The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-01-18
CHAPTER XVI.
The SCOUTING Detail.

The Scouting Detail.
This premeditated insult, whict
Brennan evidently dispatched broad
cast in hope that through some un
| known channel It might reach me
changed my entire relationship with
the man. have never felt that Bren
nan was at heart bad man; he was
hard, stern, revengeful, yet have nc
doubt under different circumstances
| might even have valued him highly
as comrade or a friend There is
no demon like jealousy; and his early
distrust of me. fostered by that mad
disease had apparently warped his
entire nature. Yet not even for love
could ! consent to leave my honor un,
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 was awakened by a
heavy pounding upon the door =
smart-looking orderly stood without.
Captain Wayne?" he asked.
That is my name. What have you,
my MANI"
Compliments of Colonel Maitland,
chief Of staff, sir" he said, handing
me a folded paper
Dear Wayne" the private note
read, Believing you would be glad
to have the detail / have lust ar.
ranged to send you at once upon some
;ctive service. Please report at these
quarters Immediately, fully equipped
Tor the field"
Glad! II 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
VIII prove dull enough. | only hope 1t
may help TO divert yovr mind trife.
Now listen-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
ualn; second, what forces OF FEEDER
al troops, If any, are along the Honey
well; and third, the gathering of all in
formation obtainable as 10 the report.
ed consolidation OF guerillas for pur.
poses of plumber between the lines. II
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 ralions. You under.
stand fully?"
i do, sir | presume | am to start
1t once?"
Your squad, under command of
Sergeant Ebers, is already waiting out
side"
Are you all ready, sergeant?" /
asked OF the rather heavyweight Ger |
nan who stood fronting me, his broad,
ed lace as impassive as though carved
rom stone.
We vos, captain"
Where is the guide?"
Dot is him, nit der mule, amt it?" |
he answered, pointing with one huge |
land down the road.
Very well, We will pick him ND
hen as we CO."
| cared SO little as to whether or not |
lie accompanied us at all, that we had |
ldVanced some distance before the
hought of him again occurred to me.
knew the gentry fairly well, and had
experienced In the past SO many evil
lences OF their stupidity, if not actual
hsloyalty, as to prefer my own knowl-
'dge OF the country to theirs. My
hought, indeed. for several miles was
lot at all with the little party OF
roopers jogging steadily at my heels,
ior in truth, was it greatly concerned
With the fate OF the expedition. That
vas but service routine, and / rode
onward carelessly enough, never
lreaming that every hour of progress
vas bearing me toward the most i'm
'ortant adventure OF my life. It was
he German sergeant who recalled me
o the responsibilities of command.