Part 2 (1/2)

Then both of us halt at once, and peer anxiously forward. The figure standing directly in the centre of our path, can it be a sentry at last? A cautious step forward, a low laugh from the Sergeant, and we circle the gaunt, blackened stump, as silent ourselves as the night about us, but with fiercely beating, expectant hearts.

But hark! Surely that was no common sound, born of that drear loneliness! No cavalryman can mistake the jingle of accoutrements or the dull thud of horses' hoofs. The road here must have curved sharply, for they were already so close upon us that, almost simultaneously with the sound, we could distinguish the deeper shadow of a small, compact body of hors.e.m.e.n directly in our front. To left of us there rose, sheer and black, the precipitous rock; to right we might not even guess what yawning void. It was either wit or sword-play now.

I know not how it may be with others in such emergencies, but with me it always happens that the sense of fear departs with the presence of actual danger. Before the gruesome fancies of imagination I may quake and burn like any maiden alone upon a city street at night, until each separate nerve becomes a very demon of mental agony; but when the real and known once fairly confronts me, and there is work to do, I grow instantly cool to think, resolute to act, and find a rare joy in it. It was so now, and, revolver in hand but hidden beneath my holster flap, I leaned over and touched Craig's arm.

”Keep quiet,” I whispered sternly. ”Let them challenge first, and no firing except on my order.”

Almost with the words there came the sharp hail:

”Halt! Who comes there?”

I drew the cape of my riding-jacket closer, so as better to m.u.f.fle the sound of my voice.

”Friends, of course; who would you expect to meet on this road?”

Fortune seemed with me in the chance answer, for he who had hailed exclaimed:

”Oh! is that you, Brennan?”

There was no time now for hesitancy; here was my cue, and I must plunge ahead, accepting the chances. I ventured it.

”No; Brennan couldn't come. I am here in his place.”

”Indeed! Who are you?”

”Major Wilkie.”

There was a moment's painful pause, in which I could hear my heart throb.

”Wilkie,” repeated the voice, doubtfully. ”There is no officer of that name in the Forty-third.”

”Well, there chances to be such an officer on the staff,” I retorted, permitting a trace of anger to appear in my tone, ”and I am the man.”

”What the devil is the difference, Hale, just what his name is?” boomed a deeper voice back in the group. ”We are not getting up a directory of the Sixth Corps. Of course he's the man Brennan sent, and that is all we've got to look after.”

”Oh, all right, certainly, Major,” returned the first speaker, hastily.

”But the night is so cussed black I supposed we must be at least a mile this side of where we were to meet. However, we have the lady here for you all right, and she is anxious enough to get on.”

The lady! Heavens! What odd turn of fortune's wheel was this? The lady!

I heard Craig's smothered chuckle, but before I had sufficiently regained control over my own feelings to venture upon a suitable reply, the entire party had drawn forward, the leader pressing so close to my side that I felt safer with my face well shaded.

”Where is your escort, Major?” he asked, and the gruffness of his tone put me instantly on defence.

”Just behind us,” I returned, with affected carelessness, and determined now to play out the game, lady or no lady. I was extremely sorry for her, but the cause outweighed her comfort. ”The Sergeant and I rode out ahead when we heard you coming. Where is the lady?”

He glanced around at the group huddled behind him.

”Third on the left.”