Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 July 1886 — A PLUCKY GIRL. [ARTICLE]

A PLUCKY GIRL.

BY CAPTAIN JAMES MONTFORD.

“Relate your experience as a prisoner, Colonel,” said the worthy’s wife, as he declared his inability to furnish a story for that evening. “Yon have already heard that, which is no adventure of mine, by the way, or at least I played a very unimportant part.” “It’s so long since I heard it that the circumstance has escaped my memory,” returned the lady. The Colonel acquiesced and said: “It is a pretty story enough; but the heroine did not consider me in the least, I can promise you. Did you never think how «eldom an adventure crosses the path of a married man? They ate either shot dead, and there is nothing to tell, or ” “Perhaps the actors keep the story to themselves,” I suggested, “for fear of more •adventures at home.” “Well, I was a party in the affair, if not a principal, and the matter is as follows: “There was a J’oung man, whom I will •call Frank Tooke, in my regiment. He was the nephew of a farmer dwelling in Missouri near the place where I was located at that time. “Frank had entered the service without his uncle’s consent, and, indeed, against his inclination; for the old gentleman had ‘leanings’ in the contrary direction. “His distaste was not so strong, however, but that he invited the story-teller to accompany Frank to the farm-house to tea. “I refused twice or thrice; but as the farmer continued his solicitations, I at last appointed a day, and accompanied by Frank, rode over to the farmer's house. “We were well received, and everything done to make the visit pleasant; but as it contains nothing remarkable I shall pass it. “But one object of my observation was the young woman who displayed so much energy a few hours later. * “She was the daughter of a neighbor, and as I soon supected from several glances I witnessed between Frank and herself, she had been invited by Mr. Tooke’s daughters to meet their cousin.

“She was a pretty girl, with dark hair and eyes, bright and good-natured. As I sat alone with Frank for a few minutes just before sundown, he told me all about her, and something that seemed to interest him above the rest—she was his promised wife. “So far the visit was fair as could be described; but misfortune was gathering, and eoon after night set in it descended. “It was a warm evening, and the windows of the sitting-room, opening out upon a long veranda, had been raised to admit the air. “We were seated quietly, listening, I believe, to the mistress of Frank’s affections while she played a rollicking war tune upon the antiquated organ, when I happened to turn toward the windows, and saw a sight that brought me upon my feet immediately.

“A large, bearded man stood upon the •veranda looking into the room. He held a long rifle in his hands, and as I rose presented it at my head. “ 4 No resistance,” he said, harshly, and stepping in through the window, was followed by half a dozen men. ‘‘All was excitement and alarm. The women screamed, and old Mr. Tooke Bwore; but it was all of no use. “I had been warned before coming to the farm house that a detachment of Hildebrand’s bushwhackers were lurking in the neighborhood, and I at once concluded that I had fallen into their power. “They had surrounded the house, and escape was imposible. Frank and myself were soon bound to our chairs at the mercy of the rascals. “They did not attempt to plunder the house. Perhaps they had some respect for Mr. Tooke’s principles, but nothing he could say prevailed upon the fellows to release their prisoners. “I heard that after the first burst of excitement was over Miss Brady, Frank’s betrothed, seemed to become strangely composed.

“Bhe w hispered a few words in the ear of Mr. Tooke, and then left the room. “The old man came up to the leader of the gang and invited him to partake of a cold collation and some liquor he had that dav procured. “This offer was accepted at once, and the outlaws were very merry for half an hour—so loDg as the liquor lasted—but they were carelul to have a guard upon us, and no opportunity presented itself for our escape. “At last they prepared to leave the house, and we were led into the yard and mounted upon a pair of poor horses behind two powerful ruffians. The band rode off at a good pace, which was kept up until we arrived at n thick wood upon the bank of a river, five miles from Mr. Tooke’s residence. “This seemed to be the rendezvous of the gang, for fires were smoldering and a few camp utensils were scattered about upon the ground. “Dismounting, the horses were picketed.

and the marauders prepared ♦ * 'urn in for the night. “Blankets were furnished us, but we were not in a condition to court sleep with any success. “Mercy was an article to be expected from the gang only so long as it suited their inclinations; they were liable to drag us to execution at tb least alarm. “Guards were set around the camp, and soon all was quiet. “An hour or more dragged away. Y’ou may imagine how pleasant I felt with the prospect of meeting a miserable death in the morning. “Disgrace was certain at least, for I would be carried away into the mountains, far off from my command. The prospect of release was small, for there was no exchange of prisoners with the guerrilla band. “But suddenly I heard a slight noise at my side. We lay at the foot of a tree, wrapped in our blankets, side by side. By the smoldering light of the fire I saw a hand appear from behind the tree. “It rested upon Frank’s shoulder, while a voice said: “ ‘Be quiet—help is near.’ “The young fellow started violently, his lips parted, and I feared he would alarm the foes.

“But he choked back his astonishment, and soon recognized the speaker as Miss Brady. “ ‘Are your hands free?’ she asked in a whisper. “ ‘No,’ returned Frank in the same tone. “She moved cautiously forward and severed the bands. I was soon afterward released. “ ‘Where is the sentinel?’ I asked, still lying in the same position, ‘and tell us how you came here, that we may know how to proceed.’ “ ‘The fellow is upon the other side of the camp, upon the ground; I believe he is asleep.’ “ ‘But who is with you?’ asked Frank; ‘you did not come alone.’ “‘A negro servaut is all. I have horses, though; you must slip away.’ “We rose ud carefully from the ground, and slipped away after Miss Brady, who led the way toward the horses. “As we reached the place where they stood, the young woman gave an exclamation of startled surprise, and turned back quickly. “ ‘There’s the sentinel,’ she whispered “Lookiug forward, I saw the shadow of a tall man but a few feet distant.

“He was coming directly toward us, and, as his eyes were fastened upon me, I knew my presence had been discovered. “Determined to resist recapture, I moved forward. “He mistook me for one of his comrades probably, for he came directly up to me without a word. “I knew that I would be recognized immediately, and resolved to take advantage of the man’s ignorance of my intent. “As be came within reach I leaped upon him and seized his throat. “He gave a yell of surprise and fear; but Frank came to my assistance and the ruffian was soon silent. “But his yell had aroused the camp, and we heard the outlaws run to their weapons and answer the sentinel with wild cries. “ ‘Come on,’ cried Miss Brady, running forward toward the point where the horses were concealed. “We soon came upon a negro who held three horses, and an instant later were in the saddle. “As wo galloped out of the woods the bushwhackers were at our heels. “The horses we rode were poor, and, as one was double loaded, escape would have been impossible had it not been for the fortunate arrival of a posse of soldiers from the camp. “The mauraders at once ran off at the appearance of re-enforcements, and we saw them no more. “Half an hour later we reached Mr. Tooke’s farmhouse, when Miss Brady gave the following account of her plan: “When she saw her lover captured by the guerrillas, she had hurried to the negro quarters, and dispatched a hoy to the camp for aid.

“This was a good move, as the plunderers would not have been easily discovered; but the girl was plucky, and as she saw the men preparing to quit the place with their prisoners, she, with the aid of a negro, equipped the steeds, and followed upon the trail. “The remainder had been accomplished with ease; for the gang expected nothing of the sort, and were off their guard. “But it is not every young woman nowadays that would display so much resolution and courage.”— Chicago Ledger.