The War Library: Phil, the Scout — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 THE WAR LIBRARY. ‘ awe 4 oe oy) Vale The soldier flashed a bulls-eye upon the piece of paper, and muttered : * Beauregard’s hand, sure enough,” Then turning the light full into the man’s face he eyed him for several seconds cau- siously. d “It'sastrange time of night for this busi- ness,’’ he said, at length. ‘No one will deal with younow. Wait till morning, and then lll see whether this card is all right or not." “T've got to be home by daybreak, stran- ger; und, besides all that, I know the boys inside want the stuff I've got. Why, in that there wagon there's some nice fresh leaf cabbage, turkeys, an’ no end o’ vegetables. Now, | wouldn't beso free an’ easy with every wan, but lL rather like you. It’s a fact, hang meet taint; an’, seein’ it’s you, that 1s "twixt younn’ me, see here!’ With these words the furmer pulled out one side of his great-coat, and displayed a bottle, which sparkled in the light of the lan- tern. “That’s genuine, that is. ’“Tain’t every man that can squeeze sech red-eye as that out o' ther grain. Haves drap?’’ He extended his hand toward the picket. But no arm was reached out in return. ‘‘Now, see here, stranger,’’ said the picket, ‘you may beallright; Idont know. But you mistake your man when you try to bribe me to let you pass the line. Iflama Confederate, Iam trying to do my duty. You shall not euter our camp to-night, save over my body.” There was nu suddeu movement on the part of the countryman. A blow struck with crushing force. The next moment the way was Clear, for the man's comrades were asleep on their post, wearied with the day’s battle. ‘‘So beit, then,’’ muttered the farmer, as he leaped at one bound far beyond the pick- etline. ‘“‘It was a hard thing to do. He was an honest man, but I must pass the sen- tries.’’ Taking shelter under some low bushes near the road, the strauger swiftly threw off his eountry garb, and there stood in his stead a man clad in Confederate gray. The face was that of Phil Lamonte. Without losing atnoment the young man took his way upinto the heart of the Con- federate camp, the sentries allowing him to pass, as he hud the countersign. “That part ofthe matter is over, at any- rate,’’ he whispered. ‘I had hopes to suc- ceed through that simple ruse; but I fell in witha man who ought to be on the other side. Now for the next step that will be more difficult, I imagine.” Proceeding without molestation till he was fairly inside, Pbil made the entire cir- cult of the Confederate camp, sharply not- ing the position held by the various divisions, and estimating as nearly as possible their probable number. ; Some time was consumed in this way, and the young man perspired heavily, so rapidly had he worked. ‘*So far, good. I couldn’t ask for better success. It must be past midnight, and I have yet much to do. Now for the test of my skill. If I fail now all will be, indeed, lost.”’ In the course of his search Phil had care- Tully noted the spot on which stood the headquarters of General Beauregard. Thither he now directed his steps. Now and then he met soldiers who gazed upon him suspiciously. They did not understand how he should be moving about at that hour. But his calm demeanor and undisturbed manner earried him safely through till he reached the tent of the Confederate com- mander. Before he took a step further a female figure flitted past him. He caught one glimpse of her face, and darted after her. What was Laura Doane doing there? CHAPTER XXI. BEARDING THE LION IN HIS DEN. Silently as a shadow, the beautiful girl stole across the opening which lay between the quarters of General Beauregard and the tent occupied by Colonel Fontueroy. A single word tothe sentry at the door vained her admittance. He had seen her many times before while the army lay at Corinth. Without introdnetion, Laura made her way inside and stood in the presence of her former lover. He was sitting with head bowed over some papers, apparently deep in thought. R4 ———— ae When at length he looked up and his eyes rested on the pale face of the girl, he started back, violently exclaiming: ‘““You here! Heaven! how you startled me. What brings you into our camp at this hour ?”’ “Tf you had aright to know probably I would tell you. Asit is, I will not. I will simply say that the momentary triumph you enjoy so thoroughly will be turned to sor- row soon.”’ ‘Girl, are you mad? Why do you look upon we with sucha wiid gaze? Come and sit down by me, and talk more rationally. If you have come to tell me that you repent of your course toward me——”’ ‘“T repent! Colonel Fontneroy, you do not yet know me. I repent of taking my heart from the keeping of a demon like you? I might better ask whether your conscience does not smite you for the past and its awful deeds.”’ The girl’s piercing colonel, Caused him easily. ‘‘ Laura, I wonder if you believe that tale still. Don’t you see how absurd itis? How could I hold my present position and be the villain l am represented? Tell me that. Would I notlose my rank instantly? Cer- tainly 1 would. 1 tell you again this is all the work of an enemy. I knowhim. Ar- thur St. Clair 1s my avowed foe. He hates me, envies me. lurks in every secret place to wrong and slay me.” ‘He is aman. IL trust him fully. You, not he, lie. I know it. Why do you not deny the charges he makes? A single word would doit. You cannot; you dare not.”’ ‘““fwill,if you will give me time; that’s alll ask, but you are not willing to grant it. lam here with a great responsibility resting upon me. The success of this campaign lies almost wholly upon my shoulders. Its fail- ure means wy ruin. Wait til it is over, Laura. Come and help me.”’ The girl, much as she had once loved Font- neroy, was now unmoved by his appeal. Had her heart been of stone sbe could not have listened with sterner countenance, nor with eyes flashing more indignantly. ‘There was a day, she said, when you could have deceived me by such words as these. That time has gone forever. I know you, and I hate you, Colonel Fontneroy, with deadly hate!” ‘‘Ahal my lady becomes tragic!’’ sneered the officer, turning pale as he spoke. Heremembered but too well how she had discomfitted him at their last interview. ‘* You hate me, yousay. So beit; but be- fore you scorn me further you shall feel my power. Recollect where you are—in the very heart of our camp. emember, too, how you betrayed my confidence when in your home I laid bare to you the details of the plan we hadin view of attacking Gen- eral Grant here; a plan we successfully exe- cuted, in spite of your betrayal. [ can cause your arrest as a spy. ‘But you will not. You dare not!’ ex- claimed Laura, her cheek mantling as she spoke. ‘‘l am indeed in the Confederate camp, and you may cause me to be appre- hended as you say; but the moment you do so I will tell the story of your perfidy to- ward Arthur St. Clair, and your betrayal of your trust. Goon, if you dare.” ‘“You shall see whetherI dare or not,’’ hissed the enraged officer, for the moment losing control of himself. He believed that he had sufficient influence with General Beauregard to counteract any- thing Laura might say against him, and he resolved to put her beyond reach for all time. He saw he had lost his hold upon her. She was Dow an enemy. The colonel stepped toward the opening to summon assistance, but not three paces had he taken when Laura confronted him. A drawn stiletto gleamed in her hand. ‘Stop!’ she cried. ‘‘Ilam no longer to be trifled with by you. You shall know that though a woman I am yet capable of defend- ing wyself against such a coward as you! I am determined. You shall not carry out your intention, save over my dead body !”’ For au instaut Colonel Fontneroy cowered before this woman, He dreaded to meet the gaze of her search- ing eyes, He knew she had spoken the truth. He was indeed a craven dastard, and he was guilty, as she charged. But quickly he recovered. Who was this that stood between him and the accomplishment of his purpose? A woman! What! A woman thwart him? eyes fastened upon the to quailand move un- Never! ~ re He sprung quickly upon her and hurled her quivering back against the tent pole, pinioning her hands in a grasp of iron. Thus they stood face to face. Just beside the Confederate officer at that moment there came a step, and a clear voice rung in hisear. } 1 ‘“‘Unhand that woman, villain, or 1 will dash you to the ground!”’ ' Asif shot through the heart, Fontneroy > released his hold and fell back quivering be-— neath the glance of the man who uttered this command. ‘ i He saw the manly form of Phil Lamonte. ‘‘Is this the way you treat your guests?” ‘‘She is no guest. Sheisanenemy. What right have you to interfere with my wishes? Who are you, sir, that you enter my pres- > ence unbidden? You presume too far.” | ‘‘Itis the duty of every man to protect weak woman when he finds her in the hands ofaman like you. As to who I am, you shall know. Iam Phil Lamonte, a scout of Grant’s army.”’ . ‘“*Of Grant's army !”’ cried the Confederate, starting back in alarm. ‘‘ What brings you here?” ‘You will know to-morrow morning. Till then I shall not answer you. Now, I want you to make amends for the ungentlemanly conduct I have just witnessed on your part toward this young lady. Down on your knees and beg her forgiveness.”’ ‘‘Oh! don’t ask him to do that, please,’ — said Laura, with a gesture of scorn. ‘‘I do not wish it. Heis beneath my notice.” ‘“*Down!”’ ; The tone sent the colonel shivering to lis knees, and he stammered an apology. ‘* Now,”’ continued Phil, severely, ‘‘I want you to goa little further. I see you have pencil and paper. Sit down there and pre- pare to write.” ; Silently Fontneroy obeyed, praying some one would chance to look in upon them, © “Are you ready? Then write. Address your letter to General Beauregard.” ‘*To General Beauregard! In Heaven's name, what is this you are compelling me to (do?’’ ‘* You will know soon enough. Prooeed.as I dictate.”’ > There was no way of escape. Nh ae The hand of Phil held a revolver which gleamed ominously in his eyes. This is what he wrote: “My DEAR GENERAL:—The bearer is a warm Vian sonal friend of mine who has just come from Rich- mond—Captain Ernest, byname. He desires to know Officially through you what our success to-day has brought us, what it has cost, and whether you have any feurthat the future muy bring us reverses, you can speak freely with him, I would accompany him, but Iam unavoidably detained in my quarters. I nre—~ sume I shall go in early in the morning. FONTNEROY.” The colonel sunk weakly back in his chair as he wrote the concluding word. ‘*Is that all ?”’ ‘“No,’? was the uncompromising reply. ‘“‘There is another sheet; address it as you did the other.’’ ‘* Fiend, have you nv heart? I cannot write further. “Goon!’’ thundered Phil. ‘‘ It must be done. Write now as I dictate.”’ Then, with a hand shaking as if struck with a sudden palsy, the rebel colouel wrote out the story of the wrong he had brought upon St. Clair, and his base advances toward Laura Doane, aud finished by stating that he had determined to flee the country to escape the memory of his crimes. That be had be- come the Benedict Arnold of the South, and betrayed the Confederate army into the hands of General Grant. With a groan the colonel completed his terrible task. ‘‘Great Heaven, pity me!’ he moaned. ‘““This is more than Ideserve! Man, are you utterly without soul? Think what this meanstome! Itisruin—nuay,death! Ican- not live and face such a thing as this!’’ ‘“*T only compel you to make such atone- mentas you know you should yourself make, but which never would be madeof your own free will,’’ was the calm reply, as Phil took the sheet last written and folded it carefully. ‘* Miss Doane, this I leave with you. Keep it safely. Thisotherone I willuse. I shall leave you in charge of the colonel for a short time till I have made my call on the general. Otherwise, he might take steps to defeat my plans. ButTll put him in a position to do you no further harm.”’ Speaking thus, Phil, still watching the Confederate, produced a stcut cord, and bound him hand and foot, yet sitting in his cam p-chair. “He is safe now, Miss Laura. EGOmichbooks Guard him com ~ -