The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-06
cssyrisAl By A. C. hieciars a Co
enasssd q s<sfSoax's Nall Leoasa
CHAPTER xxxIv.
a Plan Mlscarrlsd.

~ 'Ho'0 S'oof oyes "noso pleasant
memory haunted me- She loved me;
of this now felt doubly assured, and
the knowledge made my heart light.
even while dreaded the consequences
70 US both. III
I stepped out into the kitchen and
came to a sudden pause, facing table
laden with such variety and abun.
dance Of food a. had been strange to
me for many a 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 l beheld Mr.. and Mrs Bungay sim.
ilar'y situated. The establishment of
our meeting seemed mutual. The Ser.
gsant. apparently feeling the necessity
Of explanation. wiped his mouth so
bsrly.
81 vos yoost goin' to AL me op NIT
der dings like good soldier, Captain"
hs said In anxiety.
No doubt; well. I am rather hungry
myself Mrs. Bungay, In memory of
old times cannot you spare me plate?
IL %. Will take pleasure In joining
your happy company Thank you.
see you have found your man."
II have thet. SIR" she answered,
grimly, 'an' reckon as how he's like
" ter stay ct hum arter this"
But you forget he is my guide" I
protested. not disinclined to test her
temper. Surely. Mrs. Bungay, you
would not deprive the South of his val.
usbls services?"
An wouldn't I, nowf An didn't
thet little whiflt promise me long
sfore he ever did you uns? Amt he
my nst'ri protector' whut's o lone
female goin' ter dew yere In ther
mountings wiout no manr'
Come Jed, what dc you say? Are
you tired fghting the battles of the
Confederaey. and prefer those Of
homer
Il Ike ter read all bout fightin' we'll
'nough. but durn II, Cap, II kinder
hurts whin .aey hits ye on ther head
with q gun" His face lit up sud.
denly. "'sides, sorter wanter hev
hariar git 'quainted with thet thar
muel o. mine. Beelzebub. He's out thar
now. hitched ter tree. an eatin' At
ter bust his biler-never a durn mark
on his hide fer all he wint through"
Wen. suppose shall be compelled
TO let you and Beelzebub 60, but II viii
prove q 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. 81 ex-
psct there viii be lively times up
yCur way"
"Ys kin jist bet thar will," en-.
thusisstically. -Tt'll be nip and tuck.
I reckon. but I'm mighty hopeful o.
Mariar. Thet dern muel he needs ter
be took down a peg"
Sergeant" / said, did you send out
. party to bring In our horses and the
sabers7"
1T vos all done already; der horses
vos found und der swords"
How many men have We lostr"
Der vos Ave kilt. Captain: dot vos
t. i vos hit init der ear Off: Sands
is soin to die. und maybe Elliott will
not get some better; some odders vos
hurtcd."
How many men does that leave us
ht for dutyT' I asked decisively, push
Ing back my plate and rising from the
table.
"Dere yos twelve. Captain, nit me-"
That will do" / said. "In half an
hour from now have the men ready
for the road" and I turned and left the
room.
We must depart at once. More than
ever now | realized the necessity for
haste. hoped TO meet the officer COM
manding the FEDERAL detachment who
mad come to our aid. pay him the Gus
tomary marks OF respect, and get
away Without again coming In contact
with Major Brennan. I felt myself
pledged TO this course OF action.
A sentry stationed In the lower hall
way Informed me the officers were
messing together In tho front parlor,
and | at once headed that way. /
paused, however. TO visit the wounded
for a moment, spoke cheerily 10 my
own men. and then. opening the door
quietly, entered the room which had
last left In possession OF the guer.
rillas With the exception OF broken
windows and bulletscarred walls lit.
tie evidence remained OF that contest
which had ragged here with such fury
but q few hours previously. There
were numerous dark stains upon the
carpet. but much OF the furniture had
been restored TO place. while a cheer.
ful wood fre cracked ia the open
crate. Before u three mon we're sit-
ting smoking. while upon "a small table
close at their elbows rested a fat bot
tie. nanked by several glasses. A
single glance sufficed TO tell me they
were Federal cavalrymen. one being
the red-faced lieutenant whom ] had
Already met .------.-