where Clusters Brigade was max
ing diversion in favor of Fitzpatrick s
Richmond movement Truth is, that Dahl.
gren cared nothing for Stuart or Fitz Lee,
except to learn that they were being en-
| ticed away from his own line of march.
"Yassah, b'longs to Mahs Chahley,
| watts GAVIN off wild dem yotheh calyry,''
answered Squire: he was temporizing-
and somehow Dahlgren's hopes caught the
answer as acceptable. Did not ''gone of
with the other cavalry" mean that Stu.
art was engaged by Custer?
sFitz Lee or Hampton? Speak quick
II
So far. well indeed. "When did they
leave campY"
| "Yistiddy, ssah,''--a lie and a truth.
| Aha! Charlottesville or Granger
| A stumper, but Squire lodged. "Bofe
sah." He faneied he saw smile, and
was encouraged.
"Th.ow down that heavy bag" com
manded the officer; but, as Squire started
to obey. added. whats in it?'
"Cewn, Mahsta."
i well, never mind. keep it. You come
with me; we'll get rid Of it soon enough,
and Dahlgren pushed on to oyertake the
head OF his column. Squire following.
i Possibly two minutes had been lost III
doing what has taken so long to tell
The questions had been fred at the negro
like pistol shots, and the answers had beer
prompt. Not half of the column hai
passed; yet it required 10 minutes for the
Colonel to regain his place, long enough
for three mn-Junior, Squire, Barney
4 each to deliberate upon his own proper
Icoufse.
First: Morgan decided quickly to tel