George Waldo Browne

“ Ay, from out of their depths flashed at times the light which told plainly of the slumbering flame of insanity.
“I knew you would come here,” he said, calmly.
“But—I do not know you,” exclaimed Mara in alarm, glancing toward a group of soldiers just beyond.
“Nor need you marvel at that,” replied the stranger, lowly. “I know every man in the Confederate army, but no one knows me! Nor would they recognize me if they did. The tent is vacated now; come in.” ”

“ Captain Morland quickly acquainted her with the particulars of the postponed execution.
“It is an unpleasant turn of affairs,” he said in conclusion, “but no more than one must be prepared to meet in the fortunes of war. Curt is a spy and a dreaded foe to our cause. I love him as a brother, but am powerless to help him. God knows I would gladly save him if I could.”
She wrung her hands in agony.
“And you are sure that he will be shot to-morrow?”
“As certain as I am that the sun will rise. But, Mara, this is weak in you. He is not the only one——”
“I know—I know, brother. But I—I love him! ”

“ Cavalry Curt uttered the affirmative when the thought occurred to him that it would serve to hide his face.
But his voice had betrayed him.
Captain Morland turned his searching gaze upon him and their eyes met.
“Curt Remington!”
“Hal Morland!”
It was a strange meeting for old friends.
The scout was the first to recover his self-possession.
“I hoped you wouldn’t recognize me, Hal. But do your duty. It is a poor soldier who is afraid to die.”
“No—no! not that, Curt. My God, I did not dream of this. I have not forgot the debt that I owe you. How came you here?”
“I was caught as a spy. ”

“ MARA MORLAND’S MISSION.
If it was General Johnston’s aim to draw the Northern troops as near as possible to Atlanta before engaging in the culminating battle, General Sherman, on the other hand, was equally as anxious to meet his foe at an early day and as far from the Confederate arsenal as it might be. Could he shatter Johnston’s army, as he felt confident of doing, his march to the sea would be simply a “walk over.”
The great mountain system of East Tennessee outstretched like a giant arm into the heart of the Confederacy. ”

“ You could not have had a better friend come to your rescue. I am glad he has come. Trust in him and you will have little to fear. You had better get ready at once.”
“But what will become of you?”
“Oh, I shall get along all right,” he replied, carelessly. “Remember I shall be among friends. I wish you god-speed in your escape. If we never meet again, remember Boyd Wyman will never forget your kindness to him. There, you had better return to your friend as there is no time to be lost.”
Not without some reluctance Mara returned to the Wizard Scout. ”

“ You see our men have captured a troublesome fellow called Cavalry Curt, one of Sherman’s spies. He is to be shot at sunset and the unpleasant duty has been assigned to you. See that there is no blunder in the proceedings. You will find him under guard down at the lower barracks. As soon as it is over report to me. By the way news have come that Sherman is beginning hostilities. It looks as if we might be called to the front at any moment. It is no time to harbor spies. Captain Morland, your duty is plain. I trust we can depend upon you for the work. ”

“ Reluctantly she turned from the sight of the burning building.
“Homeless and a fugitive!” she murmured. “God have pity on me now.”
“Do not lose courage,” he said. “Remember you are not alone in your grief. All that I held dear sleeps to-night beneath the Confederate sod.”
Then as if wishing to change the subject he said, pointing down the valley:
“That must be our course. On our right is Dalton, on our left, Buzzard’s Gap. We must look sharp or we shall run into the clutches of foes before we know it. These disguises must be cast off at the first possible moment. ”

“ Sad, anxious days to Mara Morland followed her return from that eventful trip to Dalton.
Her grandfather sank fast from the wound he received that morning and it soon became evident, even to Mara, that he had but a few hours to live.
“I do not mind dying,” he said. “I have lived far beyond the age of man, and I have felt I must soon be called home. It is for you that I fear, my child. ”

“ I suppose you realize your situation.”
“Better perhaps than you, general,” replied Curt, speaking for the first time, his cool, measured tone sending a thrill through the frames of his listeners.
“You are too brave a man to belong to the cause you have espoused,” continued the Confederate commander. “Let me give you a chance to see yonder sun set.”
“General Johnston,” said the scout, quickly, comprehending the other’s meaning, “I am brave enough to meet death but not brave enough to betray my country.” ”

“ He spoke with great earnestness.
“You forget that I am a rebel.”
“No more than you did when you saved the life of Cavalry Curt. But have done with talk. I believe I hear a body of horsemen coming this way.”
“And they are coming at a smart canter,” said Mara, as the sounds grew rapidly plainer.
“It must be a skirmishing squad of Johnston’s. We can’t be far from the road.”
[28]
“Do you think they will see us?” she asked.
“Not if we can help it. We must look round for a hiding-place though. Ha! I believe yonder thicket is just the place for us. Let’s see about it.” ”

“ But I did not know he was your friend, Mara—Miss Morland.”
“I never saw him until to-day, but he was a friend to Harry. He seems like a noble man.”
“Well enough I dare say. But do not let your sympathy rob you of your reason. The boys are starting and I must not delay longer. I hope to see you again soon.”
He had taken one of her hands in his and pressing it to his lips, he hastily left the room.
“Mara, I don’t understand this,” said Colonel Morland, turning to her as the horsemen rode away with the captive scout in their midst. ”

“ Under the giant pine Lieutenant Boggs ordered a halt.
“One of us had better climb the tree. If I mistake not, from its top the camp of the Yanks will be in plain view. You are the man to do it,” he concluded, turning to Cavalry Curt.
The words in themselves were innocent enough, but they were no sooner spoken than the scout instantly interpreted a double meaning. ”

“ Some of the party had dismounted and were advancing.
“Yes, keep back! keep back!” warned Colonel Morland with both arms outstretched.
“Great King! he is a woman!” exclaimed one of the horsemen, as he saw Mara’s long hair falling down her neck and shoulders.
“Woman or devil,” cried the leader, “seize her. She is Cavalry Curt; or the one in league with him.”
Mara was armed and she had so far recovered her self-possession as to bid defiance to them.
“She means business,” ejaculated the foremost of the would-be captors. ”

“ Before Mara could speak he stepped boldly out from the growth into the path of the oncoming horsemen.
Parting the bushes so that she had a good view of the scene Mara saw the troops, half a dozen in number, dash into sight.
To her dismay the Wizard Scout went coolly forward to meet them, crying as they swept down upon him.
“Hold up there, boys! would ye ride right over an old man?” ”

“ Her eyes fell before his gaze.
“You are a Yankee!” she exclaimed in confusion.
“Yes,” he answered frankly. “I am one of Sherman’s scouts.”
A shadow fell upon her fair countenance.
“We are rebels, here!” she faltered. “I have a brother in Johnston’s army.”
It was his turn to look dismayed.
“Pardon me, I could go no further. I——”
“Never mind; you seem like an honest man, though one of Abe Lincoln’s hirelings. You can rest here until you regain your strength.” ”

“ Miss Morland, you have deceived us.”
“Captain Dermot,” said Mara with quivering lips, “do you doubt my loyalty? I would rather die than betray the cause my brother has so nobly espoused.”
“I do not doubt it,” replied the Confederate, “but we must find that accursed spy if possible. General Johnston has offered a thousand dollars to the man who captures him. You will not object to our searching your buildings?”
“No—no. But is it necessary? Grandpa is away. Can’t you wait until he returns.”
“Delays are dangerous. Besides Cavalry Curt is no ordinary man. We must not waste any more time. ”

“ But to whom am I indebted for this kind act?”
“To the Wizard Scout,” replied Mara, and the next instant he was alone.
“A strange man,” mused Cavalry Curt. “But I have no time to waste in speculation. As I am not needed here I must start for the general’s headquarters. He will think I am a tardy errand-boy.”
But Cavalry Curt was not on his own footing yet.
In the very heart of the enemy’s encampment it was no easy matter to run the gantlet of his foes.
His disguise, however, seemed sufficient, for few had seen his face. ”

“ The movement was so sudden that before the surprised sentry could discharge his weapon the rider was upon him.
The report of his rifle followed, but the bullet flew wide of its mark, and he was hurled to the earth.
“On, Wildbird, on!” cried the reckless rider, his words drowned by the sounds of his flying steed’s iron heel.
The amazed cavalrymen had gained their feet.
“Stop him, boys!” cried their leader. “’Tis one of Sherman’s scouts!” ”

“ Parting the thick branches he gazed out upon the surrounding country scene for several miles in the clear starlight. Had it been daylight he might have seen distinctly a wide panorama of scenery.
As he had expected to do he gazed upon the tents of an encampment of the Federal troops. He knew well enough it was McPherson’s corps lying in wait, undecided as yet whether to move boldly upon Reseca or to retreat.
The forces were but a few miles away and fixing the direction in his mind he began to look around him for some avenue of escape, knowing that he had but a few minutes in which to act. ”

“ The commander took the packet from his orderly’s hand, and with a nervous hand broke the seal.
“Sherman’s army is on the move,” he muttered under his breath. “Thomas is on a march to Buzzard’s Gap. At last the campaign has opened and the time for more decisive action on our part has come. Colonel Markham,” turning to one of his subordinates, “I leave the fate of the prisoner in your hands. More important duties engage my attention. Have ten men detailed from your regiment placed under charge of a competent officer who shall see that the prisoner immediately meets the fate of a spy. ”

“ Actors: In the foreground, a horseman and a drowsy sentinel roused to a sense of his duty by the sound of the approaching rider; in the background, a score or more of Confederate cavalry—men springing from their blankets at the warning of danger.
A rifle had sprung to the shoulder of the startled sentry, and the sharp click of a lock followed his ringing challenge.
The foam-flecked steed of the on-comer was hurled back upon its haunches by the iron hold laid upon its bit.
“Who comes there?” repeated the ominous tone of the man in gray.
“A friend to the loyal,” answered the horseman. ”

“ The march to Reseca was performed with the ease and rapidity that marked the Confederate commander’s entire campaign.
Cavalry Curt, we remember, had actually entered the rebel ranks, and leaving Mara Morland in her grief and hopeless condition we must, in order to keep along with the occurrence of events, turn to narrate the scout’s checkered fortunes.
Warned of Sherman’s premeditated attack by McPherson upon Reseca under cover of an assault in Buzzard Roost led by Thomas, and Schofield’s march toward Dalton, Johnston had on the fifteenth of May ordered Canty’s cavalry to that place. ”

“ Mara was weeping bitterly.
“Who are you?” queried the chief.
“Boyd Wyman; and I can vouch for these people’s loyalty even as I can my own.”
“It is Boyd Wyman!” averred one of the soldiers. “They said he was wounded and stopping up here.”
“Is the old man seriously hurt?” asked the leader, moving in his seat uneasily.
“Yes,” replied the scout; “he has received his death wound.”
“I am sorry, for we meant him no harm. Who is that beside him?”
“Mara Morland, his grand-daughter. ”

“ This last was spoken loud enough for the fugitive to hear even were he further away than was supposed.
Nothing in shape of a reply was vouchsafed.
“Hanged if I believe he’s there,” said Boggs.
“Oh, we’ll show you in less’n no time. Come on, boys.”
Without further delay Jones began the ascent of the tree, the others following upon his heels.
The smile upon the Wizard Scout’s grim visage broadened as he and Curt watched the Confederates.
“There’s one apiece for us!” he whispered.
“And you may have old shoulder-straps,” added Curt. “Come, why wait longer?” ”

“ I have only been out of the house a few minutes, and surely you do not doubt my loyalty enough to think that I would give protection to one of Abe Lincoln’s spies?”
The old man showed great emotion and his tone was one of honesty.
“No—no; not you, colonel. But—young ladies are sometimes rashly influenced by a good-looking stranger,” and he looked at Mara who was a silent spectator.
Colonel Morland caught the meaning of that look; at least he exclaimed:
“Explain yourself, Captain Dermot.”
“Ask the young lady if she has seen the man we are in quest of,” he replied. ”

“ Turning to the wondering soldiers he said:
“Boys, that man is a Freemason. So am I. They may do what they will to me, but I cannot see this work go on. I am bound by an oath that I cannot break to harm no one of the fraternity. Some one else must finish this work. For the present I order him to the guard-house. See that he does not escape. I will report to headquarters.”
With a few passes made to the captive scout, which the others of course did not understand, he wheeled and started for the colonel’s tent. ”

“ Curt had whispered a kind good-bye to her who had so nobly defended him, as his captors bore him out of the room.
“Never fear for me,” he said. “I am a soldier who is not afraid to die. Give my regards to Hal when you see him.” ”

“ It required no second bidding for the soldiers to secure so valuable a captive, and a minute later Cavalry Curt was in the power of his foes.
Colonel Morland had been freed, so that he breathed easier.
Mara looked on in silence, and though she had lowered the weapon she still held it in her hand.
“I hope you will lose nothing by your conduct to-day,” said Captain Dermot, more in mockery, we suspect, than sincerity.
She offered no reply.
“Come, men,” he continued, “we can afford to start for headquarters now. We have done a good day’s work.” ”