2. II.
S—measured the man before, or rather beneath him,
through a crevice in the plank, and calculated where he could
shoot him to the best advantage. This resource seemed all that
was left. Discovery appeared inevitable. The scout was lying
upon a single plank, directly over the head of his enemy, and
it was only necessary, apparently, for the latter to possess
ordinary eyesight to discover him. This was the scout's conviction,
as he now cautiously moved his finger to the trigger of
the pistol, which he had drawn and cocked, in expectation of
the coming struggle. He would certainly be discovered in ten
seconds, and then for an exhibition of his prowess as a Confederate
soldier and scout, which should either extricate him from
his peril, or force his very enemies to respect the courage of
the man they overwhelmed and put to death! His plan, as I
have said, was simple. He would throw himself upon this man,
shoot him through the heart, hurl the body upon the heads of
those below, and then hold his position against the whole party
at the pistol's muzzle. It was improbable that the Federal
troopers could be induced to mount the narrow stairway, at the
head of which stood at bay a desperate and determined man,
armed with a revolver in each hand. It would be certain death
to them; he must either be burned out or shelled out with
artillery! That either of these courses, however, would be
resorted to, appeared improbable; they would place a guard
around the house, and either starve or attempt to dislodge him
in some other manner. But then he would gain time; now if
time were only gained, the scout had so much confidence in his
own resources that he believed himself safe.
To return to the scene actually occurring: the Federal
trooper gazed around the garret for some hidden nook or
cranny wherein a rebel could be stowed away. Some empty
boxes attracted his attention, but an examination of them
resulted in nothing. Then, all at once, the eyes of the man
were directed toward the spot where the scout was concealed.
S—gave himself up for lost; his finger was on the
trigger, and he was about to forestall his enemy by sending a
ball through his brain, when suddenly he drew a long breath,
removed his finger from the trigger, and flattened himself
almost to nonentity on his plank. The girl had adopted an
excellent ruse, and as simple as it was excellent. Whilst conversing
carelessly with the man, she had moved directly
beneath S—, in consequence of which movement the candle
threw the shadow of the plank on which he lay directly upward.
Thus the person of the scout, prone on the plank, was wholly
hidden from view. In vain did the man move from side to
side, evidently suspecting something, and order the girl to hold
the light in such a manner as to illuminate the dusky recess
beneath the rafters. She readily did so, but so adroitly that at
every movement the shadow was made still to conceal the
scout; and ere long this comedy, in the issue of which the
life of a man was involved, came to an end. Satisfied that the
garret contained no one, the man retired, and the clank of his
sabre on the staircase as he descended gradually receded from
the hearing of S—. He was saved.
The Federal troopers remained at the house some time longer,
their officer exhibiting the utmost anger and disappointment at
the result of the expedition; but they finally departed, warning
the lady of the mansion that if she harboured “guerillas”
thereafter, her house would be burned. Leaving videttes
behind, the officer then departed with his detachment.
This was the signal for S—to descend, which he did at
once. A brief reconnoissance through the window revealed
the dark figures posted at stated intervals around the house—
but these only made him laugh. He did not fear them, and
had only one regret—the impossibility of getting his horse off.
The attempt would reveal his presence, involve the family in
danger, and might fail. He accordingly resolved to retire on
foot. This was at once and successfully accomplished. S—
bade his kind friends farewell, stole out of the back door, glided
along the garden fence, beneath the shadow of the trees, and
gained the wood near by without being challenged.
In an hour he was safe from all pursuit, at a friend's, on one
of the spurs of the Blue Ridge. Soon afterwards he was relating
this narrative to the present writer, near Orange.
I was interested in it, and thought that the reader might
share this interest. He knows, at least, how S—overheard
his death-warrant.
