The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-12-14
CHAPTER |.
A Dispatch for Longstreet.

beside the closed entrance, anxious
10 anticipate his slightest need.
lie Will abide In my memory tor,
ever as | saw him thcn-although We
were destined to meet often after.
wards-that old gray hero. whose mas.
terly strategy held at bay for so long
those mighty forces hurled on our con.
stantly thinning lines OF defense, 10
me the history Of war has never con.
tained his equal. and while live |
shall love and revere him as ! can love
and revere no other man
General Lee. said one Of the aides.
AZ | passed the single sentry and
drew aside the flap 10 step within,
this is Captain WAYNE
lie deliberately pushed away the
mass OF papers which had been en-
gaging him and for AN embarrassing
moment fixed upon me glance that
seemed 20 read me through and
through. Then. with simple dignity.
far more impressive than can pic.
ture It In words, no arose slowly and
extended his hand
Captain Wayne" he said grayely,
yet retaining his grasp, and with his
eyes full upon mine, you are much
younger man than expected to see,
yet | have selected you upon the spe.
cial recommendation OF your brigade
commander for services OF the utmost
importance, certainly do not hold
your youth TO be against your sue,
cess, but ! feel unwilling to order you
to the performance OF this duty,
which besides being beyond tho regu.
lar requirements OF the service. In.
wolves unusual risks"
Without inquiring its nature"
said. hastily. Il freely offer myself
volunteer for any service which may
be required either by the army or
yourself"
The kindly face frightened instant.
ly, almost into a smile, and new
look OF confidence swept into the keen
gray eyes.
81 lelt, even az spoke" he said,
with dlgnifed courtesy have never
marked In any one else, that | must
be doing wrong to question the Will.
ingness Of an officer Of your regiment.
Captain Wayne. to make personal sac
riflce From our FIRST day Of battle
until now the south has never once
called upon them in vain. You are
from the ranks. ! believer"
81 was n corporal at Manassas"
All then you have won your grade
by hard service. You take with you
ono man.
Sergeant Craig of my troop. sir, a
good soldier, who knows the country
we'll"
lie lowered his eyes to the numer.
GUS papers littering the table. and
then, leaning over. traced lightly with
a colored pencil line across an out
spread map,
you speak OF his knowing the coun.
try well; are you aware. then. of your
destination
81 merely inferred from what Col,
onel Carter said that II was your do.
sire to reestablish communication
with General Longstreet."
THAT Is true; but do you know
where Longstreet ISL"
Only that We OF the line suppose
him to be somewhere west OF the
mountains, sir 1t is camp gossip that
his present base OF supplies is At
Minersyille"
your conjecture is partly correct.
although | have more reason to be-
lieve that the head of his column has
reached Bear Fork. or will by tomor.
row morning Kindly step this way,
Captain Wayne. and make note OF the
blue lines have traced across this
map. Here, you will observe. Is MI
nersville, directly beyond the high
ridge You will notice that the Fed.
ernl lines extend north and south di-
rectly between us, with their heavier
bodies OF infantry along the Wharton
pike, and SO disposed as TO shut on
all communication between us and our
left wing Now, the message | must
get into Longstreet's hands is impera
tive; indeed, will say to you, the
very safety OF this army depends up
on its reaching him before his ad
vance passes Bear Fork. There re-
mains, therefore, no time for any long |
detour: the messenger who bears 1t |
must take his life In his hands and |
ride straight westward through the |
very lines OF the enemy"
He spoke these words rapidly, |
earnestly; then suddenly he lifted his
eyes TO mine, and said firmly: Il am
perfectly frank with you. Are you
the mani"
] felt the hot blood leap into my |
face, but ! met his stern gaze without
1inching.
IF live, General Lee. shall meet
his advance at Bear Fork by day
break
God guide you; believe you Will"
His words seemed uttered unson-
sciously. He turned slightly, and
glanced toward the door Major
win you kindly hand me the
1rsft II that Dispatch"
He took .he paper from the out.
stretched hand OF the aide, read It
,veI slowly and with great care,