Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-07-13
CHAPTER xlII.-coNrINuEp.

no WIS., Al
lead him on up the east face of the
range until near the Hedgman. He
knew that country well. whereas old
Dan did not, and the latter had to
hurry home so that he might show
about the Chiffon place as usual. Miss
Rosalie had ordered that, too. They
would do anything in the world for
ber-or for the doctor.
And so, once more, but In broad
daylight now, and we'll UP along the
heights, they came at last in view Of
the twisting mountain road that
pierced the range-Jackson's runway
from the Shenandoah down to Cor
donsville-and here again Fred lurked
in hiding, while Hector scrambled
down afoot to try the pass.
Ten o'clock had come before Hec-
tor reappeared, big-eyed, painting.
There were 200 soldiers to the west
of the Gap digging forts, a squad in
every farmhouse along the road, and
about as much chance of a Yankee
officer crossing in daylight as there
was 'ofs a needles eye a-gittin' into
heaven" Hector had been piously
taught at some time in his life-and
now he looked at the blue and the
brass buttons in dismay.
Benton thought it over. The guard
were to come for him at six, and long
ere this had discovered his escape.
Pursuit and search would Of course be
made. Anybody own bloodhounds
around Charlottesville?" he asked, and
Hector said mo" Still Dan had gone
back, Dan might be dashed and tor
tured until he revealed what he knew
such things had happened-and the
sooner Benton reached the upper wa
tiers Of the Rappahannock and secure
hiding places back of Warrenton,
known TO Hector, the better it would
be for him-for all. He doubted not
that by noon couriers would come gall
Looping out from Gordonsville telling of
his escape and ordering guards and
sentries on the lookout everywhere
along the Gap.
Not a second to lose!" He sprang
to the saddle-bags and began a search,
What had occurred to him would prob
ably have occurred to her, and it was
Miss Resale, Dan affirmed, who packed
them. With eager hands Benton pulled
at the contents Of the nearmost-a
flask of brandy from the doctors store,
towel, handkerchiefs sponge, soap,
comb and brush, socks, shirt and UNI
derwear-Jack's, of. course, and prob
ably a tight fit; small tin boxes, con-
tanning ground coffee, sugar and other
things-no time to examine now! Then
came a shout from Hector, rummaging
on the other side, and over the broad
back Of Marse Pelham's old Pyramus
came a worn gray sack coat and waist
coat, of Richmond make, and pinned
to the lapel a scrap Of paper on which
in pencil appeared in Roman char
acters, not script, these words: Map
and speetacles in coat pocket. Small
pistol also. Look out for federals about
Warrenton."
In less than half an hour, a tall, pale
faced, misunderstanding young man in
spectacles, SLOUGH hat and. worn sack
coat of gray-thrown loosely over
slung right arm-with a dark-browI
horse, a doctors saddle-bags and .
darkey follower on a nondescript nag
turned deliberately from a mountain
path and took the highway to the east
ward. A few rods further the roaG
twisted to the left and brought him in
view of a mountain cabin, where 8
squad of soldiers in queer-lookins
frock coats of dingy gray were fillins
their canteens. Another of their mum.
her, sick and detected, was squattins
ON the steps, his sallow face the pic
ture Of woe. "Gawt any physic thai
will cure the cawlic, dawktuh?'
drawled a sun-tanned young fellow il
sergeant's stripes, and the doctor
refined in, studied the patient attentive
Iy n moment, then swung out Of sad
die and stepped to his side. He grave
ly felt the pulse and glanced at the
coated tongue, fumbled a minute a,
the saddle-bags, stirred a compound
into a stone china cup that stood by
the trough-a \compound whereof
powdered sugar, spring water ant
spirits vini gallici were the sole in
gradients, and in three minutes hat
the satisfaction of seeing the light o
Teviving interest in life in the dull
eyes of the invalid and receiving tn,
plaudits of half a dozen wOuld-be pa
tients. Gladly would they have helt
him, though from no hostile intent, as
with apparent serenity vet with thump
ing heart, he rode away. He hat
heard enough to make it expedien
that he should move at once.
You're the first dawktuh we've seer
since we left home, 'cept those in thu
army, sub" said the young sergeant
Guess they need 'em all"
You're not Virginian, then haz
arded Benton. as he was mounting.
mo, suh--Fifteenth Alabama, Trim
ble's brigade, sub. We b'long down a
Gawd'nsville, but they sent a few com
panies out this way last night"
Know any Of the Eleventh. queriet
Benton, rashly, vet thinking it not un
wise to display some knowledge of tn
southern service-Lieut. Ladue, o
Mobile?" he continued at d venture.
mot many, sub. They're all will
Gen. Longstreet and Anderson dowl
toward yorktown"
Lieut.. Ladue ANTI" said the sicl
man, uplifting his ,sallow face. He
on Gen. Ewell's staff-made me ride hi
hawse this mornin' an he amt a mil
away this minute"
CHAPTER XIV.