The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-16
CHAPTER XxXiV.


'NNiA i~Cul no look OF indignant pride
In those clear eyes whose pleasant
memory haunted me She loved ne:
Of this ! now felt 6oubly assured. and
tho knowledge made my heart light.
even while I dreaded the consequences
70 us both
stepped out into the kitchen and
came TO q sudden pause. facing table
laden with such q variety and album
dance Of food as had been strange to
mo for many long day. Directly or
poai,e e napkin tucked beneath his
double chin. his plate piled high VITA
good things. sat Ebers. while at either
end boheld Mr. ard Mrs BunEay sim.
ilarly situated Tie astonishment OF
our meeting seemed mutual The Ser
geant apparently feeling the necessity
of explanation, wiped his mouth so
berry
81 yos yoost goin' 10 fill me op nit
der dings like a good soldier Captain"
he said in anxiety.
NO doubt; wen, am rather hungry
myself. Mrs. Bungay, in memory Of
old times cannot you-spare me a plate?
If so, ! will take pleasure in joining
your happy company. Thank you. 1
see You have found your man"
u have tibet, sir" she answered,
Grlmly, an l reckon as how he's like
ly ter stay ct hum arter this"
but you forget he IS my guide" I
protested, not dislnclined to test her
temper. Surely, Mrs. Bungay you
would not deprive the South Of his val
liable services?'
An wouldn't I, now? An didn't
tibet little whimt promise me long
afore he ever did you uns? Amt he
my nat'ral protector? Whut's a lone
female n goin' ter dew yere in Their
mountings wiout no man?"
Come, Jed, what do you say? Are
you tired fighting the battles of the
Confederacy, and prefer those Of
home?"
II like ter read all bout fightin' well
'nough, but durn it, Cap, it kinder
hurts win they hits we on Their head
with gun" His face lit up sud
denly. Sides, I sorter wanter hey
Marian git 'quainted with thet thar
muel o. mine, Boelzebub. He's out thar
now, hitched ter tree, an a eatln' it
ter bust bis biler-never q durn mark
on mis- hide fer all he whit through"
Well, 1 suppose shall be compelled
to let you and Beelzebub go, but it will
prove serious loss TO the cause Of
the South" I said, my thoughts in
stantly turned by mention of the mule
TO matters Of more Importance. Il ex-
pect there will be lively times up
your way"
"Ye kin jlst bet thar will" en-
Enthusiastically. "Itll be nip and tuck
I reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful O.
Marian. Tibet dern muel he needs ter
be took down peg"
Sergeant" | said, did you send out
a party to bring in our horses and the
sabers?"
1T vos all done already; der horses
vos found und der swords"
How many men have we lost?"
Der vos five kilt. Captain; dot VOC
It, / yos hit nit der ear off; Sands
is goin' to die, und maybe Elliott viii
not get some better; some odders vos
hurled"
How many men does that leave us
fit for duty?" | asked decisiyely, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table
"Dere vos twelve, Captain, NIT me-"
THAT will do" 1 said. On half an
hour from now have the men ready
for the road and turned and left the
room.
We must depart at once. More than
ever now l realized the necessity for
haste 1 hoped to meet the officer com.
maudins the Federal detachment who
had come to our aid pay him the Gus.
tomary marks of respect and get
away without again coming in contact
with Major Brennan / felt myself
pledged to this course of action.
a sentry stationed in the lower hall
way informed me The officers were
messing together in the front parlor,
and / at once headed that way.
paused however, TO visit the wounded
FOR g moment, spoke cheerily to my
own men and then, opening the door
quietly entered the room which ] had
last left in possession of the guer
rIlias. With the exception Of broken
windows and bulletscarred walls lit
tie evidence remained of that contest
which had ragged here with such fury
but few hours previously. There
were numerous dark stains upon the
carpet but much of the furniture had
been restored TO place. while a cheer
fui wood ire cracked I'm the open
crate. before DO three men were sit.
ting smoking while upon small table
close at their elbows rested fat bot
tie. Ranked by several glasses. A
single glance sumced to tell mo they
were Federal cayarymen. one being
the redlacej lieutenant whom T had
already met
II am seeking tho commander OF
this dctochment' explained. as
they glanced at me iu surprise mt my
entrance uuannOmced. T am Cap
tain Wayne in charge Of the Confod-
crate troop which was cngagcd fin de.
io1se of tais house"
A por'y man with q strong face. and
W.ring p closely clipped gray beard
arose from % comfortable armchair
and advanced Wi.h hand extended.
ann C.r. .u Moolcaouse in com
mend ie answered. cordially. 'aud
arm worry glad f., m. you WU you
mot join us2 My .e0nd lieutenant
who has positive rlrfr. fr that Ifr.