The War Library: Phil, the Scout — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 ou, youngster, to get outof this atonce. These ladies can take care of them- selves. Thereis nothing against them. It’s you they areafter. Don’t waste any words, but come.” “The stranger is right, I think,”’ Laura. ‘Go, quickly.’’ With a fond look at Molly the young man prepared to follow his guide. Reaching the poreh they saw that they were not quick enough. Their departure had been cut off. A con- stantly increasing host of Confederates blocked every avenue of approach to the house. ‘Too late!’’ muttered the stranger, as he put up his arm to check the further ad- vance of Phil. ‘‘ We’ve got to cut our way out, [am afraid.” ‘“Do you say they are here ?”’ asked Molly, meeting them as they stepped back into the room. ‘*‘ Here! I should say they were, the whole secesh army, by the looks, has come here to capture two women and one man.” ‘But they shall not doit!” hissed Phil, his eyes flashing, and his hand seeking his pis- tols. ‘If they bave not learned to know me yet I'll give them a few more lessons.’’ ‘Your pluek is good,’ said the stranger, admiringly. ‘‘Butthe case is a serious one now. Itell you retreat is the safe word. There are enough men out yonder to tear this house dowu by pieces, and they'll do if, too, if they're pressed.”’ Molly Grawe whispered : *“Phil, I have an idea. Please don’t say no toit. Stand quietly here for a moment. Laura, go to the door and put those fellows off asEort time. You can do it by telling them we will go with them to Colonel Font- neroy himself. I know he will at once re- move all charge from you.”’ Phil was about to remonstrate. His blood was ata poiut little less than boiling. But She'll vice is for said the stranger said quietly : “Let the girl have her own way. bring us out all right.”’ Molly tlew away totherear of the house, and darted through a long shed which con- nected the house with the stables. men she disappeared, Laura Doane hastened to the door. Already loud trampling of feet sounded without. Although she knew not what was the plan her quick-witted cousin had on foot, she be- lieved that an escape for Phil might be pro- eured. So standing face to face with the rebel horde, she engaged them in long parley, eud- ing by promising to surrender herselt up to them if she could be promised that she should be conducted immediately into the presence of Colonel Fontneroy. This request having been granted nota moment too soon, Molly dashed into the rvom. Her scheme was working well. But, not satisfied with the capture of Laura, the Confederate captain now declared his intention of searching the house. They had scareely set foot in the house, however, when there was a shout from the stables. Hastening thither with the belief that the young man had been discovered, the captain saw a crowd of his men surrounding a load of straw upon a wagon,to which was at- tached a span of mules; and on the top of which was perched a trembling negro, Fora moment the Confederate officer was angry with himself for allowing his atten- tion to be distracted by so simple a thing. “This is a false alarm,’’ he exclaimed. “Who started it? It’s a ruse to take our at- tention from the house. Here, men, back to the mansion at once, and let this old nigger go about his business.”’ “Tf we do we lose our mau,” said one of the number around the load of straw. “I know heis buried in that wagon.’’ ‘You knew it?’ said the captain, angrily, turning to the speaker. ‘I'd like to learn how you know it. Did you see him crawling in?”’ ‘* No, sir; but——”’ ‘No buts or ands aboutit. It’s not likely that he could have got out of the house with- out being seen. Here, you black nigger,’’ he said, suddenly addressing the colored man In a mo- on the load. ‘* How is it that you’re starting out at this timeo’ night. Where are you go- ing ?”’ ‘‘ Down to Massa Beauregard’s camp, dat’s all. Hesay he want some straw very early in de mornin’, and I’se gwine to tuk it down to him.’’ ‘“* Who sent you?” The captain came nearer the wagon and begun to look suspiciously up at the negro. 84 THER WAR LIBRARY. There might after all be something in what the soldier had said. The plot might be to hide Phil Lamonte beneath this straw, and convey him out of the Coufederate lines. ‘*Massa Doane done tole metodo dis, sah,”’ was the response, from the fear-stricken ne- gro. ‘Deed, sah, Iain’t done nuffin ’gainst de Souf. I'se Massa Doane’s man, Pomp, an’ he knows I’se ’liable.’’ ‘““1f he’sin here, curse him, Ill fix him !”’ the officet said, hissing the words through his teeth, as he drew his sword and com- menced thrusting it deep into the load. Here, there, everywhere he plunged the weapon, now and then listening for some ery of pain from within. But nonecame. At length, asif convinced that no living being could possibly be hidden inside the straw, he whirled on his heel and said: “You see l wasright. This is all a scare. The fellow is stillin the house, unless he has taken advantage of this piece of nonsense on our partand escaped. But to make assur- ance doubly sure,’’ he muttered, half to him- self, ‘‘T’ll seud a man with this wagon to Beauregard’s quarters.’’ And he detailed a private for this purpose, then hastened back to the house. Meanwhile the negro, breathing easier when he saw that suspicion no longer rested immediately upon him, cracked his whip over the mules, and disappeared down the road, the Confederate keeping him company on his horse beside the wagon. It was not long before there was a stir in- side the straw. Was there, indeed, a man stowed away there? A few minutes later the sharp crack of a pistol woke the silence. With a wild yell the Confederate horseman threw up his arms, and fell heavily to the ground, Instantly the wagon was brought toa standstill. From beneath the heavy covering of straw which had buried him Phil Lamonte sprung. ‘‘Hurrah for little Molly!’ he shouted. ‘‘Her scheme has saved me. Pomp, you’ve done nobly, too; here's a piece of gold to repay you for this night's adventure. Go back into the woods here till you think it is safe to venture home. Then tell your pretty mistress Sam is safe.”’ Springing ata light bound to the back of the horse from which the Confederate had just fallen, the young man darted along the highway. ‘“* A close shave, by Jove!”’ he soliloquized, with asmile of congratulation, as he thought of bis narrow escape. ‘That bit of steel came unpleasantly near to me several times. I don’t see how he could have missed me. Once or twice the blade cut my coat. But I’m safe! Three cheers for Molly! Dear little Molly! When shall I see her again?”’ Ah! when? ‘‘How brave she is! Well, I must not think of her too much now. I’ve other things on hand at present, and must devote myself tothem. By-and-by, who knows but I may come back here for my jewel. Now, away for Price and Van Dorn! If that scout has not yet reached them with those messages he shall try a race with me. If I can get my hands on them, if will be just a grand thing for me. Won’t it, though? Well, here goes. I'll try the metal of this horse a little.” At this he dug the spurs deep into the ani- mal’s sides. With a bound the horse sprung forward, heavy though the road was in consequence of the prolonged rain, a long distance soon lay between the daring young scout and the scene of his recent escapade. Weary though he began to feel by the events of the past twenty-four hours, on, on through the night he rode. The steed he had secured proved a noble one, and stood the hard ride well. The gray morning light found him still galloping ahead, his eyes fixed toward the spot where he hoped to overtake the rebel messenger. At break of day he drew up at aspring to refresh his thirst and that of his horse. Bending low upon the ground to reach the limpid streamlet, the cracking of a stick fell on his ear. Before he could regain his feet, three men rose from the bushes not a dozen paces from the spring, and he looked down into the mur- derous throats of three rifles. CHAPTER VI. THE CONFEDERATE DISPATCHES, ‘Put up your hands! Stir out of your — The words were uttered in the cool tone of a man who knows his advantage, and intends to make the most of it. Phil Lamonte fastened his eyes full upon the three, but made no motion toward obey- ing the command thus boldly given. If they were daring, he was bravery itself. Seeing that the young man remained mo- tionless in the spot where he had been sur- prised, one of the number came forward out of the thicket, guarding our hero sharp- . tracks, and we'll snuff your candle for you!” — ly as he did so. \ As he came fairly into sight, Phil saw that he wore the dress of a Confederate. Probable his companions were of the same stripe. ‘** You heard what I said, didn’t rebel said, with an air of bragadocia. ‘* Why don’t you follow orders ?”’ you ?”’ the h ‘“* TL accept orders from a superior, sir,’’ was | : ’ the calm reply, as Phil perceived with what sort of men he had to deal. ‘““T don’t see in | this case why I should obey orders.”’ “3g There came over the face ot the Confeder- ate ascowl of intense hate. ‘‘You’re rather bold, it strikes me,’ he sneered. ‘* Perhaps you don't know who we are. Comehere, boys, and we'll introduce ourselves to this innocent young chap. Your eyes rest at the present moment on Bud Overton and two friends of his.”’ x ‘ For an instant the heart of Phil Lamonte | thrilled as he heard the name spoken by the © men before him, for Bud verton was known even at that early period as one of — the most dangerous scouts of the Confeder- ate army. Many ana many aman had fallen into his hands, never to be heard of afterward. He was the terror of the Union scouts. - eRe No one care to come face to face with him. Phil Lamonte, however, resolved that no deed or word of his should show this friend — that he feared him. ‘* Bud Overton!’’ he repeated in a dispar- aging way. ‘“‘I know as well now asldid— before who you are. further explanation betore you impress me very seriously. If introductions are in order, why, I’ll make myself acquainted with you. I’m Phil Lamonte, of the Union army!’’ This was meeting bravado with bravado. It was an extremely dangerous thing to do. The scowl of haté on the face of Bud Over- ton deepened into a glare of rage, and his finger pervously played with the trigger of his rifle. ‘“You’ll know me better before you are through with this morning’s piece of work,” he hissed.« ‘‘1’11 show you what it is to brave Bud Overton, the rebel scout! * 7 a ( You’ll have to make — j us Here, boys, — put this around him, and bind it tight, mind ~ you. The cursed rascal must be m det feel what a stout cord can be made to do.” _ As he spoke, Bud tossed a piece of fine cord — to one of his followers, who, catching it, took astep or two toward the young man. — As yet Phil had not stirred from the place where he had planted himself when the noise in the bushes disturbed him at the spring. He displayed no fear at the approach of the Confederate who was under instructions _ to make him captive. A slight paleness rested on his handsome ~ features, but that might have been due to the fatiguing journey of the night just ended. At that moment something unexpected — happened. ust what it was Bud Overton and his~- companions never knew. , Two flashes in rapid succession lighted up the early morning, and two reports deafen- ed the over confident Confederates. With a groan, Bud and the man who stood beside him measured their length on the © ground. One quick blow with his fist and the sol- dier who held the cord lay beside his com- rades. ‘‘“When you meet me again, do you think you will know me?” he cried, as he leaped upon his horse and disappeared in the dis- tance. ‘‘By Jove! but that was a narrow escape!’’ the young man said, when once — safely on the road again. ‘‘Lucky I have had some training in the Far West, or it might have been Phil, the scout, fe es ud back yonder instead of those fellows. Overton, eh? You may bea dare-devil but you are not quick enough forme. Now I’m off again.”’ ; And he spurred rapidly forward. | ; Suddenly he drew his horse up, so quickly that the animal slipped on the wet ground. ‘‘T wonder if those fellows haven’t got the © dispatches I’m looking for? It would be very natural for the Confederate general toe ‘S EOmiIichoo com - ; . - :