Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

COLONEL EZRA 'TRAFTON. 63 ‘You are looking well, Bertha,’’ he said, gallantly, as he dismounted. ‘‘You were watching for mes’? a ae Oh, what a fib, little Bertha! He smiled complacently. ““This is a dangerous spot, my love. Sheridan’s men are everywhere to-day. ”’ ‘Then why court peril yourself ?”’ ‘‘My men are close at hand. See, yonder they come.’ _ A small squad of Mosby’s guerrillas came cantering — up. In obedience to a gesture from the colonel, his es- cort halted to await his pleasure. ‘‘Permit me to lead you to the house. I have a little business with your uncle.’’ At the door-way of the farm-house Orvin Clymore greeted the Confederate officer. “Welcome, Ezra,’’ said the former. ‘‘It’s a pity you did not come earlier. ”’ “Why so, Orvin ?”? - ‘CA detachment of Sheridan’s cavalry was here half an hour ago.”’ ‘Then I regret the delay.’’ Perhaps he did, but there were people with whom the colonel often hobnobbed who were unfriendly enough to impeach that officer’s fire- -eating assevera- tions. In other words, they strongly doubted his courage. And it is to be presumed they had some reason for their private convictions. ‘They intended to destroy my barn and its con- tents,’’ continued Orvin. “To what happy accident then do you owe your escape from these incendiaries? I presume some of ~ our men forestalled me.’’ “No. Iowe my immunity to the generosity of their commanding officer.’’ (e(0) Gomicboo ‘S