The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-12

iooNeo hcaIiy pid5tu Cut
from our sharp pace. "very we'll
we will halt here"
With sigh of relief he drew back
and as he did SO my eyes fell for the
hrst time upon the guide. AS I live,
1t was Jed Bungay, and when stared
at him In sudden amazement he broke
into broad grin.
"Durn If l didn't begin ter think as
how ye'd gone an clar fergot me,
Cap"
Not a bit of 1t. Jed" and I rode up
TO him and extended my hand. But
how came you here? Are you the
guide?"
Sure thing. cap: know this yere
kintry like a buk. 'Jaded horsemen
from the west, at evening to the castle
pressed By gum. you put Beelzebub
an me through blamed hard jolt Of
1t so fur"
"Beelzebub?"
"Ye bet, ther mule; I reckon as how
ye aint gone an fergot him, hev ye?"
"Bungay. what has become Of Ma.
ria?"
The little mans eyes suddenly filled
with tears.
Il jist don't know, cap" he answered
mournfully. "Whin | got hum ther
oil cabin he'd bin plum burnt down,
nary stick o 1t left. by gum! an Ma.
riar she wuz clean gone. Hain't seed
neither hide ner hair O. her since,
thet's fac. An sorter drifted back
ter you uns cause didn't hev nowhar
else ter 60"
Did you hunt for her among the old
plantations along the valley?" asked,
deeply touched by his evident feeling.
She very likely sought refuge In
some OF those houses"
He looked at me In surprise. 81
reckon, cap, as how ye don't know
much bout whut's q goin' on In ther
valley fer ther las few months" he
said soberly, rubbing down his mule
as ne spoke. Tell ye what, thar list
haint no plantation houses left thar
now. thet's fac, leastwise not north.
o ther lines We uns sorter hol onto
yt. Sheridan he played hell with his
cavalry raids, an whut the blue. bellies
left ther burned guerillas an BUSH
whackers wiped up es clean es a slate
Durn II crow wudn't starve ter death
In ther valley now. Why, cap, them
thar deserters an sich truck is or.
ganized now till they're mighty nigh
an army, an they don't skeer fer nuth.
In les ner regiment / see more ner
hundred an fifty In one bunch I'M
on ther White Briar two week ago. an
tney're worse ner parce, er pirates.
l reckon as how they got Mariar, but
Ill bet she Civ 'em u hot OIL time afore
she done quit"
Rumors OF this state OF affairs to
the north and west OF our defending
lines had already reached me-indeed.
the verification had formed part of my
instructions; but Bungay's homely yet
graphic description made the situation
appear terribly real, and my thought
went Instantly forth to those I knew
who might even then be exposed to
this great and unexpected danger.
The very conception OF Edith Bren.
nan In such hands as these was agony
1 felt i could never rest until assured
Oh her safety, and since my order
granted me full authority to prolong
my journey. might ascertain whether
or not she yet remained within the
valley.
Jed" asked. my mind finally set.
tied, do you know the old Minor plan.
tation?"
"Or Jedge Minors place? Sure: it's
up on ther south branch of ther Cow.
skin"
Have those fellows got down that
far YETI"
Wal, reckon not. but durn II I
know fer sure. cap"
How long would It take us to reach
there?"
Bout two days, / reckon"
1 turned and looked at my men in
some perplexity. They were scattered
along the edge Of the road, and only
one group had taken the precaution to
build fire. The sergeant lay fiat
upon his back on a grassy knoll.
"Ebers," said sternly.
He arose ponderous, and came for.
ward with decidedly haltiug gait.
"Vos ] sent for!" he asked.
Yes" said; IT want you to have
the men get their supper at once, as we
shall be obliged to ride good portion
OF the night. Get the men to their
supper. We shall go on in an hour"
How often since have I smiled at
the expression upon his solemn round
face as he turned ruefully away!
CLADrED WYNN