The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-02-22

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 servlces?"
AN wouldn't l, now7 An didn't
thet little whifit promise me long
afore he ever did you uns? Amt he
my nat'ral protector? Whut's a lone
female a goin' ter dew yere in ther
mountings wiout no man?"
Come, Jed, what do you say? Are
you tired fighting the battles Of the
Confederacy, and prefer those of
homer"
Il like ter read all bout fightin' well
nough, but durn It, Cap, 1t kinder
hurts whin they hits ye on ther head
with gun" His face lit up sud
denly. "'Sides, | sorter wanter hev
Mariar git quainted with thet thar
muel o. mine, Beelzebub. He's out thar
now. hitched ter tree, an eatin flt
ter bust his biler-never a durn mark
on his hide fer all he wint through"
We'll, suppose shall be compelled
to let you and Beekebub go, but II will
prove serious loss TO the cause OF
the South" l said my thoughts in
stantly turned by mention of the mule
to matters OF more Importance. 'T ex-
pect there will be lively times up
your way"
"Ye kin jist bet thar WILL" en-
Enthusiastically. "Itll be nip and tuck,
! reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful O.
Mariar. Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down a peg"
Sergeant" said, did you send out
party to bring in our horses and the
sabers?"
ut vos all done already; der horses
vos found und der swords"
How many men have we lost7"
Der vos FIVE kilt, Captain; dot vos
1t. 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
fit for duty?" asked decisively, push.
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere vos twelve, Captain, init me"
THAT will do" | said. "1n 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 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 were
messing together in the front parlor
and | at once headed that way.
paused, however, to visit the wounded
FOR a moment, spoke cheerily to my
own men, and tben, opening the door
quietly, entered the room which / had
last left In possession of the guer
rillas. With the exception OF broker
windows and bullet-scarred walls lit
tie evidence remained of that contest
which had ragged here with such fury
but a few hours previously. There
were numerous dark stains upon the
carpet, but much OF the furniture hat
been restored to place, while a cheer
ful wood fire cracked in the oper
, crate. Before II three men were sit
ting smoking, while upon small table
close at their elbows rested a fiat bot
tie, fianked by several glasses.
single glance sufilced to tell me the!
were Federal cavalrymen, one beinl
the red-faced lieutenant whom ! hat
already met.
II am seeking the commander o
this detachment" explained, a
they glanced at me in surprise at m!
entrance unannounced 81 am Car
= tain Wayne, in charge Of the Confed
crate troop which was engaged in de
fense of this house"
: portly man with strong face, an,
wearing a closely clipped gray beard
arose from a comfortable armchal
and advanced with hand extended
81 am Captain Moorehouse. in CON
mand," he answered, cordially, "an
am very bidu w meet you. VIII W
not join us? My second lieutenant
who has positive genius in that line
has unearthed few bottles of rathe
choice whisky which we will divid
most gladly"
II thank you" replied, anxious t
meet him as pleasantly as possible
but | am eager to get away upon m
2 duty as early as may be, and hav
merely intruded upon you to explai
my purpose"
Nonsense" he insisted. "Dut
is never quite so urgent as to requir
a waste of good liquor. Captain Wayne
permit me to present my officers
3 Lieutenants Warren and Starr, SCI
I ond New Hampshire Cavalry"
e The constant haunting fear OF tn
[ Majors possible entrance at any m'
; ment rendered me extremely uneas,
d and anxious to be away. Undoubtedl