Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-29
CHAPTER xxxiv.-ccntlnued.

well, suppose shall be compelled
to let you and Beelzebub go, but it will
prove serious loss to the cause of
the South" 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 jist bet thar WILL en-
Enthusiastically 'Tt'll be nip and tuck,
reckon. but I'm mighty hopeful O.
Marian Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down a peg
Sergeant" said, ibid you send out
party to bring in our horses and the
sabers?"
1T yos 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 vos
hurled"
How many men does that leave us
fit for duty?" l asked decisively, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
Deere vos twelve Captain. NIT me-"
THAT will do" l 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 ! 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.
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 then, opening the, door
quietly, entered the room which 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 a few hours previously There
were numerous dark stains upon the
carpet, but much of the furniture had
been restored to place, while cheer
full wood fire cracked In the open
CRATE. Before 1t three men were sit
ting smoking, while upon small table
close at their elbows rested a fiat bot
tie, flanked by several glasses.
oi1 nIa orlo
were Federal cavalrymen, one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom had
already met.
81 am seeking the commander of
this detachment" | explained, as
they glanced at me in surprise at my
entrance unannounced 81 am Cap
tain Wayne, in charge of the Confed
crate troop which was engaged in de-
tense If this house.
portly man with strong face. and
wearing closely clipped gray beard
arose from comfortable armchair
and advanced with hand extended
Il am Captain Moorehouse, in com
mand. he answered. cordially, land
am very glad to meet you. viii 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"
Il thank you replied, anxious to
meet him as pleasantly as possible.
'but 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
ond New Hampshire Cavalry
The constant haunting fear of the