Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

- 118 - BERTHA AND THE MAJOR. A warning look from Bertha cut short the Union- ist’s words. “Vou never deny the truth, eh?’’ cried the major, quickly, at the same time drawing his sword. “My brother was with Early’s troops at Fisher’s Hill,’’ said Bertha. ‘“‘I’om would tell you about it, but he is not very strong yet——”’ ‘fA pretty story,’”’ sneered the major, touching the blue breeches with the point of his sword. ‘‘Upon me word, I believe this man to be a Unionist, and, faith, Iam going to take him out of this house. I think we can find proof enough of his identity. Ii we Ho? ‘“Well, sir?’’? questioned the young Unionist, his dark eyes flashing, all his youthful blood on fire. ‘“We will hang you to one of these trees, so we will!’ ‘““Magnanimous, but——”’ “Tyo not excite yourself, T’om,’’ cried Bertha, quickly, fearing lest the youth should betray himself by intemperate language. ‘‘’The majorisa gentleman, and will not disgrace our cause by persecuting a wounded boy.’’ It was an artful speech, and had its effect. Major de Banyan, however, could not get the blue breeches out of his mind, and he questioned Moses rfe- garding them. ‘The result of a foraging expedition, major,’’ an-— swered the young ranger, his gaze going from-the officer to the crowd of troopers outside. Captain Chetwood had escaped, and he felt happy, even though his own position was not a safe one. ~ ‘This may be, but I think I will examine your clothing and this room a little, and see what we shall see, faith!’ When the major would have laid hands on Bluff rudely, Bertha suddenly confronted him, a a Siege revolver 1 in her hand. “Ecomicbooks.co