Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-12-07
Beyond the CLEAN Of the uncover

windows all was wrapped in complete
darkness, save that here and there
we could distinguish the dull red
glare of camp-fires where the company
cooks were yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned sharply to the left, and pro-
ceeded down comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
rock basis, 1t felt so hard. From
the position of the stars judged our
course to be eastward, but the night
was sufficiently obscured to shroud
all objects more than few yards dis
tant. Except for the varied camp
noises on either side OF us the eve
ming was oppressively still, and the
air had the late chill of high attitudes.
Mrs. Brennan pressed more closely to
me as We passed beyond the narrow
zone of light, and unconsciously we
fell into step together.
A few hundred yards farther fire
burned redly against pile of logs.
The forms of several men lay out
stretched beside it, while a sentry
paced back and forth, in and out of
the range Of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our ap.
proach, and in his haste he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until
the point of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast
Haiti" he cried sternly, peering at
us in evident surprise. Halt! this
road is closed"
valley Forge" whispered tho girl.
and noticed how white her face ap-
peared in the flaming OF the fire.
THE word is all right, Miss" re-
turned the fellow, stoutly, yet with
out lowering his obstructtng gun. But
we cannot pass any one out on the
countersign alone. II you was going
the other way 1t would answer"
But we are returning from the Off
GERS ball." she urged anxiously, "and
are one our way to Major Brennan's
quarters. We have passes"
AS she drew the paper from out her
glove one Of the men at the fire
sprang to his feet and strobe across
the narrow road toward US. He was
smooth Of face and boyish looking,
but wore corporal's stripes.
What is it. Mapes?" he asked
sharply.
Without waiting an answer he took
the paper she held out and scanned
it rapidly.
This is all right" he said, handing
it back, and lifting his cap in salute
You may pass, madam. You must
pardon us, but the orders are exceed
ingly strict tonight. Have you pass
also, Colonel?" handed it to him, and
after a single glance it was returned
pass them. guard" he said curt
ly, standing aside.
Beyond the radiance of the fire she
broke the silence.
II shall only be able to go with you
so far as the summit of the hill yon-
der, for our quarters are just to the
right. and could furnish no excuse
for being found beyond that point"
she said. DO you know enough of
the country to make the lines of your
army?"
"1f this is the Kendallville pike we
are on" answered. II have pretty
clear conception of what lies ahead,
but l should be very glad to know
where am to look for the outer
picket
There is one post at the ford over
the White Briar," she replied. II
chance to know this because Major
Brennan selected the station, and re-
marked that the stream was SO high
and rapid as to be impossible at any
o.Ler point for miles. But l regret
this is as far as my information ex-
tends"
started to say something-what l
hardly know-when, almost without
sound of warning, little squad of
horsemen swept over the brow of the
hill in our front. their forms darkly
outlined against the starlit sky, and
rode down toward us at a sharp trot.
[ had barely time to swing my COM
panion out of the track when they
clattered by, their heads bent low to
the wind, and seemingly oblivious to
all save the movements of their
leader.
"Sheridan!" whispered, for even
In that dimness I had not failed to
recognize the short, erect figure which
rode in front.
The woman shuddered, and drew
closer within my protecting shadow.
Then out Of the darkness there burst
a solitary rider. his horse limping as
II crippled, and would have ridden us
down, had not flung up one hand
and grasped his bridle-rein.
Great Scott! what have we
here? he cried roughly, peering down
at us. by all the gods, woman!"
The hand upon my arm clutched me
desperately, and my own heart seemed
to choke back every utterance. The
voice was Brennan's.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tho Reputation Of a Woman.
Like flash occurred tn me- the only