Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-26
CHAPTER xxxIv.
A Plan Mlscarried.

/ remembered as / hurried down the
back stairway her flushed face, but
could recall no look of indignant pride
in those clear eyes whose pleasant
memory haunted me. She loved me;
Of this now felt doubly assured, and
the knowledge made my heart light,
even while dreaded the consequences
to us both.
/ stepped out into the kitchen and
came to sudden pause, facing table
laden with such variety and abun-
dance of food as had been strange to
me for many long day. Directly op-
posite, napkin tucked beneath his
double chin, his plate piled high with
good things, sat Ebers, while at either
end / beheld Mr. and Mrs Bungay sim.
ilarly situated. The establishment of
our meeting seemed mutual The Ser.
geant. apparently feeling the necessity
of explanation, wiped his mouth 80
berly.
II yos yoost goin' to fill me op NIT
der dings like good soldier, Captain"
he said in anxiety.
mo doubt; well, 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. I
see you have found your man."
II have tibet, sir" she answered.
grimly. IAN reckon as how he's like
ly ter stay ct hum arter this"
"But you forget he is my guide" /
protested, not disinclined 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 whifit promise me long
afore he ever did you uns? Amt he
my nat'ral protector? Whut's a lone
female goin' ter dew yere In Their
! mountings wi'out no MANI"
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' we'll
'nough, but durn 1t, Cap, it kinder
hurts whin they hits we on Their head
with gun" His face lit up sud
denly. "Sides, sorter wanter hev
Marian git 'quainted with tibet thar
muel O. mine, Beelzebub. He's out thar
now, hitched ter tree, an eatin' fit
ter bust his biler-never a durn mark
on his hide fer all he wint through"
Well, | suppose shall be compelled
to let you and Beelzebub go, but 1t will
prove serious loss to the cause OF
the South" 1 said, my thoughts In.
stantly turned by mention of the mule
to matters. of more Importance. II ex.
pect there will be lively times up
your way
Eye kin jist bet thar WILL" en-
Enthusiastically. It'll be nip and tuck,
I reckon, but Pm mighty hopeful O.
Mariar Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down a 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 vos
1t. l vos hit NIT der ear off; Sands
is goin to die. und maybe Elliott Will
not get some better; some odders vcs
hurted."
How many men does that leave ns
fit for duty?" | asked decisively, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
Deere vos twelve, Captain, NIT me-"
THAT will do" | said. 'In 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. hoped to meet the officer COM
manding 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 we're
messing together in the front parlor,
and l at once headed that way. L
paused, however, to visit the wounded
for moment, spoke cheerily to my
own men, and then, opening the door
quietly, entered the room which l had
last left in possession of the guer-
rillas. With the exception of broken
windows and bullet-scarred 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
full wood fire cracked in the open
crate. Before it three men were sit
ting smoking, while upon a small table
close at their elbows rested a fiat bot
tie, fianked by several glasses. A
single glance sufficed to tell me they
were Federal cavalrymen. one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom l had
already met.
Il am seeking the commander of
this detachment" | explained, as