TALES OF ADVENTURE FOR YOUNG FOLKS Weekly. By Subscription-$2.50 per year. Entered as Second Class Matter at New York Post Office by STREET & SMITH, 278 William St., N. Y. _ Price, Five Cents. DQ © Kav) © 3 h ‘COME WE’RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE GUNS. REMEMBER ELIZSWORTH!’’ CRIED PHIL. TALES OF ADVENTURE FOR YOUNG FL \ Lssued Weemly. By Subser. ibtion $2.50 per year. ; Entered as Second Class Matter ie the N. VY. Post Office, by STREET & SMITH, 23° Willianz St., N. ¥, ‘Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1901, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, i Cy NEW YORK, May 25,1901. Price Five Cents. . By CAPT. HENRY DALE, U. S. A. CHAPTER TI. A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. ' “Upon my word, Phil Stirling, pleasure!” - The : young man of nineteen years, paused abruptly, with ex- this is an unexpected speaker, a rather smart-looking, well- formed tended hand, before a brown-featured lad of seventeen, whose uniform bore the distinguishing mark of a ser- geant in Uncle Sam’s cavalry. “Harley Thorpe!” exclaimed Phil, in evident surprise. “Exactly, my dear fellow. Harley Thorpe, at your Service. You're not too proud to shake hands, are you?” A slight sneer curled the lip of the new-comer, who wore a spick and span uniform in the same line of serv- ice as the lad addressed. “Why, where did you come. from?’ said the young cavalryman, extending his hand in a not over-cordial Matiner. ? “Why, New York, of course,” replied the other, with an air of importance. “Do you suppose I could tolerate such a backwood’s sort of place as Pine Grove all my life? Not much; I’m not built that way, thank you.” “You've enlisted, I see, said Phil, with a sy smile, “and in our company, too, if I'm not mistaken.’ mest but as soon as I found out that so many chaps I know I came down here with the New York Bia, were here in Chester’s command, succeeded in getting myself transferred. Besides, you know,” he said, with a wink, “I prefer riding to walking, and the cavalry suits my constitution much better than the line.” Seon, I see.” This dialogue took place near the picket line of the camp of the Pine Grove company, just back of the Capi- ‘tol at Washington. TSOP ey u Private Thorpé had neglected’ one of the first duties of The time was sundown, May 23, a soldier on this occasion, namely, to salute his official superior; but this might have been owing to the surprise. at meeting an old acquaintance. His father was a justice of the peace and editor and proprie- tor of the Clarion. Harley had been born and raised in Pine Crave pensive ideas of his own importance, went to New York some months before the first gun of the Civil War aroused the North. fancy craved, and was soon in what is popularly known Tie found the metropolis all that his as “the swim.” He was graduating fast in all the small vices of a great city when Fort Sumter was fired on. Harley and several of his boon companions were car- ried away by the excitement of the time and enlisted in a regiment bound for the front. His associates, how- ever, grew lukewarm when the regiment reached Phila- delphia, and quietly gave the command the slip. Young | Thorpe came on to Washington, and, finding a company from Pine Grove there, got himself transferred. Phil Stirling was an exceedingly good-looking young man of seventeen years, a native cf Pine Grove, a small just north of the town Savage Mountains, across the bor- Ger line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. At the first call pany of t for troops by the President, he enlisted in a com- mounted men raised by Captain Chester in his native village. Thiet remarkable sergeant by a cs ad already. wen his warrant as a adventure in the suburbs of Washington only a iew days previous. Phil was just retutning from an official trip to the provost. marshal, when he encountered Mr. Harley Thorpe as stated. He was not particularily pleased to meet Harley. The latter, who in’ Pine Grove had been hand in glove with Judge Berry’s son, Orton, and oa of the same stripe, had been accustomed to give Phi is termed. the ‘frozen face,” as it His present change oi front, now that the two were in the army, our hero last for a time; besides, sttuch about the editor’s argued, could only there was “son that Phil had good reason not to adtiire, er was not a “‘goody-goody” lad, but a perfect type of a ad young troop Phil S¢ a8 Senling. Young Thorpe, having rather ex-~ stalwart, honest, Q : COMRADES. a courageous American boy, who felt himself above any mean action and judged others on their merits. “I beg your pardon, my dear fellow,” said Thorpe, with a peculiar smile: “I overlooked the fact that you are ny re in rank. Allow me to congratulate and salute you.’ Harley did so in stereotyped fashion, ‘and Phi, wee was growing annoyed at the young man 's effusive. fa- miliarity, thought he detected an implied sneer in the words. ce aa a “You will have to excuse me, Private Thorpe,” he said. “I must report at the captain's tent.” Phil turned upon his heel with military precision, ae walked toward:t ean! pleasant manner, “I must see to it that your spurs are By what be elevated above the rest, I’d like to know? the Pine Grove camp. ee said Harley, looking after our hero in no very cut, my young fighting cock! right has he to Who was” While I— vonder if Orton Berry came along with this. I rather doubt it. I'll see, | Tl not be lonesome, anyway, for I observe several of my old pals he, anyway, inPine Grove? - A nobody. pshaw! I crowd? nowever, yonder. I wonder how they fancy having that chap or- Well, sec,” he concluded, darkly, as he slowly followed in the dering them about? we shall see what we shall footsteps of Sergeant Stirling, An hour later a breeze of excitement: ae the camp of the Pine Grove company, when it beame known that Captain Chester had received orders to strike his tents about midnight and move down to the Navy Yard, whence they were to accompany the Fire Zouaves, Col- oncl Elisworth, across the Potomac, to occupy. Alexan- dria, then held by the Confederates. - “W-w-what inquired Sergeant Bunce, when Phil Stirling sprang the isi\tiab you, sayz” intelligence upon his tent mates. Phil repeated his statement. | a “You d-d-don’t say so?” exclaimed the non-commis- sioned officer, im-great excitement. “This is w-w-what lve been w-w-w-waiting for. -G-g-glory hallelulah!”? best news dat 1's heard. fer seberal days,” said Private Jupiter oe Jones, who was our hero’s s ‘Golly, Til “low dat am de elf ee general a sistant, grinning “Yes,” said Phil, “ior my part Inv tired of this inac- tion. ‘When we: first ae here. tae | air. was. full-of rumors of the Confederates advancing to: capture Wash- ington, But that has blown over... ‘The. capital is. safe enough. I fancy the boct will soon be on the other leg” “Weat ver mean by dat; Marse Phil?’ “Why, simply that General Scott will soon be order- ing an advance on Richmond.” “I g-g-guess that'll be the t-t-ticket,”’ stuttered Bunce, pulling out his pipe for a smoke. ‘‘I w-w-wouldn’t, be s-s-surprised if the w-w-war’s over in a c-c-couple of months.” “I reckon dat w’en we gets ‘cross der *Tomac we'll go t’rough dem yer Confeds jes’ like greas’d lightnin’. I’s powerful glad ter hear dat we’s gwine ter make er move. Tl “low dat I’s pinin’ fer er whiff er powder.” “I’m thinkin’ you're in a fair way of getting accom- modated, Jupe,” said Phil. “Bress de Lawd fer dat!” replied the negro, resuming his industrious occupation of polishing his belt and car- tridge box by the light of a small candle set into the neck of a rum bottle. “I suppose you remember Harley Thorpe, of Pine Grove, don’t you, Jupe?” 3 “Dat rooster dat always was so tick wid Orton Berry?’ “The same.’ “Tl ‘low dat I ain't forgot um.” “He's joined the company.” “Ts dat er fac’? Whar de debbil did um come from?” “New York. He came down with the Eighth Regi- ment, and got himself transferred.” “Deed I’s sorry ter heer dat, Marse Phil. He hold um cocoanut so high in town dat I’s ‘feered he'll be kinder j’alous ob yer, kase you's an ossifer, an’ dat he’ll make hisself noxious.” “The trouble’ll be on his side, if he invites it,” said the “Tf he’s got any nonsense in his But I’m going to turn in for a nap, Jupe, and I advise you to do the same. We move down to the Navy Yard at young trooper, firmly. head the service’ll soon take it out in short order. midnight.” COAT Tike i. PHIL'’S RACE FOR THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE. Precisely at midnight the bugle call aroused the Pine Grove company to action. Tents were struck in good shape, and with commendable dispatch, arid all camp equipage snugly stowed in the wagons. COMRADES. | 8 nm Inside of thirty minutes the troopers took up their line of march for the Navy Yard, where they duly ar- rived, and Captain Chester reported to Colonel Ells- worth. There was considerable activity at the yard consequent upon the embarkation of the Fire Zouaves. Notwith- standing the darkness, Phil had ample opportunity of observing that these jauntily-dressed fellows made up a. fine body of hardy, resolute men, who looked like fight- ers to the core. There were over a thousand of them picked by the gallant Ellsworth from the volunteer firemen of New York, because he thought that men accustomed to a rough life and exposed to hardships were best calculated for hard fighting and all of the privations which are inseparable from an active soldier’s life. While Phil was taking in this scene, so full of life and noveity to him, Captain Chester rode up. “Sergeant Stirling, you are detached on special serv- ice, and will report at once to Colonel Ellsworth.” Phil saluted his superior, and was directed where to find the commander of the division. “You will act as my aide, Sergeant Stirling, colonel, when the young trooper rode up to his quarters “Your captain recommends you’ as a 3). said the and reported. young man of great activity and address. Besides, I have heard of you before, sergeant, and I am satisfied you are just the person [ want.” , ' Phil felt a glow of satisfaction in this commendation. He was positively proud because he had teen singled out to serve this gallant officer, of whom he had_ heard the most flattering things. Indeed, Colonel Ellsworth was almost a mere boy in years—just twenty-four—and as handsome as a picture. The embarkation took pace at two in the morning, and they reached Alexandria at early dawn. The regi- ment landed in companies, Colonel Ellsworth, with Phil by his side, being at the head of his men. The young cavalryman was immediately sent to find the adjutant, with instructions to that officer to form the regiment in line, which he accomplished. Company E and half of the Pine Grove troopers were dispatched to the depot to tear up the tracks leading out. of Alexandria. Colonel Ellsworth then started post- haste toward the center of the town to destroy the means of communication by telegraph with Ricamond—a Se | COMRADES. meastire which he appeared to regard as very seriously. important. Phil was sent to Company A for a file of men to fol- low him in double-quick time, and the whole party, which included the chaplain of the regiment, in uniform, and a couple of newspaper correspondents, started up the street toward the telegraph office. They passed quickly through the streets and were nearing their objective point when the colonel, first of all, caught sight of a Confederate flag flaunting in in- solent defiance from the roof of the Marshall House, a gmall hotel on the corner of Pitt and King streets, Phil observed the flush that spread over the gallant _ officer’s face as he tersely called a halt, and then directed the sergeant in charge of the file of Zouaves to go back and order up the whole company. ‘ . said Ells- worth, and he started across the street, closely followed ‘We must have that flag, Sergeant Stirling,” by the youthful trooper and the rest of the party. “Shall I go to the roof and take it down, colonel?” said Phil, anxious to show his zeal, although he felt it was a dangerous honor. “You will follow me, sergeant,’ replied Ellsworth, calmly, as he mounted the steps leading to the open doorway. They were confronted by a surly-looking man, in bis shirt and trousers, who seemed at first inclined to resent the intrusion, but on observing the file of Zouaves drawn up upon the sidewalk, concluded not to. . “Who raised that flag on the roof of this building, sir?’ demanded the colonel. “T dunno nethin’ about Hu retorted the fellow, in sulky tones. — : “Are you the proprietor ei this placer’. MONG A aint. “Who are you, anyway 2” “Tm a boarder,” Phil observed a nasty flash in the man’s eyes, and he was inclined to the belief that the fellow was lying. “That rascal is dangerous,” he said to himself, as he ? followed the coloncl up the staircase. | No time was lost i in reaching the topmost story, where, by means of a ladder, they proceeded to clamber to the rocd. : F . “You have a knite, sergeant?” said Ellsworth, turning inquiringly to the young cavalryman, Phil handed up a jackknife and the colonel quickly cut the halyards and hauled the flag down. Winding the Confederate ensign around his left arm, Ellsworth descended to where the others stood in the loft. Then, preceded by the single private who had ac- companied the party up, and immediately followed by Phil, the gallant commander of the Fire Zouaves con- tinued his descent toward the ground floor. — The first landing or entry was distinctly gloomy, and just as the private in advance stepped down, Phil’s quick eyes saw a shadow crouching in a dark passage that led off to the right.: Almost on the instant the figure sprang out into the passage and leveled a double-barreled. gun at the col- onel’s breast. “Great Scot! centrated tone of warning. Simultaneously with the shout came a flash ae a stunning report, and the charge of buckshot entered Ellsworth’s heart, killing him instantly, for he fell for- ward on his face with that heavy, horrible, headlong weight which aways comes of sudden death inflicted in this manner, his life blood saturating the Confederate . flag. Phil recognized the ew in the flash of the gun, as the surly man they had encountered on entering the house, and. his early suspicions concerning the rascal had come fatally true. ; The man turned to give the contents of the other bar- rel to the private, but either he could not command his aim or the Zouave was too quick with him, for the slugs went over his head and passed through, the panels and wainscot of a door which sheltered some sleeping lodgers. S Simultaneously with the second shot, and sounding like the echo of the first, the Zouave’s rifle was heard, and the assassin staggered backward. He was hit ex- actly in the middle of the face. ae As the man dropped, the Zouave thrust his sabre bayonet through and through the body, the force of the blow sending the dead man violently down the upper section of the second flight of stairs. | The sudden tragedy almost paralyzed the little party. The chaplain and the newspaper men turned the col- onel over and endeavored to revive him, but in vain. : Quite a number of hallways opened. at the point where Look out!” ejaculated Phil, in a con-. the Unionists stood, and from the opening doors and through the passages Phil discerned a sufficient number of forms to assure him that his party was dreadfully in the minority. -. It was a moment of imminent peril. -The private had reloaded his rifle and Phil drew his tevolver. Together they stood at the foot of the stairs in the uncertain light and menaced the gathering crowd in the passages, but the young trooper expected every moment to be dazzled by the flash of arms, and perhaps feel the impact of a bullet. At this thrilling moment there came the sound of rapidly ascending feet on the stairs below. Friends or foes? Their fate probably hung on this query. Phil felt his muscles tighten up. He was prepared to sell his life dearly. Perhaps at that instant he thought of his dear old mother in faraway Pine Grove; of Win- nie Day, his boyish sweetheart; of Ralph, his cousin and chum, who had taken up the cause of the South from a ‘sense of honest conviction. ‘The recollection of a. life- time, they say, flashes across one’s mind when deadly - peril menaces. The answer came quickly in the shape of three ' Zouaves, attracted from the sidewalk by the shots. It was a blessed. relief and reinforcement in this emer- gency, yet little enough should the lodgers of the house, ~ who were flocking to the scene, take it into their heads to attack the Union party. At that instant Phil thought of the gallant Ellsworth’s object in penetrating the town—the disarrangement of telegraphic communication with Richmond. Phil knew - that the dead colonel had reckoned the matter as of the utmost importance. How much hung upon its proper accomplishment the lad could not know; but from the stress laid upon the matter by Ellsworth he guessed that -every moment was precious looking toward that end. W ho was to do this now? Why not he? Yet dare he push ahead alone through the streets that were fast filling with excited and antagonistic citizens ? “It was his duty. Why, then, should he hesitate? His ‘brave colonel had lost his life bat now, in the execution of his allegiance to the old flag he had sworn to uphold. Should he be less active in the service of his country ? Hise decision was made at once, and gripping his re- volver firm! y te spta ang dow nstairs, pushing aside many COMRADES. ae persons om the. lower floors who indirectly barred his passage, Once in the street he rushed in the direction: of the telegraph office, whose locality he had learned through the colonel’s conversation. oe: His haste, of cotirse, attracted immediate attention. Many passers-by cursed the uniform he wore; others sought to detain him on general principles, but were scared off by the revolver and his resolute manner. Curiosity soon attracted a crowd at his heels. Several miscreants hurled stones at him. The mob increased in numbers and in opposition. His situation was fast b2- coming perilous, : “One block more!” he muttered, putting on a fresh 299 burst of speed. “Can I make it before I’m headed off: The turmoil and excitement behind him rose in in- tensity. Windows were raised on every hand. Early storekeepers came to their doors to gaze and wonder at the strange spectacle of a lad in blue pursued by a hundred or two people in disorderly confusion. What did it all mean? The loyal-hearted pitied him, but dared not interiere. But a short time ago the thor- oughfares of Alexandria were almost deserted; now, like magic, people, many only half clothed, were springing forth from doors, areas, and side streets, to join in the chase, without the least idea of the object of it all. Half a block more, yet the crowd was fast closing in upon the heroic lad. Several people made unsuccessful efforts to head him off, but a flourish of the revolver pe their intentions to flight. A stone struck Phil on the side of the head and drew blood. The crowd howled with triumph as it perceived its quarry staggered from the cowardly shock. But Phil was far from, conquered. He was built of the stuff of which heroes are made. He would attain his object or die in the attempt. It was a desperate ad- venture and he did not underestimate it. His blood was fired with the recollection of the tragic end of the gallant Ellsworth. His pulse beat at fever heat. He had no fear for the consequences of the act he was bent on committing. He would destroy com- munication with the South in the face of that mob if given streneth to reach his destination. : He was ready to die in the execution of a duty his country demanded. Crack! 6 , i A pistol- shot « came from the closed blind of an upper story. The bullet passed through Phil’s cap and carried a curl of hair with it. But now. only fifty yards intervened between Phil and athe telegraph office. Could he reach it? CHAPTER Tit: MENACED BY A MOB. The operator was standing at the door of.the office, which was at the junction of two streets, when Phil . dashed from the center of the street to the sidewalk and from: the sidewalk into the telegraph offiee. He pushed the operator to one side with very little ceremony, slammed the door, turned the key in the lock, and removed it. As he did so the advance guard of pursuers came up and flattened their noses against the glass. They tried the door, shook it in their fury, and began to howl like maniacs. “Hullo, what do you want?” exclaimed the telegraph : dispatcher. “Keep quiet,” said Phil, darting behind the brass screen where the instruments were. . “Come out of that, confound you!” yelled the young. man, following at his heels. Phil, seeing breakers ahead, shoved his revolver into the operator’s face. | “What do you mean?” aeened the astonished dis- patcher, holding back at the sight of the weapon. Phil made no reply, but started in to disorganize the working arrangements of the office. “Here, young fellow; drop that! Are you crazy!” . cried the operator, ina great rage. “Stand back or I'll put a bullet into you!” “T’ll have you in jail in less than no time,” said the f e . , . ° ‘ young man, starting for the door with the intention of breaking it open. “Come back, or I’ll drop you!” cried Phil, now as cool as a cucumber, notwithstanding the fact that a dense crowd of people had by this time congregated outside and were howling like mad. They were evidently undecided whether or not to at- tempt a forcible entry. Had they caught the young trooper. outside they were ready enough to mob him; but when it came to invading public property no one t “COMRADES. - seemed willing to assume the responsibility of leadi ng the movement, So the crowd contented itself with do- ing what all undisciplined gatherings of people do under like circumstances—made the air ee with empty expressions of hopeless anger. The operator was now decidedly frightened. He was scared by the looks of the tumultuous mob outside, and cowed by the revolver of the young cavalry- man within. “Good Heavens! what does this mean, anyway o he exclaimed, in an agitated voice. “Keep quiet,” said Phil, ‘and you're safe. The Fed- eral troops have taken possession of the town, and my orders are to destroy telegraphic communication with the South. “Oh!” said the CeO dropping into a chair, “I'm a Northern man.’ “Tm glad to hear it. I'll make use of you, then, Empty those batteries.” “I’m afraid,” he gasped. “Of what?” “The mob.” “Never mind that. Do as I tell you. Tl shoot the first man that breaks in,” and Phil took up his position where he could cover the work of destruction. The operator reluctantly obeyed orders. “Now put the rest of the wires: out of gear,” com- manded Phil. “Y-e-s,” and he nervously began to do it. The young trooper kept his attention divided between the operator and the furious people who were glaring at him through the windows, shaking their fists, and threat- ening him with vengeance. ) Phil never felt so much a man as he did at that ex- citing moment. His nerves were braced to the emer- gency. He realized that his position was a perilous one; but his duty was clear, and he was going to carry it out to the letter. The cold-blooded murder of Colonel fiiswor was. e fresh in his eyes, and his blood tingled with indignation against his country’s enemies. The death of the assassin could scarcely be said to have avenged the crime. He did fear, however, that when the news reached the regi-. ment. that the Zouaves might break loose from disci- pline and a bloody scene be enacted’ in the Sifeets of Alexandria. . ‘culated by this time. ‘temper to view “House, as a marty “young operator. “they haven't forced an entrance oe ago. --mechatism. valley. the: alley: at the other end wa8'a stable. possible to climb, the rest of the distance. He ; judged that the news s of the tragedy was W ell cir- The crowd outs ide seemed in a ‘Jack Phil threw up ote - the sashes and viewed the rear A toll gate stood bétween the street and “A brick build- approaches. “Ing occupied part of the opposite line, a high fence, im- The tele- i: graph office side comprised the rear view A the build-" ings fronting on the main street. ‘The prospect was not encouraging. ae Phil it looked as ‘though he was ‘caught i ina trap. “Crash! Smash! na The mob was ‘now dent on ‘demolishing: the front of “the: ‘office in good Sateen > “Good Heavens, we shall be kitted!” _cjaclated the: ¢ o Paes terrified operator, oo ee eG i ce On os ADES. ; a wonder - I got you into th’s serepé, and Ne ot if I can a hete it: TM try and help you out. Comeon!”? ~— ue “Where are you going?” | “Into the alley.” } oe Just as he did: so the door of the office was forced, and the teice- Phil leaped from the window wie he oe trapher was surrounded by a batch of excited men, He was safc, though, for it was\not he they were after. — It was the lad in army blue. The young trooper’s mode. of exit was quickly per- ceived, and “a howl of execration followed him as he rai dowh the alley toward the stable. An inkling of the situation flew through the mob like wildfire,-and the more nimble of those without: began scaling the big gate and droppitig into the yard. Then those who had al- ready entered the Gffice began to join the tide as fast as they could get out at the windows. — As a last resource, Phil determined to stand at ba a against the stable and sell his life to the extent of the ‘six cartridges in his revolver. Phil tried the last two or three doors of the buildings ommunicating with the street; but they were locked. yard? very speedily he would certainly be kalled: co How could he leave the Unless he could do so Ah! There was a leader pipe running up to the gut- It he could « shin fewas ters under the roois of the buildings. up this frail ladder he might evade his pursuers. his only resource, and he quickly seized upon it, Fortunately there were windows on either side of the ‘A howl. from his pursuers in advance told’him that his scheme leader. They offered’ a foothold: at intervals. was understood. : A few stones and sticks were hurled at him; but he ‘reached the second story without mishap. He now found it necessary to discharge his revolver at the ad- vance guard. ne Byore® The purstiers scattered and retired a bit in confusion. This digression enabled him to clamber to the third story, where he stood on the window ledges, holding onto the pipe and gazing down at about fifty. rabid men, who hurled insults and other articles of a more substan- ‘tial nature as far as they could, none oe him’ but very small bit ts of gravel” H¥e saw the crowd surging over thé g*e ina rapid “stream, and- many clambering over distant yards toward the ‘stable inelosute.“1t was a scene to be remembered so COMRADES. by him: for many a day afterward, while he, the center of the picture, clung to the leader like a hunted criminal. : Fin ir Phil kicked in the window on the right, and the broken glass fell ina glistening shower. There was no time to be lost in inaction. Another lunge or two smashed the sash. He inserted his fingers, undid the old-fash- ioned fastening, pushed up the splintered frame, and amid the angry roar of the swelling mob disappeared into the building. In five minutes he pushed open the scuttle covering, and was seen to run along the sloping roofs of the anti- quated office block. A large part of the gathering in the yard immediately began to struggle to regain the street, and warning shouts were sent to those outside ac- quainting them with the fugitive’s progress, and the im-. mediate necessity of heading him off farther down. In front of the spot where Phil had paused to recon- noitre the situation, a scuttle was suddenly, raised and a’ stern-visaged man rose with a shotgun in his hands. “Throw up your hands, soldier,” he exclaimed, raising the weapon, “or take the consequences!’’ a Phil, on the spur of the moment, concluded to take the consequences, and quickly raised his revolver. reports sounded as one. The two The shotgun charge swept past the Yankee trooper’s head and he staggered and fell from the shock, but presently started to his feet unin- jured. The pistol ball, however, had entered the man’s shoulder, and he fell across the opening with a groan, the gun rolling away from his grasp quite a yard. A howl from the crowd in the street apprised Phil that something had occurred. Looking over the para- pet he saw Company A of the Fire Zouaves advancing at charge bayonets. CHAPTER IV. - ON TO RICHMOND. It was an inspiring sight for our young trooper to gaze down upon those sturdy fellows in their red Turk- ish-like caps, shirts, and baggy trousers, and short, natty blue. jackets, as they marched up the street from side- walk to sidewalk, the sunshine iene from their men- acing sword bayonets. You may well believe ‘Phil lost no time in n finding his way to the street. ae ae The crowd scattered ke chaff before a high wind as the Zouaves approached. The mob in the side street also made itself scarce in the face of the advance of Com- pany FE and the Pine Grove oe up through that thor- oughfare, | In ten minutes the neighborhood had Aes its normal aspect, while several loyal persons had thrown out various sizes of our National bunting to the breeze. where have you been?” exclaimed Captain Chester, as Phil walked oe to his commander and saluted. re "On duty, sir,’ > and then he reported what He uaa done at the telegraph office. : “By the Lord, Sergeant Stirling, “Colonel Wilcox shall be informed of your gallant conduct, sergeant. Your nerve and promptitude de- serve recognition. Upon my word, young man, you area credit not only to your company, but to the service in general, Pine Grove will be proud of her B youhae trooper.” Ey AIREY a At that moment. Phil: felt ee ee for the des perate risk he had: run. pe. Captain Chester wrote a note to Colonel Wilcox, of the Third Michigan, who ‘was now in command of the forces occupying Alexandria, and ees it » “Phik to headquarters. “Upon my word, a doughty colonel, after reading the communication, “you. are making your way with a vengeanée. It isn’t a week ago I saw your name in the Washington papers in “connection with the. affair that won you your promotion. - You're very young Egad, you'll be a i Sera) one of these days. You've got the right stuff in you.” “I always expect to do my duty, colonel,” a said. Phil, coloring like a schoolboy.’ for the service. \ ‘By the George Harry, I wish you belonged to. my. regiment. Chester is to be congratulated. You'll take this order to your captain, sergeant, and rest: assured I shall not forget you in my report'to aos department.” Ge “Thank you, colonel.” Phil saluted and retired. The official document he de- livered to Captain Chester on hi§ return was an order for the Pine Grove troop to attach itself to the Fire Brigade, as it was called, consisting of the. Thirty- -eighth New York, First Michigan, and the famous Ellsworth Zou- aves. “They were to prepare at once to march southward: "Wwhea the contents of the or ‘ders were known 4 in camip ; there was the most intense excitement. oe The re was to doubt now that the troop Gad fighting before § i and-plenty of it. as . Less than two hours later the sound of a bia an- aed that erders had been received to start immedi- tely. ied “+he cavalrymen. stood dionoside their. horses eeay to mount at the word of command. Sergeant Phil Stirling was at the right of: the line, and beside him was his hercu- lean comrade and colored fr iend, ‘Jupiter Napoleon Jane called Jupe for brevity’s sake. The regimental band in front now ee Wo bie . The New. York ‘The Zouaves were First Michigan was on the move Thirty-eighth followed after them. at attention, and the bugle note brought every trooper on his horse. Within ten minutes the whole brigade was in motion and on the road toward F airfax Courthouse. It was an inspiring scene. The columns of infantry, the lesser bodies of cavalry with their jingling accoutre- ments, the ponderous baggage train, gun carriages, and caissons rolling slowly along, the .rat-a-tat of drums, the inspiring strains of a band, the general officers with their staffs—all were full of interest. and excitement to our yang subaltern, Phil Sterling. i the general advance of McDowell s four divisions, of ehh: the Fire Brigade. was one, by three different roads, toward the line of the Manassas railway, proceeded but a distance of nine or ten miles, and then encamped. ~The only points of serious opposition expected onthe way were, fitst cat Fairfax Courthouse, next at Centre- ville, about ten miles further on, and next at a-place called Bull Run, where a branch of the. Occoquan. is forded, and which was said to be a.place of considerable strategic strength. The latter place was only a few miles from: Manassas Gap, from which it consequently could be ey reinforced. a rks _ On the following morning ee army roused foie at an edrly hour and proceeded on again, the main and central attack upon Fairfax Courthouse being confined to the division which included the Fire Brigade. The Confederates, while. on the lookout for the be a ates as did not expect the Union troops in large. force. Along the old Braddock road, trees had been felled across the highway; these obstructions, together with a line of skirmishers, pushed forward by the: enemy, naturally harassed the movements: of the Pine re troap, which led the advance... oe Ae. ‘ COMRADES. While the axemen were cutting their way through the fallen trees the troopers began exchanging shots with ie skirmishers. Crack ! A bullet raised a slight furrow on he shoulder of Phil Stirling’s jacket. -, By gum, I seed dat debbil!” said Jupe, bringing his “Ef I don’ let a lilly bit ’r light inter dat hehe cocoanut I’s es nebber to eat eee bit carbine up. ’r hoe cake nebber no more.’ Bang! » Jupe, taking a quick sight, had fired, and the Confeder- ate referred to dropped among the bushes; whether killed or wounded was, however, .a matter of uncertainty. “Golly ! wot I tole you, Marse Phil? Ill ‘low dat der corndodger won't trebble us again.” | Hullo! There's a fel- low behind that tree yonder squinting his gun this way.” Phil fired at the man. came from the tree in question, and a charge of slugs “You're not a bad shot, Jupe. At the same instant a flash whistled between.the two troopers. The young sergeant had missed his man, for the Confederate was seen sneak- ing away toa fresh hiding place. ~The firing was intermittent on both cilles, the enemy withdrawing before the cavalry advance. Two or three of the Pine Grove men were wounded and carried to the rear. “At dis rate we done took a week or. mor’ ter get ter. Richmond,” said Jupe, placing a fresh cartridge in his gun. ee : ae “Pshaw Pessaid. Eis Wait till we strike the enemy in force, and then you'll see fun.’ “Dat’s wat I's a-itchin’ fer, Marse Phil.. dem cut um stick. Dem dodgers yander am likepa lot ’ £4 this is nothing. Den you see mouskiters. Dey make a great buzzin’, but, by gum! it am berry hard ter put um finger on um. Yow!” Jupe’s exclamation was wrung from him by a rifle ball which cut.a strip of flesh out of his left hand. |. ! “Golly! Vl ‘low dat 1 felt one ob dem hot foe dat yere tine. Specht d like ter know de gem’on dat fired dat shot... I reckon dat I’d pickle um berry quick.” : AB order came down. the line to charge into the fiélds and rout out the Confederate skirmishers. “Forward, boys!” shouted Phil, drawing | his’ sabre. With a wild shout the cavalrymen dashed forward, over the worm dence, helter-skelter. ; $ The enemy, who were 16 | scattered aikuely the fields on “hoth sides of the the, turned tail at once, and Hed toward another thin line of woods, q oe The troop follow os them up at such a. lively rate that they had no chance to make anything of a stand. A few shots were fired, and then the Confederates dispersed like the mist before the rising sun. When the cavalry halted at the junction of the Alexandria turnpike, there was not a solitary skirmisher in sight. There were no obstructions. on this. ol and. the. bn gade advanced rapidly toward its destination. Phil and Jupe had managed to keep together was a member of the Pine Grove company. “By shimmany ! sergeant, I bet me your life dot I purty quick come near bassing in dose checks off mine.” Jake removed his cap and showed where a bullet had raised a red furrow above his temple. “You had a narrew escape.” “You can gamble on dot. ° "For wad nine seconds T felt yust as ifa hogsfoot of | gunpow: der vos exploded ofer - mine head. But.” added, the German; ‘ ‘T vos yet vorth a couple off dozen off dose fellers dot you call stiffs.. I bed you I get me satisfaction for De bullet, Orb find me: oud ‘der reason.’ ‘The morning “was well advanced, cand the sunshine | slept upon fields of ripened ‘wheat and young corn,’ when the troop came in sight of Eaitfax Courthouse. The enemy was evidently now prepared for their ap- proach from this quarter, as the scouts had brought in word that the Feder als were advancing up the Braddock road. Only part of the division, the First Michigan, was ~ threatening the Confederates from that direction: ‘The main body, headed by the Pine Grove troop and ‘the Fire Zouaves, was advancing rapidly along the pike. The Confederates hastened ‘to’ throw a light field bat- tery-across the road where it entered the town: Before they had it in position the troopers and ‘Zouaves, with yells and huzzas, charged with ¢ an Se that car- Hed a béfore them. : CHAPTER V. A ‘BLOODLESS SUCCESS. _The Confederates did not wait for the troopers to come to close quarters. lage, looking eagerly to the right and left for foes, and in their disappointment penetrating often. the abandoned buildings in the hopes of apade some-secreted: sae of the Confederates there. — -But . though. entirely _ gone, og enemy. tad parely escaped; and hadthe First Michigan-been: a little-fur ther s COMR ADES , and were joined by Jake Dundersweivel, a native of Cod who .. They fled like a flock of startled sheep. A. few minutes later the cavalrymen, followed by the. Zouaves at a “double- -quick,” tore their way into the vil- ae sone es must. have hen onde Confederates off. As it was, the So rapid. was. their camp kettles -were: seething: Dimes their stances, their uniforms. and swords... flight that the intended meal. The ground around the courthot oe anted a -most extraordinary appearance.’ Tt*was’ str littered with canteens, -biankets anda letters. ew Vii Phil ascertained ‘where-the “Pine ‘Grove .company- fad quartered itself, then he and Dundersweivel thither: They found: the boys holding a.“high jinks” over the-diseovery at-the Carolinian comntissary tent of - four fresh quarters of beef and fiity thousand very good | cigars, which had been intended: to regale the nostrils of the Confederate staff. .-Of-cotrse all this stuff. was con- fiseated for the general good, and Sergeant Bunce forced. © two fistfuls of Havanas: into: Phil's hands. : trooper :did not: ae he ee these over to several:¢ Of’. his Zouave friends. HAS Se ee ee oon ee The. village eae a remarkable spectacle on the Thé soldiers, unrestrained: by ™ afternoon of the capture. ) duty, entered: every dwelling ‘that had been abandoned and sacked it as mercilessly as if it had been oo to oe ae a cos ene : ene tion had Sonitided: ie town wore the epee ofa carnivals? Zouaves dressed in crinoline walked with their bearded companions tip and down the streets, replying in affected style to the lively complime nents tendered ik Ht a every side. This, to° the ordinary observer, gave to the scéne a_ merry show, charmed by the effect. complaints from the fairer portion of the inhabitants, and = he determined to contribute is share ora putting a. check upon the licetise 3 ig ae wo : Seeing a disturbance before one house and hearing: 4a woman’s scream, he forced his way into the. dwelling. He discovered Fillippo Spaggetti, a private of the First : Michigan, trying ‘to kiss a very handsome young girl. “Me-a take-a de kiss. Me-a no care-a for your strug You nice-a young lad’, like-a my cozzina me- a faves behind in Firenzi.” “Help! “You're ‘a nasty brute! as Phil entered the doorway. “Leave ‘the hosel? ” Me- a want- “4 “de What-a for give- 2 ‘me= a “No move-a, me-a told you afore-a.. kiss, ‘You belong-a to me-a. dis troub’z. No give-a quick 1 mié- a, have-< “a ‘de heart- “a, as blood-a: -desmees |” Se Eh, Re Y ey at the fleeing, . enemy left their tents,.camp eqiipages: forage, a quantity of arms and. flour, anch? “Dar’s blood on de moon!” howled Jupe, as he cut down several unfortunates in rapid succession. © “Give ’em jessie, boys!” shrieked Phil, who was per- forming prodigies of valor. “T bed me I gif dem better as jessie!” growled Jake Dundersweivel, firing his carbine into a group of fresh Confederates who were rushing to reinforce their beaten comrades. The bugle now sounded.the retreat. A mere handful of flesh and blood could do very little against the fresh hundreds coming at double- -quick to support the fractured line. S Soon the Pine Grove troopers emerged from the woods, * covered with wounds and dust and powder smoke, and dashed hurriedly back to the shelter of the opposite woods, behind which the two regiments of ees had been forced to retire. A hail of musket balls followed, and dropped several of their number. Blood was flowing down Phil's manly face. The German was furious because he was compelled to show his broad back to the foe. “By Shorge! I bed me I don’d like dis for a gobber cent 1” ee The roar of battle had now subsided to an exchange of shots at long distance between a Federal battery and the enemy’s works. the bayonets of the New York Sixty-ninth, the Seventy- ninth, and the Second Wisconsin came sparkling in heavy line from the hill of Centreville down into the hollow. The wounded were being attended to in the shade of the woods. The Pine Grove boys thad lost fifteen from the ranks, three known to be dead, three missing, and © the rest badly wounded. A third of those who rode back to shelter had received painful though not serious in- juries. Orderlies, however, had been dispatched _ to Centreville for reinforcements, in response to which . Phil had his head bound! up, and washed ae blood and “ . ee order. “Oh, I’m all right,” answered the gallant young dust from his face in a rivulet near by. Jupe had at- tended to him with his usual faithfulness. “Dar, now, Marse Phil, you’s patched up in berry good How yer feel, honey?” trooper, with a wan smile, for his head pained him in- tensely. “Glory hall’ fajaht We'll soon hab anudder pop at dem corndodgers, I ’spect.” The three fresh regiments were drawn up just at the entrance to the open field, protected from the enemy by a narrow screen of saplings. The Pine Grove troop, hav- ing recovered from their wonderful charge, were ordered up within easy distance of the Federal battery, ready for a dash whenever the gunners should require their protec- tion. enemy's lines. one . _ you, Phil rejoined his comrades. position at the head of the line when a rifled cannon-shot struck the ground ahead and bounded past him within less than a yard. The sensation was indescribable. “T bed me your life off dat ball hit you vonce, you don’t got some more crack at dose Shonny Rebs, ain’t it?’ said Dundersweivel. “T guess I’d never know what struck me,” said Phil. “You vos about righd, sergeant. Id ain’d healthy to monkey mit dose tings, I bed you.” en Occasionally the fire would slacken, and for some min- utes almost stop, and during one of these pauses Phil could see, by a long coil of dust in the distant road which lay behind the valley of the fight, that the enemy was being reinforced from the direction of Manassas. It was evident, also, that the reinfor cement was a pow- erful one. to of General Tyler had sent a complimentary Captain Chester praising the conduct and intrepidity the Pine Grove boys during the recent attack upon the message atnong the troopers, and it kept their enthusiasm at a glow, “By Shorge, sergeant, is dot a fact dot we took root here £ _ Like the German, all the men were eager for another whack at the intrenched Confederates, and not alone the Pine Grove troopers, but the infantry back of them, espe- cially the New York Sixty-ninth and the Scotch Seventy- ninth were fairly wild to be set loose. A wild Gaelic battle scream rose again and again from the ranks of the Seventy-ninth, ee a pent-up enthusiasm of the Scotchmen. “I bed me nine dtlars dose pully poys make mince- meat off der Shonnies off dey vos let loose.” “They'd give a good account of themselves, I warrant * answered Phil, trembling with excitement. COMRADES. ~°* de peacock’s fedders vas a fraid cap. Hardly had he taken his _ The substance of this was distributed | 13 General McDowell and staff now rode on to. the field, and a wild cheer went up. All expected that the order — to. advance would now be given. CHAP T Eis Vil. HOW THE GUNS WERE SAVED. The general looked calmly around upon the scene, made a few inquiries, and then, without the least display of ex- citement, ordered a retreat. As the infantry began to slowly file off the field, a cloud came over the German’s brow. “Dot don’d suit me for a gobber cent! Dot feller mit I bed me your life Sheneral Scott vouldn’t dook us like dot avay.”’ “Better luck "next time, Dundersweivel,”’ oe his own regretful feelings. “Bedder luck- % “he look of disgust on the Dutchman’s face was changed in an instant when the ca Luma voice came ring- ing down the line: “Look out, boys! Sho now! going to try to take the battery!” “Steady!” echoed Phil, the flush rekindling on his boy- ish countenance. “Shimmany cribs, ve you!’ “Here they come, boys!” cried the captain. “Forward!” cried Phil, echoing the command. let them take a gun!” With a cheer the Pine Grove boys dashed between the erippled battery and a troop of Confederate cavalry. The artillerymen hastened to limber up and get away after their last salvo, which cut de sep lanes in the Southern assailants. The troopers met the Confederates in a hand-to-hand conflict. Sabre against sabre it was, and a rattling fight: was soon in progress. The enemy greatly outnumbered the Pine Grove boys, but what the latter lacked in num-_ up in dash and. discipline. in his glory, caid: Bhalé The Johnnies are s'all hafa scrap purty quick, I bed — — “Don't psy a yn bers they made Jake Dundersweivel was now sO was Jupe. They were both’men of unusual strength, and they made things hum in their particular locality. Phil was engaged with a Southern officer. Their sa- bres flashed blade upon blade in the rays of the setting sun. But our young trooper possessed an advantage in his black horse, which moved to his slightest touch. “Do you surrender?” cried Phil, after ee his opponent’s blade with a heavy sweeping stroke. “Never!” cried the officer, Oa his revelver and. blazing away. Phil ducked in time to escape the bullet, and then dis- abled his antagonist with a rapid thrust. i adagh, 14 n | COMRADES. “T give in,” cried the Southerner, with a spasm of pain -uoon his features. Phil grasped his bridle rein and pulled his prisoner out of the mélée, Riding back, he turned the man over to a comrade who was limping painfully rearward. Then the bold youth returned to the fight. Bang! bang! Crash! crash! Carbine shots, and sabre ringing against sabre awoke the echoes of the field. “Surrender, boy!” yelled a heavy Confederate, rush- ing down on Phil like an avalanche. “On guard!” shrieked Phil, sweeping his blade at the Southerner. At it they went, the black charger again showing his wonderful instinct. Like lightning the blades curled around one another. Then stroke and parry, sparks fly- ing from the tempered steel. _ Phil had his hands full now. The man was vastly his - superior in strength, though not so in skill. ‘Better give in,’ said the Confederate, grimly. “Never!” cried Phil, gamely. Crash! crash! Phil's blade cut the fellow’s sword arm. With a curse he tried to crowd the lad down. Swish! The blades crossed like links of living fire. Phil felt that his antagonist, wounded as he was, was more than a match. The horses swerved about, keeping close together. * Crash! The Contederate’s blade smashed down on Penis. Snap! The lad’s sabre broke under the blow. Now,’ cried the cavalryman, in triumph, ‘I have you! Surrender, or [’ll cut you down!’ “No!” cried Phil, pale with excitement. “The boys of Pine Grove never surrender!” He threw his useless weapon aside and grabbed the Confederate’s: sword arm. The man tried to reach for his revolver with his left hand, but Phil grasped his wrist. Then the two combatants paused and glared at ‘each other. . “Winnie!” cried Phil to his black beauty. “Go—t! st’a a good girl!” The powerful animal understood and made a su iden Phil straightened every muscle till it stood out like a sinew of steel for the shock, and dug his knees inte his charger’s side. ‘This manceuvre was entirely unexpected by his oppo- nent, who in a moment was dragged off his own horse, and was carried raving to the rear. “Do you surrender?” said Phil, maliciously. | “Curse you! I can’t help myself!” “T thought so. Drop your sabre!” The cavalryman obeyed. Phil dropped him to the ground. “Now march to the rear!” _| The young trooper drew his revolver, and this powerful argument compelled obedience. _ ~The fight was almost over. It had been short, sharp, ‘ decisive, and once more the Pine Grove boys had covered themselves with glory. They had saved the guns. As Phil rode slowly back with the prisoner he could not help feeling proud of his personal achievements. prisoners, of whom the one now walking before him was a.robust, wicked-looking fellow, was something to boast ‘Two - about. Each was secured only after a stubborn contest, and he had escaped without a scratch. aaa atts The enemy had fled back to their works. Phil gianced over his shoulder when he heard the triumphant shouts of his comrades. ee a And now they were coming after him, flushed. with victory and fully satisfied with their afternoon’s display. Ph‘l was duly complimented by Captain Chester when he handed his two prisoners over, and the lad’s name fig- ured prominently in the good-natured officer’s report that nignt to General McDowell. The minor action of July 18th, just described, though ending in a serious repulse, only partially offset by the splended work of the Pine Grove troop in saving the guns of Sherman’s battery, served but to stimulate the ardor of the Federal troops, who were again resting in the val- ley before Centreville. The boys were eager to move forward again and wipe out the disgrace of that temporary check; but.it was soon plain that General McDowell, warned by the unexpected evidence of strength which had been developed from the treacherous covert at Bull Run, had determined to re- main for a time near Centreville, while he made the minute examination of the enemy’s position which was necessary before a general attack. 7 CHAPTER Vil. PHIT, MAKES A DISCOVERY. Early the next day Captain Chester was instructed to proceed a few miles up the line of the Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad, and destroy a considerable section of the track, for Leesburg, the terminus of the road, was in possession of the Confederates, and the country be- tween was occupied by a more or less strong force of the enemy. The troop was well pleased to be actively employed. They: had probably never individually assisted in dis- jointing a railroad before that morning, when half their number took their first lesson along with Company E of the Fire Zouaves. . at To guard against a surprise, Captain Chester sent a number of men forward to reconnoitre the ground in ad- vance of the work. Among these were Phil Stirling and Harley. Thorpe, the latter having arrived at Centreville from Washington that morning. He had been delayed in the capital, and the leave of absence which he had managed to procure gave him a valid excuse for his tardiness, oe AEE The young trooper rode slowly up the track, keeping a sharp lookout on either hand. The country was laid out in cultivated farms, and had a prosperous appearance. It was a warm afternoon, and after Phil had advanced . perhaps a mile, the sight of a distant creek, sparkling in the sunlight, impressed him with the fact that he was quite thirsty. 3 On his right a neat-looking farmhouse stood back a hundred yards or so from the road. There could be no harm in stopping there for a drink of cool spring water, so he turned his horse and rode up to the ‘gate. He caught a glimpse of a young girl in a sunbonnet standing near the fence, evidently watching his approach. As he came nearer she drew back under the trees. “I beg your pardon, miss,” said Phil, raising his cap Si a ree politely. - the’ house for it.” Danone ies oe: “y would tke a drink of water. I'll ride up-to “Fe was about to ‘dismount to épen the gate when the girl came forward and performed that service for him. Aer bonnet fell back from her head, releasing a mass of brown curls and. exposing as pretty a face as Phil had - €éver seen in’ his life. _ “Thank you, miss,” he said, unconsciously bestowing ‘a look of admiration upon the fair Virginian. © She glanced coyly at the young trooper, probably not wholly indifferent to the handsome, bronzed countenance and athletic form of Uncle Sam’s representative. Phil decided to lead his horse wp fo the lane, so he dis- -mounted,:shut the gate, and, oe to the girl, said: “You live here, Tr: stippose, miss CY Ge, she answered, with, just i stispicion of a smile. “You are ; perhaps, surprised to see a Union soldier i in these Parts ee at not afratd of the Yankees,” che Sacred. Her lips. parted, and two: dazzling rows of pearly teeth completed: ‘Phil's estimate 6f her per fect beauty. ' “Tm glad to hear you say that,” he said. “There is “nothing vety terrible about them individually, I believe. I don’t think I look so very terrible, do [?” ~~ © She gave him a half- quizzical, half-admirin me glance, but did not reply. “Oh,” he continued, “I see you have a basket. Te looks heavy. Permit me to carry it to the house for y ou.’ She made a gesture as though of refusal, then per- mitted him to take possession of it. -“Vhank -you,” she said, ina low tone. ‘“No thanks are necessary. “I shall consider ‘his simply -as an offset for the water. I-certainly could not think of “letting you oy ‘that basket when I can do it ie as well.” ' Her eyes fell before his ardent look, and a faint flush Caos the rich brown color of her countenance. Phil ~considered this a most delightful meeting. _ Perhaps it “was. ~ basket and: leading his horse by the bridle, the young miss walking to one side, swinging the bonnet, which she had ~ - rernoved from her shoulders. - “Would you object to eninge me your name, miss! # he ~ said, witha smile. “Hattie Bradshaw,” doguisty glance. - “Thank you. wane 3 is Philip Coren Stirling» Miss Hattie gave a start a surprise, which, however, Phil did not observe. _ “Are you an officer?” she we after a patise. she’ answered, a a ‘sidelong, She was looking at the chevton on his sleeve mhich: ~hetokened his rank. 66 Pm anon commissioned officer, miss. A sergeant in the Pine Grove cavalry.” tens £92 “T presume your. svinpathy | is with the South 2” he said, _ eyeing her furtively. hl amg, Virginian,” she said, pedi “TY. amr sufficiently answered. I trust the young ae a these parts are not all so—I beg your pardon. “for the Sire lea utes looking as _ Laue are, ror be might Coy - ‘the mischief with our boys.” Peso Gy _ She slightly curled ther lips. . COMRADES. anything, appear twice as pretty. as before. ‘nice farm,” tin s - They started toward the house, Phil carrying the » -sotry- 15 “Indeed! You need have no fear for your friends. I am sure none of us would give the snap of our fingers for a Y ankee.”’ “That: is rather hated on us,’ answered Phil, with a laugh, but at the same time he wasn’t overdelighted to hear this charming } young girl say so. “Of course,” he continued; “I can understand that you matany feel a sort ot prejudice——” “Prejudice!” She flashed a look of scorn at him, that made: her, if Phil, how. ever, saw he was treading on delicate ground, and could have kicked himself for his want of tact. “T beg your pardon,” he said, hastily... “This is a very ‘changing the subject. ‘Vour oe er’s, of course?” “No,” a shadeof sadness fell on:her fences. Phil saw he ‘had run against: another ve and he in- war dly abused his hard luck, ee : miné,’’ she said, softly. . here. tle understood the case. at once. orphan. They were now close to ae house, wih was a very neat, two-story building. . The: young trooper led his animal to the trough. oe “Would you prefer a glass of milk?” Miss Hattie said. “Tf it would not. be too much trouble,” he replied, set- the basket down on the stoop. pire C s no: trouble.” y George!” ejac ulated Phil, watching the sylphtike ote disappear into the; house, “she’s a corker! if it wasn't for——”’ Then he stopped abeupily, and turned toward 1 his horse. “My uncle and atint live The girl was an oO Se ‘ ie If it wasn’t for what? Ina moment Miss Hattie appeare eA at the oe “The milk is on the table in the dining-rcom,” “if you will go in, I'll look after your horse.” Phil thought this Wi ae odd, and a curious look seemed to fill her eyes.’ He would infinitely have pre- ferred her fetching tHe milk herself. “He could net re- fuse the invitation, and stepped in. chase Yes, the milk was on the table. It looked cool and appetizing. He raised the glass to his lips and drained it. As he set it down the door opened. and a young lady entered. Phil gave a gasp of astonishment, He rece he said nized the new-comer, and felt, embarrassed.. He had reason to be. Jt was, Mildred Vaughn, the daughter of Jefferson Vaughn,.the Southern planter, whom Phil’s clever detective werk had landed in a Wash- ington prison a few days previous. — “Dy ulip Stirling!” es the girl. eniildred )” Evidently Miss iIxttie knew a great deal about the acquaintance existing hetwe 2. these 1 a young people, and had in consequence cugincered a tittle surprise. The new-comer was ecrtaimy y stariled, chen she purst into tears and sank isto a cha : mergeant a ng felt, he was ce an awkward predica- ment. “Mi tlieea "ieee on 39: somewhat awk award ie “Vm SDoret you: eneals t to re!” ‘she ex clai med, holding ae handkerchief to her eyes. “T hate vou!l—lI hate you! 1 Ye 16: ~ He could not but admit she had excellent reason to do so.”’ _ “My poor father!’ she moaned. “You were the cause of his being put in prison.” “I grieve to admit the fact; but your father brought the trouble on himself. I simply did my duty.” | “You might have permitted him to escape,” she said, in a grieved tone. “It was impossible under the circumstances.” “You were cruel after I had done all I could for you. I would ‘even have freed you that night, but I knew it would have compromised my father and our cause.” “You are kind to say so, Miss Mildred. I acknowledge my indebtedness to you. But as your father’s design was against the interests of my country, I acted as I hope I always will act in such an emergency.” “I thought better of you,” she said. “What!” he exclaimed, “would you have had me act the traitor ?” | “You might have strained a point for my sake.” She looked at him earnestly. If Mildred Vaughn really hated Phil Stirling, as she had but a moment before de- clared she did, it must have been on a sliding scale. “Phil Stirling,” she said, reproachfully, “you have made me dreadfully unhappy. I did think you—you 4 she began to cry. - A’ woman—Miss Vaughn, however, was scarcely six- teen—in tears always"presents an embarrassing problem to.a man, who, justly or unjustly, may reason himself the cause of her emotion. Phil did not know what to do. He wanted to sympa- thize with her; he wished to atone for his share in her distress ; but he did.not see his way clearly. “If Ican do anything: ” he began. “You can do nothing—now!” she said, starting up and drying her pretty eyes. “You are a Yankee! I ought to have expected that you would turn on me. All Yankees are too hateful for anything. I despise and hate them!” She stamped her foot angrily. She looked the very picture of an indignant, resentful, little queen. There was no denying the fact that Miss Vaughn was pretty. Perhaps not quite so charming, on the surface at least, as Hattie Bradshaw outside: but still a fascinat- ing little miss in her own particular way. As it was, Phil felt a shock when Miss Vaughn ex- pressed her contempt for his associates in arms,. for he naturally included himself as. coming within the ban of her disapproval. ‘The situation was, if anything, more embarrassing than ever, when a sudden feminine shriek from the yard in- terposed itself very opportunely at this juncture. . It afforded a graceful excuse for him to withdraw _ hastily in the direction of the signal of distress. _ When he emerged from the doorway, a second shriek drew his attention at once to the cause of the disturbance. _ He saw Miss Hattie struggling in the arms of a trooper | in blue, evidently one of his own company, though he could not see the man’s face.. | . Naturally, being a chivalrous young man, Phil sprang at once to the persecuted damsel’s assistance. The fact . that the trooper was a comrade made not a particle of difference in the case. His arms were around the young | miss: waist, and that familiarity was entirely uncalled for on the part of a well-disciplined soldier on duty, the more — COMRADES. " especially as the object-of attraction strenuously objected to the freedom. Phil didn’t stand upen ceremony in dealing with this breach of service. He fetched the offender a hard blow under the ear, which had the effect of loosening his grasp. He then grabbed the fellow by the collar and jerked him away. Then he released him, and the two troopers stood face to face. “8 ott. To Phil’s surprise, he recognized Harley Thorpe! : - CHAPTER IX. SURPRISED. Harley’s eyes blazed with anger. “You here, Phil Stirling!’ he exclaimed, in ‘a stifled Volker eee yy ’ ie “You forget yourself, Private Thorpe,” said the young sergeant, sternly. : . “Curse your interference, I forget nothing. Ill get square with you for this!” : His eyes shot a. dangerous gleam. “When you return to camp, sir, you will report your- self under arrest,” said Phil, coolly turning on his heel and walking up to Miss Hattie, who was watching the two, with flaming cheeks and indignant aspect. “I must apologize, Miss Bradshaw, for the unseemly behavior of one of our men. I am glad I:was on hand to interfere.” “The nasty’ Yankee thing! he tried to kiss me!” she cried. “Tf you:think you’re going to ride roughshod over me, Phil Stirling, you'll find yourself mistaken!” cried Harley Thorpe, shaking his fist at his superior. “What right have vou to be in that house shirking your duty? Cap- tain Chester shall know your little game, my bantam cock.. If you ain’t reduced to the ranks, where you ought to be, V’ll know the reason why, or my name ain’t Harley Thorpe.” oy ta ’ The threat was not lost on Phil, who knew that he was technically guilty of an infraction of his plain line of duty. He also perceived that Harley meant to take every advantage of the slip and make it as hot as possible for him. ce Thorpe remounted his.horse, and, with one vindictive glance at Phil, rode off down the lane. “T guess I-must be off, Miss Bradshaw,” said Phil. “Are you in-such a hurry?’ she said, demurely, “I haven't thanked you for coming to my rescue.” - “Pshaw! That was nothing.” “What! to be hugged by that wretch!” “You misunderstand me, I mean it is unnecessarv to thank me for what I did.” a “I think you were very good to do so.” “Well, we won’t quarrel over that, I hope,” he said, laughing. “No,” she replied, with a saucy. laugh. “I think not. If you wasn’t a Yankee, I should like you very much.” “Well, as I ama Yankee, you’re bound, I s’pose, to en- _tertain the opposite sentiment ?” Um not going to satisfy your curiosity, sir.” “And why not?” > eS “Because young men—soldiers particularly——are. quite : too conceited for anything. Are your satisfied?” MHardiyehit 2 he disappear among COMRADES. ae 17 Phil couldn't help admiring the young lady, in spite of He apparent impudence. She stood thete swinging her bonnet to and fro, her eyes sometimes on the ground, sometimes flashing a sly glance at him from under her long lashes. He decided that she was something of a coquette, but that is a privilege a pretty girl enjoys. Considering her defiant Southern sentiments, he felt rather flattered than otherwise by. her words. “IT know somebo »dy who thinks you’re awful nice, said shyly, digging het heel into the gravel. “And who may that be?” “Don’t you know?’ she said, shooting an intelligent glance at him. “No,” hé answered, slightly confused. That was a white lie, for Phil easily guessed to whom 3 she _She referred. Oh, well, it dcesn’t matter. SOO. VV et 37? “How stupid you are, or—pretend to be.” “Really, Miss Bradshaw es She held up her finger and laughed, and then danced up the steps to the door. “Good-by. For a Yankee, I must say you are really too-funny tor anything. Ha, ha, ha!” She kissed her hand to him and vanished inside the house. - “Well,” thought Phil, Shall we see you again drawing a long. breath. ay _ George! she is a corker, and no mistake.” He. mounted his horse, and was wheeling about, when ae Crack! A carbine shot rang out on the air some distance away in the direction of Centreville. Crack! Crack! _ Simultaneous with the third report a horseman dashed out of the woods a half-mile distant, and pushed over the fields at a headlong speed. Phil could just perceive the . figure, for dusk was coming on apace. - Phil watched the fugitive, for such he judged him to the trees in the apple orchard; then four mounted soldiers in pursuit came into sight. The inference was they were men belonging to the Pine Grove ee Under such circumstances the young officer’s duty was obvious. -He should try to head off the fugitive. With this object i in view, he started his horse bac ck through the yard toward the field beyond the orchard. As he leaped the fence he saw a riderless horse spring from among the trees into the young corn stalks and dash away at full speed. The rider had been thrown, then. He put his own animal to the orchard fence. Just as his horse lit on the other side, Phil saw a dark shadow running toward the farmhouse. “Oho!” ejaculated the young trooper. “TI see how it tee te Hips: horse is a mere blind to lead pursuit away on a fruitless errand. Tt is fortunate I am here to put a spoke in your little game.’ Again Phil put his horse to the fence, this time leap- . ing into the yard, and then, with a dash, he rushed down on the astonished fugitive like a small cyclone. The man could neither advance nor retreat with safety. | / He was fairly caught. Phil saw he was dressed in citi- zen’s attire, and he wondered what the trouble was about. “Do you surrender ?”’ The stranger hesitated and glanced furtively about in the deepening gloom. There was no hope that he cone . Bee, a. “Advance, then, and throw up your hands!” The noise had brought a tall, thin woman and two girlish faces to the back door, A man and a small boy also appeared at the door of the barn. The fugitive advanced slowly. Phil was just in the act of discharging his carbine in the air as a signal to recall the other troopers from their wild-goose chase when one of the girls at the door uttered a scream, and, running to the stranger, threw her arms about his neck. ‘Father!’ she cried, almost hysterically. The young trooper could not mistake which girl it was. who made this demonstration. It was Mildred Vaughn. Her words were the key to the mystery. Jefferson Vaughn had escaped, no doubt with assistance, from con- finement in Washington. ‘The military authorities at Alexandria had been telegraphed to catch him if pos- sible. His tracks had been discovered, and the present pursuit was the result. This deduction flashed through the young sergeant’s mind with the utterance of Mildred’s recognition. ‘ And fate had conspired to make Phil the instrument of this man’s reincarceration. It was hard luck for both of them. How could he face Miss Vaughn now? His plain line of duty would fill the measure of her scorn and wrath against the person who had twice brought trouble on her parent. There was nothing to do but face the music. His soldierly instincts told him that. Private feelings must always bow before public obligations. So he simply said, laying his carbine between his horse’s ears: “You are my prisoner, Jefferson Vaughn! His voice roused Mildred to action. She recognized the tones, for her heart had kept track of the inflection of that one voice since the night they first met, more than a month since, on her father’s Virginia plantation. “You—you, Phil Stirling!’ she cried, and our hero fancied he could see her handsome eyes blaze in the gloom. “Tt is the fortune of war, Miss Vaughn,’ a low tone. “You dare not detain my father, Phil Stirling!” “Dare not!” he said, compressing his lips. “You will not—for my sake!” she said, changing to a tone of entreaty that went to his heart. “Remember he is my father. You were the means of his capture that night. Do not interfere now, and—and—lI will forgive you that injury—indeed, I will!” “T regret the stern necessity of my position. 7? said Phil, in T would tO Heaven it were any one else but your father, Miss Vaughn, brother.” He raised and discharged his carbine in the air. Mr, Vaughn knew what that signal meant, and perhaps Mil- dred guessed its significance. “If my father is taken I will kill you, Phil Stirling | Ke she said, in tones of compressed earnestness. ‘This threat had httlé effect on our hero. I must do my duty, even if it were my. As he _ planter darted for the house. watched the pair he saw her thrust her hand into the breast of her father’s coat. When she faced him again Phil perceived that she held a pistol. or Vv. aughn made a movement toward the house. “Stop!” exclaimed Phil, raising his gun into which he had already slipped a fresh cartridge. “Go, father!” said Mildred, imperiously, covering the young trooper with her weapon. Mr. Vaughn hesitated, for the click of the carbine lock reached his ears, and he easily understood that there was “shoot” in the sound. “Go!” the girl cried again. This time she suddenly sprang forward, grasped the bridle of Phil’s horse, and swung the animal partly around. The action upset the young officer’s calcula- tions, and before he could recover himself, the Virginia The two women in the doorway also interposed themselves in such a way that it became an exceedingly delicate matter for Phil to fire | with the absolute certainty of not hitting one or the other. The result was that Jefferson Vaughn entered the kitchen doorway and disappeared within, Phil, however, ‘recovered from his surprise, sprang from his horse, and, carbine in hand, started to follow. Mildred was also equal to this emergency, for she hastily planted herself in front, and Phil found himself looking not only into the. young ee eyes, but the frowning muzzle of a derringer. There is no doubt but the young miss was very much j in. earnest; but whether she really would have shot Phil is a question that was not put to the test, for at that in- stant a noose was dropped over our hero’ 's head; and he was quickly rendered helpless by Farmer Tillman, Miss _ Bradshaw’s uncle, who had come up from behind. CHAPTER: X, - BOOKED ¥OR A CONFEDERATE PRISON. a Oke big farmer, after taking the precaution to. gay Phil by stuffing a rag in his mouth, compelled him to march over to the barn, the small boy leading the horse. Both animal-and trooper were stowed away, and the door of the outhouse closed when the four cavalrymen dashed up and leaped the fence into the yard, _ The party consisted of a sergeant and three privates, one of whom .was_ the negro jupe; and one Harley Thorpe. abandoned by Jefferson Vaughn. Mildred Vaughn, Hattie Bradshaw, and Mrs. Tillman, her aunt, were gathered about the kitchen door, while | Farmer Tillman and the boy were sauntering uD from the barn.. Sergeant Bunce looked around rather sharply, and Net addressed the females collectively. — “A s-s-shot was f-f-fired here a moment ago: oy _ Les, ” admitted Miss Vaughn. 2 ““W-w-who fired it?” ~ Cp soidier’ “W-w-what did he £-f-fire at?” “You'll have to ask him,” said Mildred, saucily, Sergeant Bunce frowned. itn Wew-which way did he go?” rs ~ “Pm not a finger-post for “Yankee curiosity.” She oe bee back and went into the fous is ae COMRADES. where Phil Stirling lay a prisoner. -® “For. your sake, I’m glad ‘to know it.” aware you had any interest in me whatever. ~ cent conduct. pointed the other way.” The colored trooper was leading the horse, 2 looki ing at him a attentively. “Tt must have been Sergeant Phil Stirling,” suggested Harley Thorpe. ‘I found “him hanging around this horse less than an hour ago.’ Sergeant Bunce turned his attention to Farnier Till- fan, but got no satisfaction, the agriculturist declaring that he knew nothing whatever about the soldier, or the fugitive whom the squad had chased into the meighbor- hood and lost. The sergeant; after considering the matter and the evi- dent hostility of the people, concluded it was not impos- sible that the fugitive had taken refuge in the farmhouse, so he announced his intention of searching the house. The family raised a great outcry against this outrage, as they termed it, but the officer was determined, and, after stationing two of the troopers front and rear, he took the other one and made a thorough investigation of the premises, without any result. As it was now dark, Sergeant Bunce decided to aban-: don any further efforts to “catch the fugitive, and make the best of his way back to Centreville, as. there was no telling but a prowling detachment of Confederates might cut them off and effect their capture. Farmer Tillman watched them depart witha satisfied grin. Until that moment he: had been uneasy lest they should pursue their investeaons | to the a. and dis: cover his prisoner. After supper Mildred insisted upon being conducted to Farmer Tillman dis- turbed-a batch of “hay in a corner of the barn, and- dis- closed the features of the chagrined young trooper, whose _arms were securely fastened to his side by the noose, the other end of the rope being tied toa ring in the wal. - “You have’ got the best of ie, his pleasantest face. “It is the fortune of war, Phil Stirtine,® i ‘mimicked Miss Vaughn, throwing his own words back at him. - So 1 pereeve,” he” answered, ene ou father escaped, I presume?” — 4 “Fle is safe for the present, Tam thankful to say.” ‘said: Phil, “Putting on, rt “qpdien't Gide oc “Oh, you are?” she. replied, shericatiy. “May Task what you both intend doing with me?” “Tam. afraid it is our duty to hand ree over to the ~ Confederate authorities.” This was an unpleasant suggestion to our hero, who ‘saw'a Southern prison ahead. “You have it in your power to do so i you choose,” ‘he answered, with a-tinge of bitterness. “Since you were so precise in acting up to the’ strict letter of your duty, [ seeno reason why: you should com-- plain because we observe a similar line of action, “now that the situation is reversed.” : “I haven't made any Sappiainge to take my ‘medicinc.” Tarmer: Tillman had set the as a wh near. Mildre ed, and, after,leading Phil's horse outside, had proc seeded | to. said ily ut expect ‘saddie another. ‘His preparatio: 1s were suggestive. The young lady, in spite of her tar itelizing manne:, was somewhat disturbed, “What brought you out this way to-d ye fe che said, “My orders.” help. myself. “Why did you stop at this place?” _. + To get.a drink of water... Miss Bradshaw, whom I met at the gate, was kind enough to substitute milk.” “You knew I was here.” : “T beg your pardon, I did not.’ “Hattie called me downstairs to meet you. Though She would not say who you were, I never dreamed it Was you.” 3 “You must blame her, then. I told her my name. You must have confided in her, and she rung this surprise upon us both as a joke, I suppose.” “You saved Hattie from the advances of one of your bocrish Yankee associates. She has persuaded me to offer you a chance to return to your friends. If we let you go, will you promise to say nothing about my father having taken refuge here? I will trust to your word if you will give it.” “Miss Vaughn, 1 shall be obliged to account for my unusual absence. You may not be aware of the fact, but military regulations are very strict, especially in time of war in the presence of the enemy. I must either lie or tell the truth. There is no middle course. Do you ask me to do the former ?”’ . Her eyes fell before his stern gaze. “You may not be asked about my father.” “T think the contrary. will volunteer no information. ance I can give.” ' “Mr. Tillman wishes to turn you over to a regiment of our troops which is camped a few miles from here. My father insists that he shall do so. You will be sent to - prison.” Pk “The prospect is not flattering, but I don’t see as I can I’m a Yankee in the hands of the enemy, and I suppose that settles it.” , “You don’t deserve that I should interest myself in you, but-———” : She paused irresolutely. “T am already under obligations to you, Mildred. I am bound to say I can never forget your kindness in the past. As much as I desire to escape from my present ‘situation, I am loath to incréase that indebtedness. It will only embarrass me in the future if my duty, which is ahead of everything with me, should again clash with your interests.’ Mr. Vaughn now stepped into the barn. “Are you ready, Tillman, to take the prisoner to the Confederate camp?’ “Why, yes, Jefferson. ter. “Mildred,” spoke Mr. Vaughn, sternly, “return to the house. I’m surprised at you, child.” The young lady cast one look of almost tearful sym- pathy at Phil, and then withdrew. oe “Bring him out here and I'll help you tie him to the horse,” said the planter. Phil was released from his present uncomfortable posi- tion, brought outside, placed on his own horse, and his legs tied under the animal’s belly. “FHe’s safe enough now, I guess,” said Vaughn. “You've only got to lead the horse. How far is Colonel -Ryder’s regiment from here?” 7 “Ten miles, I reckon.” os “You can make it within a couple of hours. Tell the All I can say to you is that I That is the only assur- I’m only waiting on your dar- inne P COMRADES. colonel this chap is dangerous, and should be forwarded to Richmond as soon as possible.” “All right, Jefferson, |. won’t forget. You'd better turn in, as I should advise you to leave this section by daylight.” ie “T. intend to. My daughter can remain; I shall go home. Young man,” he turned to Phil, “personally I bear you no malice, notwithstanding you did me an ugly, turn, got my friend Burch in jail, where he won’t stay long, as he has influential friends at court, and incident- ally deprived the Confederacy of a valuable consignment ; but you’re far too clever a lad to be allowed at large. [ shall bring your casé before the Secretary of War,,and I daresay he will provide for your future. Before you re- sume your uniform the South will be independent.” Phil differed with him on that subject, but was not in a position to argue the matter. A moment later he was on his way to the Confederate camp. CHAPTER XI. PHIL MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. It was a dark night, the road was dreary, and the pris- oner’s reflections particularly sombre. His arms were growing numb and painful, while his stomach reminded him that his fast had not been broken since noon. Farmer Tillman stuck to the lanes and byways, tra- versing lone paths through wooded land, over hill, and down through ravines, skirting fields and meadows, and seldom taking to the beaten road for any great distance at a stretch. Phil concluded that the tall, gaunt-looking Virginian, who in the gloom looked the very picture of famine’s nearest relation, was pursuing a short cut across the country. An hour and a half after leaving the farmhouse the agriculturalist landed his charge in the Confederate camp. The officer in command was manifestly surprised. Phil . was probably the first Yankee prisoner to come under his ° notice. Indeed, no important engagement had yet oc- curred between the opposing forces. The North and South had not yet locked arms in the mighty struggle, but, like two skillful pugilists on the eve of a bout, were watching one another’s movements narrowly, feinting for first blood. Phil was questioned by the Confederate officer, a lieu- tenant, but maintained a discreet reserve. A corporal was called, and the prisoner turned over to him. He was an under-sized, bow-legged man, with a round face and a twinkling eye. “T can’t exactly offer you hotel accommodation,” said the subaltern, facetiously, “but such as it is, you're wel- come to make yourself at home.” They had paused before a miserable-looking one-story shanty, seemingly situated in the center of the camp. “I daresay 1 shan’t complain if you'll be good enough to cast this rope about my body loose. I’ve had it on several hours, and my arms feel about as useless as two sticks.” “Wait till I get this padlock open, and I'll oblige you. You'll find a bedfellow inside, Yank, though the bed itself ain’t nothing to speak of. You two can either, divide the straw or fight it out for full possession.” i - The corporal got the door open, took out his jackknife- 2 20 and cut the young trooper’s bonds, and giving him a good-natured shove into the inclosure, shut and relocked the entrance. . Phil leaned against the wall and worded his arms in order to restore the circulation. He heard the deep -res- piration of a sleeper in the opposite corner, which clearly indicated that the straw bed referred to by the corporal was fully occupied. “This is tough luck!’ muttered our young officer. Just then the neigh of a horse came to his ear. “I s’pose this is a cavalry outpost. I’m in a fix, and no mistake. Unless something turns up to my advantage, I’m likely soon to be on my way to Richmond.” He jighted a match, for the young cavalryman always made it a point to be provided with a supply of lucifers, though he did not smoke himself, and glanced about his prison. The illumination was rather unsatisfactory. He saw the outline of a stool in the center of the room, otherwise the place appeared to be quite bare. He carried the stool to the one window, and looked out. There wasn’t much to be seen. dark shadows of several tents came within his line of vision; and a darker background of a wood beyond, with the dull, overcast heavens above all. “Tl wonder what part of the country ’'m in, and how far from Centreville: ry pee There was no inspiration to be drawn from the land- scape, nor from the raindrops which pega to patter on the dirty, cracked panes. ‘The prospect was as gloomy as his own situation. As he turned to step off the stool, the miserable outfit col- lapsed under his weight and sent him sprawling upon the floor. The noise disturbed the sleeper, for a voice came out of the darkness. “Who's there?” “Hullo!” answered Phil, picking himself up. “Who are you?’ came again from the corner in a 1 dis- tinctly boyish voice, “A prisoner, or I shouidn’t be here, I sippaee.” Phil struck another match. “We'll have a little light on the subject,” presume you don’t object?” “Oh, no. It’s awful dark here.” “T believe you,” said Phil, walking over to the straw bed with some curiosity. "There, that’s out. A match ts a tantalizing light, but it’s the best | can command under the circumstances.” He lighted another and looked down upon a curly- headed youth of his own age, who was now pine up in his straw nest. "Misery likes company,” continued Phil, in a cheerful ‘tone, “so we'd best console one another while we may.’ “You seem to be a jolly fellow,” said the youth. “Where did you come from, and why are you here?” “I came from Centreville,” match, “and my uniform’ll tell you why I am here.” “It can’t be you’re a Yankee?” cried the lad, in sur- prise. “Well, Pm nothing else. My name is Phil Stirling, sergeant in the United tates volunteer cavalry service. What’ s at mounted it, he-said. “‘I COMRADES. — -sgertion in time of war is a serious thing. ‘The said Phil, striking another but a push to displace it. “George Hopscotch.” eee “We can talk in the dark, I guess. These matches are dreadfully irritating. Wait till _I fetch over the stool. Now, young man, Te can listen to you with pleasure. What are you doing in here?” ‘“{ am a soldier. I was forced into the service against my wishes, and I’m here because I tried to escape North.” “Vou don’t say!” exclaimed Phil, with a whistle. “De- You have no desire to be a soldier, then?” “Not in the Confederate Army.” “Give me your hand, Hopscotch. Your sympathies are with the Old Flag.” Young Hopscotch became more confidential, and en- © tered into particulars. He said he had been sent to live ae the interval of his parents’ absence with his moth- s brother at a farm near Culpepper, Virginia. His uste was a morose, disagreeable man, and he had a long story to tell of his relative’s conduct toward him. His father had paid six months’ board im advance for him, and he was supposed to be treated as one of the family : oO whereas his uncle had compelled him to labor the same as _ any hired hand on the farm. When he resisted he was beaten. When he made an attempt to run away, he was overtaken, and his uncle revengefully forced him into the Confederate Army. “You're one of the right sort, ‘Hops scotch. wheré are we, anyway?” “Two or three miles from Fairfax Courthouse.” “T wonder if we can’t break out of this old caboose ?”’ “T don’t know.” “Did you look the place over when you were put in here? “No. L was dis couraged by my failure to get away.” “Tf we could find a board loose, now, I’d begin to feel easy in my mind.” ‘ “No such luck,” “How do you know? rookery.” By the way, You haven’t investigated this Phil was not over-sanguine as to the feasibility of get- ting out of their prison pen, but he was not a lad to sit down and mope over his troubles. The wind had risen during the last half hour, and as the shanty was fully exposed on all sides, the swish of the — rain against the sides and upon the roof bespoke the dirty character of the night. _ The young trooper lighted a match, and started to ex- amine the framework. “The water was leaking through the roof in.a dozen places, forming small pools on tie oe floor. A big drop extinguished the flame just as it flared up. Phil ignited another match, but had hardly moved a step before a sudden draught through a knothole blew it out. At that moment a peculiar sound struck Phil’s sharp — i ears—the rasping flutter that betokens a loose board w hen played upon by the wind. A third match was struck and the cause of the noise revealed. The board was entirely free at one end from the broken and rusty nails which had once held it in place, and was so loose along its whole length that it moved and rustled under the influence of the draught. “By George!” cried Phil. “Here’s one board that needs I daresay we can force the one Get a move above or below it, and our way will be clear. on yourself, Hopscotch, and lend a hand.” His hopeful words infused an unwonted degree of ac- tivity inte the curly-headed youth. free from the straw. “Ugh! How the wind whistles!” he said. ing torrents.’ “Of course it is,” said Phil, cheerfully. “Just the night for us... We'll be able to pass the picket line without much trouble.” For the next five minutes four sets of muscles were ~brought into earnest play. There was a groaning, rip- ping, and tearing of wood. Then a smothered crash, and the first and most important step toward liberty was achieved | by the boys. He hook himself “Tt's. rain- CHAPTER. Xi. MASTER HOPSCOTCH. COMES TO GRIEF. _ “There, now,’ said Phil, ‘““we've only to crawl out. In which direction does Fairfax Courthouse lie?” “Yonder,” replied Hopscotch. “Ii it were daylight — could see the village from here.” _ “Well, there’s a turnpike that connects the town cath Centreville. We must try and make it. Of course, the Confederates have possession of this. end of it, so we ‘mustn’t strike it too soon, or we should run foul of the pickets probably. I presume this detachment is guarding another road out of town.” “Yes; the road that runs to Vienna on the Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad. That’s the direction L took when I tried to get away yesterday morning.’ “Tt must be jong after midnight,’ said Phil, as a dash of rain came in his face. ‘‘We’ve got easily ten miles before us, so there’s no time to be wasted. Follow me.’ The young trooper forced himself through the aper- ture, and presently stood outside. Hopscotch followed, and then the two tds proceeded to pick their way through the rain and darkness in single file, Phil taking care to avoid the black patches. which ‘he knew to be tents. As they passed the extemporized stables of the troop they could hear the restless movements of the animals within. Phil was almost tempted to investigate the place with the view to getting possession of a- couple of the horses. Upon reflection, “he thought the risk too great. They passed the last tent, and struck out across the sodden fields, using the utmost caution, lest they should” stumble upon a picket. They saw none, however, In- deed, it was too dark to make out any oe object over a rod away. When Phil calculated that they were entirely outside of the picket line the lads proceeded with more freedom. -“T don’t see a sign of the highroad yet,” said Phil, wip- ing the rain from his eyes. *Nor [,” acquiesced young ee we're all mixed up.” Nothing more was said for some little time. “Tm thinking Their way was difficult, owing to the soft nature of the gr ound, and progress necessarily slow. but there was nothing “Hullo, there’s a light yonder, denly. . So sa see. It was rather exasperating, gained by grumbling. ” said Hopscotch, sud- ‘A farmhouse, I guess.” COMRADES. ) 21 “We're bound to strike a lane soon, T think. take us to the turnpike.” “Or away from it. However, anything is better than crossing these plaguey fields.” The lads made a bee-line for the light. In half.an hour they discovered that it proceeded from a side window of a small wayside hostelry, facing a macadamized road. WwW e ‘ve struck the pike at last,” said Phil, in a gleeful tone. “I’m going to peel into that window. There may, be a clock in sight. I’d like to know what time it is.’ The window was too high for him to utilize without getting something to stand upon. A box was tilted agaitist the front + stoop. With this as a pedestal, Phil’s head came higher than the window sill. He looked into the room, and what he saw rather astonished him. “Tt can’t be,’ he muttered, rubbing his eyes and looking again very intently. What amazed him was the fact that he gazed upon an exact presentment of Harley Thorpe, seated within less than a yard, at a table which stoed under this very win- dow, and by his side was an officer Wire slouch hat tay; at his elbow. ‘A good-sized sheet of paper was con out before - them, on which was sketched various kinds of hiero- elyphics, which Thorpe, or his doubie, was apparently explaining to the officer, who was unquestionably a Con- federate. “I must be dreaming, or that is certainly Harley Thorpe,” murmured Phil, “What is he doing here, at this unearthly hour, and with a Confederate officer ? Is it possible he is a traitor? By George! I can’t understand it.. It looks pretty bad. That paper appears to be very important. I wonder if Crash! The sound came from the veranda, and Phil started. t may ‘The noise also reached the ears of the two interested per- sons within the room. The countenance of Harley Thorpe, for it was indeed that young man, changed color. The officer drew his revolver and started through the door to investigate. Thorpe also followed nervously at his heels. Their exit left the room vacant. Phil was not a little startled. “It’s time for me to make myself scarce, ing to dismount from his pedestal. Then, like a flash, a thought struck him. He didn’t jump as he intended, but instead he quickly tried the win-_ dow. it was not secured. He raised it as softly and ex- peditiously as he could—just enough to insert his head and shoulders and right arm. The obiect of this move was apparent. It was a daring one. But Phil never hesitated when he marked out 4 tine otvactions an this case his suspicions had been aroused. that the paper conigired imicrinat ‘ch had been smuggled to the eneniy. Harley Thorpe was evidently the gitilty one; at least the document in question would throw some light on the. * he said, turn- tere wh subject. It seem ed to be the tangible evidence. of a mys- tery. Phil hated mysteries, so he determined to have that paper. aent he had his He whipped it from the table, shut the win- that It lay there within cacy teach. Ima ee hand on it. dew softly, and listened to the fresh disturbance proceeded from the front stoop. a Then he bethougtit himself of Master ‘Hopscotch. Where had the young man taken himself off to? Was it possible he was mixed up in this racket on the stoop? Phil hoped not, but he felt a keen doubt on the subject. “T say, Hopscotch, where are you?” cried Phil, as loud as he dared. But the curly-headed youth answered not. become of him? Phil crumpled up the important paper and thrust it into an inner pocket of his jacket. He very naturally sur- mised that when Thorpe and his companion returned to the room, its disappearance would be immediately ‘de- tected. No doubt they would be greatly astonished when they saw no sign of it. Theugh Phil, as we have hinted, had no relish for a mystery "from his own standpoint, he had no objection to other people floundering over ‘their ears in one. While Harley Thorpe and the Confederate officer were puzzling | their heads over this little bit of hocus-pocus he would hunt up his companion and be off. The first sight that greeted him as he turned the cor- ’ ner of the house was that of a horse tethered to:a post in front. The next thing he saw was young Hopscotch crouching in a shadow of the house. Phil crept up to him and asked, in a whisper : “What’s the row, Hopscotch?” “Sh!? was the reply, while a ene finger was held to his mouth. Hopscetch had stumbled against a chair on the veranda, and the officer and Harley Thorpe were out there trying to discover the cause of the noise. Phil glanced eagerly at the horse. lf their two enemies would only go in the house again, only for a moment. Sure enough, the efficer suddenly started as if he re- membered something, and ran into the house. He evi- dently thought that the noise might have been a ruse to distract his attention, so that he would leave his papers unguarded. The same idea struck Harley, and he fol- lowed the officer into the house. “There’s a chance for us to make a dash,” said Phil, eagerly, pointing to the horse. The two treopers dashed forward, and as they reached the horse’s head, the officer and Harley Thorpe. reap- peared. in the doorway. ‘The officer had discovered the loss of his papers, and the young soldiers knew it would. be a matter of life and death with him to get hold of them again. CHAPTER XIfl. THE DESPERATE RIDE FOR LIFE. The young lieutenant and Harley were on the point of dashing down the steps when Phil whipped out his revol- ver and aimed it at the Confederate. Crack ! It was Phil’s revolver that spoke. A ball whistled past the lieutenant’s ear, and the officer involuntarily shrank back, atthe same time placing his hand to his face. In that second, though, the Confederate regained hi presence of mind, and, snatching a revolver from Harley’ s grasp, fired at the troopers. COMRADES. What had “Ohl? groaned Hopscotch, “Tin hit. Save fost Phil—never mind me.’ He staggered against the horse ned raised his hand to — his phouldes. Ww here the bullet had struck him. Another flash and report from the veranda and the young trooper felt a twitch at the sleeve of his jacket. “He returned the fire, but evidently without result, for . another bullet just missed his forehead. The young lieutenant and his companion, how ever, : were held at bay by the bold front put up by the troopers. Phil realized this, and the next instant he had. grasped the bridle, and, pulling the knot loose in a twinkling, swung himself into the saddle, Then he turned to his companion, saying: “Here, Hopscotch, I'll help you mount. Whoa ! Now, . then, up with you. Cling te me so. _ Now we're off for Centreville.” os Crack! The bullet whizzed past the heads of the lads as ihe Confederate lieutenant and Harley Thorpe dashed toward them. Thorpe had recognized Phil during the mélée. Crack! Crack! Two pistol shots this time followed thie fupitives as Phil spurred the charger forward, a they went wide of their mark. As they swung around the curve in the pike, Phil looked back. He: saw several men ride up on horseback. “By George !’ he exclaimed, “some of those fellows are going to pursue us. We ain’t out of the woods yet, Hop- scotch, by a long chalk. I’m afraid we’ ‘ll be overhauled, as this animal is carrying extra weight. However, we'll give ‘em a chase for it, and don’t you forget it. Vve got five shots in this gun, and perhaps I can drop one or two | of ’em. I’m sorry for you, old fellow; I’m afraid you ‘Te a mark for their aim.’ “Never mind me,” said the authy Headed lad): You go ahead as fast as you can put. If they hit me, Jet ‘em. It'll save you, Phil its better- that one should go under than both.” “You've got real grit, Hopscotch. Hold on fast and © I'll let her rip.’ Phil bent low over the animal’s head and let out a few kinks in her speed, just as five mounted horsemen sprang into view around the curve behind. fee “Go it, old girl!” shouted Phil; “you've got to carry us both to Alexandria this morning. If you’ve got it-in you Pll make you show cause.’ The black horse sprang forward like the wind. A wild . yell behind showed that the pursuers had sighted them, and were, no doubt, urging their animals to top speed. Away, past straggling houses, flew pursued and pursu- ers in the gray dawn of the early morning. The turnpike echoed to the clatter of the horses’ hoofs that struck fire as they spurned the flinty roadway. ae Phil soon saw they had a powerful animal under them, — and his hopes ran high. He dug his stocking feet into | the steed’s flanks, urging him onward upon his mad Ca- Teer, On, on they went like ‘an arrow from the. bo Past trees and hedges, up bits of rise and down corresponding declivities, but always with the echo of the pursuing — horsemen in their ears, Now they flew around a turn in the pike, and fora. few omens the Confederate horsemen behind were out of sight, Now they were mounting a long, gradual rise in the road, now down on the far side. a: They = struck. a a short bridge over a foaming course, and the hoofs of the black horse tore up splinters from the. wood. , Again. the sparks flew as the. animal _ sprang out en the road be yond, Little. by ‘little, however, the pursuers were upon the fugitives. Inch by inch. they gained. There vere miles of road yet ahead of the fleet: ag boys. As the case stood, the chances were eh against their escape. The sun was peeping above the horizon when the first shot was fired by the oncoming horsemen. Nearly halt an in Bae had elapsed since the chase began, and the pace as beginning to tell upon the noble black steed. i eks of foam dashed heavier from her mouth, her nostrils dilated and quivered with the strain. Every once in.a while she tossed her head wildly in the air and snorted what seemed to be a protest. i “i'm-serry for, you, old girl,” aglow with the excitement of the flight, and he patted the wet neck. of the magnificent animal ; “but I’m afraid it’s your life or ours.’ A low moan came from the lad clinging behind. | “What's the trouble, Hopscotch?” My shoulder pains me dreadfully.” “Brace up, lad. Mustn’t show the white feather at this stage of the gar me. Things are growing ticklish, They’ ve gained’ on us a good bit.” Two. bullets flew past sufficiently close to make Hop- water Fw scotch, shudder. ay “As soon as we take the curve yonder, ii going to return the compliment,” said Phil, pulling the ‘Tevolver from his pocket and cocking it. Crack! The black horse . leaped quiveringly forward with a snort and a whine. ' “By George! They’ve hit her!” exclaimed Phil, “its ashame! -[ 4 sooner be hit myself. I never felt so much for a dumb beast in my life. If we can hold out fifteen minutes more there ’s hope.. We must have covered four miles by this time? a Yes, “they were nearing safety fast. One or two miles away were the houses of Centreville, though Phil couldn’t: see them, of course. But what was better still, a detach- mént of Fire Zouaves lay between him and the village. Now the curve is reached. “Phil took: a hurried aim at theit pursuers and fired. The black horse springs at the discharge.’ Lae foremost Confederate was seen tos sway in his” seat. “EF hit him, by Geor oe!” Crack, -eraek, crack, “evackt + > A shower of bullets whizzed after then as oe ve A howl of rage also comes to. behind a bunch of trees. their ears. The enemy are lashing their animals to fresh speed. The black horse,is. giving out. Then a yell of extltation breaks upon the air as the pursuers see they are now gaining fast upon their quarry. Tis a thrilling moment. The very atmosphere seems _to-throb with excitement. adjacent- farmhouse to watch this wild ride for life. Phil turns and fires over his shoulder. thé purstiers cuts a hole i in the collar of his-jacket. “Phil said Phil, his blood all - People come to the door of an: A bullet from — COMRADES. | 7 ee fired again, but was unable to note the result i in either CASE. But the end was at hand. Phil saw that they were” sure to be either shot or captured. He leaned far down The black horse snorted and quiv , but she stuck to the pace like grim on the animal’s neck. ered in great distress _ death. poaae in: “Surrender, Yanks! down!” The pursuers were now in point-blank range. an crisis was at hand. Phil turned and fired his last shot a the horse again dashed around a curve in the road, thic! iy 7 bordered by trees and brush. “Halt!” came the ringing command in front. To Dhil’s surprise the read bristled with Zouaves. “Hurrah! he gasped, tears streaming down his face , in his intense excitement.. Then he waved his cap, and began to rein in his charger. : The Confederates, with a yell, dashed into sight. Then they perceived they were caught in a trap. Fifty rifles _. were pointed at them from all points. What could they do? Nothing. They were surrounded, and surrendered at discretion. Pee A hundred feet back the black herse, her flanks covered with foam, her eyes wild and staring, quivering in every joint, the red furrow on her haunches dripping blood, stood surrounded by an admiring group of Fire Zouaves, while Phil and poor suffering Hopscotch were being as- sisted to alight. An hour later Phil Stirling was at Colonel Wilcox’s headquarters making his extraordinary report. The of- ficer listened in dignified amazement. Phil produced the paper he had abstracted through the side window of the roachouse. It proved to be a roughly-drawn diagram at the way’ General McDowell intended to arrange ‘his troops at the first encounter with the enemy. It was of vast import- . ance, since if it had not been discov ered, the enemy would have been able to annihilate the Federals with the utmost ease, liow Harley hore obtiried all his information was ‘Surrender, or we'll shoot you _a mystery; but there seemed to be but one conclusion, and that was that Private Thorpe had been merely a tool in the hands of the real traitors, and that money had prob-. ably purchased his connivance in-the scheme to convey © the’ intelligence -of Federal military. movements to the. enemy. fo “Allow me to’ congratulate you, Sergeant Stirling,” said Colonel Wilcox. “I told you. yesterday you would yet be a brigadier, and, by George, you are getting on _ bravely toward the rank!” Phil blushed. “I presume I may return to my company, sir?” ce “Certainly. You may consider it as certain that. the’ department will recognize ye signal service in this matter.’ Phil's exploit was soon known to all che camps. Those who knew of his former achievements were quick to re-. peat and give publicity to them. The young trooper was. generally regarded as a lucky y young man. When he appeared in his own camp the Pine Gin men hailed him as the hero of the hour. In the midst of © 24. ‘ noonlight. ' dere goes dem Zuzus. \ i ey 5 eae SE RCN Te his popular ovation he ‘did ‘not forget his new chum, George Hopscotch. The curly-headed youth, after leaving the surgeon's hands, was duly introduced to the Pine Grove CORD aR, an was received as a member with open arms. CHAPTER XIV. BULL RUN. ~“We’s on ter glory, Marse Phil!’ exclaimed Jupe, as the Pine Grove troopers sat in their saddles waiting for the order to move. It was half-past two o'clock Sunday morning, the day of the famous battle of Bull Run, and the whole army was in marching order at that moment. It was bright From the hill of Centreville, where the troop- ers watched the grand spectacle, backward toward Fair- fax, the whole valley, so lately. untrodden in its verdure, was sparkling with a frost of steel. As the thirty thou- sand bayonets moved forward in the uncertain light, with that billowy motion peculiar to the step of troops, the stirring mass looked like a bristling monster lifting him- self by a slow, wavy motion up the laborious ascent. “Yes, Jupe, this looks like business.” “Deed, it do, Marse Phil, ’deed it do,” said the darky, his eyes glowing like ‘twin stars. ‘Look dar, yander; Look at dem sward bagnets! Golly! I mos’ ‘feared dem boys won't leabe nothing fer us ter tackle.” wi “It’s a magnificent sight!” ejaculated Phil. Then came the quiet order to fall in after the Fire Zouaves. Following the Pine Grove troops came a bat- tery of United States artillery. Behind followed the other brigades of Heintzelman’s division. Hunter's division was ahead. These two had been designated as the flank- ing column, and comprised some fourteen thousand men. The halts were numerous in order that the command- ing officers might insure the compactness of the line. Day broke mildly as the troops pushed along. Presently the army struck the path. that branched off to the right; here the flanking column broke off, while the. central column, with General McDowell at its head, went . directly on. “I bed me nine dollars dere vas blenty off fun ahead, ain't id?” said Dundersweivel. “You can make no mistake there,” “There’s going to be a big battle to-day.” “Dot’s bedder as tooken root in dot places called Cen- treville. Shimmany cribs! I vas so sick mit noddings to do dot I kick meinself.” Just then the deep boom of a heavy gun to the left awoke the echoes of that beautiful Sunday morning. Then followed a period of silence. Again the heavy piece replied Phil. of ordnance spoke, and a second shell screamed on its way — toward the Confederate works. Every ear in the flanking column was on the alert for the opening roar from the enemy; but it came not. For quite a while silence suc- ceeded the two discharges of the big rifled gun, the Fed-. eral challenge; then a tremendous fire was opened by. the Confederates. ‘ “The battle is on in front,” said Phil, with trembling eagerness. ‘“‘It’ll be our turn soon.’ “T-bed you we fix em!” said the German. The flanking. column continued to trudge along in de COMRADES. stifling dust, except wiere it crozsed the Gelde. were hungry and. ey fatigued, having got put Iw@ar three hours’ sleep the night before. Still, they were. cheer- ful enough and eager to go into the fight, which was re ge ing furiously on their lett. ‘Tt was ten o'clock when the column made its fal curve, and ane sharply to the left, faced. the roar. of the battle at last. The din of great guns and musketry at this point was ee deafening. The. First Michigan, Thirtieth New York, Fire Zouaves, and the Pine Grove. troopers were ordered to proceed further along the Con- federate flank, and it was noon before they came within range of the enemy’s batteries. The brigade took up its position ode a fence, oun porting a battery of field guns. -A raking fire was opened upon yon by the Southerners from a ‘large battery on the left, and a heavy shot soon disabled one of the Union — , ‘A small body of Confederate cavalry, taking ada vantage of the confusion, issued from the rear of a small clump of woods in front of the Zouaves, and circling guns: about, made an attempt to break the ranks of the brigade. he Higa The Pine Grove troop, with a wild yell, dashed out and intercepted them. “Hurrah! Give it to ’em,. 1? Sbyst Drive ’em back! yelled Phil, spurring forward on his black charger. “Ot ‘em down! Don’t let ’em escape!” oe A hundred sabres flashed-in the suin;.a handred hovecd spurned the earth in their. mad dash at the Confederate cavalrymen. ih aa Crash! eicee The opposing horsemen came e together, stant it was a wild jumble of furious fighting. veloped the combatants. Swish! Bang! Crash! : Phil's sabre entered the color sergeant’s neck ak the lad, his eyes sparkling with excitement, grasped the ¢ cav-- alry flag as it fell from the man’s hand. area ee Ping! The bullet skinned Phil’s ear. Ping! Ping! They buzzed about the lad’s head like bumble bees. But: | he cared nothing for them. He was wild 7 the battle fever. The black horse carried him paige into a, group on three Confederates, and his blade dashed their swords aside, for his rush was irresistible. The trio turned and came at him as he wheeled his. ani- Me It was a desperate moment for the young trooper. | mal. He whirled the captured flag in their faces and discon- certed their advance, while his sabre unhorsed the man. on his right. He was at the other two in a moment. Guarding himself on the left with a sweep of the: flag, Phil actually - rode the man down, and wounded him with a cut of his’ his horse rose and sprang upon the other. weapon as he passed over the vanquished trooper. In another in- The glit- tering blades sparkled like lightning flashes, the red spits of fire from revolvers lit up the dust and. smoke ae en- é The remaining cavalryman wheeled for another. dash. Phil met him half way. Then it was crash! bim! whiz; with the wonderful black The weapons crossed in midair, : horse crowding the Confederate with most extraor gia Ne animation. Crash! »Dash!.* Crashd. Phil, with compressed lips and flashing eve, unmindiut of the roar and tumult about him, pressed -his opponent. hotly. Boy theugh he was, our young trooper could handle himself. like a ycung giant. The swiftness he put into his stroke confused and disconcerted the Southerner, who was es surprised to find so much fight i in a mere lad. “Give i in before I cut you down,” in the man’s: ¢uard. Whether or not the trooper would have yielded, Phil never knew. At that. decisive moment a stray bullet struck his antagonist in the temple, and he went down like a shot. The Confederate cavalry turned tail, anda volley from the Zouaves completed their disastrous sortie. As the Pine Grove boys dashed back to shelter, Gen- eral Heintzelman, who already had been wounded, rode up and ordered the Zouaves and the Scot Life Guard to clear the woods before them.at the point of the bayonet. The charge that followed was thrilling in the extreme. hone Phil, beating With a roarthe Fire Boys dashed forward. their wicked- - looking sword bayonets glitteris ng in the sun. The Thir- ty-eighth on their left kept in line with a tremendous yell. Above all-cayne the crash of the Confederate battery and riflemen from the wood.’ The whole line staggered under the ell hail of lead that cut fearful openings in their ranks. The most tremendous efforts were made by the officers at this juncture to encourage the men. Captain McQuade, of the Thirty-eighth, the favorite of “the regiment, was struck by a shell as he was urging his men forward. Phil, who was watching the charge in a fever of ex- _citement, saw the gallant officer he knew well’ go down. Unmindful of everything, the lad dug his heels into the black horse and rushed aiter the two regiments. | With a wild: snort the animal dashed into the smoke and confusion of the charge. “On, boys, on! Avenge Captain McQuade! Charge!” - Phil's wild scream was heard by half the regiment, and~ yell on yell Tose. from the exasperated on excited sol- diers. “Charge ‘em! bigs? én. thunder | Phil’s example not only steadied the line, but his he- roism proved so infectious that the Red Shirts and Life Guard with one accord flung themselves into the wood and made for the enemy like a legion of tigers. “That's right! At ’em with the bayonet!” yelled Phil. The boy seemed to have a charmed life, for he and the black horse were fine marks for the sharpshooters, and yet they passed unwounded through that. tempest of fire. _ The smoke rose in clouds through the woods. The dis- charge of musketry was terrific. But the wild hurrah of the Federal regiments could be heard above the tuniult: Phil became separated from the Thirty- -eighth. The confusion mixed him with the Zouaves, who were strug- gling to reach the battery which had been doing such ex- y? ecution. The color oe of the. regiment staggered and fell wounded close by. Phil leaped from his horse and raised the wairip. es “Give | me the flag, my man, z he: said. hit?” a suite ol in so in the side, lad, * said the ee Zouave, faintly. ee | “Can eh folk fore " I put you astride my horse 2 COMRADES. like devils incarnate. _ Stripes in one -hand and his sabre in the other, led the “Ate 3 you badly 26: k ye tr ce het a assist you. There you are. Take the mare back to the Pine Grove troop. Ifl don’ t return tell the boys I died with my face to the enemy.” “T will, my lad, I will.” 0, Winnie,” said Phil. “Go back.” The horse whinnied and snorted as though unwilling to leave her young master. “Go!” he said again, and the black chareer, Bakr g her head in the air, obeyed. Phil grabbed up the regimental colors and followed the Fire Bovs. “Come on, we're going to take those guns! Remember Ellsworth !” The name of their martyr colonel ran through the reg- iment like wildfire. Men no longer, the Zouaves seemed Phil, waving the glorious Stars and desperate charge up to the guns of the battery. Over the works the Fire Brigade went with a rush, yelling like fiends. They bayoneted the gunners and car- ried all before them. ‘The Confederates were aghast at the daring and impetuosity of the redshirted fiends. “On, boys! For Ellsworth and your country !” As he stood poised on the works waving the Zouaves on, holding the American flag on high, amid the roar of battle and the shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying about him, wild excitement blazing in his eye, a bullet struck the gallant lad, and he fell forward with his face, growing gray and ghastly, to the foe. CHAPTER XV. WITHIN AN INCH OF HIS LIFE. The rays of the setting sun were filtering through the wood where the great charge had been made by the Fire Zouaves and Scot Life Guard, when a movement was noticeable in a heap of dead that lay between two big guns just inside of the Confederate breastworks. Sergeant Phil Stirling, who had led the forlorn hope, after lying unnoticed nearly three hours in a state of un- consciousness, painfully raised himself into a recumbent posture and looked around in a dazed way. ! The. battery was deserted save by one young trooper and the dead, “and there were heaps of the latter, in which the redshirted Zouaves, figured prominently. he wounded had been borne away. The Union Flag Phil had carried forward was missing but his sabre st till remained in his grasp. There was a big lump on the side of his head about which the blood was matted. Phil felt weak and sick. The shock his nervous sys* tem had received made him stagger and tremble when he dragged himself to his feet. The roar of battle had ceased, but there was a great hubbub and straggling shots in the distance, where the famous Southern Black Horse Cavalry were flying at the rear of the stampeded and demoralized Federal Army as it fled toward Centreville and the Potomac. | “Have we won?” was Phil’s first thought, after assur- ing himself that there was no immediate danger of his going out of the land of the living. The lad crawled to the top of the breastwork. The _ distant tumult in the direction of Centreville, the flaunting 23 . - COMRADES. Confederate ensign, blood red in the face of the declin- ing sun as it waved over an adjacent rampart, told the story of a Union defeat. “My God! We have been. whipped! roche muttered de- jectedly. His eyes filled with tears and he fairly sobbed as he sat there. He was almost a boy again, though few men on that bloody field had displayed greater heroism that day. ‘Slowly and painfully he slid outside the breastwork, -and began to walk drearily through the wood away from | the Confederate position, carefully avoiding the heaps of dead Federals everywhere in that locality. “Tm dying fer a drink,” he murmured. feels like a heated furnace. Water! I must have water! he gasped, as he mechanically strugeled onward. The wood seemed endless, though the dead no longer distressed his vision. At last he staggered down a ravine where 'a stream flowed several feet deep. Plunging his head into the water, Phil drank long and greedily, and then bathed his face and throbbing brain. “How nice that is! Hew cool!’ he cried. The thunder of the distant pursuit and retreat, mingled “My throat {72 with the sullen booming of an occasional cannon, as a Federal field ' battery went inte position to.try to stem the desperate attack of the foe, came faintly to his ear. “Beaten ! Whipped! ! he moaned. atk. There was. a rustle in the bushes behind him. A dark, olive countenance was thrust out of the leafy covert. A pair of glittering black eyes flashed upon the young trooper, then a thin, wiry form dragging a musket with the bayonet attached came from the concealment of the copse. He was a fugitive, that was apparent, for he was. dressed in dust-laden blue, and he glanced apprehen- sively about as he slunk down toward Phil. “Santa Madonna! Water good-a! dry as a‘chip.. Dis-a man Yank. Sta bene!’ It was Fillippo Spageetti, of the First Michigan. He rushed down and drank his fill. One would have thought he-never could get enough. Phil. gazed at him in some surprise, but the uniform reassured him. “Ah, good-a, good- al? he muttered, raising his drip- \ping countenance at last. “Mio comrado, feel-a? Ha!” with a start. “Maladette! It is you!” “A vindictive look crept into the Italian’s face. “Vou know me?” said: Phil, who did not immediately recognize the other. “Know-a you! Caspetto! You tink-a dat T iota at You kick-a:‘me-a from dé house! You raise-a de jump! You fix-a me-a dat time. Me swear-a de vendet’! Me fix-a you dis-a time!” : “What do you mean?” “You pretend-a forget- a? ‘Ket -no-a forget-a.- You insult- a me-a. gianza! “Me-a take- -a your life! no-a- go. Fillippo “Assassino!”~ “So you are the rascal who assaulted that girl at Fair-_ You are a dis- _ fax Courthouse? I remember you now. grace to the service!” “Maledette! You.speak-a like. Ge to me-a?” The Italian grabbed up his gun ae rowel the bayo- . met to bear on Phil. wounded £ “Oh, this is dred. My troat-a is so. how you. Meée-a swear- “a, ven- > | completely | at the rascal’s “because T stepped between him aud a youns gitk hex was _ assaulting : at F aitfax Courthouse.’ ie : “How dare you threaten me, vou scoundrel! Are you aware that I’m an officer ?” said the young ae! now thoroughly aroused. “No care-a for dat! Me-a hate-a yaar Me- =a As a you in two min! Me- a stick-a you firs t—den cut: a de t’roat-a!” : Spaggetti ‘evidently meant eee what he: said. His eyes shot forth a murderous gleam. He pushed the bayonet at Phil until the sharp point pricked the: lad's breast. The. young tr -ooper was qitite at the Ttalian’s mercy. Not only was he wholly unarmed, for he had dropped his sabre within the Confederate breastwotks, but he was phy Rican unable to tackle the lithe, wiry, un- foreigner. . It was a thrilling moment. A’ barinie veblbction to Phil that, having escaped death in the heat of the battle, he must die here alone in the gloomy ravine at the hands ~ of a revengeful comrade. Phil's life hung on a very slender thread at at’ mo- , Trent. It was touch and go with him. As the Italian straightened his muscles for the fatal thrust’a pistol shot rang out sharp and clear trom the top of the ravine.” Filippo Spaggetti staggered back, cope hee mus- et, with a®great cry. 177 “Saint Antonio! Me-a shot! Phil's strained feelings gave way at the same instant and he fell back in a ie “Curse that blasted Yank! J] aay [ ‘have setiled his hash,” said the voice of Harley Thorpe. He leisurely walked down the ravine, jumped the water course, and looked upon the man he had’ shot W ith the utmost complacency. The Italian was insensible, ‘but his condition ‘aia: not interest young Thorpe. trooper, w hose life he had saved. “Phil Stirling! The devil! And I thought i it Ww as. ‘one of our own lads!” ; : - CHAPTER XVI WELD. A PRISONER, po ee Harley Thorpe soused Phil’s head and ee with water from the stream. Ina few moments the ae POOR! caine to his senses. a ‘How do. you feel, Phil Stirling?” Pe ee eh looked up in Bye DElse and | na recognized Harley Tae : ON Ou “Pre- cisely. Harley: oo T hadn't intetfered that Italian would have run Tis bay O- net into you.’ i Phil shuddered. Recollection had sisserted itself, Dae a6 felt grateful even to this young: traitor ane saving his life. : “If that’s a sample of the way a’ Yank: turns ‘on his comrade, I’m devilish glad T ‘shook Bits clear of the crowd,” continued Hatley. ©” scene “T thank you, Harley, for what you did for mé. s mercy. ° He owed mie a. Bee He turned toward ag oe I think I may » Matter ‘iigeelt ve I have just behaved toward you w ith untistial:consideration. If- Rc Rc ‘ed, used up, and unarmed. do with me as you will.” “That must have ‘been Stella Marshall,” young Thorpe. ee “Yes; said Phil, “that was her name.” “She told you her name, then?’ Sone: did.” Harley didn't look particularly pleased. “Tam acquainted with her, and heard an account of exclaimed ’ the affair from her own lips.” Miss Marshall, in referring to the incident, had in- vested the young trooper with every admirable trait her fancy conceived, and her chief regret was that she did not know the name of her gallant rescuer. Harley, who Was smitten by the young ledy’s charms, was inclined to | inwardly resent the prominence she gave to this un- known Yankee soldier. Now that he recognized Phil as the lucky young man, perhaps he was a bit sorry he had not permitted the Italian to finish his bloody job. “You are my prisoner, Phil Stirling,’ he continued gruffly. “Tf you say so, I s’pose I must submit. I am wound- It is within your power to Harley thought it prudent to eat a part of Phil’s assertion. He searched his person for the presence of a revolver. Satisfied that his prisoner had told the truth, he said: “You're able to walk, ain't your” “T dare say I can cover a reasonable distance.” “Take a pull at this,” and Harley produced a small flat bottle from his hip pocket. Phil removed the cork and the pungent smell told him that the contents of the bottle was whisky. He drank sparingly, as he had no great liking for the article. Be- ing unused to such liquor, the effect of the draught was immediate. It warmed his blood and imparted tem- porary strength to his limbs, a sparkle to his dull eyes, while a sense of ee took the place of recent depression. The young trooper venned the bottle with thanks and recovered his feet without difficulty. “Where are we?” he inquired. “Inside the lines of the Confederate army.” “Vou are sure of that?’ . “Do you doubt my word?” responded Harley, hotly. “T was under the impression ‘that I was beyond the wings of either army.’ -“Bither army! Ha! hal, ha!’ said Harley. | only one army hereabout, and that’s Beauregard’s. “What are you trying to tell me? Our army “Your army is beaten clean out of its boots. f ‘There’s 9) 9 Tt has lost all semblance to an army by this time, unless you choose to term a host of disorganized panic-stricken fugitives, fleeing for their lives, an army. e “It cannot be as bad as that,” said Phil, resentfully, though he felt a thrill of apprehension at heart. The two were now standing on the top of the ravine in the dusk of night. “T tell you we whipped the Yanks all to pieces. The last I saw of McDowell’s vaunted legions they were scur- rying for dear life toward Centreville and over the road 2 that leads to Alexandria.” Phil did not reply. Harley's words. seemed to carry "conviction with them. His brief glimpse of the field of _ battle when — speed | over the Confederate breastwork COMRADES. ‘troops had retired in something like order. 27 had. shown him that the Federal army had met an awful reverse. The lad, however, conceived that the beaten That a wild, ungovernable panic had seized upon the Union- ists, according to Thorpe’s statement, was too terrible to contemplate. “There is nothing to prevent Beauregard marching on to Washington to-morrow,” continued Harley, triumph- antly. ‘With the national capital in our hands I guess Jeff Davis will have no trouble in dictating his own terms. Abe Lincoln undertook a pretty big contract when he started in to coerce the Southern States.” “Do you imagine the North will yield tamely because of one great defeat?” exclaimed Phil, indignantly. “How can it help itself? Your army. scattered like chaff, where will you raise another in time to check our disciplined advance? I consider that Southern chivalry has justified itself. It’s all over but the shouting.” “If you fancy so, you are making a great errer,’ Phil, firmly. “Indeed, I think not,” replied Harley, gleefully. ’ said & UT expect we ve taken twenty to thirty thousand of you: fellows already.” Phil looked very hard at him to see if he was joking. “Flow many?” he said. “Twenty or thirty thousand.” “Hadn’t you better say the whole army at once?” ‘said the young trooper, sarcastically. “You seem to doubt what I say.” my think you are enlarging the prospect pretty consid- ee ably.” “Youll fhadat to bev fact.” v “Maybe I will,” said Phil, incredulously. “You'll be sent to Richmond.” Phil was silent. The effect of the whisky had nearly worn off, and he was conscious that the old feeling of faintness and weariness was stealing over him again. “You're looking kind of peaked,” remarked. Harley, as they approached a regimental headquarters. “You've got a pretty big lump on the side of your head.” His steps were growing unsteady. “T guess you need a sawbones,” After turning his prisoner over to an officer, Thorpe went in search of a surgeon. Phil's head was duly fixed up in scientific fashion, and he was turned into an old barn with about sixty others. Probably three times as many were huddled in an open inclosure adjoining. a - strong guard was placed about the prisoners, and there wasn't the remotest chance for had he been inclined to try. Next morning, early, a trainload of captured Federals was dispatched southward; toward noon a second. con- Signment went the same way; while about three in the afternoon a third lot was sent off: In the last batch, which filled five passenger coaches and. three open, or cattle cars, went Phil Stirling, and Harley Thorpe, who was present when the train started, wished him good-by with a grin. one of them to escape CHAREIER CY UT. A BREAK FOR FREEDOM. It was a dull and gloomy afternoon, and well peered with the feelings of the several hundred unfortunates 28 BO ROSE Late hae whom the train on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad was bearing southward at a good speed toward a Rich- nmiond prison. A guard was placed at the end of each car with loaded’ - muskets and fixed bayonets, and the prisoners had been curtly informed that any attempt to approach the door- ways and platforms would be met with cold steel; and if this proved ineffectual, a volley of lead would follow. Owing to their cramped quarters, such a thing as a combined rush was out of the question, and as the sen- tries were particularly watchful, there did not appear to be the slightest opportunity to escape. Phil was looking disconsolately out of the window at the flying Virginia landscape, when a familiar voice sud- denly struck upon his ears. “Vell, 1 bed me nine dollars vonce off some off you Fellows vas got sand enough we don’d go by dot Rich- mond dis trip, so help me eracious!” “What the devil can we do? If you've got an idea Bpit it out,’ said a powerful soldier in faded “dusty blue. “These fellows on the platiorm have the dead bulge on us. If we make the least move they'll fill us chock full of lead without so much as saying by your leave.” “1 ped me your life dey would, off we vas such a lot off shackasses to gif dem an oxcuse.”’ “Then what are you driving at, Dutchy?” “Don’d you cail me Dutchy, or | got me so mad ge dot i pull me dot bimble vot you call a nose so soon a “how. “What!” roared the big man; “you'll pull my nose?” “Vell,” said Jake Dundersweivel, coolly, “off I don’d pull it, 1 found me der reason purty quick, I bed you.” “Are you spoiling for a fight, my German friend?” said the big soldier, with a frown. “Yaw! Dot's yust der madder mit der poys utes, | told you somedings. Dis vas der last car. on der train, ain't id? Vell, off we break loose from dose ud- ders before dot engineer found dot oud, we git a chance to skip, don’t id 2” “How are we going to do it?” said the man in faded dirty blue. “There is a guard at both ends of the car, and there ain’t a jackknife in the crowd.” Jake Dundersweivel at once proceeded to outline his plan, which was nothing more nor less than to start a bogus free fight among “themselves in the center of the Gate) tone expected several of the guards would force their way to the point of the wanes. The prison- ers were then to overpower them, secure the guns, and use the weapons against the sentries on the two plat- forms ahead, while ‘several of the strongest men, which, of course, included the big German, were to endeavor to uncouple the car by removing one of the pins. This last part of the programme could only be effected on a down grade. Such a grade existed a few miles outside of Culpepper, where the train ran for some distance through a wild and marshy district. mit me. But not It was a desperate plan, and success was by no means certain. Blood was likely to flow. The men, however, were just as desperate as the scheme. A Southern prison was to be avoided at every hazard. So it was. agreed to go ahead and chance the result. — * Phil was near enough to comprehend what was under way. He foresaw a great risk in the undertaking, but ‘COMRADES. the general impression was S'pose dot you listen a couple of min-: blows succeeded each other in rapid confusion. resolved to be in it himself, for he was in the humor for any kind of a rash project. He forced himself into the. group congregated around the German. “By shimmany cribs! Is dot you, ee ex- claimed Jake, in ‘astonishment, holding out his big paw. “Poys, ve got avay dis time, I bed you. Dis feller vas a reg’lar fire-eater. You vas ought’'r see him lead dot charge off der Fire boys yesterday. T’under and blit-. zen! He vent in like der tuyvel, and no mistake, I bed you. Off he took a hand mit us yust now, I bed me your life he make it hot for dose Shonny reps purty quick. I tole you he vas a pully poy mit a glass eye.” All eyes were turned upon the young sergeant, -and favorable. He certainly looked like a fighter. There was a grim determination in his face, heightened by the blood-stained bandage about his head, “and the flash of his eye, that won the confidence of the boys at once. “He'll do,” said one bronzed fellow, a veteran artillery- man from the United States regular army. “Yon bet!’ said another soldier in torn and ys regi~- mentals. “You're with us; lad, eh?” oa “To the death!” exclaimed Phil, earnestly. — A loud murmur of approval greeted this short but effective reply. Jake Dundersweivel had been over the wend oe times in months past, and he knew just when the train was approaching the grade he had calculated upon for their dash for freedom. He explained the lay of the land on both sides of the track, and how difficult immediate recapture would be if once they succeeded in penetrating that waste of brake and bog. At last Jake gave the preconcerted signal, and with one accord a dozen men sprang together in a bunch and began such a hubbub that speedily attracted the attention of aie sentries. The racket grew Oaths and fictitious Minor. fights ensued on the fringe of the main group, and the rear car was presently a scene of ferocious contention and uproar that baffles-description. It was so real that even many in the secret began to wonder if the project” hadn’t developed an actual free fight of the most desper- ate character. Two of the three guards at each end began to push their way through the throng toward the center of the Car hey were not hindered, but the prisoners closed in. behind them so as to prevent their retreat. The prisoners on the car ahead, perceiving the rum- pus and believing an effort was being made to attack the guards, became alarmingly untuly, and the three sen- tries at this end of the car had their hands full keeping them in subjection. e Phil had sneaked his way forward and-incited several of the men to make a demonstration against the single guard. The grayback pushed his bayonet forward with a stern threat to run them through. This was what the young trooper had expected. Standing on one side, he grabbed the musket barrel with one hand and thrust the other hand under the lock, which was at full cock. © “Now, boys, quick! Get this fellow’s gun!” Hager hands a the barrel. The soldier pulled in intensity. COMRADES. the trigger, but the lock fell on the back of Phil’s hand. The Confederate struggled to retain his weapon, and was drawn partly into the car. A shower of blows took ef- fect in the face. The musket was torn from his grasp, one of the prisoners getting a jab in the leg from the bayonet in the confusion. The soldier was then pulled into the car and overpowered. The other four sentries*had been surprised without half the trouble. Thus five loaded muskets had been secured by the prisoners. Two lads in blue went to the rear platform and com- pelled the surrender of the solitary guard left there. Three others pushed their way to the other end and covered the sentries on the opposite platform, compell- ing them to yield their guns or be shot down. ‘The pris- oners in the second car secured the men and guns in a twinkling. wae The train was well on the down grade by this time. A long, shrill whistle announced that they were approach- ing a curve on the line. The speed slackened somewhat, and the cars bumped together. These were the days be- fore the automatic air brake had been introduced, and the cars were joined by an iron coupling and two iron ins. : At this juncture, Jake Dundersweivel pushed his way out on the platform, and reaching over pulled out the ie i For a few minutes the cars held. together, owing to the grade, then Jake shouted: “Put on dot prake yust at vonce—quick The brake was immediately applied, the impetus of the car was checked, and the rest of the train went on, disappearing around the curve, a score of the prisoners who had comprehended this plan tumbling off head over heels in their frantic efforts to join their more fortunate comrades upon the detached car. The last car soon came to a standstill. a wild rush to escape. Men poured out from front and rear and scrambled awkwardly through the open win- dows. - When the alarm was finally raised and the train backed up the grade to recover the car, not a prisoner was in sight. The car stood alone and deserted on the track. \? CHAPTER XVHL THE RECOGNITION. As fast as the men deserted the stalled car they rushed “into the trackless brake by the side of the railroad and disappeared. ; ; “Come mit me, sergeant; ve don’t got blenty off dime to spare, I bed you.” ue : “ery : “All right,” said Phil, cheerily, “I’m with you. I guess those soldiers won’t dare chase us. They've got their hands full with the other prisoners.” — Half an hour later in the gathering dusk they saw a. Jarge party of Confederate cavalry dash along the coun- try road in the direction of the brake. . “l'm afraid a great many of the boys will have but a short shift of freedom,” said Phil, as the squad disap- peared in a cloud of dust. As “T bed me dot meinself. der us got away dan dat so efery one go mit dot Richmond down, ain't id?” es . stomach is apt to make a man desperate. Then ensued Id vas bedder dot some off — — *I reckon: 29 “Certainly. The boys were given a chance; it is for them to improve it.” i “Dot’s yust der vay I looks at id. id don’t been our fault.” . It was quite dark when they approached a comfortable farmhouse and its attendant outbuildings. Both of the fugitives were extremely hungry, not having feasted very bountifully since Saturday. Indeed, the question of rations had become a serious problem—so imperative, in fact, that the pair held a consultation over the ad- visability of applying for food at the house in question. It was certainly assuming a great risk, but an empty The result of the deliberation was a determination to survey the — premises, Approaching the barn from the back way, they per- ceived an opening about eight feet from the ground. The shutter had not yet been closed. “Perhaps ve found some old togs inside dot blaces. Off you get in iront, sergeant, | boost you up. Den off you got somedings let dem fall oud mid der vindow.” Phil clambered into the barn with the German troop- ers help. It was dark as the fabled cave of Erebus within, for the main door was closed. The young ser- geant had his unfailing supply of matches by him, and he soon had a light on the subject. The very first object he saw was a pair of overalls thrown. over a low partition. These he quickly grabbed, returned to the opening and pitched out. Pursuing his investigations, he secured two old straw hats, another pair of ragged trousers, and a couple of blouses. This plun- der he dropped outside, and retreated himself by the way he had entered. a “By shimmany, dese unexbressibles fit me purty quick, Off I sit me down too fast dey break in two, I bed you. I feel yust so as if I vos melted and boured into dem. I bed me nine dollars I vos a sight for sore eyes, ain’t id?” Phil grinned broadly, for the stout German was a pic- ture—a caricature, in fact. “Now,” said Phil, “we'll strike this place for a meal. Let me do the talking. Remember we’ve got a job near Fredericksburg. That’s where we’re bound for.” “Yaw. I hope dey don’t spot der clothes, sergeant. Off I see mienself in a glass, I bed you I s’all oxplode mit interior combustication.” Feeling’ confident that they bore no outward resem-. blance to Yankee soldiers, the curiously attired pair boldly marched up to the farmhouse and knocked at the back door. A field hand answered the summons. “What yer want?” he said. “We're tired and hungry,’ have something to eat?” “T dunno,” answered the man, viewing the pair with evident.suspicion. “Whar yer kim from?’ es “Down yonder,” replied the young trooper, waving his hand rather indefinitely southward. . “What mought be ther name of ther place?’ “Gordsonsville.” , “We've been bothered with a pesky lot’r tramps’r late. I dunno as yer kin git ennythin’ hyar.” eee “We're dead tired and nearly starved,” said Phil, anx- iously. _ - Off dey got tooken 2 answered Phil. “Can we Be yer feld help ?” 30° “That's what we are.’ “Arter a job?” ‘No. Going.to one.’ “Whar?” “Fredericksburg.” “Yer wait hyar.’” In a few minutes the man returned and invited them into the kitchen. He told them to sit at the table, and then put before them a plentiful layout of scraps of meat, several slices of bread, a piece of corn cake and a jug of milk, “Ther old man‘ll sée yer. “fore yer. go,’ he said. “*Pears like yer had’r bad head, young feller,” to Phil. “What mought be ther matter wi’ 1t?” “Hurt it,’ said Phil, shortly, his mouth full of the provender, than which he was willing to affirm he had never tasted anything more delicious in his life. - As for Jake, the way he was cramming himself bade fair to make sad havoc with his strained buttons. The field hand watched the pair curiously, and occasionally hazarded a question which the fugitives were very slow of answering. They had “swallowed the last mouthful and drained the jug, when a very pretty girl popped into the room. The German had risen from his chair. grotesque figure that the young lady burst into a peal of laughter. Jake knew he was the cause of her merriment, and got very red in the face. “Haw! haw! haw ’ he replied; sar donically. : “Excuse me,” she said, a bit confused, ‘‘but you do look just too funny for anything.” “Ts dot so?” Phil still sat in his chair staring at the girl with a look of astonishment and apprehension. He ‘Tecognized her at once. It was Stella Marshall. He knew they had in- advertently taken refuge in the house of that arch Con- federate aider and abettor, John Marshall. Though the German was ignorant of the fact, our young trooper clearly perceived that their position was one of grave peril. Jake was decidedly sensitive to ridicule, and he did not possess the tact to conceal his feelings. “Off you don’t vos such a purty. nice gal, I tole you somedings vot I dink on der subject, I bed you.” The smile vanished from the girl’s face, and she flushed up at once. “Shut up, Jake!’ * said Phil; “are you mad?” “T bed me nine dollars I vos so mad as a hornet.” The young lady looked at Phil intently. Something in the tone of his voice and the flash of his eye seemed to awaken a fleeting recollection. “Henry,” she turned to the hired man, barn.” The man obeyed. As soon as the door closed behind him she turned to Phil. “I know you in spite of your disguise, Sif, Federal ee i “go to the ‘ CHAPTER XIX. DPN WASP” Sr IN Sidve Phil sprang to his feet with flushed face. “You are mistaken, miss,’ he said, nervously. “Do you deny that you are the person who saved me » myself and companion. We He presented such a _ officer and a gentleman. of you, as my guests. You are a. COMRADES. from the outrageous conduct of a Yankce coldier W ho ia vaded my mother’s house at F airiax Courthouse ? Phil saw that it was useless to ga ainsay his identity. He clearly perceived that she knew him and that evasion . on his part would only serve to. lower himself in her eyes Ww ith out helping his case a particie. “Tam obliged to at you are right,” he answered, a a iow tone, Your rec oe is most unfortunate for were taken prisoners at Bull Run. A few hours ago we olided our captors, and were trying to escape to the. Potomac. Hunger drove us here. Now——” “Well?” she answered, as he paused. “You will of course give the alarm, and we shall be re- taken.” “Dunder une blitzen!” exclaimed the German, fu- riously. ‘‘For why s’all ve be tooken? Dis gal must not pe bermitted to gif der alarm! I fix her in zwei minutes, I bed you!” Jake grabbed a knife from the table and suddenly seized Miss Marshall by the arm. “No,” said Phil, interposing, “you must not harm her.” ‘Are you crasy, sergeant? Off you so took leaf off your senses, I s’all look oud mit meinself, I bed you! I fight me like der tuyfel before I go mit dot Richmond, und I ain't no shicken vhen I got me mad vonce!” The German looked decidedly ugly; but Miss Marshall did not appear to be very much alarmed at his demonstra- tion. “Private Dundersweivel!” lease that young lady!” The big Dutchman wavered a moment, then drew back, assumed a military attitude, and touched his forehead. Years of experience in the German army had implanted in his stubborn nature a sense of exact obedience to: his superior in rank. Phil had touched the right key. > “T thank you, sir,’ satd the girl, gracefully, to Phil. “T knew I was in no danger as long as you were here. You shall see that I am not ungrateful for what you did f6r me at Fairfax Courthouse. 1 acknowledge myself a stanch little rebel. I am violently opposed to the cause you serve. I hate the Yankee invaders; but,” dropped her glance for an instant, “I am not insensible to a kindness at the hands of even an enemy. You have served me, not in the phase of a Federal officer, but as an In that respect you have made me your friend. Consider that you have been here, both You are free to go.” “Miss Marshall,” in the name of my comrade, I thank you,” said Phil, in a gratified tone. “It is unnecessary. I am still.in your’ debt. ask one favor, sir.’ “What is that, Miss Marshall: (she “Tell me your name.’ “With pleasure. I am Philip Gordon Stirling, ser- geant in the Pine Grove Cavalry troop.’ “Thank you. I shall remember the name, and if ever I can be of service to you—individually, remember, ” she blushed, “I will be only too glad exclaimed Phil, seedy I would © “T assure you, Miss Marshall, neither of us will soon» forget your generosity,” said Phil. we may meet again. make tracks.” “Good-by. Perhaps Come, Dundersweivel, we'd better here she COMRADES. Phil threw open the. door. only. to discover the arrival of several Confederate cavalrymen at that moment. Phil heard the noise of the horses and the jingling of the accoutrements just in time to call Jaké’s attention to i: fact. The Unionists ‘retreated to the dining-room, where Stella had already gone, and Phil turned the key in the door: “There's several Confec ferate cavalrymen in the yard,” said Phil, hurriedly.’ “If you will let us out the front way, Miss Marshal i it will be a great favor.” “Come with me,’ she said, without hesitation, and ee followed her. - Her hand was on the knob of the front door when a heavy step on the veranda and clank of a sabre scabbard told the three that escape in that direction was cut off. Miss Stella then went to a side window and looked out into the night, “T'm afraid the house is surrou nded,”’ she said, noting a soldier with a carbine across his arm in vigilant atten- ton, “Then we're cornered, ejacilated Phil, “Come with me,” said Stella, running up the front stairs. Their steps were accelerated. by’ the bursting: 1 in of the dining-reom door. Upon the landing above the young ein hurried them up the second flight. “You'll find a ‘adder on the next landing. It connects with the cupola. Push up the trap. Your own ingenu- ity rust serve you if. you would escape by the roof. Good-by. I must leave you here.” She darted into her own room and shut herself-inside. “Come on sergeant, ve don’t got all night to reach der roof... Dis vos-a tight pox, I bed you,’ Phil followed the Dutchman, who had taken prece- dence, His recent exertions had played havoc with Jake's tight garments. He had left a trail of buttons be- hind him, and there was a wide split in his trousers. Had the circumstances been less serious, Phil would have roared at..the comical appearance pres soe by his big comrade. ' The-way to the cupola was easy and clear ae. and they. soen reached the spot, closing the trap under t them, “Vell? said Jake, scratching his head, “vat you tinks? How s’all ve got avay now ve vos here?” The night was dark. the sky, and ‘a low moaning wind was stirring the: trée- yee that showed ia gloomy patches below. 93 “Wie must steal across the roof, drop to the top of the They don’t suspect about it we may get kitchen, -and then to’the ground. we're up Here, and if we're lively away in the darkness.” “Das is goot. Off you lead der vayy Sergeant, I oy mit your heels cl ose.’ “Come on, then,” servatory. said Phil, crawling out of the “ Like cats, they made their ‘way over the. apex ‘of the . slanting roof w ithout attracting attention from below. They: reached the end of the main building, - and -faced a_ twelve feet to the kitchen beneath. “It was for- drop of there was no ) time: to. consider midable in the dark, ‘but that questio nis =o i ON ered oa ee Threatening elouds puetnins himself caret Hy to. arnys” Tenth, and A aa ASE 1505 Rt eres ol t dropped, alighting easily, It was different with the heavy German. He came down like a load of bricks. The concussion attracted the sentry’s notice, and he dis- charged his carbine in the direction of the sound. CHAPTER XX. THE ESCAPE. The alarm having been given, it behooved the fugitives not to let the grass grow under their feet. “By shimmany, I made yust a hole in der. shingle dot dime, I bed you. Off dose sogers vos peneath dey dink © der houses vas goming py dem on dop, ain't id?” on't make a hole in the ground when you drop off; - now,” said Phil, with grim jocularity, as he slipped oe the kitchen. Phil waited till ‘his stout comrade had struck. hee ground ; then off they started into the gloom, the Dutch- man’s bursted garments fluttering in the air behind him. Jake was now asight to behold. The largest section of his trousers was rent to ribbons, and a great gash ex~ ténded down half the length of each limb. » Fortunately, a few buttons had resisted the strain, or the stalwart trooper’s exposure would certainly have been extremely mortifying. Their progress through the stalks of ripening corn was not without some noise, and one of the cavalrymen standing -watch outside sent a bullet after them. ‘They made some considerable progress before organized: pur- suit was begun. It must have wrung a groan from John Marshall’s heart to see the troopers plowing their way through his promising cro The whistling ball told Phil and Jake the direction they had taken was k nown, so they speedily turned’ off to the left and made for the adjoining meadow. As they mounted the connecting fence they heard the horsemen beating up the corn field. Dropping. into the open field; which was pasture land, they scurried away at the top of their speed, which for the Dutchman was par- ticularly hard work, and he was soon panting along at Phil's ‘heels, blowing like a huge porpoise. “Off you don’d ease up, sergeant, I sit me down tind vait till I vos tooken!” gasped Dundersweivel, his. eyes bulging from this unusual exertion. Phil, stopped with great good nature, for he had no intention of deserting his comrade. While the German _ was recovering a portion of his wind the young trooper listened for sounds of pursuit. He heard nothing, how- ever. ‘This was only partially reassuring, forthe horses were likely to make little noise in the meadow. The flash and report of a carbine nearly half a mile back brought as satisfied smile to his face, for it told them that their pursuers were off on a false scent. : “Are you ready to go on? We can't anchor here, zon : know,” said Phil. : epi? aps ve vas took root in a vorse places as die? “No doubt about that if the ee amend catch on to us.” “Vell, go on mit der moosic. I bed me nine Aallars: a peat you so far dot fence,’ and the ponderous German — started off with the agility of an elephant. . Phil passed him before he reached the coveted goal. They. clambered over the ae and sesumed on retreat at a more leisurely Pace. * 32 \ " Some hours later they steele a creek, a while a8 ing a fording place discovered a flat-bottom boat drawn up among the rushes. “By shimmany, sergeant, dis vos a brize backage, I bed you! Ve caught a rest mid dis, und a free passage down by dot Rabbahannock—yaw !” “This isa fortunate discovery, Dundersweivel,” ad- mitted Phil, who considered it would be much easier to float down the stream to the Rappahannock and thence down that river to the vicinity of Fredericksburg than to walk forty-odd miles. This mode of getting on also had its advantages. They - would be in no danger of missing the road, nor were they likely to be bothered by Confederate soldiers or inquisi- tive civilians. This was a point which needed no argument; and un- fastening the painter of the boat, they stepped in and pushed off. Phil seated himself in the stern, Jake in the middle, and, each using a sort of paddle, with which the boat was provided, they kept her head with the current. The difficulties of the navigation were overcome with more or less labor, and before sunrise they had reached and were well on their way down the north fork of the. Rappahannock River. About eight o’clock they hauled the bateau into a se- cluded nook, and wearied with the exertions of the night, stretched themselves out as comfortably as the circum. stances permitted and went to sleep. It was well along in the afternoon when they awoke, and the question of rations, especially to the German, be- came a pressing necessity. They kept on down the river until dark, when they sought the bank in the vicinity of a ramshackle farmhouse—the only one in sight. Phil elected to go ashore and forage. Indeed, the Dutchman was so unpresentable that it was out of the question for him to venture. Our young trooper had a good stock of assurance, and drawing upon this he suc- ceeded in persuading the farmer-to part with a limited quantity of corn cake, fried bacon, and two hard-boiled eggs. With this Phil returned to the flatboat. After they had eaten their meal they resumed their journey down the river. About two in the morning the flatboat ran upon a snag and sank, throwing the fugi- tives into the water. They regarded this as a misfortune. Later on as they were plodding along down the river bank, they ran across a negro whose cabin rested near the waterside. From him they ascertained that Fredericks- burg lay only a few miles below, so the loss of their boat was no great matter after all, since it was their purpose to abandon it before they came to the city. Taking their direction from the colored man, who was a Northern sym- pathizer, like most of his race, they cut across the coun- try. About noon they picked up a meal at a lone farmhouse occupied only by women, who directed them toward Po- tomac Creche...” Reaching this narrow water, course, they carefully fol- lowed the windings of the stream till it widened out grad- ually, warning them that they were within a few miles of their objective point—the Potomac River. Fortune again threw a boat in their way, and by sunset Marlboro Point lay on their left, with the glittering wa- ters of the big river dead ahead. - 57—Tom Wright's Contest; - 38—Tom Wright's Tramp Engineer; CO MR ae ° a9 Bliare. sunrise < they be ted on: Ane were once more within the Union lines. Many of Phil’s comrades who had See} field of battle could scarcely believe their éves when they saw him enter the camp, apparently none ‘the worse. for : But when the troop heard the store Pst Phil’s and he comrade’s thrilling experiences, they voted the young ser geant the pluckiest officer of the “Fire Brigade.” THE END. Phil’s next experience, dealing with some of the most thrilling adventures of his career, will be told in No. 65 of COMRADES, which will be found on sale at all news- stands June 16 next. Watch for it. It will be entitled, “On Guard: or, Trooper Phil’s Peril.” Don’t fail to read these thrilling war stories. They are being published regularly in COMRADE Next week's Come. ADES (No. 62)" will further adventures of Tom Wright and his friends. contain the ‘The story will be entitled “Tom W right’ s Boy Comrades } or, The Young Crusoes of Death Valley.” LATEST ISSUES: 59—Tom Wright's Luck; or, Finding the Fortune. 58—Tom Wright in Old Santa Fe; or, the poneet for the Gir- dle of Gold. , Doomed to Death. 56—Tom Wright’s Mascot; a The Old Clown’s Secret. 55—Tom Wright’ s Boy Friend: or, Bobbie Skylark’s Big Battle. 54-Tom Wright at Bartlett's Ranch; or, Bucking the Cowboys of the Great Lone Land. ., 58—Tom Wright's Phantom Chase; or, A Message Out of the Air 52—-Tom Wright’s Treasure Cave; or, The Abode of Mystery. 51—Tom Wright’s Discovery; or, The Silver. Prison of. the Pueblos. 50—Tom Wright’s Ally; or, The Boy with the Glass Eyes. 49_-Tom Wright on His Mettle; or, The Race for a Terminal. 48_-Tom Wright’s Opponent; or, A Foeman Worthy of His Steel. 47--Tom Wright’s Great Find; or, The Secret of the Rainbow Mountains. 46—Tom Wright’ s Sealed Orders; or, The Road to Fortune. 45—-Tom Wright’s Lightning Dash; or, A Railroad on Skates. 44__Tom Wright on the Sleeper; or, Taking Business from the Ticket Scalpers. 43—-Tom Ent Slow Train; or, The Man with the Blew aw 42_.Tom Wright on the Pay-Car; or, The Accident at Big In- dian ‘Viaduct. 41_Tom Wright to the Rescue; or, The Excursion Train in Danger. 40—Tom Wright, Division Superintendent ; Exoress Car. 39—Tom Wright's Pull; or, A Well-Earned Reward. 38—Tom Wright’s Challenge: or, A Railroad President for a Rival. 37—Tom Wright on the,Fast Freight; or, A Fight to the Front. 36—Tom Wright, Dispatcher ; or, A Double- Quick Call for the ‘Air Brakes. 35—-Tom Wright's Mystery; or, A Ten-Strike for a Railroad Comrade. 34--Tom Wright’s Peril; or, Trouble in the or, The Lightning Express Afloat. or, A Raw Hand at the Throttle. 32—Tom Wright's Big Chance; or, A Railroad King for a : Friend. 31—Tom Wright’s Decision; or, Fighting It Out with the Director. Back numbers always on hand. Jf you cannot get our babies Maryland shore, and — Mien fait on ee e tions from your newsdealer, five cents a Rr will pene them to” -you, by mail, postpaid. The Tip Top Weekly = «© AND THE = - - FRANK MERRIWELL STORIES. eae L cordial -eception and popularity accorded to the Frank Merriwell Stories, ~ published exclusively in STREET & SMITH’S TIP TOP WEEKLY, aul. ee modern series of tales for boys and youth has met with anything like the publication which has to-day a circulation larger than that of all similar weeklies combined. There must be a reason for this, and there is. Frank Merri- well, as portrayed by the author, is a jolly, whole-souled, honest, courageous Ameri- can lad, who appeals to the hearts of the boys. -He has no bad habits, and his manliness inculcates the idea that it is not necessary for a boy to indulge in petty vices to be a hero. Frank Merriwell’s example is a shining light for every ambitious lad to follow. 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