Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-03-11
CHAPTER XIII.

The girl had many things to do, but
In spite of all her resolution she was
utterly unable to accomplish them then.
Her old black nanny was in time to
catch her Young mistress in her stout
arms as Miss Ellen staggered across the
threshold. and it was upon that broad
old bosom, upon which she had reposed
as child. that she finally sank to sleep
after tht terrible events of the night.
Her father remained on the ship the
next day. He refused to see her. He
sent word that, failing the guns which
he was to receive from the Greyhound,
he had bought two old field pieces from
the Confederate government which would
be delivered in a few days, and that so
soon as he could get the Ellen armed she
would set sail on a cruise. That would
probably be during the next week He
said that the Greyhound would go to
Charleston with the Ellen in search of
cargo and that his daughter should be
left in Charleston with distant relative
of her mother. This relative would be
instructed to look after her, a certain
sum would be paid yearly for her mainte-
nance, and that being done he washed
MS nandS 1urtner or her.
A hard man and a stern was Major
Jones. He was so full of rage at the
loss of the Greyhound's cargo and the
peril to which the Ellen had been subject
ed, due, as he persisted in believing, to
his daughters love for the young Federal
officer, whom he detested more than ever,
that he was absolutely blind to the bitter
injustice of his course. He had sent word
to the military commander of the district
of the attempt to cut out the priyateer,
and had described the status of the Fed
eral officer whom he held prisoner
Ellen learned by inquiry that court
had been convened to try Captain Smith
that afternoon. The court was composed
of her father, Haywood one of the in
fantry captains, and two other officers
from the privatecr. There was no doubt
that they would find him guilty, and in
that case he would be hanged. There
was no way for her to see the prisoner
He was kept in the strong room with
which plantation houses in that section
were always provided. The windows of
the room were barred and the room itself
was carefully guarded by a soldier. The
guards were changed every two hours.
Ellen racked her brains for an opportu-
nifty to get to the prisaner. She could
think of no way at first.
Later in the afternoon she noticed that
the sentry who approached to relieve the
one whose tour of duty was just ended
was one of her fathers tenants, man
who had always professed deep attach
ment to her. Often during her childhood
she had spent long periods on the planta-
ton with her uncle. This man and she
were especially friendly. She thought she
might accomplish her end through him.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, as it turn
ed out, Just as she had conceived prac-
ticable plan to approach the sentry a
squad of soldiers entered, and Smith was
summoned before the court, which was to
hold its session on the Ellen.
The sentry on duty before the strong
room was left where he had been sta
toned. All that Ellen now wished was
to get access to the room. She turned
from the gallery whence she had seen
the little group depart with her lover,
passed through her rooms, after some
rapid preparation, went out into the hall,
descended the stairs, and ran down the
long corridor, at the end OF which was the
door Of the strong room.
"Jim," she said to the man.
"Lordy, Miss Ellen!" exclaimed the
man, who had heard nothing of her ar
rival, "yo' look like a ghost What's
the matter with yo'"
"Jim," she began, "that officer In
there
"Yes, Miss Ellen"
"Well, he-I-we are"
81 understand, Miss Ellen"
They're trying him as a spy"
"Yes, 1 reckon they air." assented Jim
gravely.
HE Is no Spy"
They're sartin TO find him guilty, how
somever," answered the man seriously.
"It may be-" answered the girl, "for
they are not just men,"
"Your paw is on that air cote atryin'
him, Miss Ellen"
T have no father, Jim. My father
thinks I am a traitor and that l have
betrayed him to this officer. / swear on
my honor"
81 believe 20, Miss Ellen. I've knowed
20 sence you was a chile. l reckon you
wouldn't tell no lie. IL there's anything
I kin do to help 20, count on me-"