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

The Scouting Detail.
This premeditated insult. which
Brennsn evidently dispatched broad
easr In hope that through some un
known channel IL might reach me
changed my entire relationship with
the man. | have never felt that Bren
nan was at heart q bad man: he was
hard. stern. revengeful. yet | have NO
doubt under different circumstances
I 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
dissese 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 q
heavy pounding upon the door. A
smart-looking orderly stood without
Captain Wayne?" he asked.
Tnat Is my name. What have you
my man?"
Compliments OF Colonel Maitland
chief OF stan. SIR" he said, handing
me a folded paper.
Dear Wayne" the private note
read. Believing you would be glad
90 have the detail I have Just ar,
ranged TO sand you at once upon some
active service Please report at these
quarters Immediately. suily equipped
FOR the field"
s!a-1. u vas lie very medicine
most needed. and within twenty min.
utes OF my receipt OF this communi
cation l was with Maitland, thanking
him warmly for his tbcus nru.ness.
Not another word. Wayne, he in.
sisted. 1T is moi much. mere scout.
Ing de,cn over neutral territory, and
VIII brose dull enough. only hope II
may help to divert your mind q trifie.
Now hsten-you ere TO proceed with
twenty mcc:;ed men OF the escort
vest as far as the foothills, and are
expected 10 note carefully three
uhi1gs: First, the condition OF for.
age for The sustenance OF a wagon
train; second. what forces of FEEDER
al troops. n any. are along the Honey.
Vel. and third the gathering OF all In.
formation ubtainable as TO the report
ed coDsol.d alton OF guerillas for pur.
poses oi Plunder between the lines. II
umo sufice. you might cross over into
the valley cf the Cowskin and learn
the condition OF forage there as well.
"A guide viii accompany your party.
aud ysu are TO avoid contact with the
enemy as far as possible. Your men
carry five days rations. You under
stand fully7"
Il do. sir; presume l am to start
at once!"
Your squad. under command OF
Sergeant Ebers. is already waiting out
side"
Are you all ready. sergeant" I
Asked OF the rather heavyweight Ger
man who stood fronting me, his broad,
red face as impassive as though carved
from stono.
We vos. captain"
Where IL the gulde,"
Dot Ia him. NIT der mule, ain't itr-
ne answered, pointing with one huge
hand down the road.
Very we'll. We will pick him up
then as We go."
cared 30 little as to whether or not
he accompanied us at all, that we had
advanced sumo distance before the
thought OF him again occurred to me.
knew the gentry fairly we'll. and had
experienced In the past so many evi.
dences OF their stupidity IL not actual
disloyalty. as to prefer my own knowl-
edge or the country To theirs. My
thought, Indeed. for several miles was
not at all with the little party OF
troopers jogging steadily at my heels.
Ior, In truth. was II greatly concerned
with the fate OF the expedition. That
was but service routine. and I rode
forward carelessly enough, never
dreaming that every hour OF progress
was bearing me toward the most i'm
portant adventure OF my life. II was
the German sergeant who recalled me
20 the responsibilities OF command.
Captain. ne exclaimed apologct
ically. riding up TO my side and wiplng
his round. perspiring face with great
energy. we are riding too hard. amt
We! Mein Gott. but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
is that so?" asked I'm surprise at
his words. A single swift glance
around convinced me he was correct.