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THE WAR
LIBRARY, - 9
overseer met the captain, and their two stories were put together,
, Llost no more time, but urged my horse forward.
Having been kindly furnished with the password by the captain
I quickly passed the. sentries and the videttes who were just be-
ond.
With the exception of the pickets, the way was now clear, and I
did not anticipate much trouble from them even if I had to make
arun for it.
At this juncture I heard the clatter of hoofs upon the road, and
in another moment was face to face with two horsemen. I recog-
nized them even though the light from the camp-fires was far
from strong.
They were Major Breckenridge and Lieutenant Grierson.
Was I to be frustrated now by a gathering of my enemies, these
men in front, the overseer and his bloodhound in the rear.
CHAPTER V.
THE LEAP OF A FIEND.
: It would be useless in my endeavoring to explain how those two
..~ men came there, for I never knew.
I had left the major at the crossroads tavern, swearing because
his horse was gone, and Grierson I had last seen in the preceding
afternoon, cutting across lots to Intercept me upon the horseshoe
curve of the road. xy
‘Insome manner tney had come . together while the lieutenunt
wasaway from his men, and he. was now taking the major of
regulars to Morgan’s camp.
- Both men seemed thunderstruck.:,
They recognized mo almost on the instant, for they had cause to
hate and therefore remember me, and it was the spectacle of see-
ing moriding out of Morgan's camp as coolly as though I were
the famous cavalry chieftain himself, that struck them all in a
heap.
I was not so sadly demoralized. .
True, it was discouraging when matters wero wearing their
«brightest face, and all seemed propitious in regard to my near
future, to have that infernal overseer and his hound turn up in
one direction, and almost simultaneously these two mortal foes
appear in another, but as I knew full well that f was surrounded by
mortal foes, who would take my life at n second’s warning if they
discovered who I was, it left me continually on the alert.
My presence of mind being left to me I had the advantage,
though they were two to one.
“The cursed Yankee !” cried Lieutenant Grierson.
-<-— [brought my horse to a standstill beside him. .
There was no time for drawing my sword even had I any incli-
nation that way,
My revolver wasin my hand, and leaning suddenly forward I
struck the lieutenant a blow. :
It took him upon the head, and there was a sharp crack as the
heavy revolver came in contact with his skull.
Isaw him stagger, aud feeling that there was no more danger to
be expected from him, I tfirned to the major.
He was a plucky man, and despite the fact of his being unarmed,
tried to throw himself upon me, losing all discretion in his fury,
but I clutcbed hold of him, and as our horses, came together thrust
my revolver against his head. :
At this he gave in. rr
**‘Major Breckenridge, you are ¢. brave man, but none save a ‘toot
will throw away hislife. Swear to enter camp yonder and not
follow me, else I will blow out your brains.”
‘ My stern voice, as well’as the words I used, convinced him that I
meant alll said, and he gave a reluctant consent to my demand.
This was alll desired.
Urging my horse on, I quickly left the spot far behind me.
I could hear sounds of commotion, however, and it was patent
, that the story of the overseer and that of the major had created
quite a diversion in the ca’
That a hasty pursuit would be made I had not the least doubt in
the world; but as they had been so good as to supply me with the
best horse in the whole camp, 1 saw no reason to fear this,
Clear and resonant above the din of the camp I heard the bay of
the hound.
In somo way or other the ferocious hound had’ managed to get
loose, and he was now upon my trail, probably upon the very
ground over which I had passed a few minutes previously,
This was no trifling matter, -
That hound must bo as ferocious as a tiger, and once he had his
fangs fastened in my faithful steed or myself, a chisel could not
pry them apart while he lived.
To save inyself and my horse from mutilation at his teeth, was a
duty I owed to both of us, and without an atom of personal fear
‘or trembling I took my place beside a tree that grew in the road.
It was light enough’ for my purpose.
The stars and the camp-fires between them managed to dis-_
pel the darkness to such a degree that I felt able to distinguish an
object the size of the hound.
Halting thus, with one hand clasping the ready revolver and the .
other the bridle of the horse, that was already manifesting symp-'
toms of disquietude, I calmly waited.
The hound came on with giant leaps.
Suddenly from just beyond camo the thrilling, blood-curdling
bay. °
It sent a chill through my frame, and my horse started and
snorted furiously; but I held him in with a firm hand whileT
leaned forward, trying to pierce the semi-darkness and discover
the approaching hound.
A few seconds later I heard a sound, and my eyes caught a Tong
body alighting upon the ground,
It was the bloodhound.
My revolver was hastily brought to bear as w ellas the nature of”
the light permitted.
Then I pressed the trigger.
The report came sharp and clear.
Like a flash I drew back the hammer, ready for more work, and. .
it was well I did so.
Thave no doubt but what my first bullet struck ‘the crouching
hound, but the deceptive light prevented the shot from being 2
fatalone. *
The next I knew, the dog had landed upon the horse, holding on
with a desperate grip, his glaring eyes and open ‘mouth within: nu
foot of my throat.
I clapped tho still smoking revolver against his broad chest, event
while he was preparing to spring wee again, and this, time
fasten his teeth in my throat.
Thero was a dull, half muflled report as my finger pressed the
trigger.
, The ferocious hound's 3 “inva relaxed. as though the terrible
strength had been taken out of them by magic, and it fell - with a
heavy thud upon the road.
“Good-by, Mr. Hound,”’ I “said, grimly, as { turned my horse
once more in the proper direction.
Down tho road I could hear the wild clatter of a single horse
coming now on a trot, now ona gallop.
Iknewit was the overseer on his white nag, following. his
‘hound, and on vengeance intent.
At first I had a notion to wait whero I was and pay tho scoun+
drel my respects, but: upon second consideration, felt that it
would be’ much better for my health to gain as good a start as pos-
sible, for Morgan’s rough-riders were already starting in pursuit,.
and although I had no fears in regard to the overseer, or my abil-
ity to conquer him, still ho might, by a chance shot, disable my
horse, and thus cause me to fall into the hands that would not be
disposed to treat me with much consideration.
Having come to this conclusion, I started down the road- eta
rapid pace.
I was fairly enchanted with my mount.
John Morgan knew a good horse, that was evident, aud I could
forgive him many thing because of this.
What that animal was capable of could hardly be told.
I saw the depth of speed by the ease and grace with which I was
borne along, and my heart leaped exultantly as I contemplated
this prize of a horse as my own individual property.
I would not dare to own it, however, for John Morgan would
never rest without making an effort to recapture the animal,
and I had good reasons for not wishing to fall into his hands,
The road was clear, though I expected at any moment to fall in
with some of the enemy—possibly the very men who had pursued
me with such vigor during ths preceding afternoon, and whom I
had given the slip by taking 4 new route while they were engross-
ed in the endeavor to head me off,
Lieutenant Grierson had reached camp, and ‘it was possible his
men wre not far behind,
By this timo my adventures had becomo so many that I was fast
growing reckless, and had I been confronted by a dozen guerrillas
at that moment, I have no doubt 1 Avould have gone at them as
though I composed a whole body of United States veterans within
iny corporate limits,
Since being aroused at the crossroads. tavern, I had escaped
ceath by deceiving Lieutenant Grierson in the most artful man-
ner, had ridden half the day. with his men, my identity being dis-
covered at dinner, then camo tho mad chase, lasting for hours, the
wandering in tho woods, the encounter with the overseer in the
old cabin, the entering of Morgan’st-amp, my little affair with the
two rebel officers, and last of all tho desperate tussle with the
bloodhound.
y.
I was growing surfeited with adventure, and eagerly longed to’
see the white tents and blue legions that would mark the camp of
Buell’s army,
¥