The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER xxxIv.-continued.

to let you and Beelzebub go, but it will
prove a 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"
I'VE kin jist bet thar WILL" en-
Enthusiastically. It'll be nip and tuck,
I reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful O.
Mariaf. Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down,a peg"
Sergeant" l said, did you send out
a party to bring in our horses and the
ssbe.x'%%'
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
II. I~vos hit NIT der ear of; Sands
is goin' to die, und maybe Elliott will
not get some better: some odders vos
hurted."
"How many men does that leave us
at for duty?" I asked decisi8ely, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere vos twelve, Captain, NIT me-"
THAT will do" I said. "In half an
hour from now have the men ready
for the road" and l turned and left the
room.
We must depart at once. More than
ever now I realized the necessity for
haste. l hoped to meet the officer COM
manding the Federal detachment who
had come to u aid, pay him the GUS
tomary marks of respect, and get
away without again coming in contact
with Major Brennan. l 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 l at once headed that way. l
paused, however, to visit the wounded
for a moment, spoke cheerily to my
W men, and then, opening the door
quietly, entered the room which I 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 q 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 1t three men were sit
ting snoking, while upon a small table
close at their elbows rested a flat bot
tie, nAnked by several glasses. A
single glance sufflced to tell me, they
were Federal cavalrymen, one being
the r<&-faced lieutenant whom l had
alr.ady met.
X am seeking ths commander of
this detachment" . explained, as
they glanced at m In surprise at my
entrance unannounced. 81 am Cap
tain Wayne. in charge of the Confed.
crate troop which was engaged in de-
tense of this house."
A portly man with a strong face, and
wearing a closely clipped gray beard.
arose from a comfortable armchair
and advanced with hand extended.
Il am Captain M~oorehouse, in com
mand," he answered, cordially, land
am very glad to meet you. Will you
not join us? MY second lieutenant,
who has positive genius in that line,
has ~unearthed a few bottles of rather
choice whisky which we will divide
most gladly"
II thank you." l replied. anxious to
meet him as pleasantly as possible.
"but l am eager to get away upon my
duty as early as may be, and have
merely intruded upon you to explain
my purpose"
Nonsense" he insisted. DUTY
Is never quite SO urgent as to require
a waste of good liquor. Captain Wayne,
permit me to present my officers
Lieutenants Warren and Starr. Sec
ond2 New Hampshire Cavalry"
The constant haunting fear Of the