Middletown transcript., 1912-01-06
CHAPTER XVI.
The Scouting Detail.

defended, and after those hateful
words there could be no rest for me
until our differences were settled by
the stern arbitrament of the naked
blade. All prudence to the winds, no
opportunity of meeting him should
now to be cast aside.
The coming day was barely gray in
the east when I was awakened by a
heavy pounding upon the door. a
smart-looking orderly stood without.
Captain Wayne?" he asked.
'That is my name. What have you,
my man?"
Compliments of Colonel Maitland,
chief of staff, SIR" he said, handing
me { folded paper
Dear Wayne" the private note
read, Believing you would be glad
to have the detail I have just ar
ranged to send you at once upon some
active service. Please report at these
quarters Immediately, fully equipped
for the field"
Gladi 1t was the very medicine
most needed, and within twenty min
utes Of my receipt of this communi-
cation was with Maitland, thanking
him warmly for his thoughfulness.
Not another word, Wayne" he in
sisted. 1T is not much, a mere scout
ing detail over neutral territory, and
will prove dull enough. 1 only hope it
may help to divert your mind trife.
Now isten-you are to proceed with
twenty mounted men or the escort
west as far as the foothills, and are
expected to note carefully three
things: First, the condition of for
age for the sustenance of a wagon
train; second, what forces of FEEDER
al troops, if any, are along the Honey
well; and third, the gathering of all in
formation obtainable as to the report
ed consolidation of guerillas for pur- |
poses Of plunder between the lines. If |
time suffice, you might cross over into |
the valley Of the Cowskin and learn |
the condition of forage there as well. |
A guide will accompany your party, |
and you are to avoid contact with the |
enemy as far as possible. Your men /
carry five days rations. You under
stand fully?"
4 i do, sir; presume am to start
at once?"
Your squad, under command of
Sergeant Ebers, is already waiting out
side"
Are you all ready, sergeant?" I
asked Of the rather heavyweight, Ger
man who stood fronting me, his broad,
red face as impassive as though carved
from stone.
I've Vos, captain"
Where is the guide?"
: dot is him, nit der mule, amt it?"
he answered, pointing with one huge
hand down the road.
VERY well, we will pick him up
then as we 60"
cared so little as to whether or not
he accompanied us at all, that we had
advanced some distance before the
thought Of him again occurred to me.
/ knew the gentry fairly well, and had
experienced in the past so many eVi-
dences Of their stupidity, if not actual
disloyalty, as to prefer my own knowl-
edge Of the country to theirs. My
thought, indeed, for several miles was
not at all with the little party Of
troopers Jogging steadily at my heels,
nor, in truth, was it greatly concerned
with the fate of the expedition. That
was but service routine, and l rode
forward carelessly enough, never
dreaming that every hour of progress
was bearing me toward the most i'm
portant adventure Of my life. It was
the German sergeant who recalled me
to the responsibilities Of command.
= Captain" he exclaimed apologet-
ically, riding up to my side and wiping
his round, Derspiring face with great
energy, I'VE are riding too hard, amt
Te? Mein Gott, but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
'Ts that so7" 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 well,
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 I live,
at was Jed Bungay, and when ] stared
at him In sudden amazement he broke
into broad grin.
"Durn 4 I didn't begin ter think az
how Se'd gone an clar fergot me,
Cap"
Not bit Of it, Jed" and I rode UP
to him and extended my hand. "But
how came you here? Are you the
guide7" G
Sure thing, cap; know this yere {
lntry like q buk. 'Jaded horsemen
rom the west, at evening to the castle
pressed BY gum, you put Beelzebub 9
an me through blamed hard Jolt Of
it so fur"
"Beelzebub?"
''Ye bet, ther mule; reckon as how e
ye amt gone an fergot him. heV yer" t
"Bungay, what has become of Ma t
ria?" i
The little mans eyes suddenly filed c
with tears. c
Il jist don't know, cap" he answered Il
'Whin l got hum ther y
Op cabin he'd bin plum burnt down, Il
Dary stick OPT left, by gum! an Ma d
Ashe wu4 clean gone. Hain't seed p
neither hide ner hair o. her since, Il
.het's fac. An sortsr drifted back u
Ter you uns cause didn't hev novhar ri
Else ter go" "
Did you hunt for her among the old
plantations along the valley?" asked, p
ieeply touched by his evident feeling.
She very likely sought refuge in "
lone OF these houses" D
He looked at me In surprise. Il a
-eckon, cap. as how ye don't know ID
much bout whzt's a goin' on In ther re