The evening world. Newspaper, February 18, 1915, Page 17

eee SV estat f RANDALL PARRISH | MORAL TH i. 6, wechiee & 60, it self. swe j ‘door rattled as Poe. “That will hold you, Colonel, all but and I your mouth, hope you nave enough sense left to guard that Pera Raymond, ind omy co walls of the room hi ¥4 troubling you so much; it Mk dding insult to injury—but would you reach me those overalls hanging on. ‘Thank you; now turn that chal Bs bacl ‘will be this way, and—sit ow! 1 thrist Raymond into the chair and bound him with cord I took from drawer. Just at that instant the latch of the a hi with. time in the wall, i against ‘faa bidden trom. view, when the door eocape eo” CHAPTER XIl. ete on Wentinved,) e The One Path of Eecape. FOUND the iron sheathing GiMoult to penetrate, and “it must “have required fit- , teen or twenty minutes to break the edge loose to-inmert the point of my » At last I ripped the sheath- ing. tres. T knelt down and stared breathlessly fato the yawning cavity, and thrust my head into the opening seeking for Gomes gteam of light above. Then T began to climb. . At*the level of the frat story I & projection of rock, po: ix or eight inches wide, on found sectre foothold, and q ble to regain breath and for a renewal of t! trugs! crouched oppost' e oldtime and the id, playing nois- 0 fo A a very few feet of pe, but, as I ext ® finger burst through the hich bad been pasted across and a glow of radiance black walls about me. by a temptation to view T found foothold a little Pe Men cimging to the edge brought: my eyes to the . The crowded, the men almost ception in Federal uniform, ed my climb, coming out at fireplace of the court room aa in and black with @oot, I made my way to the Sheriff's oom, below. 3 ventured within, bout to aseure myself if had been any water left. I @ bucket nearly full, and two ‘of soap, and unable to resist the I atripped off my ragged uni- @oat and began vigorous ecrub- was a coat and hat hanging ie Nooke, neither article of the respectability I judged from Yesling them, but more to my purpose the rags I had sas ages. and 1 ved two gladly, ling them | \ } ‘@ room, but heard no sound. no lock on the door, and it lently to the pressure of my flood of light swept into my stood blinking blindly, too ‘and startled to draw in- back. There were two men toom, one bending over a desk, aitting leaning back against directly facing me. The lat- was Lieut. Raymond. CHAPTER XIII. Make Two Prisoners. BAW him. stere with open mouth as though at & ghost, There was a startled look in his face, but no ition, The same swift glimpse hhad revealed to me a discarded belt ‘end of the desk in which glit- the pearl handle of a revolver. ‘With ‘one step forward I had the ‘Weapon in my possession and sprang feetween both men and the door. @ingle move, gentlemen!” | Ye@emmanded crisply, yet not ventur- “fag to epeak loud, for fear of a guard “Laeutenant, place your gun on the desk! ‘My eyes glanced aside at the face ef the other, who was looking’ up, @cagoely comprehending even yet q@het' tad occurred, and recognized So I had blindly and I smiled not quite so > a get here?” "alecuse that when we " time. Lieutenant Ray- trouble you to step back of the desk—no, tho 3; I advise you not to be bricmys Colonel Pickney, sit up in bowr-chalr, and put your hands be- if im through the openings in res you will! ‘hat is thie— *? u |, take that belt and him,’ omuanted sternly. to It, and quick. y each hand. Pass it and across the it tight—oh! ! expect it to hurt Y this ts wi the one you bave cause to feel of-he cannot court martial obeying my ordera with a “your head. That's it—now buckle. at the Goor leading into | oor. Opened inward. All I saw was tip glimpse of a man's hand and sii The fellow must have perceived noth- ing to alarm him, for he merely held the door ajar, i “A lady to see the Colonel,” he an- nounced, briefly. “Just step in, miss.” 1 saw Noreen advance two “e ind then stop motionless, with hi suppressed cry of surprise. The sen- try could not have heard fhe slight arian Baye he aoe the door, e latch cl sharply. eyes opened wide, staring Brat at the Colonel, then at Raymond, eo startled at the discovery of their predicament to be dazed. I took ward, and for the first time @! came aware of another person in the room. she exclaimed, as though not yet half convinced of the truth, “You here—and free! What—what have you done to these men?’ relieved by Mer a new maa. “Merely turned the tables; this time luck was on my side.” You have not hurt them?” “The fellow is a self-confessed spy,” said Raymond, hoarsely. “Yet I must choose between two duties,” she replied. “Two duties?” “Yes—two; my loyalty to the Union, or to my husband.” ‘Your husband! Do you mean to y You are married to this fellow?” “IT not only mean to it," ahe said calmly, “but I have the proof with me. I tell you the fact merely to justify my action, for I intend to save him if I can. ere is only one way possible for you to pass out of this buildiag and through camp safcly. There are guards everywhere, and the orders are very strict; but I think we can go to » 1 know the: counter- sign—Capt. Fox is officer of the day, nd trusted me with it. If—if you only had a uniform! Where is the one you wore?” “My trip through the ehimney teft that in rags," I wered, impressed by her earnestn: and getting my wits together. She glanced about the walls of the yen. yu Be quick about it— ind you need not be particularly gentle on my account.” “Nor on my own elther—Fox !n- formed me of what he told you.” I was not long about the job, nor did Raymond make any resistance to the exchange forced upon him. Noreen and I tiptoed out of the room, Th sentry in the hall had his back to us, I knocked him senseless, bound him and dragged him back into the room, Then Noreen and I continued our progress. I asked her for the counter- si wah," she answered ted, a y. ‘asked, disappointed. you mean to let me go out alone?” “Would you think it best for us to go together?” “It seems to me the guard would be far less apt to feel suspicion if I was accompanied by they had already passed; they would you.” hes uplifted again, and her ed into mine. she sald I will go fay guide to-night,” T “Have you some There mus 30, simply, ou are whispered softly. lan already devised? 6 instant action.” “Hardly that; this has all occurred 80 quickly# go unexpectedly, I have not had ‘time in which to think, Only ‘we—we cannot lose a moment. Tho: men will surely be found soon, an: and the dance must be nearly over, Tan't it best to go straight ahead, and ance? the guard yonder?” I am not greatly afraid of him! We have the word, and Capt. Fox and I were together when I passed here before. He will remem- ber me, and have no suspicion, Only there may be officers aitting on the veranda of ‘@@ hot ‘We passed the next sentry In safety and were on our way across the square, CHAPTER XIV. A Step Nearer. E stables?" I asked. “What horses are there?” “Officers' mounts; but there were several. others tied a’ the hitch rail an hour ago. Two or three civilians rode over from Beckley to attend the d. .s. These will be easier to get, as they are not guarded, “They will be all equipped?” “Yes-—they were simply ridden in, and tied. I was sitting on the porch here with Captain Fox, and do not remember seeing one unsaddied.” T took @ step or two forward, cir- cling the house, so as to better ap- proach the animals along the shadow of an orchard fence,, I knew fol- lowed close at my heels, although I did not glance around, my whole at- tention concentrated on the work be- fore me, I saw nothing to cause alarm, and heard no unusual sound, T do not know yet where the fellow camo from, but he must have been crouching down within the shadow of the cellar door, which stood wide open. What he was, who he was, sball never know, nor the cause of his savage attack, He was a soldier, with ' cartridge the hook behind Pat € Seton athe Wha © lett ‘Sic "Im! Sic ‘Im!°’ ¢ w.2mzts.. | By Robert Minor belt on, and musket in hand as though on duty, yet if he wasa guard posted there, why did he fail to chal- lenge? It is my thought the man had left his post and was looting the cellar; perhaps was drunk, and mis- took me for an officer who had dis- covered him. I recall pausing an in- tant, and staring down the dark steps, but I saw nothing, and passed on. T could not have taken two steps, when Noreen gave utterance to a arp cry, and, instinctively, I sprang swiftly aside, flinging up an arm to Protect my head. The blow struck and glanced off, terribly bruising arm and shoulder, the force of it flinging me to the ground. I staggei to my knees, jerking a revolver from the belt, my brain dazed, and one hand numb and useless, Before I could turn entirely about, or perceive anything, there sounded a muffled oath and a crash; then I had a glimpse of the girl alone leaning above the open cellar-way. I managed to gain my feet, and get close enough to touch her dress, “What is it? What has happened?” “Oh!” she started, and looked at me, scarce able to apeak. “You are not killed, notgeven badly hurt?” “A hard crack only; I cannot move my arm. It was your cry which saved my head. Who atruck the blow? I saw nothing.” “A soldier; he came up out of here,” her voice trembling. “I do not think he saw me at all. He—he just seemed to leap forward out of dark, and struck one blow with his musket—see, it lies here.” “He dropped it, and ran?’ She hid her face in her hands, and I could feel the trembling of her body, “No! I—I do not know how it hap- pened. I—I caught hold of him sud- denly from behind just as he struck. That—that must have frightened him, for—for he reeled back, miased his footing, and went down, He—he just swore once, and I saw his face; then his gun struck against me, and—and he went crunching against something down there, He—he hasn't moved since.” : I waited an instant listening, con- scious of, the pain in my arm, and fearful that the noise of the e' at the gate than of the silent below. Then I crept down ps, until I touched the stone slabs the bottom of the cellar, "The fellow is dead," I snid softly. “We have no cause to fear him.” iJ “But I did not kin him! Why, I could not; he—he just stepped back, and fell,” “There is no reason why you should worry about that," I urged, taking her hands from before -her face, and clasping them in mine, “His death was an accident, although his attack was murderous enough, and he de- served his fate,” "Was—was he a soldier?” “Yes, an infantry private, I think. Now don't cry. Listen to me, your nerves are all unstrung; this night's work has been too much for you—too much for any girl. And God knows, you have done enough for Where are you stopping—! hotel? “Y—yeu,"" “Then slip inside while there ts no one hanging around; and get safely to your own room. There is nothin, more you can do, I will take one oi those horses yonder, and be off, and 1 know the country well enough to find my way, Once in the mountains { shall be safe» You will do as I say?” “You meap that—that I am to go to my room?” she asked slowly, “Certainly; thut will be the safest and best thing for you to do, I cat not tell you how grateful I am to you; nothing I can ever do will repay the service you have rendered me, You are a wonderfujly brave girl.” “Do you think so? Oh, but I am neither brave nor wonderful, scarcely known what I was doing; it didn’t seem as if there was any- thing else I could do, But I know now; I have no doubt any more— you refuse to let me,” “I refuse! I do mot understand what I could refuse, All that remaize is for you to go to your room.” “But if Ido not go there? If I—it I ride away with you!” “But, Noreen, that would not be right; it would expose you to ter- rible Ce Think of the days and nights travel, of hiding and ex- before I can ‘hope to atta! the the Con: rate lim and there is no need of such a sacri- fice—you rfect! it do you realize what going with me will inevitably mean?” “Yon, I realize—not only the peril and hardship, but every issue in- volved, I made my choice back in the court house. It is too late to with- draw.” She paused as th unable to find expression, breathing heavily, and her face sank until I could no longer eee her eyes. “When—when I told Col. Pickney that—that you were my husband,” she faltered, driven to it by my con- tinued silence, “I spoke hastily, it is true, for my only thought just then was the necessity for saving your Ute. I felt that—that I could do no less, and—anfi I desired to justify my action. They—they had to know why I did it; do you not understand? I—I am a Union woman; they have trusted me always, these men; even to-night they told the countersign because of confidence in my loyalty. I—I_was the daughter of an officer on Gen. Ramsey's staff. I could not let those men think me atraitor, I—I had to tell them why it had become my duty to ald you. There was no other possible way; no other reason whic! justify me in such an jut—but that confeasi yf “In my power, Noreen! do not think that I wil! vantage?—that I will strue your real purpose?’ “No! but will you live up to the obligation? Oh, you do not see the situation at all! When I said you were my husband I threw myself on your protection. I—I burned the boats, I am all alone now, unless— unless you stand by me. My father is dead; there ia not one person any- where to whom I can go. If I re- main here I shall be placed under arrest before daylight—charged with aiding your escape; perhaps charged with the death of this soldier—and I have no friends, no defense. Tom, I must go on with you!” ‘Do not say any more, Noreen,” I said soberly, but making no attempt to touch her, “I understand now, You mean you wish to ride with me?” “Yea. “It will be a hard journey, and I cannot guess the end, But you trust me fully?” “Yes,” "We a frienda, friends?” “I trust you; is not that enough? All J ask now is, do not leave me here alone,” “Surely; we will go together,” and I_ gripped her hands tightly in mine. “Whatever happens I will do my best. But we must go at once.” “Yes, and—and thank you.” We crept forward along the shadow of the orchard fence, until we min- gled with the horses fastened at the hitching rail. There were seven al- together tied there, and I selected among them, as best I could in the darkness, two that see! well adapted to our purpose. I helped Surely ir tak miscon- to be real her allently into the saddle, thrusting p), r my revolvers into the empty er, and then mounted myeel jad ‘we better go?” I close, our horses touching. “Along the south road at firat; there fa a cut-off just b of the old school.” We rode on.for miles, side by side, ame to a ford. We passed were mounting the rise be- ‘ond when Noreen halted me with a low cry of warning. “There is a man over eaid in @ breathless whisper. “Ay, more—see! They come toward us.” I was not sure I saw, yet I backed the horses into a thicket, and stood at their heads, gripping their nostrils. Noreen slipped from her saddle, and joined me, peering out through the Interlaced branches. Over her shoulder I glimpsed a section of the open field, and saw the dim, indistinct shadow advancing. They were men on foot, walking so closely bunched as to make it impossible to distin- gulsh their number. The leader, a yard or two in advance, apparently knew the way well, and the others pressed on after him across the open ground almost on a dog trot. They vanished toward the river. “They have all gone,” I sald reag- suringly, “Yea, I know,” her words a whisper. “Do you know who they are?” “Only to make a guess. They were shadows rather than men—but they were not soldiers,” “That was Cowan's gang, positively, onder,” she know that?" I asked astounded, “ you see in the dark?” “I recognized him out yonder in the open. I knew his hat, and the way he walked, Their leader was Anse Cowan.” “What can those fellows be after— the picket guard below?" “They would not need so many men for that, would they?" hesitat- ingly, “Perhaps they are seeking me.” “You! Do you imagine they would dare invade the very ral camp for auch a purpose?” “They have done things fully as desperate,” she insisted. “If some apy has brought wi of the aituation there would not be any great danger. There are no guards about the hot and they could raid it swiftly get away without alarming the sen- tries the court house, There is atill time before daybreak.” “I hope your theory is true, sald, “for it will leave us an open road. ‘Tw: luck did not meet the fellows below. I led the horses into the open, and helped up into the saddle. Her hand as I touched it, was cold and wet. “You are frightened,” I whispered, “but the danger in pi = “Oh, I know; but I cannot tell you how I dread that man, Fen as a child I feared him, and his father—~ and—and now—"' eho shivered as though from chill. “You are safe enough out of his clutches last. They are afoot, and can never overtake us. Don't lose your nerve, Noreen.” I mounted my own horse, and we rode out boldly across the open field to the pike. I know not how long we rode, or how far, for my mind had drifted into a review ®f the night's adven- tures, and a plan for the morrow. We met with no one, heard no noise ex- cept the steady pounding of our horses’ hoofs, We climbed a long hill, our horses slowing to the ascent, and by the time we attained the sum- mit the gray light revealed our faces, I looked across at her, and her eyes, hi suddenly to mine, smiled, re worn out,” I sald. “I—I am tired,” she confessed, “I— Tha een two sand nights with- out ep. If I could reat for an hour. “You shall—all day long. We will find a« pl in which to hide down there in the valley.” I pointed a dim trail out to her, and dismounted, with the purpose of ex- uplifted “You loring. “Stay here just a moment until T see where. the path leads,” I said, holding up my rein. “I would rather go with you, “But the horses,” I protested, “and I will not be long.” “Let us take them b@k into the woods and tle them, and Ro together,” she pleaded, ‘do not know why I am #o nervous; I—I am ashamed of myself, but 1 do not want to be left here alone.” ¢ I laughed, yet the expression of her face proved the truth of her words, and I helped her down. “All right,” I assented cheerfully. “There is probably nothing more dangerous ahead of us than a de- serted cabin, but we'll take the ven- ture together, Here, let me take the reins.” 1 led the animals far enough back to be well out of sight from the road, hitching them securely behind a thicket of undergrowth, She fol- lowed me closely, grasping her akirt with one hand, and, without retracing our steps, I pushed deeper through the brush and attained the path, which followed closely the curvature of the stream. By this time it was ¥ light enough so we could see clearly. The passage wa overgrown with grass and gave no evidence of having been lately travelled There were hoofmarks, but they were old. We must have advanced a hundred yards when I came upon an axe with a broken handle, and nearby marks on the bank showing where a man had knelt on his knees to drink, The path turned sharply to the right here, and as we mounted to the slightly higher ground we could see the cab perched on a little black hill behind. CHAPTER XV. The Fight in the Cabin. and entered the cabin. , stared about the one room, which contained a rough table, two or three stools, and a bunk in the further corner, A bottle and two tin plates stood on the table, and the end of a ragged quilt dangled “trom the edge of the bunk nearly to the floor, Opposite me wus an open fire-place, an iron kettle sitting in the ashes, while o short-barrelled rifle stood upright in a corner. On one of the stools lay a broad-brimmed hat, and a pair of ragged corduroy pants hung on a wooden peg beside the door, The latter was unbarred, the heavy slab , of wood leaning against tho log wall, There was an opening above leading into the attic, but no ladder, “We'll find a ‘bite to eat, and a place for you to lie down.” I told Noreen, and closed the door behind us, “Ah,” 1 aaid, “the board must be over yo he keeps it well stocked I stepped across in front of ber, with no other thought than that of exploring the larder, when she gave vent to a startled cry, and I stopped suddenly, sweeping my eyes about to Jearn the cause of warm, The bunk's ragged quilt was on the floor, and a man leaped across the room, and grasped the rifle in the corner, saw the swift movement, realized the purpose, yet had scarcely ti to draw a revolver from tho belt, before he had hand on the weapon, and whirled savagely about, facing us, For the instant the gloom disfigured fuce—all I knew was that he was ig fellow, with ragged, untrimmed and a scraggly beard. I step- ped forward, and ffing up my arm, “Drop It!" [said shortly, “Litt that gun, and you're dead!" At first I thought him crazy enough to take the chunce of my fire; the the big fingers relaxed, and the rifle fell clattering to the floor. To my surprise the fellow laughed. “Well, 1 be cursed!" he chortled, “you here?” He threw back his head, and I recognized him—Jem Taylor, old Ned Cowan. I drew a quick breath, my tee*h clinched, my arm steady. T! encounter was going to prove no bo; play. But what was the man's game? Did he not know yet who I was or what I knew about him? Be- fore I could answer, his harsh voice spoke again, “Put down yer pop-sun, boy, an’ jow's cup ler, I hope ; Cowan!" knoll, against the ¥ EXT WEEN'S COMPLETE WOVEL 18 TRE EVEN GR ea | SREO REEF wes DOD RE ort i reckon es now we all avert off. rec! es we Lae wat ge nuthin’ ter fight over, w the Ham Hill did yer git Ll “Now wait,” I broke in ~ termined to have a it “I don’t know what you are trying to pretend, but there is no friendship between us, You stand just where you are, I am not er you know me or not; know you, Ned Cowan—I know aure but I what | you did at Hot Springs, and how you thers took me along so ag to make belteve I wae gulity"—— eaten Ht te my ehok: mH which instant, :Diindly. cold-blooded — murder, I exclaimed indignantly, “the culmination of a feud.” “Huh! who told yer that?’ T stepped aside, but etill held him under the mussie of my revolver. The change in posture eben the aw ‘man face to face with Noree him lean forward and gaze her; then recoil, though he viewed a ghost. Bhe never moved, never apoke. “Good Lord!" he muttered. “Is that Harwood's girl?” “Yes; now you know how I know, and that there is nothing but between us. The lady is my wife.” His face was ashen gray, hia thin Nps set in a straight, hard line. “Your wife! and you in that Yankee uniform! Who are you? Why, you are @ blame liar! You told me you wan @ Confed, sergeant of artillery, and—your wife! Why, man, the Major never even knew yer!” “He failed to recognise me,” I ad. mitted. “But I'll tell you who [ and how I came here. Iam Thomas ‘Wyatt, the son of Judge Wyatt, who used to hold court in Lewisburg. You ought to remember him, for you were -T “Why I am here yours,” I went on coldly, “But I am the officer who escaped your gang in the mountains three nights ago; and 1 am the officer who was at the Har- wood house when Anse, and hia pre- clous crew of cutthroats, broke in.” “The feller who did up n’ yer may yer married ter the Who ever married yer?” ighols did, He never told you that part of the story, I reckon? He thought it might prejudice Anse against him. Well, this ts the way it was, Cowan. The lady realized that her choice lay between myself id Anse, and must have conald lesser of two evils.’ ‘An ’ Pop Nichols married yer, while—while Anse was a breakin’ in?” “Kxactly—rather romantic, wasn't ie? He burst into a harsh laugh, not al- r pleasant, “Romantic—hell! But tt wus som’ joke on Anse. Why he’s out huntin’ rr now" —- 4, cursing flercely to him- saw fit-to follow the lead sol lo that is what he ls up to? He and his outfit passed us just this aide of Benton's ford. And they were bound for Lewisburg, you say’ ‘Thar or tharabouts.” But, man, there were cnly thirty- five men I counted, and there are 600 in the town,” His eyes shifted their gaze from the face of the girl to mine, narrow cat eyes, “I reckon I ain’ fal afore in maybe said slowly., “but she has sure growed up fine. Anse took after marryin’ her furst jist ter spite Rarwood, he seed her a while back h took a notion that he hi self. I reckon I don't blame hi ‘Thet's why he wouldn't wait, but out ternight, No, I don't reckon, young fellar, it's no particular er a sojer an’ don't jeat unders! how we fight out yere in the mount- ings. We jest strike quick, an’ then eit away. 'Tain't so much of @ trick Anse is a playing at over at Lew! burg. Sure tha 600 ‘uel and cunning. seen ol’ Harwoo nuard me caboodle is camped in the court house yard, the only picket is at the main ford the Green Bria body, did yer, gittin' out yere?” “No,” IT admitted, realizing his inti- mate knowledge. “The camp Is poorly protected,” “I reckon it is, and Anse knows 7 do, An’ he jad @ room at ther hotel. Thar is where hi went, aimin’ fer ter raid the shebang just re daylight.” He laughed aga! mirthlesaly, “Anse will be some m: when finds out what has ha T reckon he'll ‘bout cut yer art out. ‘He will have to get me fir ‘Ob, don't yer ever worry none ut thet, young follar. Anse, will sure git yer; he knows every bridle path ‘cross these mountings, an’ wouldn't give a continental for chance you've got fer to git away. He's a tiger cat on a trail, Anse is— an’ besides the blame fool wants the gu, Ho ain't no Cowan If he lets you beat him outer her. He glanced quickly across my shoulder toward the door. Perhapy she moved; perhaps {t was all imagi- nation, but I thought I heard a noiso, and wheeled partly around, my ey: for an instant deserting old Cowa\ face. It was his only chance, and took it. I sensed the spring, even as Noreen's cry of warning broke the silence, bus not in time to escape the srip of the old man's iron fingers. knows the gal ys pened, h © Hin body crashed against me with force that I staggered and foll; one hand closed like @ vise on my throat, the other gripped the stock of my revolver, crushing my fingers lifeless. I struck against the edge of the tabl truggling vainly to keep my feet, It went over with a crash, bearing us both along, old Ned atop, clutching flercely to keep his hold, his eyes blazing madly down into mine, As we struck I wrenched my hand free, and pulled the trigger, T geomed to blaze ac fire, and, the next instant, the man's knee crushed my wrist to the floor, and thi fell from my benumbed fingers. T seemed to recall little of what followed; only a confused recollection of desperate struggling amid the legs of t of oatha, blows; of eyes glaring revengefull; inj mine, I could not break his deat! stip on my throat, nor throw off the weight of his big body. I did get my hands free, and one leg curved un@er me, With this as a lever I twisted head her fingers stroked my face seed back my hair. ee my eyes open and “Noreen!” the name choked in throat, yet must have been ney u “You; it fa all right now—Cowan ; * Seadt You—you killed him?” oN t must have been yout Wh lo chance; you—you' fought lke mad meo—theathen he Just let of you and fell was afraid to come—d thougin at he had killed you.” Hl “My shot! wh; com the touching the flesh. “A mere scratch,” I “requjring a little water. Don't Noreen; there is no harm done; be all ht in a minute. Are ww, cones godt oe; he—he hasn't moved ? but—but I didn’t kill hit “Of course not, and wiad Ay That is part of my trade, lone any sleep over it. Ah up alone, Ing to do te to bar that door.” CHAPTER XVI. We Understand Bach Other... WAN lay at full length, one arm thrown across his ejes.’ It was hard for me to con- ceive that the man was actually dead, and I beat over him, touching bis flesh wit my Angers to assure myself, The ball bad ~ penetrated his abdomen, and how the fallow ever fought so fiercely after receiving that death wound I can re? never understand. I think that ta bis mad ferocity he was scarcely aware * that he was hurt—hia one overmaa- tering desire being to kill me. x . I f ka an ae * can » ind the first thing I am go- \ I turned him partly over, and arewtw out from the inside pocket blouse a handful of papers there, One was a buff packet, which had been roughly torn open, but BS i which bore no Inscription; the'others:is —” ordinary appearing letters addressed to Cowan, The latter I. barely~ glanced at, assuring inyeelf tisy con- tained nothing’ of spectat’ iiterest, © ke DUt examined the coftents of the bust! packet with care, convinasd thep-ehis was the one taken from Mader anrsn ; wood the night ofthe murder, The packet contained several'sinetait'™ beadq related to army operdtions in , Virginia, and the present distribatien of troops, requesting the despateh. another regiment of infantry to free the country from guerrillas. There was also a personal letter from Ramsay to McClellan giving more in- timate det id a of thi cata it the pained yal pee per was a carefully prepared list of irregulare operating throughout mountain country, with ni seperate y hd, and te aide. they espoused, if any. Thh joubtedl, cbimasit, the lett “4 referred to him aa hat beon detailed to control fifty or more men, quarters near Union, in Green Briar Mountains; raid _ indiscriminately, have attacked our fo! trains; re- fuse to co-operate, continue: to terrorize large section; Lewis- burg re It was o00 z troops, ng several and lootl ehops. Is considered ‘the ‘most fan ing in Green and unties; reporta.of a af tles received almost daily, many bi peat. et 1 at Noreen and her eyeg. » met mine nqulrings this your fat! im A report to Gen. Washington, of conditions in Western Sere Lear Ste jain ever ni ao forwarded ?*