The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-01-26
CHAPTER XIII.

the western suburbs of Richmond int,
the town itself, through the town ant
along Main street, out ct the Rockets
There the pickets ON duty challenged
them, but Walter, being field officer
had both the password and the counter
sign, and they were Immediately allowed
to proceed without question.
Demon had not spoken a word on the
way Walter turned down the Williams
burg stage road and passed camp aftel
camp among the pines, being only allow
I'd to proceed after satisfying the sent
nels at each place.
May l ask" said Demon, on a sud
den, what you propose to do with meY
"You shall be dealt by FAIRLY" replied
Walter, sternly, but without emotion
You shall be shown all the leniency yor
can expect. and a great deal more thar
you have the right to expect"
Demon saw that it would be useless tc
continue the conversation, and strobe
along without another word. When they
arrived at the angle of the williamsburg
stage road and of the Charles City road
Walter took the direction of the latter
and followed it for a couple of miles OF
more
At last he arrived at a part where sew
eral rows Of small shelter tents shone
white in the moonlight between the great
pines by the side of the road. 1t was the
camp of the Louisianians. Here the
sentry saluted, and the officer of the
guard came to meet his major.
The battalion is away on picket
duty" said the officer of the guard.
There is nobody in the camp but the
guard and few of the sick. An order
came late in the evening from Gen. Hill.
The Fourth Alabama were to have fur
nished picket tonight, but they were so
badly cut up last Saturday that they
could not have found men enough. We
were the next troops, and so We got the
order"
Walter walked through the rows of
small tents into larger one at the end of
line. big, square-headed and huge
footed negro servant met him, and open
ed his eyes wide with amazement when
he saw the imitation man of color in the
company Of his master.
Don't mind him, Joe," said Walter.
You will find his color will wash off,
and be will turn out only white after all.
Fetch two or three buckets of water and
some SOAP"
With that he beckoned Demon to come
into the tent, and pointed to a camp
stool. Demon seated himself without
further ado, and said:
Il suppose you wish me to take these
things off. But / have no other cloth
ing"
: Il will supply that" answered Walter,
and fQxInn orrsf of osx- 49,
from bag, threw it on the heap of
blankets which served as a bed.
My servant will assist YOU" he said
land in the meantime / am going to con-
slider how to settle this business with
fairness to both of u.s."
With that he sat himself down on a
camp stool outside the tent, seeking a
light amid the nebulous turmoil which
clouded his thoughts. Demon, in the
meantime. aided by Joe, had resumed
his own appearance in a suit of drab
hOmespun.
Il will now tell you what | propose
to do said Walter, when he had sent
the negro away. Il lave been thinking
over the matter as we walked along, and,
since 1 have been here, nave just learn
ell that my battalion is On picket duty,
and this has given me an idea which
leads me to what 1 think a fair settle
ment. You are spy, or something very
ike it. OF that l have no doubt My
plain duty as an officer of the Confed-
eracy is to hand you over to the provost
guard At the same time, know that
Miss Tenure endeavored to save you,
by hiding you in her own room, and by
helping you to the disguise you wore a
little time ago. / owe a duty to her as
well. If can, will satisfy both obi
cations"
He was speaking slowly and without
the least trace of excitement, and he
paused for a moment to look at the man
opposite him, who sat there in somber
silence.
I'VE are going to fight" said Walter,
on a sudden, land either | will kill you
or you will kill me-"
Demon shrank back with a barely per-
ceptible movement, but raised himself
again with a sigh Of relief.
VERY WELL" he said, certainly. il
that is the way out Of the difficulty. How
are we to fight? Where are we to fight p
Il have provided for that" said Wal
ter. I'VE will fight with revolvers. j
will supply you with weapon loaded
with six chambers. 1 viii have anothe,.
Of exactly the same kinda Colts army
revolver. / will take you outside our
picket line. so that, If you kill me or so
severely wound RE that am left ON the
grouEj, You shall not be prevented from
escaping toward the Union lines. If I
kill you, of course, there is an end of il:
and IL | disable you, you will have to
take your chances il you are taken back
into the Confederate ines''
'sThat MEANS" said Demon, slowly.
that / am to take my chances of death
from your bullet, and through hanging
by your people. both"
81 think the offer very fair one. ("
said Walter, "and it will have to De that.
or the course which plain duty demands
from me, and which yield to you, risk
Ing my life"
Il accept" said Demon. do I nm
derstand you rightly? Let us settle all
points first of all. How are we 10 fire I?
When are we to fire?"
I'VE will walk together beyond our
picket lines" replied Walter. until I
shall cry Haiti Then we viii turn back
to back, and each of US will march fifteen
PAGES, we will face round again. and
then fire, and continue firing until the
end is attained. I think you are a man
of honor. and will trust you. hope
that you will trust me. We will be bet
ter without seconds"
Demon held ont his hand and Wslter
gripped it warmly. A momentary Gasp
coavulsed the Enyllshman's handsome
face, and he breathed deep sigh.
IL understand YOU" said Demon. "snd