Middletown transcript., 1912-02-03
CHAPTER xxxIV.
A plan Mlscarried.

in those clear eyes whose pleasant
memory haunted me. She loved me-
of this I now felt doubly assured, aRd
the knowledge made my heart light
even while l dreaded the consequences
to us both.
I stepped out into Ghe kitchen and
came to a sudden paGse, facing table
laden with such a variety and abun
dance of food as had been strange tC
me for many long day. Directly op
posite, a napkin tucked beneath his
double chin, his plate piled high with
good things, sat Ebers, while at either
end beheld Mr.. and Mrs. Bungay sim
iIarly situated. The astonishmert oi
our meeting seemed mutual. The Ser
geant, apparently feeling the necessity
Of explanation, wiped his mouth so
berly.
81 vos yoost goin' to fill me op NIT
der dings like good soldier, Captain
he said in anxiety.
mo doubt; well, am rather hungry
myself. Mrs. Bungay, in memory oi
old times cannot you spare me plate
If so, I will take pleasure in joining
your happy company. Thank you.
see you have found your man."
'T have thet, sir" she answered
grimly, "an' reckon as how he's like,
ly ter stay ct hum arter this"
"But you forget he is my guide"
protested, not disinclined to test her
temper. Surely, Mrs. Bungay, you
would not deprive the South of his val
liable services?"
"An' wouldn't I, now? An didn't
thet little whifit promise me long
afore he ever did you uns? Amt he
my nat'ral protector? Whut's 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"
"I like ter read all bout fightin' well
'nough, but durn it, Cap, it kinder
hurts whin they hits ye on ther head
denly. Sides, I sOTteT wanter he7
Marian git 'quainted with thet thar
muel o. mine, Beelzebub. He's out thar
now, hitched ter tree, an eatin' fit
ter bust his biler-never a durn mark
on his hide fer all he wint through"
well, I suppose 1 shall be compelled
to let you and Beelzebub go, but it will
prove a serious loss to the cause OF
the South" I 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"
Eye kin jist bet thar WILL" en-
Enthusiastically. It'll be nip and tuck
1 reckon, but I'm mighty hopeful O.
Mariar. Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down a peg"
Sergeant" 1 said, did you send out
a 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 lost2"
Der vos five kilt, Captain; dot vos
1t. 1 vos hit NIT der ear of; Sands
Is goin' to die, und maybe Elliott viii
not get some better; some odders vos
hurried"
How many men does that leave us
fit for duty?" I asked decisively, push
ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere Yos twelve, Captain, nit me. "
"That will do" 1 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 1 realized the necessity for
haste. 1 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. 1 felt myself
pledged to this course Of action.
A sentry stationed in the lower hall
way informed me the officers we're
messing together in the front parlor,
and l 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 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 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 it three men were sit
ting smoking, while upon small table
close at their elbows rested a fiat bot
tie, hanked by several glasses. A
single glance suf1ced to tell me they
were Federal cavalrymen, one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom I had
already met.
Il am seeking the commander of
this detachment" I explained, as
they glanced at me in surprise at my
entrance unannounced. 'I am Cap
tain Wayne, in charge Of the Confed-
crate troop which was engaged in de-
fense Of this house."
A portly man with a strong face, and
wearing closely clipped gray beard,
arose from a comfortable armchair
and advanced with hand extended.
81 am Captain Moorehouse, in COM
mand," he answered, cordially, "and
am very glad to meet you. Will you
not join us? My second lieutenant,
who has positive genius in that line,
has unearthed few bottles Of rather
choice whisky which we will divide
most gladly"
Il thank you," 1 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
ond New Hampshire Cavalry"
The ooue NJ bauu4fpor fa1r - 4Lo