Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1904 — IN THE DEBATABLE LAND. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IN THE DEBATABLE LAND.

BY EDWARD S. ELLIA

ccJPyrkTAt

RY THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 111. A PRISONER OF WAR. Lieutenant Oakuian’s mare was as quick as her rider to i>erceive their danger. She whirled like lightning and started down the edge of the wood with the speed of the wind. Had the officer been given a moment’s warning, he would have turned her into the trail and made for the open highway beyond. But the shifting of position caused by her advance nj>on the negro lad took her away from the most promising opening, while the Confederate, who had ordered the lieutenant to surrender, was nearer the path than the officer. Consequently to make for it would have been to rush upon his fate. Oakinan knew he would be fired upon the moment he refused to surrender. He threw himself forward on the neck of his mare and jammed his spur with cruel force into her ribs, while he drew his revolver and held it ready for use the instant the necessity should arise. The rifle aimed at the rider rang out, but though the shot grazed hiß head he was unharmed. “Now, Fanny, do your best. My fate rests with you 1 ’ ’ And Fanny did do her best. She was going like an arrow along the margin of the cotton field toward the drowsy mansion and the winding highway beyond. Had she darted into the wood on her left she might have distracted the aim of her master’s enemies, but she would have become inextricably involved among the trees and undergrowth. She preferred the open, with its greater peril, for it Was there that her supple limbs had full play, and never did she do her duty more gallantly. But those graybacks knew how to shoot. Nothing would have been easier than to have brought down the mare, thus securing the rider, but every southerner is a prime judge of horseflesh, and their purpose was to obtain both man and animal. Lieutenant Oakman was no more than fairly started on bis fierce flight, when the sharp crack of a second rifle rang out, and this time the bullet hit the target. It felt to the rider as if a flaming needle had ripped along his right arm, so benumbing flesh and muscle that the revolver dropped front his nerveless grasp. lie knew he bad caught it from that second bullet, but he did not change bis posture on bis living mare nor weaken in his resolution to get away from bis enemies. It was useless to prick her side with the bloody spur, for she was doing her utmost. Still unharmed, she would quickly hear her rider beyond rifle range if there was no interference. Unfortunately.that interference came at the critical moment. She checked her flight and wheeled to one side with such 'quickness that any one less than a perfect horseman would have been flung headlong from bis saddle. That which checked her was the apparition of a man who leaped out from the edge of the wood directly in front of her and, with his gun held at a dead level, called: “No use, Yank! Haul down the star spangled banner qnicker’n lightning or up to glory you got' 4 The lieutenant bad no' carbine, and bis sword was useless. There was no passing that grim figure in slouch hat and tattered gray uniform who “had the drop’’, on him. if any one man ever held another at such disadvantage. “I surrender, Johnny. You’ve got it in for in«' this time. " “I reckon so. It’s a sqnur’ deal. No aces up your sleeve?’’ persisted the

Confederate, who was not quite free of suspicion and held his gun in a threatening position. “Yes; it’s all in the open. I’m yonr prisoner.” “That’s a powerful fine piece of horseflesh you’ve got there, Yank. Reckon she was stole from some southerner. ” “No; she was sent to me by a friend who bought her in the bine grass region in Kentucky. She cost fI,OOO in good honest money.” “Which is to say the coin of the same was Confederate paper. ” “Had it been, the coat would have been abont a million and a half.” The Confederate’s face was covered with immense whiskers, which concealed everything below his ooee and tem-

pies, tmt ne now displayed a yawning cavern throngh the mass like the rent beyond the wooded hedge, and his massive shoulders shook with inirth. He could tHke as well as give in the matter of chaffing. “Reckon you ain’t fur out the way, Yank, hut you can’t say I stole the critter from you, ’cause she’s captured in war. ” “Much as I regret to do so, I must admit that your position is logical.” “Tim and me will have to take turns in riding, fnr we both lost our mounts in the scrimmage with you folks yesterday. Great thunder, I didn’t s’pect that!” The Confederate had lowered his gun and, stepping forward, placed his hand on the bridle rein of Fanny, who was panting from her exertion, but was gentle, as if she understood that she, too, had surrendered. As the man advanced he looked toward the Union officer and saw that the sleeve of his right arm was crimsoned and that a number of scarlet drops showed on the knee of his blue trousers. Instantly the whole interest of the captor was transferred to the wounded prisoner. “Climb down and let me have a look at that, pardner. Give me hold of t’other hand. ” “I really don’t think it amonnts to mneh,” replied the lientenant, who nevertheless accepted the proffered help. As he dropped on his feet he was nearly overcome with dizziness, but mastered himself before his enemy and friend observed the proof of weakness. Meanwhile two other persons arrived on the spot. One was Tim Masters, the comrade of Jim Ackers, who had captured Lieutenant Oakman, and the other was the negro lad Rastus, who in his great haste to reach the scene had fallen several times. Ho gaped, silent and open mouthed, at the three men. “We mnst have a look at that, Yank,” said Tim, Hie new arrival, “and being it was my bullet that pinked you I’ll take charge.” Oakman reached out his arm, and with his huge knife Tim had drawn from somewhere he deftly slashed the sleeve from elbow to wrist, allowing the stained cloth to flap down, like the fragment of a torn sail. The shirt sleeve was quickly ripped and the hurt exposed. The bullet had plowed throngh the fleshy part of the forearm, entering near the elbow and passing out at the wrist. The peculiar numbness indicated that a bone had been touched, though Oakman did not think it was broken. “A pretty fair shot.” observed Masters, after a rude bandage had been applied, “seeing that’s just what I aimed to do. You see, I had iny eye ou that piece of horseflesh aud didn’t want to hurt her. As for you.” he added, with a curious twinkle of his eyes, “I thought you was too good looking a Yank to send to kingdom come, though I’ve done something in that lino during my time. So I thought I’d just knock out your bridle hand. ” “You did it, ” calmly replied the prisoner. “Hope yon ain’t feeling powerful bad, Yank.” “No. It might have been a good deal worse, and I thank you for being so careful of my life. ” “It hain't always been that way. Whew, hut ain’t she a beauty!” All the interest of Tim Masters went like a flash to the mare, whose pretty eyes Wandered from one man to another, as if she could not quite understand what it all signified. Suddenly Jim Ackers extended his broad hand and closed the outstretched fingers ou the back of Rastus, just between the shoulders. As he did so, he lifted him high in air, and, assuming an awful frown, said in his fiercest tones: “Run right to the house and tell the folks to get ready to receive a wounded Yank. If they want to know his name, say he’s General Sherman or Kilpatrick, yon don’t know which. Tell ’em, too, that he’ll bo there powerful soon. Do you hear me?” Inasmuch as the terrified Rastus would have heard the words if a half mile away, the questiou was really uncalled for. The urchin replied in the affirmative, and, his dangling legs finding support on solid earth, he broke into the most rapid run of which he was capable, straight for the mansion of General Arthur Eldridge. CHAPTER IV. ACROSS THE THRESHOLD. Fate frowned upon Lieutenant Oakman that afternoon in eastern Georgia. There was more in this side expedition upon which he had ventured than Lis captors suspected. He was engaged on momentous business, but all prospect of success seemed to have vanished with his capture. As the three men moved along the cotton field toward the mansion of General Eldridge, with the mare Fanny following as obediently as a well trained dog, the thought of the prisoner went to Sam Borland, the scout who had accompanied him on hia perilous enterprise. The two had separated, bnt, as has been shown, remained in sight of each other. What had become of Borland and what was he doing while hia superior stood in such imminent need of help?

He mnst have heard the Sound of firing and conld not fail to know the extremity of the lieutenant. Why was he idle or calmly watching his comrade as he plodded painfully forward with a Confederate captor on either hand ? Borland had no superior as a sharpshooter in the American army, while his intrepidity had been complimented more than once by Kilpatrick, Slocum and General Sherman himself. Had it been otherwise he would not have been selected as the companion of the New England officer on this delicately dangerous enterprise. Oakman expected the interference of the scout, who could readily pick off one of the captors and thus place .himself on even terms with the other, but the fragments of cotton bolls slowly swept to the rear of the trio, and Borland gave no sign. When the prisoner looked backward for the third time, pretending he was commiserating his mare, the bushy whiskers around the mouth of Jim Ackers twitched in a way that showed he was grinning. He said, with a chuckle: “I allow you won’t see him yet awhile, leftenant. ” “Whom do you mean?” asked Oakman, impressed with a sudden fear. “That scout of yourn. He’s out the ring.” “Dead?” “Not exactly, but he was gathered in before you. ’ ’ “How did it happen? That’s too bad,” was the bitter comment of the captive. “I reckon it is from yonr p’int of view, but you didn’t think, leftenant, did yon, that Tim and me are the only Johnny rebs in this part of the country ? There’s more than 20 of us scouting through these parts, and, Yank, we were waiting for you. ” A frightful dread passed through the frame of the wounded officer. He felt his pale face flush under a fear that until that moment was a stranger to him, for the manner and the words of Jim Ackers hinted of treachery very near to headquarters. Was it possible? If the intimation of his captor was based on fact, the dread that Lieutenant Oakman felt was not for himself, but for another. The fate of that individual might well make the bravest man shudder. The officer looked appealingly at Ackers, and the rugged fellow answered with a solemn wink of the eye. Had not the prisoner been suffering acutely from his wound he might have felt more hopeful, but it seemed to him that the disaster which impended was irretrievable. With native American pluck, however, he set his teeth, resolved to brave it throngh to the end. Meanwhile it was becoming evident every minute that the wound in his arm was more serious than at first supposed. There was little bleeding throngh the crude bandage, but the pain and partial numbness showed that it needed

skilled attention, and delay in receiving snch might imperil the life of the prisoner. His captors were roughly considerate, but he repressed the evidence of suffering so resolutely that they did not suspect his distress. The three were within 100 yards of the building when Jim Ackers called a halt. Facing the prisoner, he asked: “Yank, who are you?” Lieutenant Oakman gave his name and rank. “I’m free to allow that Tim and me like your looks. You’ve got sand, and I respect that sort of chap, even if his uniform is the color of yourn. If you warn't hurt, we’d take you to where that scout of yourn has been took. But you’ve been winged, and in these days, when we’re in the eaddle or on the jump all the time, you’d be only a bother. I s’pose we could exchange you after awhile, but that, too, is a nuisance. Consequently, as aforesaid, the easiest way out is to take your parole. ” Lieutenant Oakman nodded to signify he understood. “I presume you intend to leave me at this house?” Ackers in turn nodded. “It will be unpleasant to the inmates to have an enemy, even if wounded, thrust upon them as a guest. ’ ’ “Don’t give yourself any worriment about that. That’s our part of the business. Now, let’s have the parole. ” There was not much formality about it Lieutenant Oakman merely gave his word of honor to consider himself a lawful prisoner of war, and, if recaptured by his own friends, he would not take up arms against the Southern Confederacy until regularly exchanged. While the simple proceedings were under way, the negro boy Rastas was observed standing near the end of the mansion some rods distant, attentively watching them. When they were through, he beckoned with great vigor, and the party passed under the shade trees, around the end of the long, low structure and ascended the ample porch.

Mrs. Genera! Eldridge, calm, matronly and still handsome, was prepared for what was coming, for she had rightly interpreted the astounding message of Rastus. In her severely plain dress and the silvery hair brushed away from her smooth forehead, she was standing near the steps, and at her side was her daughter, as calm and collected as her parent. If the thunder of war had not long been heard among these southern homes, the years of dread expectancy and anguish had burned its woeful lesson into every heart. The young woman was barely out of her teens, bnt her mind had been matured far beyond her years in the bitterest of all schools. It was too early for the silver to show in the silken mass of hair that in its midnight blackness rivaled the eyes and the dark complexion glowed with a health and strength that forbade the shadow of a wrinkle. She was of slight stature, showing in feature the best physical characteristics of each parent Jim Ackers, who did all the talking for himself and comrade, presented the prisoner to the ladies and explained his wishes. At the moment of confronting them the lieutenant removed his cap and stood with bared head blushing deeply. “This is wholly involuntary on my part.” he hastened to explain. “It pains me inexpressibly to be forced thus upon you. If you have the slightest objection, I beg you to say so and I 6hall not cross your threshold. ” “Mr. Ackers knew when he brought you here that you would be received. My husband was treated kindly when a prisoner. You belong to my enemies. But you are injured. It is poor comfort we can offer, but such as it is you are welcome. .Please enter. ” The graciousness of manner which accompanied these words was like a gentle benison. Lieutenant Oakman could hardly check his tears when, declining the air offered by his captors, he passed np the steps, cap still in hand There was something in the sweet words that recalled his own mother as he last saw her in the faraway New England home when she kissed her soldier boy goodby. In a choking voice he murmured, “Thank you I” and. waving a farewell to the grizzled men still standing at the foot of the steps, he followed the ladies into thebroad. roomy apartment where they had been seated sewing and waiting, waiting, waiting, when Rastus burst upon them with the startling news of a wounded “Linkum’s man” who would soon reach the door. “I feel meaner than I can express,’ thought Lieutenant Oakman when he accepted this typical southern hospitality. “for. in welcoming me to their home, they have no suspicion of the whole truth. The best man does not know what a miserable scoundrel he can become "until he makes the honest effort for himself. ’ To be continued.

“Haul down the star spangled banner quteker’n lightning.”

She wok standing near the steps, and at her side was her daughter.