Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-09-08

but the lives Of my comrades and the
faith of my commander. Yet have
deliberately chosen to do so because
feel the impossibility of leaving you
here unprotected, and because | was
unwilling to trust you alone with my
companion l dare not permit you to
traverse these roads alone. The noun
tains all about us, deserted as they
now appear are filled with wandering
bands of desperate and hunted men
whose tenderest mercy is death. Any
rock may be the hiding place of an
outlaw, any dark ravine the rendez.
vous of as wild gang as ever muir
dered for plumber"
But the Sergeant said there was a
Federal picket post at the crossing OF
the White Brian"
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
He merely supposed there would
be; but even II it were true, we have
no positive means of knowing that the
men stationed there would be of the
regular service. Doubtless those
thieving, numbering bands--such as
that headed by Red Lowrie, of whom
you may have heard-are sufficiently
organized to keep patrols posted, and
may, indeed, be utilized at times by
both armies for that purpose. Were
you to go to them you might be sim
ply walking into den of wolves"
But could you not go with me?"
| smiled at the naive innocence OF
her query.
81 wish you to feel that I have
never thought so much about my own
danger as about yours" | returned
quietly But would it be a pleasure
even to you to behold me swinging
from the limb of tree, hung as a
spy without trial, merely because
ventured to walk with you into Fed
eral camp"
| could see her eyes now resting
full upon me, and much of the hard
ness and doubt seemed to have gone
out Of them as she scanned my I'M
covered features in the dim light.
scarcely think | was ever considered
but | was young then, frank of face,
with that about me which easily in.
spired confidence, and ii did me good
to note how her eyes softened, and to
mark the perceptible tremor in her
voice as she cried impulsively:
"Oh, no! Not that"
Your words yield me new heart" l
replied fervently, determined, now
that ice was partially broken, to per-
NIT no excuse for its again forming,
for if you but once fully realize our
situation you will certainly feel that
am merely endeavoring to perform
my plain duty"
II will. of course, bow to the newt
able, sir she said, land shall en-
deavor to adapt myself to the require
ments of my unfortunate situation.
May / venture to inquire what you
now propose to do?"
To the right of where we stood the
ground sloped rapidly downward I'M
til the dense darkness at the foot OF
the steep defile shroudeS everything
from view. The descent appeared
rocky and impracticable. and could
distinguish the sound Of rapid water
far below. On the opposite side stood
a dense wood, the outer fringe OF
trees overhanging the road, and
through the waving leaves the moon
light checkered the ground with sil-
yer, while the dense mass beyond
seemed to flow back up the steep side
OF the mountain. thick with under
brush. Just below US. and possibly
fifty feet from the highway. | could
perceive small o-e-story log cabin,
as silent, gloomy, and deserted to all
outward appearance as were the SOM
Der woods OF which It formed part
There seems small choice" | SAID,
speaking as cheerfully as possible.
But I propose to investigate the log
hut yonder. and learn Il 1t may aot
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