Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-06-06

IN the kitchen Of the big plantation
house. heavily built negress busting
about busily within. her robust shadow
clearly revealed BY the rejection OF
the flames. This was probably Diana,
and her affection for the Yankees was
not apt to differ very widely from
those Of the others.
The night shadows constantly deep
ened. and no alarming sound reached
me from any direction. Finally Diam
came forth on the back steps. holding
dish Of something smoking hot IN
her hands. and began calling shrilly for
Joe. There was no response. Mutter-
ing to herself. tho negress passed
across to the secoud cabin and, disap.
pearing for moment, came forth
again empty handed.
The door was latched, but had no
lock. There was no sign Of occupancy
within. and a moment later I came
hurriedly forth with what had been
intended for Joe's supper and bore 1t
safely back still hot. and savory to the
shelter Of the shed. 1t was rasher
OF bacon and corn bread, ample In
amount. admirably cooked. and 1 GER
tainly enjoyed it to the very last
crumb.
There was no sound of horses hoofs
stamping i'll the front yard. nor could
perceive any sign Of a pacing senu-
mel before the house. The guard Of
the night previous. whatever might be
the cause. had very evidently been re.
moved. hardly know now why I
first ventured in that direction. vet
skirted the low garden fence. where
the night shadows were most dense,
until found myself crouching close
against the latticed veranda. l stop
ped then suddenly enough. perceiving
the figures Of three men seated just
beyond evidently enjoying a quiet
smoke after their evening meal. 1
had drawn back cautiously for foot
or two. intending to make OF down
the road. when a peculiar deep voice
gave utterance to question. which as
instantly stopped me with eagerly
beating heart.
''Your news is not exactly clear to
me, chaplain. understand you to say
the plan is for McDermott's division
to take to the AIinersville road at
midnight. the others to follow along
parallel lines hourly until daybreak?"
''Those are certainly Johnston's or
ders. Colonel Denslow. distinctly
heard them from his own lips"
But nothing whatever has reached
MO opa rn cy,oy11S mn fV1 - f11y 4,n kI,fv<1
in line to follow McDermott, from our
present position"
: Beyond doubt tho orders to move
are already at your headquarters. An
orderly may be tearing down the road
even now to recall you to camp. Your
regiment Is stationed to the left Just
beyond the creek. is It mott"
"Yes." and the speaker, q tan, slen-
der, yet broad shouldered man, rose
impatiently to his feet and gazed on
in the direction indicated. 1.-THE Tenth
Georgia cavalry. Coulter's brigade. I
had no expectation Of 30 hurried a
movement. The Yankees are safely
across the river entrenching. ana all
reports reaching US looked Ike a
weeks reorganization and then d.
rect attack on their position. What Il
Johnston up tor
"A flank movement In force, before
they can complete their entrench-
ments. He believes our army in fight
ing mood, encouraged by victory and
in far better condition than that Of
the enemy. He proposes to strike sud-
denly on their right flank and crumple
them up. He will leave all his camp
fires burning, both tonight and tomor-
row night. SO as to deceive the federal
scouts. fling his troops swiftly across
the river before dawn Wednesday and
make the attack at daybreak. He ex-
poets to be in their camp before they
are aware he has changed position.
The success of the movement depends
entirely on. the promptness Of the d.
vision commanders and the condition
of the roads Our cavalry scouts re-
port the plan perfectly feasible"
Colonel Denslow paced neryously
back and fnrti, across the broad veran-
da. the red glow Of his cigar lighting
up his face and revealing closely
trimmed crop of gray beard.
This. sudden arrangement leaves me
in rather Il bad predicament." lie con-
fessed at last, pausing suddenly. '.You
know. OF course. what sou are here for
tonight. Mordaunt. although have
not explained all the details; 1t is to
marry my only daughter, Jean. to
Lieutenant Calvert Dunn. The pres
ent condition of the country. and the
danger involved in leaving a young girl
here alone and unprotected. has hur.
ried our arrangements and prevented
any Formally. i:nt Dunn has been
detailed on .Iohnslon's staff, and the
Lord only knows where he may. be
now. il ali you say Is true. According
to our plans he ought to have been
here an hour ngo. but no doubt he is
riding with orders and utterly unable
to send us any word to account for
the delay. And what. under these cir
f,n son, f3rA