Part 5 (1/2)
As we rapidly worked on this disagreeable task, I thought and planned: two horses and three riders,--one of these latter a woman in need of protection,--a despatch to be delivered by daylight, at all hazards. It was indeed a difficult proposition, and I saw only a single possible solution. One of our number must press on; two of us must remain behind. Which one? what two? If I rode with the despatch (and how eagerly I longed to do so!), and succeeded in bringing Lee's message safe to Longstreet, it meant much to me--promotion, distinction, honor.
On the other hand, if I remained behind, and Craig successfully carried out the duty which had been especially intrusted to me, I should be fortunate indeed to escape with a reprimand instead of more serious consequences. If failure resulted, it meant certain and deserved disgrace. Yet I could absolutely trust him with the despatch; he was a soldier, and would faithfully perform a soldier's duty. More, he would carry the message with even greater certainty than I, for he knew the roads much better, and--I write the words hesitatingly--I could not trust him there alone with the woman.
I glanced aside at him as I thus turned the perplexing situation over in my mind,--a tall, gaunt mountaineer, whose sole discipline of mind and body had been the army; hardened by service until every muscle in his lean, sinewy frame was like steel, a cavalryman who would follow his leader into the very jaws of h.e.l.l, but whose morals were those of the camp, and whose face revealed audacious deviltry such as no man would care to see in one to whom he intrusted the welfare of sister or wife. Recalling to mind certain idle stories that circulated through the camp from time to time, in which his name had figured, I glanced backward to where the woman sat her horse in silence and loneliness, and made my resolve: I would risk the censure; if there must be sacrifice it should be mine.
”Sergeant,” I asked, flinging aside the improvised brush, ”how far do you suppose we are from Longstreet's picket line?”
”Ten miles at the very best, sir,” he answered promptly, ”an' I reckon with another Yankee outpost atween.”
”With fair luck and good riding it might be made by daylight?”
”I reckon as how it might, Captain, if we only hed sum fresh hosses,”
he said glumly; ”but it's bin mighty hard on my nag; I've looked fer him to roll over like yer sorrel did fer the las' two mile.”
”Well, Craig, you shall have both horses. Ride the woman's, it is the fresher of the two; but you are to get through if you kill them both and then walk.”
His face brightened, and he raised his hand in salute.
”And you?” he asked wonderingly.
”I remain with the woman; there is no other way. Wait here a moment while I speak with her.”
I left him standing there, and moved back to where she waited. As I came up she faced me, and for the first time (for the night had lightened somewhat) I could see her eyes and discern some faint outline of her face where the night wind flung back the upturned cape. It was a winsome sight to soldier vision, but with a certain semblance of pride and reserve about it that caused a hesitancy in my speech strange enough to me. I felt oddly like a bashful boy, and involuntarily lifted my hat as I approached, to cover my confusion. Some trick of the dancing moon shadows made me imagine that she smiled, and the sight nerved me instantly to speak bluntly the words I came to say.
”Madam”--I rested my hand upon her horse's mane and looked up at her with a glance as proud as her own,--”it might be as well for you to draw the cape closer about your face at present. There are rough men in all armies who would consider your beauty a lawful prize. The life we lead is not conducive to gentleness; virtue is not born in camps, and it would be better not to provoke a danger which may be so easily avoided.”
A wave of sudden color swept her cheeks at my plain speech, and her hand sought the collar of the cloak, yet paused there irresolute.
”You claimed, I believe, to be an officer and a gentleman,” she said coldly.
I smiled, even as I felt the full chill of her words, and my purpose stiffened within me.
”Even as I yet claim, and trust to be able to prove to your satisfaction,”--my eyes looked unfalteringly into hers,--”but, unfortunately, I have one with me to-night who is neither. I would that he were for my own sake. However, madam, let that pa.s.s. The fact is here, and we have no time to argue or quarrel. I have already told you that we ride with despatches for Longstreet. These must go forward at all hazards, for thousands of human lives depend upon them; yet I dare not leave you here alone and unprotected to the mercies of the wolves who haunt these hills.”
”You are exceedingly kind.”
The tone in which she spoke was most sarcastic, ”I thank you for your approbation,” and I bowed again; ”but I venture to tell you this merely because I have already fully determined to despatch the Sergeant forward with the message, and remain behind myself to render you every protection possible.”
”Do you mean that we are to remain here alone?”
”There is no other way.”
She made no reply, but her proud unbelieving eyes were no longer upon my face.
”I beg you to believe, madam,” I pleaded gently, for I confess my interest in her good opinion was growing stronger, ”that I do this only because I believe it to be a duty, and not that I desire in any way to distress you with my presence.”
She swept my upturned face suddenly with questioning eyes.