The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-03-31
CHAPTER XlX-continued.

Inc SPY you fellows planned to
hang in the morning" I answered
amused by his unexpected good bp.
NOR Sorry Jack, but I'll have to
gag you"
The pleasure is mine; don't men.
uon IT, and he winked facetiousIv.
with nod of his head toward the
heavily breathing colonel. bound q
bit OF rag over his mouth. more IN
give MIN an excuse for silence tbau
because had any fea. he would raise
an alarm. Noreen had silently opened
the door, and slipped out into the cor.
rldor. With a swift glance over the
three helpless men left behind 7
joined her, and tightly closed the door
The light of the distant lamp revealed
her face. but her eyes were serious.
Better leave the musket leaning
against the wall / whispered, noting
she still grasped the weapon. 1T will
only arouse suspicion. There are two
guards at the front entrance?"
Yes" she answered swiftly, land
you had better give the word. II thew
stop you and ask any questions, give
them any name you please-only you
came with dispatches from General
Ramsay two hours ago, and have been
with Colonel Pickney ever since. II
is less than an hour since the guard
was relieved, for Captain Fox left me
in order to make the rounds. and
these men will not know. You under.
stand?"
Perfectly. And the countersign?"
"Kanawha."
/ hesitated, and her eyes flashed
into mine.
II will go also" she said simply.
for can guide you through the camp
Draw the cap visor lower down over
your eyes-we may meet with some.
one who saw you brought in as a pris.
oner. That is better; now we will
chat as we gO-abOut-about West
Point. Do you remember, lieutenant.
that last cadet dance? Captain Fox
tells me"
We turned the corner into the wide
entrance hall, strolling slowly side BY
side, her face turned upward to mine.
Apparently my eyes we're upon her,
and | made some inane response to
her words, yet | saw the sentries at
the door come stiffly to attention. and
then cross their musket barrels to bar
our exit. | halted as though In sur
prise.
Are there any new orders?" asked
in tone of authority. "You remember
passing us in, do you not?"
1--WE passed the lady. sir" the
older man answered respectfully, but
no officer"
"Ah. yes, l see: you are not the
same men who we're on guard when
arrived / am Lieutenant Mann, of
General Ramsay's staff, and have been
with Colonel Plckney. The lady will
vouch for me-"
Eyes. SIR" yet with lingering doubt |
in his voice. mo doubt 1t Is all right, |
sir; but the orders are very strict |
tonight. II you have not the word |
shall have to call the sergeant"
quite right, my man; but that is
not necessary" and took a step
nearer and bent my head. Kama,
wha."
The two men shouldered their mus
kets, and the older one brought his
hand up in salute.
pass, sir" he said soberly, and
stood aside. We went down the broad
steps, dlmly lighted by a distant fire,
my hand touching her arm. The in. !
'antry camp lay between US and tue
road. The campfire in front yielded
just enough light to enable me to
study out our surroundings. The band
still played noisily in the courtroom
above. The camp was quiet, the sol
liers apparently sleeping on the
ground. ] could perceive only a few
tents, showing white in the freight,
but the figures of sentries appeared
here and there, slowly pacing their
BEATS Had been alone should have
,rept forward and endeavorod to slip
by unseen, but was conscious of the
hand which grasped my sleeve and
10Y eyes fell to her face. !