1G
roepala of rrecedlaa; ChapUra,
(Copyright, M01, by O. W. Dillingham Co.)
Norman Holt, favorlto son or an old Ken
tucky fnmlly, I reprimanded at West Point
for dueling and Is withdrawn by his nlgh
plrltud father. Ills homo-coming In tho
winter of 1830 li celebrated by nn old-fash-loncd
Kentucky Christmas gathering.
Among tho guests are Daisy I.ane, daugh
ter rf Dr. Holt's lawyer, and J. Durnett
Malloy, both of Cincinnati. The latter
brings letters of Introduction from Lane's
partner, Mr. Mclntyre, and is courteously
received, but arouses the Jealousy of Nor
man Holt by his attentions to Daisy Lane.
Malloy separates Miss Lane from the main
party during a fox hunt and at tho Christ-
mas ball the same evening affect an air
'of proprietorship distasteful to Daisy and
obnoxious to his rival, Norman Holt. 11 ut
Bit 111-fcolliiK Is forgotten when at midnight
11 surround. Dr. Holt to drink tho Christ
mas punch, which ceremony Is Interrupted
by a midnight messenger, who announces
the dangerous Illness of Judgo Mclntyro.
Investigation reveals his financial affairs
In a hopeless tangle and tho Holt fortune
dissipated. Henry and Norman enter
Lane's law ofllco In Cincinnati. Norman
enlists as a private In the Ohio Infantry.
Malloy, through political Influence, Is lieu
tenant In tho same company, and Henry
Holt Joins tho confederate forces; Norman
ts ordered to conduct a skirmishing party
under Captain Wing to Bellovlew In search
of prominent rebels. IJollevlow raid falls.
Wing Is captured and Norman Is accused of
treachery. Drain fever saves him from
trial and takes htm to the hospital. Charges
against Norman aro disproved by, Bnyart.
Norman rejoins his regiment and aids
Bherldan In capturing Henry Holt. Nor
man Holt drugged by Malloy while on
picket duty Is found asleep at hln post.
Court-martial convicts Norman, who de
mands that Malloy, whoso testimony con
victed him, shall lead tho firing party on
tho day of his death. Norman Is pardoned
by 1'rosldont Lincoln and made lieutenant
of Kentucky infantry. Norman is accused
by the Lanes of betraying Thoodore,
who
ha j deserted. Into tho hands of secret
eervlce men. Norman wins high pralso
from Sheridan for gallant rally or troops
and whoa Malloy, now major of a now regi
ment, ruturns to camp ho Is "cut" by Nor
man. CIIAPTRK XXII.
When an officer nnd a gentleman, In the
presence, and hearing of other officers and
gentleman, especially when they are of such
high rank as tho commander of an army
In the Held, refuses his hand and acknowl
edges a presentation to another officer, sup
posedly a gentleman, with tho Insignificant
remark: "I know tho man," It means only
one thing': Ho knows him so well that he
wll havo nothing to do with him. Holt did
not conduct the nowcomers to Sheridan's
headquarters. Without another word ho re
turned to his map. Tho' general 'saw In
stantly that thero was bitter feud between
the young men that even In bis presence
could not be forgotten. Ignoring It entirely
he chatted a moment with the colonel until
Malloy had partially rogalned color and
composure, then Inquired after hla father,
the senator, nnd Mr. Holt being still busy
turned them over to the nldo-de-camp.
When they were gono Norman arose, laid
the paper beforo tho general and stood half
expectant of robuko or roprlraand, but none
came. Llko Grant Ilosccrans took no notice
of minor affairs when great ones demanded
his attention. A few quick quostlons were
all ho asked, as to fords and wood roods,
and whether light guns could be run through
tho forest along tho western foothills.
Then briefly bidding Norman hold himself
In readiness for Important service and with
a hint as to sllenco wished hlra all success,
and said good aftornoon.
That evening, summoned to the headquar
ters of the corps commander, Norman Holt
found asscmblod somo men already famous
In tho army of tho Cumberland. Central
figuro In the group, blunt, outspoken, burly,
at McCook, a mop on his knee and ob
jurgation on his Hps. Ho who loved a'
square fight and asked no favor, had been
bidden to hold the foe Instead of hammer
ing him. The exasperations of Porryvllle
and Stoierlver still rankled In hlsi heart
and he longed, for opportunity to show what
his men could do when not overlapped
and outnumbered, as bad hitherto occurred.
He wantod to hit, not clinch, and here wore
ardors that ho should maneuver occupy
the attention of Hardee's crack corps, pro
vent their sending old to other fellows
thirty miles away, whom Thomas Would
fall upon and crush. Much of tho samo
mind was tho flerco little, black-eyed di
vision commander, striding up and down
the room listening with obvious Impatience
to' the explanations of tho suave Garfield,
courteous, plausible, conciliatory, It not
entirely convincing. The candles on the
rough pine table flared and flickered In
the breeze that stirred the cheap curtains
nd swept throucb the tawdry Tennessee
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ieis
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'V
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UM0.V8 I.tlULEB CUBE! CiTAHBit.
JaBsaSSaiaiEc jdatisB
living room. It was one of the farmhouses
not far from tho outskirts of the little
town. Two or threo staff officers sat copy
ing orders at an adjoining table; another
at tho ball doorway was In low-tonod
conversation with tho commander of the
cavalry escort, watting In tho mud without.
It had begun to rain ngatn. It seemed
as though it always rained when tho Army
of tho Cumberland needed to march, and
It novcr ralnod, but it poured. Norman
Holt, dismounting and giving tho reins
to an orderly, entered tho narrow hall
way and briefly said: "I am ordered to
report here to General Sheridan. Lieu
tenant Holt, adjutant, th Kentucky,"
Tho staff officer returned his salute,
looking' curiously, almost Intrusively, at
htm. The story of that afternoon's episode
waa already aleak, and mon do not trifle
with fellows who, oven In the presenco
of tho commander, stand to tholr convic
tions, as had Norman Holt
"Tho genoral Is engaged now. I'll an
nounco you In a moment. I think I've
hoard Dob Enyart speak of you, Mr. Holt.
My namo'a Warden. Lot mo present you
AS THE GALLANT HORSE BORE HIM
. OF THE PRICELESS BAG.
to Captain O'Connor. Your old friend Gaff
ney, by tho way, was hero not long ago,
and Oencral Qarfleld beard his oxploslon
too."
Holt smiled gravely. "Sorry I came too
late," said he. "Qaffney la sore'nt being
overslaughed, and I don't blama him. But
he's too good a soldier to have his chances
spoiled by angry talk."
"Well, ho charged It all to Malloy, and
I fancy CJenoral Sheridan wasn't sorry to
have Qarfleld hear that muoh, anyhow."
And tho aide-de-camp looked keonly at-tho
Kentucklan, as though In hopes of hearing
his views on tho subject of Malloy.
But that reply was, at least, not verbal.
Holt had been long enough an officer to
learn that one of the curses of the camp
Is tho tendency to gossip tho frequency of
misquotation. "Say nothing you would not
have repeated especially In garbled form."
was a good rulo for u staff offlcor. Norman
wondered at the genoral's aide that did not
seem to know It. Meddling In the affairs
of other men la bad enpugh In the lino; It
Is worse In the staff. Warden showed that
he felt the tacit rebuke. Ho looked a bit
nettled, but promptly said, "I beg pardon
but, of course, you realize that Qaffney
haB boen proclaiming this and other mat
ters from tho housetops."
Then camo Sheridan's voice, quick Im
patient, and with It 8horldan himself, right
at Wrden's elbow, "Isn't Holt hero yet?
It's high time O, como right In, Holt.
We'vo been waiting."
"So havo I, sir." said the Kentucklan,
as ho followed his llttlo leader Into the
office. There at a nod from McCook ho
closed tho door bohind them, which War
den liked still less. It left him obviously
out of the conference.
"Know who that Is. I s'pose?" said he,
shortly, to tho cavalry officers. "That's
Holt who was charged with misguiding
Wing's squadron and later sentenced for
sleeping on post."
"Not guilty of either, as I understand
It," said tho trooper, shortly, "What do
you knowt'l
"II m, well. Considerable smoke for
no fire. Pardoned on account of Judge
Holt's Influence, as I understand It. Walt
till we hear Malloy's story. TJ'yo think
he'll fight?"
Don't know," was tho short reply, "but
If he will, Holt will give him all h. wants."
"Oh, I forgot you were a Kentucklan,"
said Warden, nettled again. "I suppose
you know Mr. Holt?"
"Never met him before In my life, I'm
from Paducah. BUt you'd, better talk to the
Buckeyes beforo yon bellevo Malloy. That's
my odvlco." And the captain qulfhls chair
and sauntered out on the poroh, another
symptom that Warden was maklug a mesa
of Itj another reason why Warden should
desire to hear anything to strengthen his
side, even as against the man who had never
wronged him. When the conferenco broke
up that evening and Warden was released
from duty, he made his way to the camp
of tho newcomers and sought out Major
Malloy.
But the generals spoke earnestly to-
THE OMAHA SAILY BEE. SUKPAT, EEBBT7AIIY 10, 1001.
gether even after they came out from
tho budding. At Shorldan's request Holt
had briefly described the situation south
of Frenchman's crook, nnd again made
a little sketch, which, stepping to one side,
tho seniors compared with tho map In tho
hands of McCook, and lowering tholr voices
as they talked. It was McCook who finally
blurted out, Impatiently:
"Do you suppose Harden will be de
ceived by tho sight of a slnglo dlvlslon7
I don't. I'vo served under him. I know
him."
"Thero are other ways," answered the
ehtef of staff, placidly, with a warning took
at the impetuous speaker, and a quick
glance at the three Junior officers In the
room. "You can leavo that to me."
Late that night Norman lay pondering
over the ovents of the day, over Kate's let
ter, over Oaffney's bibulous excitement,
over the dramatic meeting at general head
quarters and Malloy's evident discomfiture.
Of one thing ho felt assured, yet could not
say why tho major had not yet prevailed,
Daisy Lano had not surrendered. The rcglr
mont must havo been sent forward within
SWIFTLY ON HE CLUTCHED THE STIIAP
a day or two of Kate's announcement,- prob
ably shipped by river all tho way from Cin
cinnati to Nashville, This was one cause,
at least, for rejoicing, and he had another,
for even In tho Intensity of his devotion to
his soldier duty, Norman Holt was human.
In the hearing and presence of tho highest
officers of tho army he had been able at last
to express his contempt tor Burnett Malloy.
Qaffney was awaiting his return. The
Irishman had heard tho story as It reached
tho Buckeyes, and after a wild hurrah and
a rousing drink had rushod to "tinder his
services," for, of courso, Malloy must fight.
Even In an ngb when dueling was on Its
last legs, a soldier could not submit to such
Ignominious treatment without losing casto
In tbo wholo corps. "A missldge," said
Gaffnoy, "should como turrst thing In tho
mornln'." If It didn't, bodad, he'd "cyafry
wan to Malloy," and Norman, knowing
that long, before Oaffney's Inflamed poepcrs
would open on tho morrow camp would bo
loft long miles behind, but rcmemborlng,
neyerttholess, that ho was enjoined to si
lence, finally got rid of his opportunate
meaa ny promise that the "missldge" and
Its bearer should be referred to GaRney
the Instant It was received.
"And you promise mo youlll go straight
to bed, Gaffney, and drink no more to
night. You'll need a clear, cool head In
tho morning," was tho only stipulation, and
Gaffnoy gavo bis word and went his way.
'At 4 o'clock In tho soft summer-like
morning there rodo away from corps head
quarters a squadron of cavalry, led' by the
Paducah captain, and at his side rodo
Norman Holt. Five miles out they reached
the, stations of the southernmost command
of the Army of Cumberland. Between thorn
and tho enemy's pickets, which covered the
country from beyond Columbia on tho west
far up to McMlnnvllle on the heights, thero
was now nqthlng but the union sontrles
and their supports, but under the dawn
were a dozen strong squadrons of cavalry
feeding and grooming In tho fields to the
right and left of tho Shelbyvllle pike, and
a staff officer, coming forward, conducted
O'Connor and his tall Kentucky comrade to
the presence of the general In command.
The sun was Juet glinting the tips of the
trees as they came upon the party, sipping
coffee at the campflre. Coffee and welcome
both were tendered to tho newcomers, and
then the general, tall, berdod, soldierly,
took Norman to one side and drew from the
breast of his uniform coat a paper, which
Norman recognized at once. It waa the
map he made for Roaecraus Uio night bo
foro. The other was In the hands of Sheri
dan. "We mount In twenty minutes," said
tho general. "What I wished to ask was,
aro you so famlllnr with this neighborhood"
and he struck the sheet with his gauntje
ted hand "that you could lead through
thero back of Wartrace In the dark?"
Norman hesitated. He had, as he told
the general In chief, abundant reason to
know that region, but there, was something
in the question, tho tone, that brought up
Instantly the memory of that rldo In tho
nam across tne Hardin bills, through
Shelby gp. Tho very next words decided
mm. The very name was enough.
"Bragg's main body is at Shelbyvllle "
Irl Inn ItAtiAfnl A,llibt lfnr.1A la In
said
his right at Wartrace, covering Tullahoma
o-".... ..... , ,u
and there's nothing but cavalry from thero
out to McMlnnvllle. I need not go Into de
tails, but tho plan Is (or us to mako n
wldo detour to the cast, whllo Sheridan
holds them In frbnt of Wartrace, nnd oth
crs occupy everybody else tho whole length
of tho lino. Wo nro to burst through there
and try to got a neep at Tullahoma. I es
timate that It will take the best of two
days and nil tonight."
Tho answer was prompt. "I can guide
you along tho creek, sir, nnywhero to the
north of It nowhero to tho south. Wo
were forbidden to cross."
"Yet I'm told many of your feltows did
cross."
"Only a few parties, scouting for stills,
sir, nnd they had to risk capture at any
moment."
At this moment an nldo approached and
pointed north. Two mllcB awny, over a
low rldgc, camo crawling, snakellkc, a long
blue column, tipped with flro the morning
sunshine slanting on thousands of sloping
rifles.
"Shorldan already," Bald tho goncrnl.
"Sound to horsol Will you rldo with me,
Mr. Holt? They'll not need you at the
front till by and by,"
Flvo minutes later tho wholo brigade
of cavalry was rapidly saddling, while tho
general, with a fow staff ofTlcors, rode
swiftly over toward tho pike to meet the
coming column, Sheridan at Its head. Thero
was a brief conforenco between the two
leaders, whllo all Juniors, respectfully drow
aside, llut tho llttlo division commander
nodded cheerily to Holt, then beckoned htm
to draw nigh.
'''Thomas marched an hour beforo I
did," wcro tho words he was saying; as tho
adjutant reined closer. "Ho must be well I
out on tho way to Columbia now. Heard
any firing?"
"Not a crack anywhere," was tho sturdy
answer.
"Well, good-bye, Stanley. Send Mr. Hol
o us as soon as you make It, will you? I'll
glvo those fellows In front all they can
attend to meanwhile."
Already tho cavalry had swung Into the
6addlo and was filing away eastward
through a cross-country road, but O'Con-'
nor's squadron remained awaiting tho com
ing of the commander. Tho sun was peep
ing over the treetops and the dripping
leaves, stllLheavy with the rain of tbo night
before, stirring under tho rising breeze,
shook showers of diamonds on tho horse
men winding belowe. Up from tho rear of
Sheridan's escort a trooper rodo to the gen
eral's side, and touching his cap sat In sad
dle mutely awaiting Instructions. His
dress, bis equipment, his arms seemed
nev.-or than those of his comrades. His
face, too, lacked tbo tan of the war-worn
veteran. His scat, his salute, even were
not those of the cavalry and Norman Holt
looked at him In ndd curiosity. Somuwhara
he had seen that face before. Somewhere
when it was not pleasant. Bherldan glanced
at the newcomer askance.
"Oh, yes, Stanley. This man Is to Join your
escort. You can send blm back with Lieu
tenant Holt after you'ro through. Follow
tho lieutenant, my lad. Goodby, Holt. Good
luck!" And then tho little genoral pricked
away, and Stanley, looking qucerly, keenly
at tho latest arrival, motioned Holt to ride
on his left hand, reigning his horse about,
mado way tor him.
"What's the game, do you suppose?" he
muttered. "You know that's one of those
secret service men, don't you?"
Know? It flashed all at once over Nor
man Holt. This man In the trooper garb
was indeed no private soldier. Swung over
one ot his shoulders was a waterproof
sack such as was often carried by couriers
and dispatch bearers In stormy weather.
That and the newness ot his outfit distin
guished him from tbo array of the escort.
So did his pale, earnest faco, and now Nor
man knew where first that face appeared
beforo him. It was on that woeful day at
Cincinnati. This was ono of the men who
collared the deserter, Theodore Lane.
CIIAPTISH X.XIII.
Almost without event tho long day wore
on. At times a squadron waa halted, de
tached from tho column and pushed out
southward. Especially was this done where
road or pathway entered the, woods or where
thore wero broad, open fields. This seemed
odd to Norman and the general saw his
porplexlty, smiled and explained: "We
wish them to see us. The idea Is that we
aro but a cavalry veil covering a heavy
column of Infantry on march for tho moun
tains, whereas thero Isn't a battalion of In
fantry east of Carlocks that town we
passed three hours ago."
Holt still looked puzzled. "I couldn't
bolp hearing General Sheridan say the
Fourteenth corps was out toward Columbia
by this time, yet"
"Thnt's It," answered tho general.
"Pretty much everything Is moving oult
that way. But wo'ro coaxing them to be
lieve everything In ccmlng this way In
stead. You con hear Sheridan banging at
Hardeo's outposts now,"
True. Borne on the soft breeze blowing
from the lowlands far to the west every now
and then the dull boom, boom of distant
cannon caught the air. At times, too,
among the woods to the south nnd cast
steoper nnd steeper the "ping" of carbine
broke the. slfonco, as scouting parties ot
gray hdrscmen ventured too n6ar the long
skirmish line In blue. As the sun sank
farther to the west tho sound of cannon
ward' where the hillsides seemed to grow
I become less frequent and the woods woke
I . ... . . . .
,UD wlln nimoi inceRsani DsrKine. aianier.
with his staff and escort, had halted near
decrepit farmhouso In the open, nwnlttng
tho report of certain squadron commanders
beforo puihlng on toward tho heights, and
Norman, who bad been questioned to cloudy
as to the road and streams toward Ttilla
homo, v;ondered that ho should be going so
far away from the region he was supposed
to know. Another thing had surprised him
and given him food for earnest thought.
Halting at noonday for n bite the staff had
gathered about tho general, whllo field of
floors camo and went, making reports and
receiving Instructions. Not a word had
the Kentucklan exchanged with the acting
trooper, who In placid silence had ridden
for hours at his heels, but now they came
together. Linking his liorso with that
of n soldier of tho escort the man
with tho dispatch tag had strolled off
to tho right. Thero ho took from a pocket
a llttlo parcel of oiled silk, and from tho
dispatch bag some stout official envelopes
Theso latter he laid upon a convenient
stump, whllo ho essayed to untold tho silk
In that moist, humid atmosphero the fodls
had stuck together and resisted. Engrossed
In bis occupation, he failed apparently to
notice tho coming of the Kentucklan until
Norman stood at his side. Then his first
move was to throw tho unfolded portion of
tho silk over tho address on the topmost
of the pile, but that superscription was In
large and moat legible hand, "Major Gen
eral George H, Thomas, commanding Four
teenth corps," and unless ho camo with
blinded eyes Norman could not help) see
ing. Why should orders for Thomas bo
hero on the extreme left If Thomas was out
on the extreme right? Tho man saw tho
look In the officer's eyes, but was sllont
until Norman spoke.
"You were not In uniform tho morning
you arrested Theodore Lane!" said he.
"Nor wore you," was tho answer, with
a quiet smile. "Our duties are many
sided. Just now I am a courier and you
a guide, yet neither haa his part to play
until nightfall."
All the long afternoon, as the column
pushed Ha way slowly southeastward, Holt
had been thinking over his words. Now,
as sunset came on, he noted that the
courier had ridden out with one of Stanley's
aides, and was close to tho young officer In
command of a platoon, deployed as skir
mishers Just entering a skirt of woods.
Half a mllo back thoy had crossod a broad
country road that seemod In better repair
than was usual, and the general, with n
grin ot satisfaction, ordored n squadron
sent out northeastward along that road to
hold tho flank. "But, mind you," said he to
tho captain commanding, "be ready to fall
back at dusk. That," ho continued, turning
to Norman and pointing southwest, "Is tho
road we take the mlnuto It's dark, but I've
got to swing a covering force behind It."
That covering forco must have takon
time, and meanwhile tho advanco along
tho McMlnnvllle road southoast was
checked. It was cavalry against cavalry
only, but Johnny Reb was on hla native'
heath, and tho farther hla patrols and
skirmishers were pushed back toward the
main body the thicker they got. "Shovo
out two ot your platoons, O'Connor," said
tho general, sharply, after listening awhile
to tho cracklo. "They're holding fast Just
hero whore I don't want them to. It's tlmo
to turn the column toward Tullahoma, but
they must not see. Hold them off thero for
half nn hour; then they can't seo!"
Promptly tho captain of tho escort
threw forward the first troop, ho himself
riding out with the men. It was a spirited
scene, and Norman sat gazing In fascina
tion. In front of them were rugged slopes,
up which at a distance wound the McMlnn
vllle road. Stumps, stones and snake fences
adornod the landscape close at hand, but
thore was a fringe of forest 300 yards away
and beyond that bold, tumbling wooded
heights, nil aglow with tho glare of the
sotting sun, all alive apparently with Bouth
ern skirmishers. The Instant he reached
the open O'Connor deployed forward at trot,
his Kentucky horsemen scattering fence
rails i and squirming among tho stumps as
n I?1' y...ntber wou,d r,ae to " wees.
Out at the far front tha wooda were ring
ing with the rebel yells, which meant that
Johnny waa winning. Ho aever yelled whsn
he wasn't If he knew It. The trouble with
our southern brother too otton was that
ho wouldn't know when he was whipped.
The woods rang with louder clamor when
O Connor's long line got fairly In, and
there was a glorious burt of muskotry when
they reached the retiring line and let loose
on tbelr pursuers. Norman, carrlod awsy
by the thrill of tho sound, turned to beg
leavo to ride out to tho front, and Stanley
and the staff were gone. There stood the
reserves. There, piling to the right, half
a mile baok,. the main column was being
switched off Tullahoma way. Then up
came an aide at a gallop.
"It's all right," ho cried. "The road's
covered. O'Connor's people aro to fall back
here. And Norman galloped out with him
to the front.
In tho thick of tho wooda and the joy of
the flght they found the gentleman from
Paducah. "Retlro, captain. Withdraw the
tne. But hold 'em off. I'll show you where
to standi" shouted the aide, and O'Connor,
nodding, spurred forward. Aloft tho bullets
Bang and bit through the troes, but the fire
was moderate, the aim too high. Johnov
was shooting down hill. The trumpet'r
began a lively peal, and presently the rapid
fire subsided, and to the sound of slow,
scattered shots the mounted skirmishers
reined about. O'Connor's fellows, ftrit to
disentangle themselves from the original
line,- came trotting back through the
trees. The yells that had died away btforo
the flerco fire of the reinforced line speed
lly -began again as O'Connor's troop disap
peared, leaving only n thin nnd dlipersed
array to hold the woods. The aides still
remained as though personally to guide the
commander to tho new station at the rear,
and Normsn stayed with him, fascinated.
Suddonly, at a point to their right, where
there was a llttlo clearing, halt a dozen
troopers came sputtering out In some dis
order, as though hard pressed at the front.
Instantly the aide and Norman from one
side and a cavalry lieutenant from the
other, dnshed at them, drovo them back
Into lino, nnd as they floundered about In
tho soft, squashy soli of the open field,
ashamed of their .panic nnd eager to re
cover tho lost ground, tho troopers were
astonished to seo ono ot their own number,
apparently, dismounted nt tho edgo of tho
timber, straining at his snddlo girth, whllo
his excited horse pranced about and circled
round him. It was the courier, and, as
though to have freo uso of his hands, ho
had flung his carbine. Tho next Instant a
chorus of exultant yoljs burst from tho
heart of the timber nnd a crashing volley
tent tho bullets whistling nround tho ears
ot tho onlookers. Down went two horses.
kicking nnd plunging In tho mud, bearing'.
tholr riders with them. Away darted
third, In panic uncontrollable, but to Nor
man's horror, as tho courier sprang Into
saudio nnd enmo spurring away for safety
something, a bullet possibly, bad clipped the
strap ot that dispatch bog, and sliding from
the fleeing rider's shoulder U fell, with its
precious, priceless contents to tho ground
uoou Godl Tlioso aro orders orders for
Thomas!" shouted Norman, "Como on!
They must bo saved!" And novor waiting
to seo who might follow: never heeding
snouts or suota or tho rush ot sray-Jacketod
troopers through tho wooda ahead, stralcht
lor tho abandoned haversack ho spurred
noting only as ho shot past the fleeing
courior mat ho was clutching at the pom
uiui uu swaying jn saaaio. Utraliht as
tho flight of an arrow he darted on, linked
his left hand In n lock ot tho flowing mono
and nover slackened speed, hurled himself
from the saddle, his left leg deftly curllne
about tho cantlc, swooped low as tho gal
lant horse boro htm swtfty on, clutched the
strap of tho priceless bag In his gauntleted
hand and with n shout of triumph regained
his scat, waving tho prize on high. And
then, then ns In sweeping ctrclo ho strove
to rt-ln about to rejoin his comrades whoso
el.outs and shots wcro ringing over tho
Hold, tho woods close at hand seemed to spit
with sudden fire, the air buzzed with sting
ing missiles', tho crack of carbines smoto
upon his car. Something stung his left arm
Just below tbo shoulder, and numb, limp
and spouting blood, It fell nerveless by his
side. His bounding steed gnvo two or throo
frantic plunges, and thon went headlong,
plowing the soft soli with noso and doubled
knees. Norman felt hlmsolf hurlod forward.
Ilnglng still to his prlzo, and oven then In
hlo agony strove to hurl It to tho fow
troopors who had followed htm. Too latol
A swarm of yelling lads In gray camo tear
ing Into tho field. Rough hands seized tho
stricken officer nnd dragged him. to his feet.
There soudded In his ear a moment a chorus
of mingled cheers and yells, n furious sput
ter of musketry and then ho realized that
from tho ambush of tho forest a strong
forco of southern horse had burst upon the
thin skirmish lino nnd swept it all away.
Exultant Johnnies woro already exploring
that precious bag In hopes of something to
eat or drink. Ho and thosa dispatches wcro
the prize of tho enemy. The plans of "Old
Rosy" In tho hands of Hardee!
A surgeon wns ripping up his coatslccve,
whllo an officer in the garb ot a colonel
bent over and questioned. No need to ask
If It wns Stanley's cavalry In front. They
knew that well enough. "What forco 1b bo
hind blm7" Norman closed his eyes, faint
and sick, and would make no answer.
"Hard hit," Bald the surgeon In low tono.
Humerus smashed. Bullet Just missed tho
brachial artery." Darkness was coming
down. Tho sound ot tho fight had swept to
tho west. The confederato colonel gavo
brief orders to tho few men who lingered
about, then mounted and rode away.
Late that night, tho bleeding stanched,
his arm In splints and deftly bound, Nor
man lay In bed la a farm bouse among tbo
Tennosseo hills, still faint, weak, chagrined,
yet conscious that he had done a soldier's
best' to save thoso precious papers. In an
djolntng room wero gatherod halt a dozon
confederate officers of rank, and thero was
high excitement In their talk. Norman could
bear the eager words ot ono speaker. He
wab urging that they should not wait tor
morning; that every available man should
bo sent forward at onca to hold the wood
roads and check tho federal advance. An
other, older, graver, pointed out that by
this tlmo thoso captured dispatches wero In
tho hands of General Hardee, who would
notify General Bragg without delay, and
probably havo his divisions on the march
for McMlnnvlllo by 3 In tho morning, It not
before. On all hands It was agreed that tht
capture of those papers was another
feather In tho cap of Joo Wheeler's cav
alry corps. From tlmo to tlmo tho sur
geon camo softly In and bent over him to
say an encouraging word. Sorely wounded
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waa the prisoner, and among chlvalrlo men
a wounded too waa a sacred charge, and
chlvalrlo men wero many on both sides.
According to tho school of surgery In forco
In tho earlier days ot the war tho patlsnt
should already bo upon tho table, tho knlfo
nnd saw severing tho shattered mambor
from tho shoulder, but there waa no table,
nnd the surgeon waa of a younger, raoro
optimistic line. But he had not icruplod to
administer opiates to dull the senses and
to deaden tbo pain, and undur tha soothing
tnfluonco of the di'iig Norman lay, halt dos
ing, when there camo the aound of new
arrivals In tho outer room, the clank of
swords nnd tho harsh screech ot chairs
shoved suddenly backward over uncarpeted
floors. Every man teemed to have sprung
to nis feet in acknowledgment of tha com
ing of n general of rank, and thare entered
a man, nt tho sound of vhoie voice ther
swept over the senses of the wounded cap
tlvo n strnngo flood ot memories. He waa
again at tho Point, n "plcbo," and that
voice had promptod him dny after day upon
tho drill ground or parade. Then a year
ling corporal, and that voice had hailed
him In glad, cordial congratulation. Those
wero tho days when tho chovrons wero
found most frequently on the sleeves ot lads
who hailed from tho southern states, and
Alabama, stripping oft tha gold bars and
black of a cadet lieutenant just In from
last parado and Just about to don the blue
of a graduate, a commissioned officer bid
handed them to the tall stripling from
Kentucky and bidden htm wear them In
tho by and by. Norman would have known
tho cordial tonea the world over, yet lay
thore client, as presently there entered n
slender, undoratzed, yet soldierly young man
In tho full uniform ot a major general ot
tho confederato service, older, sharper and
atornor of visage, but soldier all overs then
two staff officers bearing candles nnd hold
ing rospectfully back. The first to enter
held In hla hand ono of tho captured dis
patches. Ho was too dlralnutlvo of stature
to bend over tho prostrato Kentucklan, but
ho spolto In gentle, courteous tones.
"My officers toll mo you mado a most
gallant attempt to rescue that dispatch bag,
sir, and I deeply regret to hear you aro so
sovorcly hurt. I am compelled to go on
further tonight, but General Morgan makes
hla headquarters hero and wo wish to know,
Blr, If wo can do anything to mako you
tuoro comfortablo?"
Norman, closing bis eyes, faintly shook
his head. It was evident tho general did
not know him. It was four years since their
last meeting the night tho little southron
first called hlra Norman tho night ha, half
timiuiy, had nnawerod "Joe."
"I beg that you will not hoatltau to auk."
persisted the general. "As soldiers we can
not but admire, soldier daring and devotion
Buch as ycu displayed. What wo cannot un
derstand 1b why a courier, with such Im
portant orders, should have ventured bo far
out as to lose both them and his own lite.
Ho never Bpoko after our follows reached 1
hlra."
Norman unclosed his eyes looking un In
pain. "Is ho killed?" he faintly askod.
"Yes, ho was evidently shot as he waa
trying to gallop away. Ho dlod nn hour ogo."
incro was a moment s sllonce. broken by
tho sighing ot tho wind about tho rafters of
tho old farmhouse and In tho leaves among
tho trees. A crazy, antiquated clock In the
main room struck a Jangled three on Its
spiral wlro, and a sentry somewhere with
out sharply challenged, "Who comes thero!"
"Staff officer from General Hardee." rang
out tbo nnswor, followed by tho clatter of i,
hoofs and Jangling ot scabbard, and the
sharp query:
"Whero's General WhcoUr? I must see
htm at oucol"
"Right In hero, air," shouted a voles In
answer, and tho next Instant a tall, dla-tlngulshed-looklng
soldier strode Into tht
room, a major ot staff, his dark eyea snap
ping with excitement. Up went one hand
to hla forage cap as with tho other ho ex
tended a dispatch to the little cavalry com
mander.
"General Wheeler," ho exclaimed, "Gen
eral Bragg telegraphs to stop the move at
once, Tho whole thing's a fraud. Van
Dorn reports that tbo federal army Is In
front of Columbk."
"In front ot Columbia! Theso dispatches
falsel Then how Comes It that this geu-
leman " And with troubled, wondering
is, the genoral turned again to the couth
occupant appeared to have fainted
'ho newcomer sprang to the bedside,
h-o ono look at tho waxen face and a stifled
cry burst from his Hps: "Norman! Nor
man 1 Oh, my God!"
(To bo Continued.)
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47 Chart Building, Denver, Celorad.
4
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