The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-23
CHAPTER xxx.
n Union os Yank and Hep,

1. a Union os Yank and Hsp.
As the heavy door changed behind
us some one upon the outside began
pounding upon Il. while with deadly
chug bullet crashed into the oaken
panel.
"Donnerwetter!" shouted a deep
voice. wildly. Captain. I am yet out
NIT der bullets"
With crash flung aside the thick
Iron bar which answered as q lock,
and drew In the Sergeant. yet painting
heavily from bis hard run.
BY Chiminy. dot vas a narrow
squeak" no exclaimed. as I released
my grasp upon him and hurled the
door back into It's place.
A dim light swinging suspended
from the ceiling of the great wide hall
revealed clearly the scene within. AS
I turned I beheld Brennan for the first
time. and his face remains a memory.
Standing With he hack 20 the stair
railing. n revolver grasped tlgb ly in
either hand his eyes burning. his
countenspcc flushed with uuger, and
cloudod by doubt, ne appeared almost
Ike one distracted. Al sight Of me
no gave up ali attempt 10 control his
raging temper.
What does all this mean?" he de-
manded hoarsely. who are these
men? Cation. II you have betrayed
us. by God. will shoot you dead"
There Is no betrayal" returned the
Lieutenant, coolly. These men are
friends"
"Friendsi" he laughed cynically.
Friends? In that uniform, and you
atured In q Rebei cavalry jacket?
Friends' that fellow over there?" and
he pointed derisively at me with his
pistol barrel. Damn you, but be-
hsve 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-
hberate, 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. IL you dare i'm.
peach my motives any further, shall
hurl back the cowardly insult in your
face. I will take no such words, sir,
from any living man"
Brennan looked al him, his lips
struggling with the utterance that
would not come. Knowing we'll the
danger OF such delay. I 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
norins his efforts to silence me, "you
must listen 70 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 II necessary. Now mark
what l say--we are not here In anger
or In war. but to help you In the pro-
tection " endangered women. We
captured your courier. have dispatched
one OF our own number into the Fed
cral 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: II rests with you to say wheth.
or we shall be comrades In arms on
this occasion. or whether I shall as.
sumo command by the power OF force
which | chance TO control"
lie seemed utterly unable 20 grasp
my full meaning, to comprehend the
situation.
You mean. you would fight with
us? under my commando" no asked In.
credulously.
Il offer my services under your or.
ders," I replied clearly, "andAthese
men In gray will obey mine"
l actually thought he would extend
his hand. but some remembrance sud
denly restrained him.
"I-of course. Captain Wayne" he
stammered. at length. Il must ac-
cept your ofrer. II am grateful for
~. but | shall Insist upon one thing;
there must be a final settlement Of the