Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-15

like one distracted At sight OF me
ne gave ny all attempt to control his
aging temper.
What does all this mean?" he de-
manded hoarsely Who are these
men? Cation, If you have betrayed
us, by God, | will shoot you dead"
There is no betrayal" returned the
Lieutenant. coolly. These men are
friends.
"Friends?" he laughed cynically.
Friends? in that uniform. and you
attired in a Rebel cavalry jacket?
Friendss that fellow over there?" and
he pointed derisively at me with his
pistol barrel Damn you, but be-
lieve you are all pack OF lying
thieves!"
Cations face burned. He took one
step toward him, his hands clinched,
and when he spoke his clear voice
shook with intense indignation.
Major Brennan" he said coldly de-
liberate, you are my superior officer,
but you go beyond all privileges of
rank in those words / say these men
are friends; they have sunk the issues
of war in order that they may answer
the call of humanity. If you dare i'm
peach my motives any further. | shall
hurl back the cowardly insult in your
face. | will take no such words. sir.
from any living man."
Brennan looked at him, his lips
struggling with the utterance that
would not come Knowing well TIE
danger of such delay, | hastily pushed
aside the ring Of men, and fronted
him, determined to end this foolish
ness then and there
Major Brennan" I said firmly, ig-
noring his efforts to silence me, you
must listen to reason whether you
wish to- do so or not. My troopers
are all around you; have two men to
your one In this house, and can en-
force my will If necessary. Now mark
what | say-we are not here in anger
or in war, but to help you in the pro-
lection of endangered women. We
captured your courier. have dispatched
eral camp for aid and have fought
our way in here to stand beside you
and your men in defence of this
house against those ruffians without.
You can use us or not, just as you
please; 1t rests with you to say wheth-
er we shall be comrades in arms on
this occasion, or whether | shall as
sumo command by the power of force
which chance to CONTROL"
He seemed utterly unable to grasp
my full meaning, to comprehend the
situation.
"You mean. you would fight with
US? under my commando" he asked in
credulously.
Il offer my services under your or
ders." | replied clearly, land these
men in gray will obey mine"
actually thought he would extend
his hand, but some remembrance sud
denly restrained him.
''I-of course. Captain Wayne" he
stammered, at length, I'll must &C
cept your offer. IL am grateful for
1t. but / shall insist upon one thing;
there must be final settlement of the
personal matter existing between us.
am not willing to waive my rights
in this
There is no occasion for your doing
so, sir" l answered coldly, for con-
sidered the reference at that moment
in extremely Ill taste. when our
work here has been accomplished, you
will find me very much at your serv-
ice"
He bowed grayely.
81 am exceedingly glad we under
stand each other" ne said May |
ask the size of your commando"
Sergeant" l questioned, whom
have we lost?'
Nelson vos kilt. drinks; der Kid
is not here yet, und Sands vos wound
ed bad"
Very we'll; then, Major Brennan, 1
tender you sixteen men fit for duty,
besides myself You are doubtless
acquainted with the house. and can
assign us to positions where our serv-
ices will prove of greatest value"
He had completely recovered his
self-control by this time, and spoke
HOW Will Tie lSTSe SGulSuCGS Vi
tried soldier
Il thank you, Captain Wayne, and
will ask you to choose four men and
assume command of the east side of
the house. Cation. you take the same
number for defense of the rear Cap
tain. what is your sergeant's name?"
"Ebers. an experienced German sol
der
81 should have suspected his ma
tionality, Let him have command of
four more and cover the west win
dows. shall defend the front myself.
as have been doing"
Very well" answered shortly, for
his eyes had remained fixed upon me
all the time he was talking Take
the positions assigned you. lads. and
Go not permit man from without to
put foot on the veranda. If they once
succeed in getting under cover of the
porch roof. they will give us plenty of
trouble"
The position for defence assigned
to my care took me into the dining
room OF the mansion-a spacious, al
most square APARTMENT containing