The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-01-18

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his round, perspiring face with great
energy, we are riding too hard, amt
We? Mein Gott, but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
'Is that so?" / asked In surprise at
his words. A single swift glance
around convinced me he was correct,
for the mounts were exceedingly soft,
and already looked nearly played out
from our sharp pace. Very we'll,
we will halt here"
With a sigh of relief he drew back,
and as he did so my eyes fell for the
first time upon the guide. AS live,
It was Jed Bungay, and when stared
at him in sudden amazement he broke
into broad grin.
"Durn II didn't begin ter think as
how ye'd gone an clar fergot me.
Cap"
mot a bit of It, jed" and rode up
to him and extended my hand. But
how came you here? Are you the
guide?"
Sure thing. cap; know this yere
kintry like buk. tJaded horsemen
from the west, at evening to the castle
pressed BY gum, you put 3eelzebuh
an me through blamed hard jolt
It so fur"
"Beelzebub?"
"Ye bet, ther mule: ! reckon ce &c.,.
ye amt gone an fergot hi"' &c.,"
"Bungay, what has become of Ma
ria?"
The little mans eyes suddenly filed
with tears.
81 iist don't know, cap" he answered
mournfully. "Whin | got hum ther
Of cabin he'd bin plum burnt down,
nary stick O it left, by guml an Ma.
riar she wuz clean gone. Haint seed
neither hide ner hair o. her since,
thet's a fac. An sorter drifted back
ter you uns cause didn't hev nowhar
else ter go"
Did you hunt for her among the old
plantations along the valley?" / asked,
deeply touched by his evident feeling.
She very likely sought refuge In
some OF those houses"
He looked at me in surprise. II
reckon, cap. as how ye don't know
much bout whut's a goin' on in ther
valley fer ther las few months" he
said soberly, rubbing down his mule
as he spoke. Tell ye what, thar list
hain't no plantation houses left thar
now, thets fac, leastwise not north
o ther lines we uns sorter hol' onto
yit. Sheridan he played hell with his
cavalry raids, an whut the blue bellies
left ther burned guerillas an bush
whackers wiped up es clean es a slate.
Durn II crow wudn't starve ter death
in ther valley now. Why, cap. them
thar deserters an sich truck is or.
ganized now till they're mighty nigh
an army, an they don't skeer fer nuth.
in les ner a regiment. see more ner
hundred an fifty in one bunch up
on ther White Briar two week ago. an
they're worse ner a parcel er pirates.
| reckon as how they got Mariar, but
I'll bet she Civ 'em hot oil time afore
she done quit"
Rumors OF this state of affairs to
the north and west OF our defending
lines had already reached me-indeed
the verification had formed part of my
instructions; but Bungays homely yet
graphic description made the situation
appear terribly real, and my thought
went instantly forth to those knew
VINO might even then be exposed to
this great and unexpected danger.
The very conception of Edith Bren.
nan in such hands as these was agony.
! felt / could never rest until assured
OF her safety, and since my order
granted me full authority to prolong
my journey, might ascertain whether
or not she yet remained within the
valley.
Jed" asked, my mind finally set
tied, do you know the old Minor plan.
tation?"
"OP Jedge Minors place? Sure; it's
up on ther south branch OF ther Cow.
skin"
Have those fellows got down that
far yer?"
Wal. reckon not, but durn II I
know fer sure, cap"
How long would 1t take us to reach
there?"
Bout two days, reckon"
turned and looked at my men in
some perplexity. They were scattered |
along the edge of the road, and only :
one group had taken the precaution to
build a fire. The sergeant lay fiat /
upon his back on a grassy knoll.
"Ebers," | said sternly.
He arose ponderous, and came for
ward with a decidedly halting gait.
"Vos ! sent for?" he asked.
Yes" said; 81 want you to have
The men get their supper at once, as we
shall be obliged to ride good portion
)f the night. Get the men to their
supper. We shall go ON In an hour"
How often since have smiled at
he expression upon his solemn round
ace as he turned ruefully awayl
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