"Thank you. From all I have heard I could never question the loyalty of Judge Moran." He spoke a few short orders, swung down from the saddle, and, followed by a half-dozen others, began climbing the steps, talking with Miss Willifred. I heard the party enter the hall, and pause for a moment, the sound of voices mingling but indistinguishable. Then a door opened, and the men trooped into the front parlor. There was a rattle as accoutrements were laid aside; then a table was drawn forth, and Beauregard"s voice spoke:
"The portfolio, Sternes; now, Captain, let me read over that last despatch again. Ah, yes, I see. Is Colonel O"Neil waiting? Tell him to post Williams" brigade at the bridge, with Ozark"s battery. Pickets should be advanced at least two miles. Lieutenant Greer, ride to the Three Corners, and have the regimental commanders close all gaps in the line; in case of attack we must be able to exhibit a solid front. A moment, Major Mason,--you are to bear my report to Johnston." There followed the rapid scratching of a pen, and a subdued murmur of voices.
Then the deep ba.s.s of the general again broke in: "You may as well clearly understand the proposed plans, gentlemen, so you can execute my orders with intelligence. They are extremely simple; our main attack will be directed against the enemy"s left flank; the troops selected for this service will cross at the lower ford early to-morrow night. Our own movements will depend altogether upon the success of Johnston"s advance. Chambers will be up sometime to-night, and will hold a position at rear of the centre in reserve. Is this sufficiently clear?"
"Do we cross the bridge?"
"Not until Johnston informs us his a.s.saulting column is in touch with the enemy."
"There is no absolute hour set?"
"No; that will depend upon the arrival of Chambers. And now, gentlemen, we will adjourn to the dining-room."
They pa.s.sed out, evidently in the best of humor, and I could hear them chatting and laughing in the hall. But my thoughts were now concentrated upon my own work. This was important news I had overheard, and must be in the possession of the Federal commander without delay. No personal danger could be considered. But how was it possible to get away un.o.bserved? I was in full uniform, and unarmed; the house--now Beauregard"s headquarters--under close guard; the surrounding roads lined with troops. It would be simply madness to attempt crossing the river before nightfall, and yet I could not hope to remain where I was all the afternoon without discovery. As soon as the duties of hospitality were over Miss Willifred would certainly recall her prisoner, and it could not be long before my escape from the room above would be known. I must be safely out of the house before this occurred.
It seemed to me the stables offered the best hiding-place, or else the deserted negro cabins.
I could examine the greater part of the front yard from the windows, the squad of troopers camped near the gate, and the sentinel pacing before the steps, but was compelled to lean far out to gain any glimpse of the rear. I could perceive no soldiers in this direction, however, and was encouraged to note a long grape arbor, thickly overgrown with vines, extending from the house to the other extremity of the garden. Once safely within its shadow I might get through unseen. And there was but one means of attaining the grape arbor--through the back hall, _via_ either the kitchen or the cellar. I opened the door with all possible caution, and took silent survey of the hall. The front door stood open and a guard was stationed without, but with his back toward me. I could hear voices in the dining-room, but the hall itself appeared deserted, and, feeling that it was either now or never, I slipped forth, and started toward the rear. There were two doors, one at the very extremity of the hall, the other upon the right, both closed. Uncertain which to choose I tried the first I came to, but, even as I cautiously turned the k.n.o.b, the second was opened from without, and a man entered hurriedly.
We stared into each others" faces, both too completely surprised for speech. He was a cavalry sergeant, a gray-beard, and, with my first movement, was tugging at a weapon.
"Hold on there, my buck!" he said gruffly. "None o" that, now. By G.o.d!
it"s a Yank. Bill, come here."
The guard at the front door ran down the hall toward us, his gun thrown forward.
CHAPTER X
MISS WILLIFRED INTERVENES
Any effort at escape was clearly useless; the noise and shouting had already attracted the attention of those within, and a half-dozen officers streamed out through the dining-room door, eager to learn what had occurred.
"What"s the trouble out here, Sims?" demanded the first to appear, striding forward. "Well, by all the G.o.ds, a Yank, and in full regalia!
Where did you discover this fellow?"
"I"d been back fer a drink, sir," explained the sergeant, still eying me, "an" was just comin" in through ther door yer, when I run inter him, sneakin" "long ther wall--thet"s ther whole bloomin" story."
The officer, a smooth-faced lad, turned abruptly to me.
"Well, what have you got to say?"
"Nothing," I answered quietly, "you are perfectly welcome to draw your own conclusions."
"Oh, indeed," sarcastically. "We"ll see what more civil answer you"ll make to the general. Sims, bring the fellow along."
The two soldiers grabbed me roughly by the arms, but I made no resistance, cool enough by this time, although realizing fully the peril of my position. I was marched in through the open door, and stood up in the centre of the dining-room, Sims posted on one side of me, the guard on the other, the officers forming a picturesque background. Beauregard was on his feet, and Miss Hardy stood between the windows, her hands clasped, her cheeks red.
"What is all this, gentlemen? A Federal officer in full uniform? How comes he here?"
I made no attempt to answer, unable to formulate an excuse, and the young fellow broke in swiftly,
"Sims caught him in the hall, General. He is unarmed, but refuses to explain."
The general"s stern dark eyes were upon my face.
"Hardly a spy, I think," he said quietly. "What is the explanation, sir?
Are you the bearer of a message?"
I started to speak, but before the first uncertain word came to my lips, the girl swept forward, and stood between us.
"Let me explain," she cried swiftly. "This gentleman is a friend of Captain Le Gaire"s, and was presented to me as Major Atherton, formerly on General Pemberton"s staff--perhaps there may be some here who know him?"
She glanced inquiringly about on the faces of the group, and a stockily built infantry captain struck his open hand on the table.
"By Jove, that"s it! Thought I recognized the face. How are you, Atherton?--met you at Big Shanty."
Still puzzled, although evidently relieved, Beauregard remained motionless.
"But the uniform?" he questioned. "And how did you reach the hallway without being seen?"
Her eyes met mine in a rapid flash of understanding, a little nervous laugh drawing the general"s attention.
"It is almost ridiculous," she exclaimed. "Major Atherton came through the lines with me last night. He was detailed on special service, for which purpose he donned that uniform. On meeting Captain Le Gaire here, and learning of your advance, it was no longer necessary for him to proceed at once, and, as he was very tired, he was persuaded to lie down in a room upstairs. Waking, he naturally came down into the hall, knowing nothing of your arrival. Have I correctly presented the case, Major Atherton?"
Her eyes challenged me, and I bowed.
"A perfectly clear statement."
"And a most charming advocate," added Beauregard. "We must find you some more appropriate garments, Major, but meanwhile there is room here at the table. Captain Bell, would you kindly move a little to the right.
Now, Hughes, serve Major Atherton."
I do not recall ever feeling more awkwardly embarra.s.sed than during the next few minutes. Not that the a.s.sembled officers lacked in courtesy, or failed to interest in light conversation. Led by the general they all endeavored to make me forget my strange position, and the unpleasant episode of arrest. Indeed, but for the presence of Miss Willifred in the room I imagine I should have been very much at ease, perfectly capable of doing my full share of entertaining. But with the girl standing silently in the shadow of the curtains, her eyes occasionally meeting mine, I felt a constant restraint which impelled me to answer almost in mono-syllables. She had openly defended me, saved me from arrest; without telling a direct falsehood she had, nevertheless, led these men into a grievous misunderstanding. Why had she done this? Through personal interest in me? Through some wild impulse of the moment? I could not even guess; only, I was a.s.sured of one thing: her secret motive involved no lack of loyalty to the cause of the South. Realizing this I dare not presume on her continued friendliness, dare not sit there and lie calmly, filling these men with false information, and permitting imagination to run rampant. Her eyes condemned that, and I felt the slightest indiscretion on my part would result in betrayal.
Perhaps even then she regretted her hasty action, and sought some excuse for blurting out the truth. Fortunately conversation drifted into safe channels. Bell was full of reminiscences of Big Shanty, requiring on my part but brief acquiescence, and, after a very few personal questions by the others, sufficiently direct to demand reply, Beauregard asked me about the disposition of Johnston"s forces, to which I was fortunately able to respond intelligently, giving him many details, sufficiently interesting, although of no great value. To his desire for information relative to Chambers" advance from the south, and the number of his troops, I was obliged to guess rather vaguely, but finally got away with a vivid description of Miss Hardy"s night ride, which caused even the girl herself to laugh, and chime in with a word or two. With the officers the meal was nearly completed when I joined them, and it was therefore not long until the general, noting the others had finished, pushed back his own chair.
"We will adjourn to the parlor, gentlemen," he said genially, "I shall have other orders to despatch presently. When you finish, Major, I shall be glad to talk with you more at length; until then we leave you to the care of Miss Hardy."
They pa.s.sed out, and as the door closed behind the last straggler, she came slowly across the room, and sat down in a chair opposite me, resting her flushed cheek on one hand.
"What made you do it?" I asked, impelled by a curiosity which could no longer be restrained.
"Oh, I don"t know," and her lashes lifted, giving me one swift glimpse into the depths of her eyes. "A mere impulse when I first realized the danger of your position."
"Then it was for me?--because you cared?"
"Perhaps I would have done the same for any one--I am a woman."
"I can comprehend that, yes," I insisted, "but am not willing to believe mere sympathy would carry you so far. Was there not, back of all, a feeling almost of friendship?"
"I make no such acknowledgment. I spoke before I thought; before I even realized what my words meant. And you?--how came you there?"