The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-03-09

CHAPTER XIu.-CoNr1Nurp.


His big boy Hector was 'groomin'
hawses," and from this point would
lead him on up the east face OF the
range until near the Hedgman. He
knew shat 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
her-or for the doctor
And so, once more. but in broad
daylight now. and well 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 20 try the pass.
Ten o'clock had come before Hec-
tor reappeared. big-eyed, painting.
There we're 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 OF a needles eye a-gittin into
heaven" Hector had been piOusly
taught az 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
ters of the Rappahannock and secure
hiding places back of Warrenton.
known to Hector, the better It would
he for him-for all He doubted not
that by noon cOuriers would come gall
Looping out from Gordonsvillc telling of
his escape and ordering guards and
sentries on the lookout everywhere
along the Gap.
NOL cfRNuu 10 lhots nc
TO the saddle-bags and began a search.
What had occurred to him would prob
ably have occurred 10 her, and 1t 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 I'M
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 nowi Then
came a shout from Hector, Tummaging
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 spectacles in coat pocket. Small
pistol also. Look out for federals about
Warrenton.
In less than half an hour, tall, pale
faced. misunderstanding young man in
spectacles. SLOUGH hat and worn sack
coat OF grsy-thrown loosely over a
slung right arm-with a dark-brown
horse, a Doctors saddle-bags and a
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 road
twisted 70 the left and brought him In
view OF a mountain cabin. where a
squad OF soldiers In Queer-looklng