Part 35 (1/2)
”'Bout face!” I shouted. ”Load at will--fire!”
We poured one scattering volley into them. It halted their movement for a moment, and then the door opened a scant crack.
”Is this you, Caton?”
”Yes; for G.o.d's sake, open up!”
The heavy door swung slowly inward, and with a wild rush to be first, we surged headlong into the hall.
CHAPTER x.x.x
A UNION OF YANK AND REB
As the heavy door clanged behind us some one upon the outside began pounding upon it, while with deadly chug a bullet crashed into the oaken panel.
”Donnerwetter!” shouted a deep voice, wildly. ”Captain, I am yet out mit der bullets.”
With a crash I flung aside the thick iron bar which answered as a lock, and drew in the Sergeant, yet panting heavily from his hard run.
”By Chiminy, dot vas a narrow squeak,” he exclaimed, as I released my grasp upon him and hurled the door back into its place.
A dim light swinging suspended from the ceiling of the great wide hall revealed clearly the scene within. As I turned I beheld Brennan for the first time, and his face remains a memory. Standing with his back to the stair-railing, a revolver grasped tightly in either hand, his eyes burning, his countenance flushed with anger, and clouded by doubt, he appeared almost like one distracted. At sight of me he gave up all attempt to control his raging temper.
”What does all this mean?” he demanded hoa.r.s.ely. ”Who are these men?
Caton, if you have betrayed us, by G.o.d, I will shoot you dead.”
”There is no betrayal,” returned the Lieutenant, coolly. ”These men are friends.”
”Friends?” he laughed cynically. ”Friends? in that uniform, and you attired in a Rebel cavalry jacket? Friends? that fellow over there?”
and he pointed derisively at me with his pistol barrel. ”d.a.m.n you, but I believe you are all a pack of lying thieves!”
Caton's face burned. He took one step toward him, his hands clinched, and when he spoke his clear voice shook with intense indignation.
”Major Brennan,” he said, coldly deliberate, ”you are my superior officer, but you go beyond all privilege of rank in those words. I say these men are friends; they have sunk the issues of war in order that they may answer the call of humanity. If you dare impeach my motives any further, I shall hurl back the cowardly insult in your face. I will take no such words, sir, from any living man.”
Brennan looked at him, his lips struggling with the utterance that would not come. Knowing well the danger of such delay, I hastily pushed aside the ring of men, and fronted him, determined to end this foolishness then and there.
”Major Brennan,” I said firmly, ignoring his efforts to silence me, ”you must listen to reason whether you wish to do so or not. My troopers are all around you; I have two men to your one in this house, and can enforce my will if necessary. Now mark what I say--we are not here in anger or in war, but to help you in the protection of endangered women. We captured your courier, have despatched one of our own number into the Federal camp for aid, and have fought our way in here to stand beside you and your men in defence of this house against those ruffians without. You can use us or not, just as you please; it rests with you to say whether we shall be comrades in arms on this occasion, or whether I shall a.s.sume command by the power of force which I chance to control.”
He seemed utterly unable to grasp my full meaning, to comprehend the situation.
”You mean, you would fight with us? under my command?” he asked incredulously.
”I offer my services under your orders,” I replied clearly, ”and these men in gray will obey mine.”
I actually thought he would extend his hand, but some remembrance suddenly restrained him.
”I--of course, Captain Wayne,” he stammered, at length, ”I--I must accept your offer. I--I am grateful for it, but I shall insist upon one thing; there must be a final settlement of the personal matter existing between us. I am not willing to waive my rights in this.”