United States or Greenland ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Well, it is rather necessary to have some at home to look out for the women and children, and to raise food for the army and the people," replied the colonel with a smile, as he began to fathom the idea of the questioner. "It seems to me that Colonel Halliburn is right in the main, though he might be able to spare a portion of his men," added the major.
Halliburn told the lieutenant that the marauders had threatened to hang him if he did not tell where his money was concealed. He had told them the truth, that there was no money in the house; but they refused to believe him, and had been searching the house for the last hour.
"What does that report mean, Captain Gordon?" inquired Colonel Halliburn, as soon as the two scouts had dashed down the column. "I am sure I don't know; but if I should infer anything from the appearance of a force at this time, it would be that it was another company of Confederate cavalry," replied the captain.
Captain Gordon and Colonel Halliburn were behind the farmer's house, where they had retired, not to avoid the bullets of the enemy, but to obtain a position where they could see without being seen. The horse of the former stood on a knoll, from which his rider could look over the corner of the low building, and the latter was at his side.
"I am Lieutenant Ripley, commanding in the absence of Captain Halliburn the Home Guards, all loyal men, and we give you a Kentucky welcome," said the officer of the Guards, saluting the captain. "What can we do for you?" "You can take these guerilla prisoners off our hands, for they are a nuisance to us," replied Captain Gordon with a smile.
Halliburn expressed herself in the same terms; and the young officer hastened away, attended by Win Milton, who was going to the home of Colonel Halliburn, to assure himself of the safety of Grace Morgan. "What shall we do with all these guns and pistols, Lieutenant?" asked Win, as he pointed to the pile of them in the hall. "Anything you like; I don't want them.
The soldiers, the prisoners, and the horses had all been fed, and it seemed to be time for the next movement. "That is Colonel Halliburn coming," said Milton. "Is his title simply an honorary one, or is he a military man?" inquired the captain. "He has been the leading man in the militia for thirty years, though he has never been in active service," replied Milton.
The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion. The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them. Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.
The latter warned her as he had the man not to speak, and then asked the guide who she was, while both of them began at once to remove her bonds. "Mrs. Halliburn," replied Win, who assisted her to rise as soon as she was liberated. "Now, Win, if you wish to go and find your horse, I can spare you, though I should like very well to have you remain longer."
"Them's the prisoners tooken over at the mansion of Mr. Halliburn, half a mile from here," replied Life, as they approached the location of the wounded Union soldiers. Dr. Barlow had informed Deck of the coming of the first platoon, and he had mounted his horse to go out and meet them.
Word Of The Day