Part 38 (2/2)

Shot and sh.e.l.l sped over the homestead, and the inmates were, consequently, much alarmed.

”We will do well if we escape this murderous fire,” said Mrs. Alice Ruthven to Marion.

”I wish Jack was here,” answered the girl. ”Where can he be keeping himself?”

”He remained behind to protect the property in town.”

The tide of battle grew fiercer, and presently, just as Marion had gone to the kitchen to get something for the invalid soldiers, a heavy shot pa.s.sed through the sitting room of the house, tearing down the plaster of two walls and damaging much of the furniture.

Of course all in the mansion were much alarmed. The negroes, especially, were panic-stricken, and ran forth in all directions.

”We is gwine ter be murdered,” shrieked one. ”Da is gwine ter shoot us all ter pieces!”

”Marion, are you hurt?” came from Mrs. Ruthven, who was in the front hallway at the time.

”No, mother. Were you hit?”

”No, Marion.”

”Where did the shot strike?”

”Through the sitting room, I believe.”

Both ran to investigate, and in the sitting room a sight met their gaze calculated to stun the stoutest heart.

Plaster and splinters lay in all directions, and the wounded soldiers were crying for aid and for mercy, thinking the enemy close at hand.

Under a ma.s.s of wreckage on the floor lay George Walden, senseless, and with the blood flowing from a wound in his temple.

”Oh, Mr. Walden is hurt, mamma!” shrieked Marion, and ran to raise him up.

They carried the wounded soldier to another part of the house and laid him on a fresh cot. Then, while Marion cared for him, Mrs. Ruthven went back to aid the others. In the meantime Old Ben was instructed to hoist the hospital flag to a higher point on the mansion.

The shot appeared to be about the last fired in that vicinity, and soon the shooting came from a distance, as Federals and Confederates withdrew in the direction of the mountains.

”Mother! Marion! are you safe?” It was the cry from Jack as he came up, almost out of breath from running.

”Yes, thank Heaven, we are safe so far,” answered Mrs. Ruthven. ”Where have you been--at the town?”

”No, I was over to St. John's place,” answered our hero, and in a few words told about the fire.

”We, too, have suffered,” said Mrs. Ruthven. ”A solid shot pa.s.sed through the sitting room.”

”Did it hurt anybody?”

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