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8 THE WAR
ing’ that the returned runaway had made an end of the overseer,
and would soon be coming back to finish him.
1 made my way at ounce to Aunt Molly, to whom in a few words
I told all that had happened.
She informed me where I could get some oats for my horse, and
when I inquired whether there was any Confederate soldiers at the
house was startled to hear there were half a dozen officers, among
them John Morgan, the cavalry leader, who had already won
much distinction by his bold raids through the loyal parts of Ken-
tucky.
If Morgan were there, his men must be camped in the vicinity
which was therefore full of danger to me.
They were of all my enemies, the particular men I wished to
avoid, for they had swore to hang me on sight,
Leaving Aunt Molly witha pleasant handshake I made for the
barn.
Finding this deserted, as the negroes were busily engrossed with
supper, I entered and secured a measure of oats, which I took to
my horse.
My course was plain if I could but follow it.
To reach Buell’s lines I must follow the road that led almost due
north, no matter what danger might encompass me.
Half an hour later I passed the mansion and began my journey.
I heard a hound baying among the outbuildings, but as the sound
receded among the trees beyond, I believed some dog was hunting
rabbits and forgot all about it.
Afterward that incident was to be brought forcibly to my mind.
The overseer upon coming to, had been like a raging lion.
Revenge for that blow was his only thought.
He jumped at conclusions, and knew I must be either a deserter
ora Union spy, else 1 would not be in hiding.
In either case he swore to hunt me to death.
Arming himself with rifle and gun, and securing a ferocious
bloodhound he had brought up from the South with him, he set
out upon my trail.
Of course I led him first to the woods where I had left my horse.
The dog was going in that direction when I heard him, but soon
after the overseer muzzled the animal in such a manner that he
could not betray his presence by baying.
Unconscious of all this, I was riding leisurely along the road,
keeping close to the edge so that my horse’s hoofs would ndt be-
tray me by striking the hard ground, and at the same time give
mea chance to seek shelter in case I deemed it best to do so.
T had had enough of wandering around in the woods, for some
time at least.
It was not tea minutes before I came in sight of camp-fires
ahead.
Assuming a bold atittude, as became my seeming rank, I.rode
forward.
As 1 fully expected, I was halted by the pickets, and taken tothe
vidette post.
Here I learned from words let fallamong the men that the offi-
cer in charge of the camp was a Captain Wayland.
Those at the vidette post, while they had nosuspicionsregarding
me, knew it was their duty to bring me before their commanding
officer. .
In charge of one of their number, therefore, I entered the camp.
We drew up in front of a doughty looking officer whose measure
I took at a glance.
I had determined to pass myself off as Major Breckenridge, of
the regular army, again, foras Morgan and most of his officers
were away there was small chance of detection, and every one
knew the name to be one above reproach as a loyal Southern one.
“Captain Wayland, how do you do, sir?’ I said, holding out my
hand as I Jeaned down in the saddle.
He saw the marks on my collar indicating that I was a major,
and at once took my hand, though he looked at me in a puzzled
way.
‘I declare——”’ he began, when I interrupted him with a laugh,
careless and free, as though I were safe among the boys in blue,
instead of in the camp of Morgan's men.
“You don’t know me, I see, captain, and no wonder, after all I
have gone through lately. Iam Major Breckenridge,” and I sat
erect in my saddle, as though defying any one to doubt the word
of a Kentuckian.
“Oh! excuse me, major. Iremember you well now,” said the
captain, heartily, though I knew he lied in order that he might
not appear the possessor of a treacherous memory. ‘Might I ask
what brings you here?”
“Jamon very important business, Wayland. Buell has moved
out of Louisville with seventy thousand men, and as Bragg can only
muster half that number, we are bound to get into trouble unless
wecan make use of strategy. General Bragg has intrusted me
with a very important mission, and J know you will pardon me if
Ieay nothing with regard to It.”
. t
LIBRARY. r
“Don’t mention it, major; but did you see nothing of the colo-
nel on the road ?”
“John Morgan? Yes, indeed, I left him at the mansion amile or
two above, with some of his officers. They were just about sitting
down to supper, and begged me to join them, but my business is of
the most important nature, and will brook no delay. I drank a
glass with the colonel to our cause, however. By the way, wouldI
be asking too great a favorifI requested the loan of the fastest
horse you can spare. The colonel said something about a black I
wes welcome to.”
This wasa bold strokeon my part, but I was getting along so
swimmingly, why not make the best of it.
“He must have meant hisown noble black. You must be a
good friend of John Morgan, major, else he would never offer that
steed. Hevaluesit as the apple of his eye.’
‘We have seen friendship in the past, and besides, John Morgan
knows something of the nature of my business, and there is no
man who would do more for the Southern cause than he.”
“You are right. Just a few minutes, major, and the black will
behere. My word uponit you may well be proud of bestriding
such an animal.”
A word to an orderly sent that worthy off.
We conversed on different subjects for afew minutes, and then
the orderly came up, leading the finest horse that had ever fallen
under my notice.
Black as coal, with a single star blazed upon his forehead, he
was fit for a king’s service.
‘When this was done, I mounted, a bridle be-ug already in posi-
tion, and all in readiness for a start.
“T thank you heartily, captain. You may neve. Se. WV how
much good you have done the cause by your kindness. wy
What cause?
Ah! that was only asly little joke of mine, which must make
the soldier grit his teeth some time in the near future.
“When you see General Bragg, major, let him know Morgan's
men are faithful to the backbone, and ready to carry out any or-
der, even to striking for Cincinnati.”
“Ah, General Bragg knows that already. . Ihave heard him de-
clare that if his whole army could be relied on as well as the men
of Colonel Morgan, he would defy Buell with his hired minions,
Good-night, captain. Be sure and thank the colonel again for me,
regardign this horse.”
“Twill” hesaid, ‘Take care of yourself, major.’”* “
I rode out of camp at a walk.
, Whatever Captain Wayland might have thought under ordinary
circumstances, it was evident I had fooled him the worst kind.
Not only had I been able to pass through the camp—my fondesé
hope before—but had actually been presented with John Morgan’s
pet horse.
Oh! there would be some tall swearing done when the truth be-
came known in that camp.
This might not be for many hours.
The officers might not return from the » hospitable house where
they had been so well received, before morning, at any rate not
until hours had passed by.
Where would [ be by that time?
Thoped to put sucha distance between us that pursuit would
amount to nothing.
It would be hard to define the thoughts that came to me while
riding through the rebel camp, for they seemed to be myriad.
The situation was so startling that it restrained any laughter its
ludicrous side might have tended to excite, and yet I could not but
smile, as riding past camp-fire after camp-fire with their quota of
gray pickets, Isaw them make respectful military salutes, which
I returned.
To think of me,a simple war correspondent, in the service of
the Union, deceiving them as a rebel major, commanding their re-
spect, and actually riding away on the favorite horse of John
Morgan, the flerce cavalry raider.
It was tremendous—almost beyond belief, and I could hardly
imagine but what I was dreaming this wild absurdity.
Yet facts are stubborn things always, and there could be no dis-
puting my present position.
AsI neared the edge of the camp I heard the bay of a hound
back of me. .
It sounded identical with that which I had heard at the house,
and struck me with surprise,
Turning in the saddle I looked back. :
By the light of a large camp-fire at the other side of the camp,
and where I had entered it, I saw a man and a dog.
The latter was a large, dun-colored ‘reptile, a bloodhound un-
doubtedly, and the man who had just thrown himself from a.
white horse, surely there could be no mistaking him,
The overseer had tracked me,
As it might not be healthy for.me in that locality when tho
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