pRICE 10 CENTS VOL.7. -; ""gf^ESg""-: NEW YORK. ("■■tiS'Ai?.."""-; NO. 2.5ti ^ or, Fighting Pat, of tlie J Irisli Brigade. By Bernard Wayde. The Irish scout hunted like a mad wolf in the forest. NcU THE WAR LIBRARY. ALONG THE POTOMAC ; Fighting Pat, of th e irisli Brigade. BY BERNARD WAYDE. CHAPTER I. ONE OF CORCOEAX'S BOTS. "We'll make another Foutenoy of it." " Fonteuoy, indeed ! Remember you have not the same men to deal with. The French and their Irish allies -n-ere at that time pit- ted against the old oppressor, England. Hang it, man, you make too much of a dis- tinction. These men think like yourself that they are right in protecting the land of their birth." "That is, that they are to propagate and protect slavery ?" sneeringly. "Even so; and. whether they be right or wrong, let us give them the praise their valor deserves ; for braver soldiers I never met in this or the older country." The foregoing conversation occurred to- ward the fall of 'G2; and, it may not be amiss to state, in the wine-room of one of the most valiant Irish soldiers that ever drew a sword for the preservation of the land that generously extended to him a home, when the old tyrant, Britain, had driven him and his family from possessions rightfully theirs. You will ask, and naturally, who this was? In all reverence, we answer. General Michael Corcoran, the organizer and com- mander of the brave and chivalrous Irish Legio Tht : last speaker was an old and grizzled reteran, who had on many a bloody Held distinguished himself as a tried and honor- ed soldier. The majority of Irishmen present — and there were nearly a score — applauded his generous speech ; but, like all assemblages of the kind, there were a few dissentient voices. Among the rest, a dark-bearded, power- fuUy-built man, who was of somewhat douDtfulreputatiou amoBg his companions, and not without a cause, either. He had been in Ireland what is known as a "middleman"— a class most abhorred by all true men. Neither in name nor feeling could he be called Irish. In fact, he was of the "under- taker " class whose ancestry came in with William of Orange, and stole and confiscat- ed the lands from their rightful owners. Jerry Hynes, so long as his petty acts of villainy paid, was one of the strongest sup- porters of English ruie. The moment his occupation as a robber of the people failed him, he started for the land of the stars and stripes, and took upon himself, both in and out of season, to vin- dicate the off-repeated cry : " Ireland for the Irish." The man's villanies had gone before him, and he was looked upon in anything but a favorable light by those with whom he oame in contact. This did not abash this former traducer of his so-called countrymen. His brazen impudence carried him through it all ; and, as the Irish race are proverbially generous, they seemed in a great measure to condone his shortcomings, as they were known in the "old coun- try." As the man Hynes will figure prominently in the following pages, this can be our only excuse for introducing him at such length to our readers. The conversation had been progressing for some time on the merits and demerits of the Southern chivalry, the grizzled hero, to whom we have refered, taking a prominent part in the discussion, most of the others be- mg simply listeners to the arguments pro and con, applauding any good point when made by one or the other. Jerry Hynes had what is vulgarly called the " gift of the gab," and so far held his own pretty well. When the conversation had reached the Eoint we have described, a new arrival astily sntered the wine-room; and, with- out attempting to intrude on the company, called, in a pure Connemara accent : " A drink of the best potheen you have in the house!" The men at the bar were instantly attract- ed to the stranger. Not because he had uttered a name famil- j.l*r to them all — "potheen " — whisky. Qaite tbe reverse. — — The man himself was a wonder. I He was over six feet iu height, of great lireadth of shoulders, and of a form that was singularly lithe and active. Kor was this all. His face was unmistakably Celtic, with a regularity of feature and expressiveness that was uncommon— nay, even handsome. He was, moreover, a new arrival in the country— a genuine importation from the "Laud of Saints"— for so has Ireland been termed from remote ages "he man behind the 1 ipany, as much as to s We'll have some fun with the stranger before we're done with him." A few in the crowd winked in return, while Jerry Hynes, from some unmistakable cause, turned as pale as death. Potheeu.did you say.my friend ?" queried sharp lap. The fresh arrival in New York knew at a single glance that be was being made fun of. " And what may potheen be, if it's a fair question ? We have all sorts of drinks, but never heard of that. Perhaps you are from the great West?" familiarly. " Yes— from tlie Ulth: West — a place called Connemara. You may have heard of it'i"' "'Ponmy life, no," said the barkeeper, again winking at the lompany. He tlu'iiLlit tliU great chaff-so did a few "Then it iiiust l>e'a Connemara drink," continued the man of drinks, purposely mis- pronouncing the word. Then came a loud laugh— only from a few of the assemblage, however— those who cur- ried favor with the would-be wit. val was getting both impa- tieir I'oufo whisky is:- " Oh, you mean whisky then ? Why didn't you say so? What is it to be ?" " Oh, give him chain-lightning ! " cried one of the crowd. "Perhaps he's steel-plated and copper-bottomed." This was going beyond a joke. "Look here,sir,"saidthe new-comer, turn- ing full upon the last speaker ; " however I may take the impertinence of the little jack- anapes behind the counter, I take none from you. Ha! " The exclamation was hissed out, rather than spoken, as the young Irishman caught sight of Jerry Hynes. The former laud-grabber quickly averted his face. But too late. He was recognized. Then, without heeding the man who was endeavoring to have a little fun at his ex- pense, with one bound he sprung into the midst of the company, and seizing Hynes by the throat shook him as a terrier would a rat. " Aha ! and so we have met again, accursed traitor, and murderer of my brother ! Oh, but I would have given half my life but yes- terday for this meeting ! Curse you— curse you!" The voice and fiercely-spoken words of the new-comer were terriblem their significance. Did any of my readers ever behold a scene where the power of will, magnetic power- call it what you like— Insptred the bravest and strongest with awB. The man's passion was terrible ; his voice made the boldest blanch, and, in his hands, the powerful and brutal Jerry Hynes was but as a child. Even the barkeeper behind the counter turned as white as a corose. "Mercy! help! I oholie! I die!" gasped the wretched Jerry. It was then that a revulsion of feeling came. The grizzled veteran of n umerous wars was the first to spring forward. " Do not murder the man!" he thundered out. " Release him at once ! If he has done anything against you, or your family, that is no way to treat him." The man who had nobly distinguished himself on many a field of honor and blood was fairly aroused to the exigencies of the occasion ; and his example was followed by many others, who, up to this, had been spell- bound and terror-stricken. There was a combined rush made upon the infuriated man. They clinched with him ; but not before he had hurled Hynes from him. The nearly suffocated man feU to the floor like a limp rag. Crash be went, and lay as one lifeless The stranger, nothing daunted liy the rush made upon him, now, like an infuriated tiger, turned his attention to the men who grappled with him. Had they known the real power of his arm they would have acted wisely to have kept out of his reach, for down they went, one after another, with a rapidity perfectly indescribable. Talking of the blows of your champion prize-fighter : they were nothing in compar- And now we come to think of a case which occurred in a London street, where a broad- shouldered, hard-fisted Irishman, late from the Wexford hills, held his own against fif- teen policemen, and, with a lilow of his flst, struck one of them dead ; f oi' which display of prowess he was sentenced to twenty years' penal servitude. Poor fellow ! he might have distinguished himself in a more noble field of action. How- ever, he was the assailed and not the assail' ant. But to return. In all directions went the men who had rushed upon the "greenhorn," and, as they tumbled over each other, the sight was of a nature most ludicrous. Blows rattled about their heads fast and furious, and, the instant they came up, down they again went. The success of the combat was all too one- sided to be pleasant. No doubt more dangerous weapons than fists would finally have been used but for the advent of Michael Corcoran himself, who had just entered. "Halloo!" was his first exclamation, " What is this ?" The men on the floor presented a mosl orry appearance, and those who might, in the heat of passion, have drawn revolvers,, were prevented from so doing by the timely arrival of the gallant proprietor. The stranger's back was turned to the colonel of the Irish Legion, which was then being organized, and it was not until Cor- coran had spoken that he turned and faced him with flashing eye and lowering brow, boding little good to any new-comer who might be likely to interfere. The presence of Corcoran had, however, an almost magical effect on the man. The lowering brow for a moment became wreathed in a smile of recognition. Next a look of shame overspread it, then the eyes were cast toward the ground. What had caused this marvelous change in one, who a moment before had given every pioof of a lion-like courage ? Not only that, indeed, but a ferocity tigerish in its power- in its fearful intensity and violence ? It was simply that the two men had recog- nized each other- that the one looked upon the other as the only true friend he had ever had. Corcoran approached the young man, and laying his hand gently on his broad shoul- der, said : " I expected you, Pat. I am very glad to see that you arrived safely, but " " You did not expect to find me making i> blackguard of myself," said the other, abashed. " Do not say that, Pat ! You should not apply opprobrious epithets to yourself. I am sure if the truth were known," pointing to his scowling opponents, "they were more in fault than you. I should be sorry to think otherwise." "I shall blame no one but myself," was the young fellow's simple reply. " I suppose it's all due to my ignorance of the ways of the country." In his shame and bitterness of heart at be- ing caught in a low quarrel with strangers, he had even forgotten for the time the exist- ence and presence of his deadly enemy— Jerry Hynes. Corcoran shook his head doubtingly. It was evident that he did not attribute the late unseemly broil to his protege. Far from it. There was something more in it all, how- ever, than he could just then fathom. Besides, those who had suffered at the hands of the impetuous young Irishman, were to a man unwilling to come forward and give a true version of the affair. It 13 too late in the day to advance the ab- surd aphorism that a good man likes the fel- low who gives him a downright thrashing better than he whom he thrashes. Many in that company subsequently dis- tinguished themselves as heroes, and yet they looked with no little ill-will upon the youth who floored them with such terriflo right and left handers. "Boys!" said the gallant Michael, THE WAR LIBRARY. mg the assemblage, " howeTer this row has come about matters little. I want vou now to be all good friends. Come, look up, Pat. This, gentlemen, is my nephew, Pat Moouey , as good and true a man as ever laft the old sod. I may tell you I expected his arrival this very day. By some means I had th misfortune to miss him. However, here h Is, and I want you to make up your littl differences and be friends, for he is one of Ours— a lad of the Irish Legion !" CHAPTER II. A MURDEROUS ATTACK. An Irishman, proverbially, is quick to an- ger, and quick to forgive. No sooner had they heard the announce- ment of Gennral Corcoran— at that time col- onel—than with many hearty welcomes, they gathered around their new comrade, shak- mg him, each in turn, warmly by the hand. '• Cacd miUc faiUhc !" said one. " Glory to you ! " said another. "Arrahl but he's the boy for broke shindy,' illl dies, " a fourth added.as he took the big brown hand of the new arrival in his own and gave It a hearty shake. "So all is forgiven," said Pat, delighted at the turn of affairs. "Be me sowl, I'd like to see who'd say nay agm' that," rejoined a wiry little man called Byrne. " You came down on me like a telegraph pole, but here's me hand ; and npw let us all have a drink on the strength This proposal met with ready acquiescent^ on the part of the rest of the company, and they all went up to the bar. The bartender, the cause of the row in the first instance, could not be found. He m ust have got scared and bolted duriu' the fracas. Hisi teered to do the honors of the While the drinks were being served, some one bethought him of the half-strangled Jerry Hyues. This individual had also disappeared. There was uo duub; be had a wholesome dread of the redoubtable Pat Mooney, and for a very good cause had no wish to re- main. But moi-i' III" tli;s ht-reafter. Wecaiij.iiiy~;iy that the greater portion ot that 111,-lit was siMut very pleasantly amid song ami ,]itkt' am] story. That day week the boys of the Irish Legion woiild be fully equipped and on their way to Washington from which point they were to join MoClellau's army and the gallant The colonel could, however, see about a dozen black figures, emerging from the shadow of the houses on their side of the street. Tliere seemed to be a score in all, with those who had already sprung forward . Not a bit daunted by the number of his as- sailants, the gallant Michael, as quick as a flash, drew his revolver, and staudins over his fallen nephew, determined sell his life dearly, but to protect Pat Moouey at all hazards. Their assailants seemed to hesitate for a moment whether they should come on or 5nly t falle the < of the party, who kept Huid. decided them. KiUi a suuultaneousrush. t till' rommauding voice iruoiau. " The fli-st man ■ step does so at the risk Inst thought that Hyues would :ion. But he did nothing of the ith very little difficulty he ob- uster to Meagher's brigade then iorry that very niau veritable iauized aud ved the Meagher and his Irish contingent force. "\es, boys," said Corcoran, during avenmg, "my nephew, Pat, has come all way from the Green Isle to join us. You have had a specimen of hisprowess,audif he does only half as well on the field, as he" has done to-mght, I'll be well satisfied with him " . Of course the company were unanimous in their praises of the young fellows pluck, and expressed themselves as only too proud that he was to be one of themselves By the time they parted that night Jerry Hyues and his past villauies were for the time, at any rate, forgotten. Hyues was a rough man, and had a rough crowd to back him up— for who that has money cannot get a following in New York to obey his lightest behest ? Then under the circumstances Hynes could be a dangerous enemy. It had been his intention to have followed the fortunes of the legion in the field, for aud accepted by been him However, let that for the present pass ; we will deal more effectually with Hynes and his aspirations, or whatever else they mav be termed, hereafter. '^ ' Michael Corcoran and his nephew were about the last to leave the room, and when they had issued into the open air they ■walked along Prince street in the direction of Broadway. In fact, Corcoran at the time put up at one of the hotels on that busy thoroughfare. As they neared Broadway, conversing on the prospects of their native land, a sudden rush was made from their rear, and before the stalwart Pat could turn to defend him- self, he received a fearful blow from a slung- Bhot that knocked him senseless. Corcoran turned just in time to avoid a second blow aimed at his own head The night was very dark as it happened, stad tbe feeble glitter of a lamp some disi | " Halt of the fear that comes of his life!" There was no mistaking his demeanor. They had now a man to deal with who feared no mortalliving— a born leader of men —and those who were so intent on their grand rush, drew back as though some pow- erful electric shock had met them. Such is the force that at rare intervals one mind exercises over many ! No one ever met Corcoran, but had to ac- knowledge the same. It was not the colonel's pistol that had such a marvelous effect on his assailants— it was, in fact, the man's whole nature— full of an uumistakable power to command, and be obliged ! A smile of scorn curled Corcorau's lips as he beheld the effect of his speech. "Do you call yourselves men," he cou- tinued, intones of withering contempt, "for twenty of you to attack two, and behind their backs at that ? I am quite ignorant as to whom you are or the object of your mur- derous assault^for I know not but vou have killed one as near to me as life. "Oh cowards! cowards! Dearly shall you rue your part in this night's work '" The gallant colonel's heart was wrung with anguish as his eyes fell on the motion- less form at his feet. For an instaut the hand in which he held the revolver trembled, aud as if a spasm of emotion had overcome him, the muzzle of the weapon was instinctively lowered. Then, and not till then, was the charm broken. The man who had been urging them on before cried now in a hoarse whisper: Spring upon him— spring upon him! Are you all afraid ? Now isyour time!" It would have been impossible to have recognized this man's voice, so fearfully bitter were the words hissed out. , As to himself, he was completely hidden m the gloom. f j "At him— at him!" urged the leader of these desperadoes. There was no longer hesitation. There was a wild rush. Crack ! crack ! crack ! Three heavy thuds on the paved sidewalk told the accuracy of Corcoran 3 aim, as a number of yells went up into the night. Again and again went the startling re- ports of the deadly revolver. Two more had fallen ! Then came a rush of heavy steps from Broadway. Aid was at hand I Corcorau's assailants did not wait to see who were coming. They broke and ran as fast as their le^s could carry them in the direction of tuv. Bowery, leaving their dead and wounded where they had fallen. dillioi CHAPTER III. ON THE POTOMAC. A week elapsed since Corcorau's gallant stand on Prince street. =''"aui, Pat Mooney, who had been stricken sense- less on that night, recovered sufficiently to join the ranks of the Irish Legion. Ihoughthe two relatives had never dis- covered who the instigator of their murder- ?hv«w^^^Jl''°!t'^*^?^ ^^^ ^^e luured to camp lite, aud taught the rudiments of their military education. The art of war cannot be learned in a day, and however apt the recruit is, it becomes necessary to familiarize him with company and battalion drill, as well as the value of obedience— the first duty of a soldier. For over five weeks Colonel Corcoran aud his officers had all on their hands they could very well attend to. Discipline had to be maintained. Undue familiarity between officers and men, the result of old-time acquaintance, had to be relentlessly crushed out. The latter at first was a thing of no little Tlie soldier in the ranks could not tor Ills lili- see why he should not be on till' sanio siH-akiug terms as previously with uiajor oicaplaiu so-and-so as he had been beluie joiuing the Legion. He presently found out his mistake, and soon conformed to the principles involved in his new life; but not, however, before he had been severely punished for disobe- dience. " I mean making the Legion a mode" jne," said Colonel Corcoran. And he did. Soldiers aud officers were drilled from morning till night, aud the camp presented a scene of bustle and activity seldom or ever witnessed. It was about closing of the sixth week when the Legiou got the order to proceed to l!cii> tlioy were met by thousands of their coimtiyiurii amidst the wildest enthusiasm. l-' now li£e-so much so, indeed, that lie iias ( liautiug in half-sad, half-merry eademes a once popular ballad, that he had hearil iu his childhood. Fighting Pat had about finished one verse, when the sound of a horse's feet riveted his attention. A moment later and the horseman ap- peared. The sounds, which, evidently, came from the direction of the river, grew louder. As yet, however, the horseman was not in sight, from the fact that he was still hidden by a long, dark fringe of pine trees, exteud- lug on the east side of the camp for some distance. " 1 1 must be the officer of the day , " thought the sentinel. " Well, let him come. I thiuk he'll find that I know my duty." They wt CHAPTER IV. DEALING WITH AN OLD ENEMY. came, into the full and brilliant ^ Fighting Pat made two discoveries, almost simultaneously. First, that it was not the officer of the day- second, tliat it was his old enemy, Jerry Hynes, in the full regimentals of a major of Meagher's brigade. The discovery burst upon him Uke a powerful electric shock, aud he trembled bef ween emotions of rage and excitement Here was indeed a dilemma ! What was he to do, or how was he to aot under the circumstances f The natural feelings of the man suggested draggmg the traitor from his hor*B, aad THE WAR LIBRARY of the soldier lM-.-|Hik.. . .1 M-lh-ijcf aud respeu., CoulG be liniii-t tlic tart that the man who wasapproiK-liiiij; was the cause of his dear brother's death, aud the ruiu o£ his family' Not only this, but the rival of his dearest affections— whose lying tongue had plaeeil a barrier between himself aud one deai'rto him thau life. The very sight of this man infuriated him, aud yet he was placed in a position in which he could not exercise his own free will with- aut disgracing himself. What then was he to do? His last thought was to commit a breach of military discipline— which he must neces- sarily be guilty of if he failed to salute the man. Therefore, we say he was in as tight a fix as ever man was placed in yet. At that moment he most bitterly regretted that he had ever become a soldier. With a sigh of dejection and despair, he stopped short in his walk, and tried to think ■what was best to be done. "Shall I let him pass as though I had not recognized him?" was his flrst mental intei^ rogation. "No, no," was his second thought, "the night is too bright for that, and " He paused suddenly in his oommunings, for Major Hynes was already upon him, and unchallenged. The major checked his horse, and without appearing to have recognized the young Bentinel, said, half -flippantly : " I presume you are the sentinel on this post?" "I am." "Are you aware that you have not chal- lenged?" "Yes." "Do you know the punishment for being so remiss in your duty?" "I do." "Perhaps you will now tell me whose camp I am approaching?" " Brigadier-general Corooran's." "Oh, indeed!" sneering superclUiously. " Perhaps you will answer me another ques- tion, if you feel so disposed?" The major was gaining courage by the other's apparent calmness. His object was to have the sentinel com- mit himself further, so that he would have the pull on him. "Well, what is it?" said Fighting Pat, without betraying the rage that was consum- ing him. "It is this: Is this the usual way of doing things in Corcoran's camp ?" "No." •" Then why did you not challenge?" Pat was fast losing all command of him- ■self. He was resolved, however, to keep his tem- per, so as not to give his old enemy a chance to report him. Breaches of discipline at that time were punished severely. Pat Mooney had yet another object in view. He would permit this scoundrel to go to the end of his tether, so to speak ; then show him he was not to be insulted with impun- His hands were itching to make a grab at his throat, but he would wait until even his endurance could stand it no longer. "Why did you not challenge ?" repeated Hynes, sharply. "Are you particularly interested to know i" jor, laughing'coarsely. " I must say you do the Irish Legion credit, taking into consider- ation that you have not yet even saluted your superior ofhcer. You ai-e green to the busi- ness, I take it." "Think so?" " I do, most assuredly. Now, I will ride back a little way, and as I come up you will challenge and salute ; and, hark you, sir, if you make any mistake I shall have you put under arrest !" "Very good." "You are an impertinent fellow," said the ^ajor, hotly. " But we meet men of your kind every day, and know how to tame them." Pat never knew from that day to this how jhe had controlled himself so long ; but con- trol himself he did, with a power that was .jnarvelous for one of his highly excitable inature. Major Hrnes' attention was too plain to be imisunderstood. Hynes, )0U Fightir.i about fifty jiaccs back. g Pat knew well enougl he would not have enough that he If he could only have the young sentinel darcl acted as he had ■■'I'lic M .lun.licl !" he muttered through lii,< -I aim:: iccth. "I have stood his inso- lence imiL' enough. I've but one life to lose, but Id lose it cheerfully to choke the life out of the villaiu !" Had Major Hynes caught sight of the young man's face at that moment, he would "have chosen another time and opportunity for injuring him. Unluckily for himself he had not. Hynes' commentary was, as he rode away from the young sentinel's post . " I cannot understand him. It is not pos- sible that he has not recognized me. No — no ! he is on his guard, that's evident; and, knowing that he has been wrong in not chal- lenging, he's doubly so. But I must be his destruction ; I have sworn it ! According to the rules of the service in time of war, strik- ing a superior ofBcer is punishable by death. They want to make an example— he shall be the flrst." Other thoughts came into the gallant ma- jor's head. Corcoran had been called away that very day to headquarters. A day before he had got his brigadier-general' jld only ■ tried without delay by a general court-mar- tial, Pat Mooney's fate would be sealed. He and others of his friends had power enough to guarantee that. These thoughts passed rapidly through his mind as he again wheeled his horse and ap- proached the young soldier's post. He expected a challenge, and received none. He came up in a furious rage, and began growling oursome coarse oaths, as to what he would do. But the now thoroughly aroused soldi ' ' "ike a tiger, dragging hi ith the suddenness of i lightning flash. There was a desperate struggle. Then the sudden loud banging report of a firearm. on the ground Had Pat used both hands at flrst, he would have had no difBculty in overpowering Hynes, strong a man as he was. But he had not, and consequently the major managed to get a pretty firm hold of him. Even under these circumstances the strug- gle would not have lasted long; Major Hynes knew it, and thanked his good luck that the rifle had gone off in the way it had. He could now bring a charge of attempted murder as well as assault. He felt that he really had the young man in his power, and it would be no fault of his if death were not his portion. A combined look of joy and hate came into the ruffian's eyes as he tugged and struggled with his assailant. "I have you where I want you now," he hissed. " You have signed your death war- rant, my fine fellow— Norah and Conne- mara will see you no more!" " Y'ou at least shall not live to see it!" flercely retorted Pat, as with one wrench he released himself aud threw himself once more upon the now really terrified major. Hynes in his despair, made the place ring again with his cries : " Murder— help— murder!" "You accursed scoundrel, I shall make it murder!" shouted Mooney, as he fastened his iron grip on the other's throat; and no doubt in another moment or two he would have accomplished his threat, but for the timely arrival of about a dozen of theguard. They threw themselves upon him ; aud, after a desperate struggle, succeeded in re- leasing the half-suffocated Hynes. " This is a bad business for you, Pat," said the officer of the guard, eying the young man compassionately. " A very bad busi- ness, indeed." So thought the rest of the men, who had learned something of the old feud between private and officer. The end was that Fighting Pat was march- ed back a prisoner, while Major Hvnes was assisted into camp, more dead than alive. CHAPTER V. BRIEFLY RELATING TO THK PEUD. There was not a man in the whole Le(jion but his offense was so serious in its character that many shook their heads, pitying him from the bottom of their hearts. He had been guilty of "insubordination and attempted murder "—that was his crime, and the crime indeed upon which he was to be charged and tried. Major Hynes took care to paint the assault made upon him iu the very blackest color. His version certainly was by no means fa- vorable to Fighting Pat. ■ He stated that he was riding into camp with a dispatch for General Corcoran when the sentinel shot at him as he was in the act of passing his post. When asked at the preliminary proceed- ings of a regimental court-martial, if the man had seen him before, he answered in tihe affirmative — and that he was his swoit] enemy. It was not in fact the first time the prison- er had threatened his life. He had once before attempted it in New York. The cause of the feud was an old family dispute on the other side of the Atlantic, and that the prisoner's principal reason for com- ing here was to have his revenge on him. This ,and much more, said Major Hynes. He told a straightforward and apparently truthful story, corroborated to a certain ex- tent by witnesses who knew both men. it did he hoped to be able to meet the mitigiated liar and scoundrel. This was well enough. But take the matter in another light it was bad for Mooney. With the kind reader's permission we will now briefiy recapitulate the cause of this feud which was said to exist between Pat and his accuser. To do so we must go back about five years from the date of our story. In a picturesque little hamlet in the west- ern part of Connemara lived one Nugent Mooney— a farmer fairly well to do in the world, "but who was unmarried, and a bach- elor, and likely to remain so, at least so said the world. He was not quite alone, however, for resid- ing with him were two nephews and one niece — the orphan children of his deceased brother. Nugent Mooney had the reputation of be- ing a good and true man, but for sundry causes had the misfortune to incur the dis- pleasure of a certain " middleman," with whom we are already acquainted. Hynes had sworn to rum Nugent, and suc- ceeded. The old man was driven from his farm, misfortune followed upon misfortune, until Nugent Mooney perished by the road- pauper aud a wanderer. followed the niece, dying tion— the result of want and exposure. Tlien followed the niece, dying of consump- But Jerry Hynes' vengeance was not yet satiated. He had a false charge trumped up against Pat's elder brother, which landed him in a convict prison. He bore his bitter fate forabout a year and a half, when he, too, passed away. The last left was the hero of this story, Fighting Pat, as his comrades preferred call- : him. ruin and de his uncle gone, sister and brother dead, and the girl ot his heart meeting his return with a coldness that froze his very soul. He did not until long after find out the ruiu that had been worked by the villain Hynes; nor did he discover the lies that "gentleman " invented to estrange his love from him. Shortly after a just retribution overtook Hynes. His cattle died i his lands were mortgaged; and he finally became loaded down with debt, and to save his precious carcass from a debtors' prison he had to fly the country for the states. He had been away for some time when the young man discovered the full extent of the scoundrel's duplicity. Then, at the solicita- tion of Corcoran— hie mother's brother— he in due time landed in New York, as we have already seen. That is the history of the Connemara fam- ily in a nutshell. But to proceed with our story : The second night of our hero's captivity the rumor spread that on Corcoran's return the Legion would proceed to the seat of war. At length, then they would see some flShting. THE WAR LIBRARY. This rumor caused a perfect thrill to pass through the camp. The meu were literally wild with enthusi- asm ; and around the camp-fires that uight the whole thing was discussed with evident relish. Song, story, and jest went round, with a merrier ring than ever before, and only for one fact the men would be as happy as hap- py could be. That one thing seemed to some extent to pall the spirits of everybody. Fighting Pat Mooney was a prisoner, charged with an offense the most serious against the military code. An example had to be made in the army somewhere, and why not in his case? Fancy a sentinel committing a murderous assault upon his superior officer; in fact, shooting at him with intent to kill ! How was this to be met ? By death, imluckily— and it seemed as though Fighting Pat's career had come to a premature eud. " Ah ! it we had but Fightin' Pat wid us," ' said our former aciiuaintance, Denny Byrne, whist wid yer Fontenoy!" said big Barney Hoolahan. " Isltcomparin' Southern jintlemen yez are to the dhirty Sassenach y" "An' isn't the dhirty Sassenach as good as you, bad luck to you?" retorted f)enny. "Ain't they great solgers, iui' great niters, an' what more do you want ? " The camp-fire proceediugs threatened to wind up in a row, when some one restored good humor by calling on Denny Byrne for Old Zoz's Story, which Denny, however, al- ways gave as the experience of his father. **Now, boys, pile on the wood!" said one of the guard ; " an' when we get everything roarin' an' right, Denny shall go on with his story." A huge fire was built up in a twinkling ; and amid the roar of the flames and the laughter of his companions, Denny pro- ceeded with what was called Old Zozimus' story, as it was shrewdly suspected that Byrne, notwithstanding his assertion to the contrary, had obtained it from that source like many a greater story-teller. CHAPTER VI. DENNV BYENE'S STOBY. not a soldier ye'U be at all, but my —to brush my clothes an' go errands, an' the like o' that, and the kmg, long life to him, will help to pay ye fur your trouble. Ye understand me?' " Well, my father agreed, and Mr. Barry was as good as his word. "Never a guard did my father mount, nor as much as a drill had he, nor a roll-call, nor anything at all, save and except wait on the captain, his master, just as pleasant as need be, and no inconvenience in lite. " Well, for three years this went on as I'm tellin', and the regiment was ordered down to Bantry, because of a report that the boys was rising down there ; and the second even- ing there was a night party patrolling, with Captain BaiTy, for six hours in the rain, and the captain, God be merciful to him, took cowld and died ; more betoken, they said it was drink, but my father said it wasn't. " ' For,' says he, 'after he tuk eight tum- blers comfortable, my father mixed the ninth, and the captain waved his hand this way, as much as to say he'd have no more. " ' Is it that ye mean ?' says my father, and the captain nodded. " ' Musha, but it's sorry I am,' says my fa- ther, ' to see you this way, for ye must be bad intirely to leave off in the beginning of the evening.' " And true for him the captain was dead in the morning. " A sorrowful day it was for my father, when he died ; it was the finest place in the world, little to do, plenty of diversion, and a kind man he was— when he was scber. " Well, then, when the captain was buried and all was over, my father hoped they'd be for letting him away, as he said : " ' Sure I'm no use in life to anybody save the man that's gone, for his ways are all 1 know, and I never was a sodger.' " But, upon my conscience, they had other thoughts in their heads ; for they ordered him into the ranks to be drilled just like the recruits they took the day before. " ' Musha, isn't this hard ?' said my father; ' here I am au ould vilriu that ought to be discharged on a pension, with two and six- pence a day, ol)liged to go capering about the barrack yard practicing the goose steps or some other nonsense not becoming my age nor my habits ; but so it was. " Well, this went on for some time, and, sure if they were hard on my father, didn't behave his revenge? for he uigh broke their hearts with his stupidity : oil! nothing in life could equal him; not a thing, no matter how easy he could learn at all ; and so far from caring for him in confinement, it was that he liked best. "Every sergeant in the regiment had a trial of him, but all to no good- and he seemed striving so hard to learn all the while, and they were loath to punish him, the old rogue ! " This was going on for sometime, when one day news came in that a body of the rebels, as they called them, was coming down from the Gap of Mulnavick to storm the town and burn all before them. " The whole regiment was of course under to scour the roads, and sentries posted every turn of the way and every rising ground to give warning when thelioys came in sight. And my father was placed at the bridge of Diumsnag, in the wildest and bleakest part of the whole country witli nothing but furze mountains on every side and a straight road going over the top of them. " 'This is pleasant,' says my father, as soon as they left him there alone by himself, with no human creature to speak to, nor a whisky shop within two miles of him ; 'cowld comfort,' says he, ' on a winter's day; and faix, but I've a mind to give ye the slip.' " Well, he put his gun down on the bridge, and he lighted his pipe, and he sat down under an ould tree and began to ruminate upon his affairs. ' ' Ah! then it's wishiu' it well I am,' says that's all,' forhe was mighty low in his heart. "Just then a noise came rattling down near him ; he listened, and before he could get on his legs down comes the irt-neral, ould Co- hoon, with an ovdiv aftHr liim. '"Who goes ; li,i'.- .-■ Mi> ~ my father. "'The rouiici, suy~ lii.- geueral, looking about all the tiuie t.. Sfi- where was the sentry, for my father was snug under the tree. " ' What round ?" says my father. "'The grand round,' says the genei-al, more puzzled than afore. " ' Pass on, grand round, and God save ye kindly,' says my father, putting his pipe to his mouth again, for he thought all was over. " • Where are you ?' says the general, for sorrow a bit of my father could he yet see. '"It's here I am,' says he, 'and a cowld place I have of it ; and if it wasn't for the pipe I'd be lost intirely.' " The words wasn't well out of his mouth, when the general began laughing till ye'd think he'd fall off his horse. " And the dragoon behind him— more by token, they say it wasn't right for him— laughed as loud as himself. " ' Yer a droll sentry,' says the general, as soon as he could speak. " ' Begorra, it's little fun there's left in me,' says my father, 'with this drilling and parading and thramping about the roads all night.' " ' And is this the way you salute your offi- cer?' says the general. " 'Just so,' says my father; 'sorraa more politeness ever they taught me!' " ' What regiment do you belong to?' says the general. " ' The North Cork,' says my father, with fully, 'for, may be they'll keep me " ' Well, my good fellow,' says the general, • I haven't more time to waste here ; but let me teach you something before I go. When- ever your officer passes, it's your duty to present arms to him.' "'Arrah, it's jokin ye are!' says my father. " ' No, indeed, I'm in earnest,' says he, ' as ye might learn to yer cost if I brought ye to a court-martial.' " The general began to laugh again here, but said : "'I'm coming back here, and mind you don't forget your duty to your officer.' "'Never fear, sir,' says my father, 'and many thanks to you for your kindness in tellin' me.' " Away went the general and the orderly aftei h m an I m ten minutes they were out of sight The n gl t WIS falling f a t an I one halt f the m ta as lu te dark already, wl e 1 n } f tl 1 an t think they were f g tt 1 V HI w 1 he looked an- other I ergeant s guard The fast an dare of an ho ir more,' ? 1 ght le ves that at says he I'll be t may 1 nage was not 1 at 1 1 1 e ee at the te th dge. i i-Rlge ut thi lowe 1 1 \ 1 Myt tl ket fttl e mounta n, fol- took ui h s mus- i 1 elts shook the t t in h s pocket, n 1 neat lookin' as e 1 oil t ohoon IV t go home, at A\ 11 1 J th t ne the gei e al w is turn- ng a I II t t the ft tl at 1 ks down i] on tl e 1 1"- f nwhe ^ n gat look five m les U a o 1 on eve ■» le He sees me s ys ny 1 ithe I it I'll be ] 1 t as quick as h i self No sooner said than lone foi coming forward to the pai aj et of the 1 i dge he up wid h s m isket t h s h 1 lei au 1 present- ed it straight at the general. "It wasn't well there when the officer pulled up his horse quite short, and shouted out: " ' Sentry— sentry ! ' " ' ^nari /' says my father, still covering him. "'Down with your musket, you rascal! don't you see it's the grand round ?' '"To be sure I do,' says my father, never changing for a minute. " "iPhe ruffian will shoot me,' says the gen- eral. " ' Not a fear,' says my father, ' av it does not go off of itself.' " 'What do you mean by that, you vil- lain ?' says the general, scarce able to speak with fright, for, every turn he gave on his horse, my father followed with the gun. ' What do you mean ?' "Sure ain't I piesentin'"" says my fa- ther; "tare an' ages! do you want me to fire next?" " With that the general took a pistol from his holster, and took deliberate aim at my father. " There they both stood for five minutes, lookin' at each other, the orderly all the while breaking his heart laughing behind the rock. " For ye see, the general knew av he re- treated that my father might fire on pur- pose, and if he came ou that he might fire by chance ; and sorra a bit he knew what was best to he done. '"Are ye going to pass the evening up there, grand round?' says my father, 'for it's tired I am getting houldin' this so long!' "'Port arms!' shouted the general, as if on parade. " ' Sure I can't till yer passed,' says my fa- ther, angrily, • and my hands trembling al- ready.' "By Jove! I shall be shot,' says the gen» eral. "'Begorra! it's what I'm afraid of,' says my father,' and the words wasn't well out of his mouth before off went the musket- bang— and down went the general, smack on the ground, senseless. "Well, the orderly ran out at this, and took him up and examined his wound. "But it wasn't a wound at all, only the wadding of the gun, for my father— God be kind to him— ye see, could do nothing right, and so he bit off the wrong end of the cart- ridge when he put it in the gun, and by reason there was no bullet in it. " Well, from that day after they never got sight of him, for the instant the general dropped, he sprung over the bridge wall, and got away; and what between livin' in lime-kilns for two months, eating nothing but blackberries and sloes, and other dis. guises, he never returned to the arny. but THE WAR LIBRARY. CHAPTER VII. CORCORAN ARRIVES. Two or three days more bad passed before General Corcorau had got back to eaiop. It «as the iiif-'lit before the trial of Fight- ing Pat, and. im'iIuijjs, it was well for our unfnrtunati' hirn that the brigadier had put in an apin-arauci- so soon. The tirst thing that the general was told of, was the arrest of his nephew, and the cir- cumstances that led to it. Corcoran was not only astonished but greatly annoyed at what he had heard count of the renconter : " Mahon, 1 tear tliere is something more in this than I see at piesent. I know a little of Hynes, and that little not very much to his credit. He was at first to have joined our corps, but changed his mind the moment he heard my nephew was to enter it; and be- tween you and me. I am not son-y for his decision— for, plainly speaking, I do not like the man a whit." " Toil are not alone there, general," re- Elied Major Mahon. "Some of the boys ere, who knew him in New York, give him a pretty hard name." " 1 think he deserves it, for what on earth could Moouey have against him ? I have certainly heard some queer stories, but never a word from mj' nephew about the fellow." "Simply because he is not in the habit of speaking about people behind their backs," rejoined Maliou, warmly. "However, I think it would be well to investigate this matter at once." "He is to be tried, you say, by a general court-martial?" "Yes." " Then, In that case, we must make quick work of it. The great military lights," pro- ceeded Corcoran, "are determined to stamp this kind of thing out, and poor Pat may be the first to suffer for his impudence." "It is a serious offense to be sure," said Mahon, reflectively. " Couldn't be more so. An offense just now punishable with death." ■ 1 am Tt'i y glad you have got back, how- ever." said Mahnn; " very glad, indeed." "Not more than I myself am. The lad must be saved come what will," added the general, more to himself than to the ofBcer with whom he had been speaking. "Mahon!" he ejaculated, suddenly. "Yes. general." " \Vill ynii asrt-rtaiu whereabouts, while I visit tills impudent nephew of mine." "Certainly, general. I will do it at once, 1 presume I will find you at vour quartei-s?" "No; I think not. Say yon call at the grand tent in about twenty minutes or half an hour from uow. as m'y interview with Moouey may in all iii-nl)abiUty last that time, 1 mean jirobing tliis matter to the bottom, and il niv gephew is in fault let him bear the launt; tliafsall." "1 think v,.u will lind the boot on the other leg," .-aid Maliou, laughing; "and, in General Conoraii n-lli-i ted profoundly for a couple or miuulos; tlieji he, too, left the spot, and made In]- til" iiuard tent wherein Fighting Pat was idiiliiied, a prisoner. At the ai>proa. li i.i ih,. general the guard turned out and ]ir.senled arms, as they were euant.' 11- i'ii>oner— or. perhaps, 111 Olio inside there'/" he added, iiui. Ho wa>< -laliliod, bo«over, to learn that Fighting Pat was ilio only one confined in the guard-tent sinoe bis departure. " That speaks well for the discipline of the liCgion," said Corcoran, laughing, "and how does Mooney take this restriction on his liberty?" " As well, general, as can be expected," replied the lieutenant. " Come and see for yourself." Throwing the canvas of the tent aside, was lighted by a solitary lamp, barely se ing, however, to dissipa'te the gloom. They found the prisoner stretched out on a couple of army blankets— half-dozing, half-dreaming, perhaps, of the little green isle, which he had quitted but a few short months before. It was evident that he did not hear the approach of the two officers, and it was not till the lieutenant had called him by name that he responded. Then he leaped quickly to his feet and stood confronting his commander. It did not for a moment occur to Fighting Pat to take advantage of the relationship existing between himself and Corcoran. He stood, instead, to attention, and saluted respectfully, as might auy other soldier of the command. "You may go now, Liieutenant O'Reilly," said Corcoran. " I wish to speak with the prisoner alone for a few moments." The young officer touched his hat, and in- stantly left the guard-tent. When they were alone, Corcoran said : " Can you explain this, Pat?" " What, general?" "The unfortunate scrape I find you in. This is very serious." " I know that, general." " It is singularly unlucky at such a time," proceeded Corcoran. " I suppose you have heard we are about to go to the front?" Fighting Pat still stood to attention. " You need stand no longer that way, Pat. We are alone. Now, tell me all about your affair with' Hynes. The man charges you with having pulled trigger on him." " Yes, that is his charge, general," replied Pat. "Is it true?" said Corcoran, with some severity. "What would you think, general?" " I heard it to-night for the first time, and could not believe my ears," was the reply. " I am very glad o"f that." " But did you, or did you not shoot at the man ?" asked Corcoran, in a stern tone. "You know the rules of the service, I pre- " Well that, general. I, however, respect- fully ask you one question." ' "Put it." " Did you ever hear of my stooping to a falsehood ?" said the young man, in earnest tones. "Never." " I thank you for that ; and now I will an- swer you. I did not shootatMajor Hynes !" The last sentence Fighting Pat emphasized, solemnly." "You did not?" "I did not." "Then the man brings a false charge against you?" "Even so." " Why did you not say this at your pre- liminary examination?" demanded Corcor- an, somewhat puzzled. " I was waiting." "For what?" " For my principal examination.' "The general court-martial?" "Yes." " Humph!" grunted Corcoran. "You are a cool fellow, I must say. The result of that court-martial might have been your death. ■You must be aware of that, surely ?" " I was, and am," said the young man. The general, for a minute or two, strode up and down the tent, excitedly. It was evident, even to himself, that he understood little of his nephew's character. At last he paused suddenly, and faced the young soldier once more. " You did not fire at Major Hynes, then ?" " t^ertaiiily not." " Then his evidence was lies, from begin- ning to end?" "To a certain extent, yes." " And your rifle?" " Was discharged accidentally." " Did you not assault him ?" pursued Cor- coran. " Yes, after he had grossly insulted me." "AVe are coming near to the bottom at last," said the general, laughing. " Pray ex- plain alias brietiy as yon can— conceal noth- ing, and if it's possible to save you it shall be done." Fighting Pat thus urged, briefly recapitu- lated that which is alreadj^ known to the reader. Corcoran listened with profound attention, and as he learned the trutli of the encounter between his nephew and Hynes, his indigna- tion was nich getting the better of him. Whatever he was about to say was inter- rupted by the entrance of Major Mahone. The young officer perceiving uncle and nephew still engaged, was about to leave the tent, when the general beckoned him to come forward. " Have you found him ?" he asked. "Eh?" "I repeat it. Major Mahon, Hynes is an in- fernal scoundrel!" " Ah, general, " said Mahon, with a sly ■wink, "please tell us something we don't know." "Where is he uow?" "Who— Hynes?" " Enjoying himself to the top of his bent at Courtenay's quarters. He's as merry as you please, smoking and drinking wine at poor Courtenay's expense." " Courtenay, at least, is a gentleman," said Corcoran. " Quite true, general, quite true." said Ma- hon, "and that, perhaps, is one of the rea- sons that he is so easily imposed upon by a blackguard like Hynes. By my soul," con- tinued the youthful major, " there is noth- ing in the world that would give me more pleasure than to kick the villain out of " I go with you, then?" "Yes." Then turning to his nephew, he bade him be of good heart, and left the tent, followed by his suliordinate. On the way to Courtenay's quarters. Gen- eral Corcoran briefly related Mooney 's story as told him a few minutes before. When he had finished, he said : " My nephew, under other circumstances, would have been justified in acting as he had done; but there is no excuse for a sen- try assaulting his superior officer, and such, I take it, will be the verdict at to-morrow's court-martial." " I am afraid, general, you are right," said Mahon. " Now the question is what Is to be done," said Corcoran. " I can only see one way out of the difficulty." "And that is to prevent this fellow from attending the court-martial." " I understand. We must get him out of the way." "Decidedly." "And that is to be done?" " In this wise — and I think the plan will be a good one. We must make this ruffian take water " " Treat him to the Potomac?" "Not quitetliat,"said Corcoran, laughing; "although the sooner he's on the other side of it, the lietter will it lie for his skin. We must make the villain fight." "You can count on me every time, gen- eral." "But I was going to say that he won't fight." "Then he'll run. I see the drift. We must get rid of him. When the court-mar- tial assembles, the accuser will be absent." "Exactly so." " Leave the matter to me. I give you my word, general, as a gentleman, that Mr. Hynes will make himself scarce before to- CHAPTER VIII. FIGHTINU PAT BECOMES A SCOPT. A'oices proceeded from the tent, and it seemed, indeed, as if Jerry Hjmes was en- joying himself to the top of his bent. "Hear the blackguard," said Major Ma- hon. "One would think that he was the happiest crayture in the world. By the powers but he's fooling poor Courtenay nicely. 1 tliink I had better go in and an- nounce you, general." " Slav a moment." said Corcoran. " 'What plan of" action have you hit on?" "You will see that in good time. Now don't say anothor word, but leave the rest " "W-ry well, " replied the brigadier; "but above a"ll things, act discreetly." "How?" "I mean don't allow your plan to mis- carry." "'Trust me for that. Here goes," and Major Mahon, without ceremony, disap- peared within the folds of Courtenay's tent. He was not gone more than a few minutes when he returned. " It is all right," he said, "and now, gen- ei-al, if you permit me, I will lead the way." General Corcoran followed Mahon into the tent. The interior was lit by four or five big wax candles, and the tent, in other respects, was quite comfortably furnished. THE WAR LIBRARY. for tlie well known in the Irish Legion that aetiye service, and who, for that, and no other reason had joined Corcorau's com- mand. He had been a lieutenant in the English army, got tired of it, and, having disposed of his commission, had come to this countrv-. For what purpose? Simply to see service in the field. Just as Corcorau entered, Ca|itaiu Courte- nay had opened a bottle of otmmpnfrne. niid there were indicationsdf the l:ii t that iitlieis had been opened prior ti> hi> i ..inin-. Major Jerry Hyiies wa.^ smokini; oi.c d the captain's fiueVigais, installed himself very evening. His face was flushed as if he had drunk deeply, and it appeared, from the rapid glance that Corcoran had given him, that he was not over pleased with the fact of seeing either him or Major Mabon. He tried to look pleasant, however, Courtenay got up, and after welcoming his two visitors, pressed upon them to partake of what was going. "I have plenty of seats, gentlemen; so make yourselves at home," he said. "I would advise you. general, to try a glass of this excellent brand— best I've tasted this side of the Atlantic. And you, major, allow me to help you to a good cigar. Don't stir, Hyues; you are all right. Pray be seated, gentlemen. And so we are to move to the frout, general?" " I uuderstaud that to be the order, cap- tain. Very excellent wine, indeed." " This cigar is quite a treat," said Mahon. " Pleased to hear j-ou say so, major. Have another glass of champagne : not a headache in a dozen bottles of it, I assure you. Won't, eh ? Sorry for that. As I was telling Major Hynes here, we'll be in the deuce of a fix for want of the necessaries when we get into campaigning trim. It will be then salt junk and hard tack. Ah! ha! come, general, let me fill your glass for you again. Excuse me, Hynes, old fellow: I'm afraid I've tread on your corns." ""Ahem! No, you haven't," said Hynes, leering round him. "No fear of that haven't any to tread on ; so there's where you are out. Ah, ha!" " Hynes, I'll wager that you have vorns," said Mahon. " I'll wager that you have even bunions." " Eh— eh !" said Hynes. " What's that ?" Mahon repeated what he had said, and in such a manner that there was no mistaking but that he meant to be offensive; and Jerry's brain was not so clouded but he could see it. "Repeat that again, sir!" said Hynes, fiercely, as he rolled his eye defiantly around the tent. "Egad, that's capital !" cried Courtenay, whose brains were getting a little too mud- dled to perceive that there was anything wrong in his bellicose attitude. " Capital— capital ! " reiterated Courtenay. "Don't spare him, Hynes; let him have it, old man !" " I request that you repeat that again, sir," said Hvues, more furiously than ever. "I also make the assertion that you have two ugly carbuncles on your nose, and that you wear false teeth," said Mahon. "Not only that, sir, but oracular demonstration will prove that your calves are padded." This was getting beyond a joke. Major Hyues flew forward just in time to get about half a glass of wine in his face. This completely sobered him. Even the muddled captain could not fail but understand the insult. Major Hynes howled with rage; Courtenay cried, " Shame — shame!" General Corcoran said nothing, but looked on, an interested spectator. "This calls for blood!" yelled Major Hynes, beside himself with rage. "You need not go very far to get that," said Mahon, coolly. " If you want satisfac- tion, I am the man to give it to you." "Allow me to second you, major," said Coii rtenay. " I'll act for Mahon," said Corcoran; "and if Captain Courtenay has no objection, the affair may as well be settled here as any- where else." "No objection in the least, unless the space is too limited," replied Courtenay. " AVith your permission, gentlemen, I will now produce the pistols ; and, I may say, they are perfect beauties in their line— as fine a brace of dueling pistols as ever man clapped eyes on." Hynes turned deathly pale. Corcoran saw in a moment that there was no fight in him, but allowed, nevertheles, he captain to produce the "beauties," as he called them. " It would be murder to fight here," stam- mered Hynes. I "Not at all, mv dear sir," said Courte- nay. "The fact is, you couldn't fight in a better place. You liavi' most excellent light I from the wax . aihilrs. Termit me to place I you; or will y^n te-~ im- places?" "I tell you I \\Miit ii^lit here," said Hynes, desperately, ■■ It was alia mistake anyhow I iTiely panlon ilie ^eatlemau for carrying ■■ \\'lial :" I lied I eiir wnaj-, hardly believ- iii.L'ili;it he heard ari;^lit. " do you call it a joke, sir, to throw i lie eoutents of a cham. pagneglass in your lace?" "The major didn't mean it other than as a practical joke, I am sure," said Hynes. "There's where you are in error, Major Hyues," said Mahou. "Idhl mean it; s< make no mistake with reirard to it." "Of course vou meant it, sii',"said Courte- nay. "What! will you uot fight after his avowal that he did n'leaii it?" "I will not, " stauiiuereil Jerry, turning the hue of a dirt\- green in the face. "Then the soouer you bid good-by to the army the better," sneered Captain Courte- nay. " For myself, I have nothing more to say to you." ^'Now let mel give you a piece of ad- vice. Major Hynes," said Mahon, "and that is to clear from Washington and its neigh- borhood as soon as you can. If I catch you anywhere withlu tweuty miles of this by sunrise to-morrow I'll shoot you on sight." They allowed the crestfallen major to slink out of the tent. Then both Mahon and Corcoran made ample apologies to Courtenay for their manner of treating his guest. Not only did they do this,but they very satisfac- torily explained the cause of their thus act-- ing. We need not say that Mahon's plan work- ed well. It worked even better than they had ex- pected; for at the general court-martial next day, the accuser, Hynes, failed to put in an appearance. This resulted, as it happened, in the release of Fighting Pat. The day following the liberation of Mooney, the Legion crossed the Potomac, en route for the seat of war. After many little skirmishes and attacks by the enemy. Fighting Pat was selected as a scout, and with him, a lively young fellow named Frank O'Mahoney, and Denny Byrne. CHAPTER IX. FIGHTING PAT'S DAKING EXPLOIT. "Bedad, ' said Denny Byrne, "I don't know what to make of this scoutin' at all. It seems to be all kicks an' no ha'pence, as they say in the ould country." "Well, what's the use grumbling," said Frank O'Mahoney. "So far you've come out pretty lucky. You haven't lost a leg or an arm, an eye or an ear, so you may think yourself fortunate. What do yon say, Pat?" "I think with you, Frank. Our friend has nothing to complain of yet. We have circumvented the graycoats with better success than could have been expected. Be- sides, we haven't gone twelve hours without food in seven or eight days. Then why gi-umble? You know the old saying, Den- ny— ' It's time enough to bid the devil good morning when you meet him.* " "There's no denyin' that," replied Denny. " But can you tell me what is the good of all this thrampin' round the counthry ? There's the graycoats here to-day, an' there to-mor- row—an' aren't we thesame? It's like hide- an'-seek for all the world, an' the more I see of it the less I like it." " But jour father before you didn't like soldiering, Denny," said Frank, laughing. " " man that smokes a pipe doing sentinel duty over a magazine is much better in ;?" "Why your father, didn't he?' "Who towld ye that flamer ?" Denny, tartly. "Why yourself." " Meself— and when ?" " Why, one night when you were three sheets in the wind." " I don't recollect the sarcumstanoe ; and I must have been more than four sheets in the wind to have forgotten it." "Hist!" said Fighting Pat, suddenly. " What is it?" asked Byi-ne. "Hist! I say!" The foregoing conversation occurred about two weeks subsequent to the incidents chronicled in our last chapter. Fighting Pat and his companions had been on a two days' scouting expedition for the purpose of obtaining some knowledge of the movements of the Confederates, who were believed to be in considerable force in the neighborhood. Up to this time they had had some very ' narrow runs for it, and on three or four oc- casions had barelj; escaped capture. They owed their escape to the coolness and presence of mind of their young leader. They were in the act of passing through a dense piece of woodland toward the evening of the second day when Pat's warning brought them to a sudden halt. "What's the matter?" asked Frank. "Not a word," said Pat, " but dismount as quietly as you can." " There's some one in the wood!" " Yes." " Your hearin' is better than mine," said Denny, " for sorra a thing I can hear at all." Fighting Pat gestured him to silence, and then they all leaped to the ground. For a moment or two they listened in- tently. There could be no mistaking the fact- there were some persons in the wood beside themselves, whether friends or enemies re- mained to be seen. It might be some of their own men ; but more likely a body of Confederates. It behooved them, therefore, to act with great caution. " We cannot go any further in this direc- tion," said Pat Mooney, "until wefindout with whom we have to deal. Remain here both of you, until I see." "You expose yourself to too much dan- ger," remonstrated Frank. " Just let rn-c eo this once, will you ?" "No— no; keep your eye skinned, that's all. I'll return all right, depend upon it." Darkne,-!3 liad already descended on the gloomy forest, and after listening for a min- ute silently and intently, Fighting Pat stole hke a shadow along the path. Deeper and deeper he plunged into the in- tricacies of the wood. He pioceeded as cautiously as an Indian picking up the trail of an enemy. Every now and then he stopped to listen, so as to make sure of the exact direction whence the sounds came. He never moved without making sure of this fact. Another thing he did not lose sight of was the path by which he had come, as it would be no very pleasant matter to him to lose his comrades, who might watch and wait for him in vaiu had he not taken this precaution. Fighting Pat had so far proved himself an able^ ^ --■■' ■ • - tige i Iti can l^e conveyed amid the solemn stillness of a wilderness of timber and undergrowth. The sounds at first seemed to recede from him. theu grew louder, till he was finally as- sured that he had struck the right path. "1 shouldn't be surprised," murmured Pat to himself, "to find the enemy in force in the direction I am going. I must now act with the greatest caution, or I may get over- hauled myself." On and on he went, deeper and deeper into the recesses of the wood. Finally he pulled up quite suddenly. A red glare Of light flashed in his eyes. It came so suddenly upon him that he dropped flat upon his face, fearing he might have been seen. Such was not the case, however, as he quickly found out. "It IS as I thougui,, muttered i'lgntlng Pat; " I've dropped on an encampment of as I thought," muttered Fighting the enemy." The truth was he had come to a glen in the very heart of the forest; and in the center of the glen was a huge camp-fire, around which were seated, in various attitude*, about tweuty or thirty rebels. This was no doubt only a portion of the force who were encamped in the glen, for numerous indications pointed to three time* that number. His second discovery was that the men oc- cupying this great open space in the forest were part and parcel of a band of guerrillas. " The brigands of the Confederacy," mut. tered the scout. " No w, I have every respect for the valor of the regulars, but none for these fellows. I wish to Heaven I could giv« THE WAR LIBRARY. smoking, and seemed to be enioyins them- 5H'vt-s right merrily." Fishtifig Pat's quick mind was at work. He would dearly like to give them a fright. v,.w liow ic.ultl he do it without imperil- siL'ht .)t a la no doubt fi "Just the Tery thing." he muttered. "If I Pan only get to them without being seen, I'll gire them a rare old SL^are, one which thev won't forget in a hurry." We have witnessed a little already of Fighting Pat's fearless and intrepid charac- In fact he was a man who courted danger for thi'sake at overcoming it. Till' yomi;; ^.oiit'.s object was to steal to- waid th.' pill- of hand grenades without be- ing oIiscimmI— a task let it be understood not attended witliout considerable risk. The huge camp-fire lit the glen up with .il- mostthe brilliancy of day, aud before the scout could even reach tlie heap of deadly missiles a shot from one of the gueri-illas might put a stop to him and his acts of dar- ing forever. This was what he had to consider. Of course he hoped to be able to surprise them and niak.'liis c.-capein time to rejoin bis companinii, to -ho the alarm. Was it piiidcn; (..tliii- imperil his and his com^alU■^■ t-afct:' :' For a moiiiciit In- hesitated. Indecision, however, lasted but a short time with one of his nature. " I'll chance it ! " was his mental ejacula- In another instant he would have stolen in the direction of the hand grenades. But hold ! There was a stir on the other side of the glen— a confused commingling of voices- then a tramp of feet — some one was ap- proaching. The voices grew louder, the steps heavier, theu half a dozen heavily bearded men emerged from out of the darkness iuto the lurid reflection cast by the flames of the crackling logs and brush. As the new-comers came nearer a sudden exclamation, almost loud enough to betray his pii'SHiic, , l.ni>t from the scout's lips. What !,a.i -ausfdit? luiiform of a Federal I— tliiswas brigandish laitook largely of the Had the gallant Jerry turned guerrilla theu ? Had he deserted the Federal i-anks ? That he was not a prisoner was evident, as he seemed to be on the most friendly terms with the new arrivals as well as with those at the camp-flre. Nor did he even attempt to disguise his name or rank ou Meagher's brigade. "The infernal villam will end by betray- ing his brave commander if I don't put a stop to his game,"rautteredtbescouttohim- self. •■ I wdl listen flrst to what he has to :to I only take the rascal prisoner I should esteem it the biggest night's work of my life. But that, under the circumstances, is impossible. 80 I must content mvsnlf with hearing what he hastosav.' " Well," nia 1-1. a- you have come from the camp of flh- A .inks pi'iiiaps you can tell us where Meagluiaiid ( ,,iconin''are, and what they are about V" said the leader of the guer- rillas. " I can give you all the information on that head you want," answered Hyues. " Then go ahead." "I intended it for you privately. Who knows but there may be spies listening to us." " Oh, I think you may rest your mind easy on that score." said the guerrilla chief, a big black-bearded man of a sinister-looking countenance. "I'd rather not leave anything to chance." "Perhaps you are right." " I have seen the result of so many failures insequence. Come this way and I'll tell yo'i Very good." The two men nc from the camp-fiiv conversing earnest I v tn^n n,, 1 . Of course Fightiii- I 'iit li. ard not a word of what was said, Mhiih, the 1 (H'ler may be Stire, considerably angered him. As it would be out of the question to move from where he was to follow the two men, he awaited quietly their return to the camp- flre. " I have been foiled in onething," said Pat to himself; "but I'll wager that some of them will pay dear for it. And now comes the time for action. The time for action had indeed come. Major Hynes and the chief of the guerril- las having got through their conversation had returned to the camp-flre. All eyes at the moment were flxed with a look of inquiry on them. Now was Fighting Pat's time; while the at- tention of the guerrillas was distracted, he could easily possess himself of one or two of the destructive hand grenades, and dashing into the glen scatter death and destruction among them. He did not now wait to consider the conse- quences. His blood was up, and some one must sulTer. With a single spring he was in the glen, aud the next moment he had secured one of those awful instruments of war. Then like a flash he cleared the interven- ing space, hurling the hand grenade into the center of the roaring camp-fire. " Death to the guerrillas !" he shouted, in a voice as clear as the blast of a cavalry trumpet. There was an explosion of tremendous force, the flaming brands were scattered right and left, aud without waiting to see the deadly effect of his daring act he had We tos he threw It bad and CODS rillas; la escap CHAPTER X. WHAT PAT HEARS IX THE FOREST. say that the young scout did not wait I the eft'ects of the hand grenade which destruction mind was set on of nis daring act he made the best of his way into the forest, and then struck out for the spot where he had lef t h is comrades. He ran ahead for some time at the top of his speed, when it suddenly struck him that he might have taken a wrong path in the darkness in spite of the precautions he had employed in coming alonj;. It did not occur to him ,iusl then the prob- abilities of his being pursued, so he drew up aud examined the locality narrowly. Notwithstanding the iuteuse darkness he made one discovery. In the hurry of his flight he had come the wrong way. But could he tell that ? Quite easily. He had a remarkably piercing eye, and was also a keen and cautious observer. He had not selected his path blindly when he had left Denny Byrne and Frank O'Ma- houey. He had noted every landmark, so to speak, in the size aud sliapo'of trees, any peculiarity atiout uudergrowth, and a hundred other things that might have escaped the scrutiny of an ordinary observer. Amid the wildest and most intricate for- ests he was at home, partly from experience, and ceitainly to a very great degree from intuition. He had the keen perception of an Indian for forest scenery. He had roved through the wood from child- hood, and this was the flrst time perhaps he was ever at a loss. He was now most nitaiiilv at a loss. Hehadnothi-ede.l ni ins tlifilit how far he had come, but it must have lieeu somewhat closely approaching a mile. He listened intently to discover if he had been pursued. No sound met his ears. The whole woodlaud wore a dreary and ominous stUluess— the stillness of a vast wil- derness where no hmnan sound had ever penetrated. The young scout ne.\t cast his eyes above. The trees grew thick around and about him, and the interlacing branches above his head were crowned with an imnenetralile foliage which even in daylight might have prevented a ray from breaking thi'ough. The night was very dark certamly, but it made little difference in this spot, M-here it was never anvthingelse. "I am not imrsued, that is evident." said Fighting Pat ; "audirthe lebs had started out in the flrst instance, they must have lost track of me. I think my best course is now to retrace my steps, for Denny aud Frank must be anxious about this time for my safe- ty. Besides," he continued, "I must get back to camp and warn the general of that traitor, Hynes." Now tlie difficulty was which way to take. He had come thus far at a very rapid pace, and his mind being occupied with the new revelation of Hynes and his schemes he had forgot almost all else in his laudable desire to circumvent the villain and put the two Irish commanders on their guard. It was a vexatious business, to make the best of it ; aud now there was nothing left him but to rectify the mistake. Having taken his bearing as well as the darkness would iiermit him, he set at once Ht his very eireumspeetly, fear- momeutoiia parly of the eueuiy ; for the guen ilias \yere, no dcuibt, luowiing about in seareli (d liim, or just as likely might, before he had tiuK- to defend himself, pounce out from liehiudsome tree or bush to intercept and capture him. The further he proceeded, the more caU' tious, in consequence, became his move- ments. Still he heard not a sound. All was as silent as the grave. Tliis, at first, to Fightiug Pat, seemed tc, augur anything but a total absence of tho gueriilla force, which had made its encamp-, ment in probaldy the only open part in tho dense wood— the moreso, perhajjs, that hei knew that he could not be far from the en-, campment, if he could at all judge of hii» surroundings. However, on he stole, using caution ait every step, and resolving not to be caught napping even by the cunning, keen-eyecl gue -="" ad. at last, struck 1 he for d Fi' the near souuil oi a luuuan voiee starlleil him, and caused liim to riart behind the trunk oiE a huge old oak tree. The ^oice was singing an unmistakablj' patriotic Irish song, to which Fighting Pat listened with no little pleasure and sur- prise. The man, whoever he was, was at a stand- still, and trolled out the following in a voice which was, at least characteristically Celtic : inspired ite to o'Connell lliat is gone, boys, gone. a memory to the friends that are gone, 1 October. Ninety-seven, uy his soul find rest in Heaven— n ( )rr t o e.\ecutinn was led on ; tie jury, drunk, agreed rjury and tiireats drove them on. boys, or the memory of poor Orr that is gone. re saw a nation's tears I Henry She; plain Ar i may forgive, but yet ! never can forget soning of Maguire, that is gc Our high star and true apostle t How did Lord Edward die ? But he leftlui Imndnvnrk'c.'ii Major Swan I But Sirr. wall sii.fl-clad Ureast, Let us cease Oi nieiirn 1.1. rd 'Edward that is gone. Here's the memory of our friends tliat are gone. September. Eighteen-and-three. Closed this cruel history, "When Emmet's bipod the scaffold flowed upon ; They miglit then realize Their freedom— but we drink to Wolf Tone that Is Here's the memory o'f the friends that are gone." This song was sung in a low, plaintive voice — for nothing stirs the Irish people so much as any reference to the wrongs of their unhappy country, and the sufferings of too many of her noble but unfortunate elf. ■e I should ex- t tered Fighting as light enough glimpse of the sin- so that I nii-ht ger. Whether lie be for the South or North the man who sung that hasn't the bad drop in him, I'll go bail. Upon my word I would like to s]ieak to him— if it were only to thank him f.u- the spirit of patriotism the song breathes. I wonder what has brought him heri^he's uei a guerrilla, I'm certain. hue- in the forest here — a wood- something of thatsort. I wish to Heaven the moon was up so I might get a good, square look at him." 1 ch. THE WAR LIBRARY. 9 The desire grew stronger and stronger on the j'ouug scout to see the man who had sung that Irish song— ay, and thank him, too. For the time being every other thought sank into insignifleanoe alongside of this one. "It's no use; I'm bound to make his ac- quaintance," muttered the scout. "By his voice, he caunot be more than a score of yards off at most. I wish he'd strike up something else so I could locate him. It came from a match, which the late vocalist had struck, for the purpose, no doubt, of lighting his pipe. CHAPTER XI. FIGHTING PAT DISCOVERS A TKUE PRIENI The light of the match while it burned, gave Pat Moouey a pretty clear view of the man who had suug the Irish song. He appeared to be between Bfty and si-xty years of age, possessing an undoubtedly good face, as well as a lithe active figure. He, in fact, wore an uncommonly honest expression, and his countenance was char- acteristically Celtic. There are faces and faces, however ; and S?^ ed physiognomist. Eiisf, west, north, aud south, materially iiffer— particularly the true old Milesian vithout mi.v or tainture to be found the west. To the latter type the stranger in the wood evidently belonged— he was of the most pro- nounced Milesian class of feature; and we caunot help associating this class with the imagery aud poetry of a land where poetry is as natural as the air one breathes. "That's my man," said Fighting Pat; aud without more ado he hailed him. " Hello!" responded the stranger. "Who calls?" "A friend," replied the scout. "I'll be with you in a moment if you have no objec- tion.'' " Where ai-e you ?" "Not far away, you may be sure. I saw you strike a match just now, and can there- lore get to you without difHculty." " Are you sure you can find your way in the dark?" said the stranger, in a voice that was entirely free from suspicion. " Oh, yes, I guess I'll find you in a brace of shakes." The stranger laughed very heartily at this odd expression, and said : " You are an Irishman, I believe ?" " You've struck it." "Then, stop a minute and I'll light an- other match, so there'll be no chance of your breaking your neck. There are a few little obstructions to get over, as you'll soon find out." " Thanks to you for the civihty," replied the scout; and the uext moment a tiny light flashed up from the darkness, which enabled Fighting Pat to pass over sundry obstructions— trunks of fallen trees and thick forked branches, and to escape falling into two or three deep holes. An instant or two later he was at the stranger's side. " I heard you singing," the young man ex- plained, ' and I couldn't quit the spot with- out making your acquaintance." "Oh, indeed!" the other ejaculated, in a voice that sounded very pleasant to Pat's ears. "Yes," he continued, "the songs of the Did land touch a very tender chord iu my nature. I love to hear them, and shake the man's hand who can sing them with the feeling with which they should be sung. You are that man, so give me your hand." " Upon my conscience, you are very flat- tering, sir," said the elder man. " I wasn't aware that my voice, or even the words of that song should have any such effect. But, lejiTJug all jokes aside, my young friend, you belong to the Union forces, do you not ?" " I do." " Perhaps you are the man I am after ?" " Eh ?" said Fighting Pat, not a little aston- ished. "Are you searching for any one iu particular?" " I am— a young man named Mooney, of Coreoran's Legion. You may be he?" i "That is my name," replied the scout, | "aud I have the honor to be a member of the gallant corps you speak of." "I am glad to hear it. In fact," contin- ued the stranger, " that song I just sung was meant for your ears, and your ears alone.'' "Indeed!" said Pat, "that sounds singu lar." " Not so singular as you seem to think, if you knew but all. You are in danger'" "In danger!" Pat started back a step. "No, no; not from me," laughed his com- panion, " but from those who would not hesitate to shed your blood it they came across you. I mean the guerrillas who test this wood. Listen calmly to me for a moment." " Go on," said the scout. " I had the good fortune to meet your two friends a short while ago, and saved them from the ilutihcs of those confounded ban- dits—I can call them nothing else. They were within iiii ace of being run down, hav- ing had to abandon their horses when I came up and had the good fortuue of concealing them ; but the guerrillas are still scouring the forest, right and left, and, what is more, they have taken the precaution to shut up every, or almost every avenue of escape from this wood." "This looks serious," said Fighting Pat, reflectively. " It would be serious enough if they caught you, but if you follow me, you can snap your fingers at them." " Where are my comrades ?" "They are where you can rest assured of the same safety," replied his new-found friend. " They are in a place in this forest, known to no one but myself." " And the guerrillas ? The stranger laughed meaningly. "Never you mind the guerrillas," he re- joined. "They know me too well to give me any trouble. Yes, young man, this for- est has been my home tor nigh onto twenty years," the strange man proceeded, "so that I have ciirtc blanche to go where I like, and do what I like. They do not bother me for my opinions, but they generally sup- pose that my sympathies are with the Con- federacy." "And they are not?" " Decidedly not," emphasized thestranger. " I was forced to leave my own land for lack of freedom ; and, think you, under the ' •igh ble thought; but hark! Did you not hear that ?" The man gripped Fighting Pat's hand, ex- citedly. Sure enough there were sounds in the for- est—sounds that indicated to the» gallant young Bcout the approach of danger. " The guerrillas !" said Pat, in a whisper. " You are right. I told you the forest was alive with them, and it is. Look now at those sudden flashes of light through the trees, east, west, north and south. They are coming!" Suddenly a series of signals rent the night air, aud went echoing far and near. Fighting Pat followed, with his eyes to the points indicated, and beheld flashing lights m all directions. "We are euvironed,"< he said, calmly, "and now there is nothing left but to make a dash through them." "Hist— hist! Don't talk so loud," cau- tioned his new friend, in an admonitory tone. "The slightest sound travels in a place like this. All is Bot lost yet. I will save you." " By making a dash for it ?" "No; quick — come this way!" The strange man did not speak in a voice above a whisper, but the young scout heard every word he said most distinctly. For a moment a strange suspicion flashed across his brain. Was the man trustworthy, or was he play- ing a deep game to get him into the clutches of his enemies? The thought no sooner flashed across his mind than he blushed for very shame. How apt we are to be suspicious, when, in reality, there is little cause for it! "Away with the doubt," the young man murmured. "The man is too thoroughly Celtic to play the role of a traitor. I will trust him with my life— ay, with tweuty lives if I had them." The true Celt is incapable of treachery. The iufoi-mers who have sprung up from time to time iu Ireland, with Irish names, were of that bastard breed in which little dependence can be placed at any time. They were the outcome of an amalgama- tion of the Dane, the Norman aud the Saxon, with the worst type of the Irish. The true Celt is never a betrayer, and this has been oonclnsirely proven, without the hazard of n doubt. "Yes," murmiiredthe scout, "I will trust him with my life!" CHAPTER XII. .\ XARROW ESCAPE. There was no time to be lost now. The flashing lights, looming up through the dense darkuess of the forest, were ap- proaching nearer aud nearer. There wasa veritable living cordon around the two meu, from which, under other cir- cumstances, there could be no possibility of escape. " Come," said the stranger, in his usual cautious tones, " we have not a moment to spare. I must hide you, and at once." "But what about yourself?" "Did I not tell you," said his new friend, with a gesture of impatience, " that I have nothing to fear." "They won't suspect, then " "No; and n.iw no further waste of words, if you pli-a^i-; Imt fnllnw me." Thestr;iii-rr HusHpiKireiitlyaman of ac- tion, and In- jJi .s.-ntly >lni«-cd it. "Take a lidlil (if my liiind and tread cau- tiously. The least uoise now may cost you •life.' Fighting Pat obeyed the injunction of his friend— for friend he indeed proved— and was led about twenty or thirty feet to the left. Once or twice he trod on some dried branch or twig, which gave out a peculiar cracking noise; but these sounds were effectually drowned in the repeated signals of the guer- rillas as they drew nearer and nearer every moment. " We are fur enough, " whispered the stranger, " and now I'll conceal you in it place where it will puzzle them to And, evei> though they should suspect that you are- somewhere in the neighborhood." They had drawn up on the south side of the bole of an immense tree— a giant oak of tremendous girth, whose age could not have been less than five or si.'c centuries. "The trunk of this tree is hollow," the stranger whispered, "and, once inside, I think I can vouch for your safety." The bole of the oak was literally covered with a mass of vegetation, whose luxuriant foliage served to effectually conceal the fact that It was hollow inside. The stranger quickly drew aside the creep- ers aud climbing vines that so thickly envel- oped the oak, and, without ceremony, thrust Fighting Pat into the hollow. ' " Remain there, and don't speak," he cau- tioned. " When I have disposed of them I will let you know." "I hope you'll dispose of them very quickly." "That will remain to be seen. However I will do my best, and no man can do more,'' saying which Le made the bole of the tree look as If the vegetation had not been dis- turbed, then waited calmly for the guer- rillas to come up. Again the lone forest rung with the cries of the searchers, lights flashed hither and thither as the circle narrowed very ma- terially. •' "Halloo— halloo ! " rolled the voice of the stranger, above all other sounds. "Halloo— halloo!" came back the answer- ing response; aud then the men who had carried the lights came forward with a rush —from north, south, east aud west. Fighting Pat heard the loud "halloo" of his late coiiductor; and, for the moment, could not understand what it meant ,?,]? ^^'^ ™''° ™'*''° betraying him after Again a suspicion of his new friend's in- tegrity flashed across his brain. " if I thought he brought me here for the purpo.-ie of betraying me," said Pat, through his gratiug twth, "I'd tear his treacherous heait out. But no," he again murmured, I will never heheve that a man of his kind How IS a man to know who is his friend under the conditions in which our gallant young scout was placed ? * The best of us grow suspicious under such circumstauc-es, aud Fighting Pat was no ex- ception to the rule. He -was environed by dangers, and con- sequently more liable to suspect people. The young scout was instantly conscious THE WAR LIBRARY. of one thing, however— the fact that hiB strange friend had moved away from the oak in the hollow of which he was hidden from his foes. " Halloo— halloo— halloo!" rung once more through the wilderness of timber and under- growth. The pattering of feet and cracking of branches still continued. Then suddenly all sounds ceased. Fighting Pat knew from that moment that the scouting party of guerrillas had come up. He now strained his listening to its utmost intensity to hear what was said. He even removed the thick vegetation partly concealing his hiding-place to hear what was said ; for, it must be admitted, he was not altogether easy in his mind, some lurking suspicion yet remained as to the good faith of his guide. Fighting Pat now settled himself down to listen to all that was passing. Beyond him was a dense, impenetrable darkness, but not a word of the conversation that passed es- caped his keen ear. The Urst voice heat once recognized as the one he had previously heard in the glade — the voice, in fact, of the guerrilla ehieftian. "I am very glad you're here, Morgan," said this man. " Why didn't you shout be- fore?" " I did as soon as I heard and saw you," was the reply of Pafs friend." " Have you been long here ?" "Just a short time." "How long?" " About five minutes. It may be ten— I wouldn't be sure." "So! Did you come across any Yanks in the forest?" " Wheu— to-night ?" "I saw no Yankees for more than a month," was the truthful reply. He had not. He had seen three Irishmen, but no Yankees; and it never struck the coarse mind of the guerrilla to correct him- self, and put the question in the way it ought to have been put. •■There are three of them in the forest nevertheless," was the guerrilla's rejoinder; "and if I liappeu to drop on any of 'em I'll cut their cursed hearts out. What do you say to this, Morgau— oue of the blank cusses had the impudence to steal into our camp and throw a haud-grenade into the fire." " That was serious," said Morgan, sadly. "Serious! Serious is no name for it," ex- claimed the guerrilla chieftain, swearing out a horrible oath. " It killed two of our men straight off, and wounded three more. I should like to catch the Yank as did it, and if I wouldn't make him smell brimstone, blank me!" " Catch him by all means," said Morgan, quietly. " This wouldn't be a bad hiding place for the cuss," said the guerrilla, examining the brush. We may find our quarry here." "That may be, too," said Morgan, laugh- ing. " Shall I help you ?" " If you like— yes. Let the bullets whizz about, boys," continued the leader of the party; "and prod the undergrowth well with vour sabers." The" lurid lights of the pine torches went flashing here and there, as the guerrillas set about the work with a will. Every bit of undergrowth was scrutinized carefully. Tne repeated reports of revolvers and car- bines told Fighting Pat that the guerrillas were doing all in their power to make it hot for any one who might be concealed in their vicinity. Even the very trees had not escaped. Bullets went whizzing into their very tops among the branches and foliage — not even the boles escaped. Two or three of the leaden messengers gassed so close to Fighting Pat's head that e concluded he was about to be made an animated target of; and once they came within an ace of discovering his hiding- glace ; but they fortunately passed on, and e breathed freely once more. Suddenly all sounds once more ceased, and the dense forest wore its usual impressive stillness. Fightiiig Pat had had a very narrow es- CHAPTER XIII. THE CAVE DJ THE WOOD. Nearly an hour had passed. The young scout was getting impatient as to the return of the man who had so nobly befriended him, when suddenly a stealthy footstep caught his ear. "One of the prowling guerrillas," he thought. He was wrong. It was Morgan, who seeing that he could do so safely had come back. " It's all right," said the man, as he parted the thick vegetation that concealed the hol- low in the trunk. " It's all right— come." "Are they gone?" "Yes." " Still scouring the wood for me ?" "No. They have gone back to their en- campment in the glade; though every avenue of escape from the forest is still guarded." " They must be in considerable force here, then," said Pat, leaping from his place of concealment and rejoining his friend. " They are — about si.\ or seven hundred of them altogether, independent of a troop of ' I reckon you'll have to be my j danger." " He is already warned," was Morgan's quiet reply. " I dispatched my son for that purpose some hours ago." " Your son !" exclaimed Pat, surprised. " My son ! There's nothing very extra- ordinary in that, is there? I have two of as fine fellows as you'd wish to see in a day's walk. But come, you shall join your two frientls, who are anxious about your safety. Your horses are all right. My other boy got them wandering about in the forest, and, securing them, brought them to the cave." "The cave?" ejaculated Pat. "I thought you lived in the log hut?" " And so I do. But when my friends are in danger the cave is the best hiding place for them." No more was said. The two men moved stealthily through the mazes of the forest for about a mile and a half. Here the guide drew up before a tall, per- pendicular crag, whose jagged surface was one impenetrable mass of vegetation. There seemed no possibility of a cave be- ing there ; but still, there was one, as Fight- ing Pat very soon discovered. "This is something like the hollow oak," observed Morgan. "Come!" He drew the gorse, and shrubs and creep- ers aside, disclosing the entrance to ex- tensive apartments in the solid rock— not one room, indeed, but half a dozen, leading from one to the other. If the first cavernous apartment was spa- cious, the" second was more so, and could amply accommodate a couple of hundred men, in case they should be necessitated to hide in the wood. In this second room there burned a bright wood fire, at which were seated Denny Byrne, Frank O'Mahoney, and, a third, a stalwart-looking young fellow, a stranger to Fighting Pat, but who was Morgan's second son and namesake. It is needless to state, at this stage, how glad the three comrades were to meet each other, or of the manner in which they thank- ed their kind entertainer and preserver for the loyal aud generous manner in which he had acted. The five men, during the evening, partook of as deliciously a cooked meal as Fighting Pat had eaten lor many a long day. Strange as it may seem, the accommoda- tions and conveniences of the cave appeared to be endless. As the night passed away, and the supper things were removed, whisky, wine and cigars were served out with no stinted hand. Song and story claimed a fair share of the night's entertainment; and as the one told by Morgan— who, by the way, was a great Irish antiquarian— would be worth repro- ducing, we shall forthwith proceed to give it. The story is one of remarkable beauty aud power, and no doubt our readers will agree with us in our estimate. We reserve it, however, for a long and in- teresting chapter. seven extraordinary battalions of the Feni- ans of Erin. "In the course of the day, on casting a look over the broad expanse of the sea, they beheld a large, smooth-sided and proud- looking ship plowiug the waves from the east, and approaching them under full sail. " When the capacious vessel touched the shore aud lowered her sails, the Fenians of Erin counted upon seeing a host of men dis- embark from her, and great was their sur- prise when one warrior, and no more, came out of the ship aud landed on the beach. "He was a hero of the largest make of body, the strongest of champions, and the finest of the human race ; aud in this wise was the kingly warrior equipped— an im- penetrable helmet of polished steel incased his ample and beautiful head, a deep f ur- ,1 .1,: .. ,.., j.p|-^_ sharp-edged sword "Such were bis chief accoutrements, and armed ill tliis fashion aud manner did the stranger loiiie into the presence of Finn MacL'Moit' and the Feuians of Erin. "It was th.-n that Fiun, the King of the Feuir.iis mlili .sscil the heroic champion and "•I'loiu \vliai Mii:irter of the globe hast thou r,.m.> iiiito u.s, oh, goodly youth, or from which of the uoble or ignoble races of the uuiveise art thou sprung? Who art thou r " 'I am,' answered the stranger, 'Ironboues, theson of the King of Thessaly, and so far as I have traveled on this globe since the day that I left my own land, I have laid every country, peninsula and island un- der coutributiou to my sword and my arm — this I have done even to the present hour; and my desire is to obtaiu the crown and tribute of this couutiy in like manner; tor if I obtain them uot, I purpose to bring slaughter of men aud deficiency of heroes and youthful warriois tm the seven ordinary and seven extraordiuary battalions of the Fenian host. Such, C> king, is the object of my visit so this couuiry, aud such is my design iu landing here.' " Hereupon uprose Couan the Bold, and said : " ' Of a truth, my friend, it seems to me that you have come upon a foolish enter- prise, and that to the end of your life and the close of your days you will not be able to accomplish your purpose, because from the beginning of ages until now no man CHAPTER XrV. MORGAN'S STOBY. "On a oertatn day," proceeded the story, teller, " a fair aud a gathering were held at Beneadar, by the seven ordinary and the ever heard of a hero or ever saw a champion same coimtry.' " Ironbones replied : "' Imake but very little account of your speech, Conan,' said he, 'for if all the Fenian heroes who have died within the last seven years were now in the world, and were joined by those who are now living, I would visit all of them with the sorrow of death, and show all of them the shortness of life in one day ; nevertheless I will make your warriors a more peaceful proposal. I challenge you, then, oh, warrior, to find me a man among you who can vanquish me in running, in fighting, or in wrestling. If you can do this, I shall give you no further- trouble, but return to my own country without loitering here any longer.' " ' And pray,' inquired Finn, ' which of those three manly exercises that you have named will it please you to select for the first trial of prowess?' "To this, Ironbones answered : "' If you can find for me any one cham- pion of your number who can run faster than I can, I will give you no further an- noyance, but depart at once to my own country.' "'It so happens,' said Finn, 'that our Man of Swiftness, Keelte MacRonan, is not here at present to try his powers of running with you, and as he is not it were better. O hero, that you should sojourn here » season with the Fenians that you and they may mutually make and appreciate each other's acquaintance by means of conversa- tion and amusements, as is our wont. In the meanwhile, I will repair toTara of the Kings in quest of Keelte Mac Ronan ; and if I have not the good fortune to find him there I shall certainly meet with him at Cis Corawn of the Fenii, from whence I shall without delay bring him hither to meet you.' " The this Ironbones agreed, saying that he was well satisfied with what Finn proposed, and thereupon Finn proceeded on his way toward Tara of the Kings, in search of Keelte. "Now it fell out that as he journeyed along he missed his way, so that he came to THE WAR LIBRARY. a dense, wide and gloomy wood, divided iu the midst by a broad aud miry road or path- way "Before he had advanced more tliiui a very little distance on this road, he jier- ceived coming directly toward him an ugly, detestable-looking giant, who wore a jiviij- frieze coat, the skirts of which reached dowii to the calves of his legs, and were bespat- tered with yellow mud to the depth of a heroe's hand, so that every step he made the lower part of the coat struck with such vio- lence against his legs as to produce a sound that could be distinctly heard a full mile of ground off. ■• Each of the two legs that sustained the unwieldly carcass of this hon-iMe, hideous monster was like the mastcf a great ship, and each of the two shoes that were on his shapeless, horny, long-nailed hoofs resem- bled a roomy long-sided boat, and ever\- time he lifted his foot, and at every stcii that he walked, he splashed up from each shoe a good barrelfull of mire aud water on the lower part of his body. " Finn gazed iu amazement at the colossal man ; for he had never before seen any one so big and bulky. Yet he would have passed onward and continued his route, but the giant stopped and accosted him, and Finn was under the necessity of stopping also and exchanging a few words with the giant. The giant began in this manner: '"What ho! Finn MacCoole,'" said he, ' What desire for traveling is this that has seized on you, and how far do you mean to go upon this journey?' " ' Oh,' said Finn, ' as to that, my trouble and anxiety are so gieat that I cannot de- scribe them to you, and, indeed, small is the use,' added he, ' it would be of to me to at- tempt doiug so; and I think it would be bet- ter for you to let mc go on my way without asking any more questions of me.' " But the giant was not so easily put off. " ' Oh, Finn,' said he, ' you may keep your secret if you like ; but all the loss and the misfortune attending your silence will be your own ; aud wheu you think well upon that, maybe vou would not boggle any longer about disclosing to me the nature of youren-and.' " So Finn, seeing the huge size of the giant, and thinking it advisable not to provoke him, began to tell him all that had taken place among the Fenians of Erin so short a time before. " ' You must know,' said he, -that at the meridian hour of this very day, the great Ironbones, son of the King of Thessaly, landed at the harbor of Bineadar with the view of taking the crown and sovereignty of Ireland into his own hands; and if he does not obtain them with the free and good will of the Irish, he threatens to distribute death and destruction impartially among the young and old of our heroes. Howbeit he has challenged us to find a man able to surpass him in ruuniug, fighting or wrest- ling ; and if we can tlnd such a man, then he agrees to forego his pretensions and to re- turn to his own country without giving us further trouble; aud that,' said Finn, 'is the history I have for you.' " ' And how do you intend to oppose the royal warrior ?' asked the giant. ' I know him well, and I know he has the vigor in his hand and the strength in his arm to oarryevery threat he makes into effect.' " 'Why, then,' said Finn, in answer to this, ' I intend to go to Tara of the Kings for Keelte MacRonan, and if I do not find him there I will go to look for him at Cis- Corawn, of the Fenii; and it is he,' said he, ' whom I mean to bring with me for the pur- pose of vanquishing this hero in running.' " ' Alas !' said the giant,' ' weak is yourde- pendence and feeble your champion for propping and preserving the monai-chy of Ireland ; and if Keelte MacRonan be your tree of defiance, you are already a man without a country.' " ' It is I, then,' said Finn, ' who am sorry you should say so ; and what to do in this extremity I cannot tell.' '"I will show you,' replied the gigantic man. ' Just do you say nothing at all, but accept me as the opponent of this champion, and it may happen that I shall be able to get you out of your difficulty.' " Oh,' said Finn, ' for the matter of that, it is my own notion that you have enough to do if you can carry your big coat and drag your shoes with you one half mile of ground in a day without trying to rival such a hero as IrouDoues in valor or agility.' "'You may have what notions you like,' returned the giant, ' but I tell you that if I am not able to give a battle to the fighting hero, there never has been, and there is not now, a man in Ireland able to cope with him. Never mind, Finn MacCoole, let uot ynur spirits be cast down, for I will take it ui^ou myself t'l deliver you from the danger ' • W'liiLt i- \ nil?' uaine?' demanded Finn. ■' ■ i;i"laiii-an -( 'liota-Lachtna (the churl with tin- ;;niv coat) is my name,' the giant auswered. " ' Well, then,' said Finn, ' you will do well to come along with me.' " So Piun turned back, and the Bodach went with him, but I have no accouut of their travels till thcv reached Biueadar. "There, when tlie Fenians beliekl the Bodach attired iu such a fashion and trim, they were all very much surprised, for they had never before seen the like of him ; aud they were greatly overjoyed that he should make his appearance among them at suoh a critical moment. " As for Ironbones, he came before Finn aud asked him if he had got the man who was to contend with him in running. "Fiun made answer that he had, and that he was at present among them ; and thereupon he pointed out the Bodach to "As soon as Ironbones saw the Bodach he was seized with astonishment, and his courage was dampened at the sight of the gigantic proportions of the mighty man; but he pretended to be only very indignant, and exclaimed : "'What! do you expect me to demean myself by engaging in a contest with such an ugly, greasy, hateful-looking Bodach as that?' " ' It is myself that will do no such thing,' said he; and he stepped back and would not go near the Bodach. " Wheu the Bodach heard this, he burst into a loud, hoarse, thunderous laugh, and said : " ' Come, Ironbones, this will not do. I am not the sort of a jjerson you affect to think me, aud it is you that shall have proof of my assertion before to-morrow evening. So uow let me know,' said he, 'what is the leugth of the course you jiropose to run over, for over the same course it is my in- tention to run along with you, and if I do not succeed in ruuning that distance with you, it is a fair conclusion that you win the race; and, in like mauner, if I do succeed in outstiipping you, then it stands to reason that you lose the race.' " ' There is sense and rationality iu your language," replied Ironbones, for he saw that he must submit, and I agree to what you say, but it is my wish not to have the course shorter or longer than three-score miles.' "'Well,' said the Bodach, 'that will an- swer me, too, for it is just three-score miles from Mount Loocra, in Munster, to Binea- dar, and it will be a pleasant run for the pair of us, but if you find that I am not able to finish it before you, of course the victory is yours.' Ironbones replied that he would not lict so evident a the Bodach resumei "'What it is proper for you to do now,' said he, 'is to come along with me south- ward to Mount Loocra this evening, in order that we make ourselves acquainted with the ground we are to go over to-morrow on our return, and we can stop for the night on the mount, so that we may be able to start with the break of day.' " To this also Ironbones acceded, saying it was a judicious speech, and that he had nothing to object to it. "Upon this the two competitors com- menced their journey, and little was the de- lay they made until they arrived at Mount Loocra, iu Munster. "As soon as they got thither, the Bodach again addressed Ironbones, and told him that he thought their best plan would be to build a hut in the adjoining wood so they might be protected from the inclemency of the night. ' For it seems tome, O son of the King of Thessaly,' said he, 'that if we do not, we are likely to have a hard couch and cold quarters on this exposed hill.' " To this Ironbones made reply, thus: " ' You may do so if you please, O Bodach of the Big Coat, but as for me, I am Iron- bones, and care not for dainty lodging, and I am mightily disinclined to give myself the again ; howbeit, if you are desirous of em- ploying your hands, there is noboby to cross you. You may build, and I shall stay here until you have finished.' "'Very good,' said the Bodach, 'and build I will, but I shall take good care that a certaui person who refuses to assist me shall have no share in my sleeping-room should I succeed in making it as comforta- ble as I hope to do ;' and with this he betook himself into the wood, and l)t'4aii inttiug down and shaping pieces ol tiinlMT Willi the greatest expedition, never ccasin,^' iiutil ho had got together six pair of stakes aud as many of rafters, which, with a sufficient quantity of brushwood and green rushes for thatch, he carried bound in one load to a convenient spot, and there sat them up at once iu regular order. "This iiart of his work being finished, he again entered the wood, and carried from thence a good load of dry green sticks, which he kindled into a fire that roared from the back of the hut to the door. " While the fire was blazing merrily, he left the hnt, and again addressing his com- panion, said to him. " ' O son of the King of Thessaly, called by men, Ironbones, are you provided with provisions for the night, and have you eata- bles and drinkables to keep you from hun- ger and thirst ?' "'No; I have not,' said Ironbones, proudly, ' it is myself that used never be without people to provide victuals for me when I wanted them,' said he. the best thing you can do is to come and hunt with me in the wood, and my hand to you, we shall soon have enough of victuals for both of us.' "'I never practiced pedestrian hunting,' said Ironbones, ' and with the like of you I never hunted at all, and I don't think I shall begin now,' said he, in a very dignified sort of a way. "' Then I must try my luck myself,' said the Bodach ; and off again he bounded into the wood, and after he had gone a little way he roused a herd of wild swine, and pursued them into the recesses of the wood, and there he succeeded in separating from the rest the rhich : hut, where he slaughtered it, and cut it into two hal'-es, one of which he placed at each side of tlio fire on a self -moving holly spit. " He then darted out once more and stop- ped not until he reached the mansion of the Baron of Inchiciuin, which was thirty miles distant, from whence he carried off a table and chair, two barrels of wine, and all the bread fit for eating he could lay his hands on, all of which he brought to Mount Loocra in one load. " When he again entered his hut, he found his hog entirely roasted, aud in nice order for mastication, so he laid half the meat and bread on the table, and sitting down dispos- ed of them with wonderful alacrity, drink- ing at the same time precisely one barrel of the wine and no more; for he reserved the other as well as the rest of the solids for his breakfast in the morning. " Having thus finished his supper, he shook a large number of green rushes over the floor, and laying himself down, soon feU asleep, which lasted until the rising of the sun next morning. " As soon as the morning was come, Iron- bones, who had got neither food nor sleep the whole night, came down from the mountain's side and awoke Bodach, telling him that it was time to commence their con- test. " The Bodach raised his head, rubbed his eyes, and replied : " ' I have another hour to sleep yet, and when I get up I have to eat a halt hog and drink a barrel of wine; but as you seem to be in a hurry you have my consent to pro- ceed on your way before me, and you may be sure I will follow you.' " So saying, he laid his head down, and fell again snoring; and upon seeing this Ironbones began the race by himself, but he moved along heavUy and dispiritedly ; for he began to have a great dread and many misgivings by reason of the indifference with which the Bodach appeared to regard the issue of the contest. "When the Bodach had slept some time he got up, washed his hands and face, and hav- ing placed his bread and meat on the table' he proceeded to devour them with great ex- pedition, and then washed them down with his barrel of wine, after which he collected together all the bones of the hog, and put them into a pocket in the skirt of his coat. Then setting out on his race in compaBy with a pure and cool breeze, he trotted on and on ; nor did he ever halt in his rapid course, until he had overtaken Ironbones, who, with a dejected air and drooping haad, was wending his way before him. THE WAR LIBRARY " The Bodach thivvr dowu the bare boues of the hog iu his path, ami toUl him that he waa quite welcome to them, aud that if he could And pickings ou them, he might eat them. ".' For, ' said he, ' you must surely be hun- gry by this time, and myself can wait until you finish your breakfast.' " But Ironbones got into a great passion on hearing this, and he cried : ■ You ugly Bodaeh, with the big coat, fou greasy, lubberly, uncouth tub of a man, would see you hanged, so 1 would, before you catch me picking such dirty common bones as these hog's bones, that have no meat on them at all, and have moreover been gnawed by your own long, ugly, boarish tusks.' '"Oh, very well,' replied the Bodaeh; 'then we will not have any more words about them few bones; but let me recom- mend to you to adopt some more rapid mode of locomotion if you desire to gain the crown, sovereignty, and tribute of the king- dom of Ireland this turn, for, if you go on at your iiresent rate, it is second best that you will be after coming off, I'm thinking.' ■'Having spoken, off he darted as.swift as March day; Ironbones in the meauti ing about as much able to keep pace with him as he was to scale the firmament; nor aid he check his own speed until he had pro- ceeded thirty miles on the course. " He then stopped for a while to eat of the blackberries which grew iu great abundance on the way, and while he was thus employed Ironbones came up with him, and spoke to him . " 'Bodaeh,' said he, ' ten miles behind us I saw one skirt of your gray coat, aud ten miles further back again I saw another skirt; and it is my persuasiou, and I am clearly of the opinion, that you ought to return for those two skirts without more to do, and pick them up.' " ' Is it the skirts of this big coat that I have on me you mean ?" asked the Bodaeh, looking down at his legs. " ' Why, to be sure it is them that I mean,' answered Ironbones. "'Well,' said the Bodaeh, 'I certainly must fet my coat-skirts again, and so I will run ack lor them if you consent to stop here eating blackberries until I return. " 'What nonsense you talk!' cried Iron- tones. ' I tell you I am decidedly resolved not to loiter in the race, and my fixed deter- mination is not to eat any blackberries.' " ' Then move on before me,' said the Bo- daeh, upon which Ironbones pushed on- ward, while the Bodaeh retraced his steps to the different spots where the skirts coat, he resumed his route, and again over- took Ironbones, whom he thus addressed: " ' It is needful and necessary that I should acquaint you of one thing, O Ironbones! and that is you must run at a faster rate than you have hitherto used, and keep pace with me on the rest of the course, or else there is much likelihood and considerable probability that the victory will go against you ; because I will not again have to go back either for my coat-skirts or anything else.' nor did he stop until he reached the side of a hill within ten miles of Bineadar, where he again fell a-pluoking blackberries and eat an extraordinary number of them. "When he could eat no more, his jaws be- ing tired, and his stomach stuffed, he took off his great-coat, and, handling his needle and thread, he sewed it into a form of a ca- pacious sack, which he filled with black- berries. "This he slung over his shoulders, and buck, " In the meantime, Mnn and his troops were awaiting, in great doubt and dread, for theresultof the race, though, without know- ing who the Bodaeh was, they had a certain degree of confidence in him, and there was a champion of the Fenians on the top of the Hill of Howth, who had been sent thither by Finn, and had been therefrom an early hour of the morning to see which of the competi- tors would make his appearance first in view. " When this man saw the Bodaeh coming over the nearest eminence, with his heavy burden on his back, he thought that, to a certainty, it was Ironbones whom he beheld, and fled back quite terrified to Finn and the troops, telling them Ironbones was coming up carrviug the Bodaeh dead over his shoul- ders. "This news at first depressed Finn and the troops ; but Finn by and by exclaimed : " I will give a suit of armor and art brings better news than Z!C fors(. the man whc that. " Whereupon one of the heroes went forth, and he had not proceeded far when he espied the Bodaeh advancing toward the outposts of the troops, and, knowing him at a glance, he flew back to Finn and announced to him the glad tidings. "Finn thereupon went joyfully out to meet the Bodaeh, who speedily came up and threw down his burden, crying out aloud : " ' I have good aud famous news for all of you; but,' added he, 'my hunger is great and my desire for food pressing, and I can- not tell you what has occurred until I have eaten a very large quantity of oatmeal and blackberries. Now, as for the latter— that is, the blackberries — I have got them myself in this big sack, but the oatmeal I expect to be provided for me by you, and I hope that you will lose no time in getting it and laying it before me, for I am weak for the want of nutriment, and my corporeal powers are be- ginning to be exhausted.' " Upon hearing this Finn replied that his request should at once be attended to, and, in a little space of time, accordingly there was spread under the Bodaeh a cloth of great length and breadth, with a vast heap of oat- meal in the middle of it, into which the Bo- ut all the blackberries in his lug stirred the entire mass time with a long pole, he (•(iniini'iiieil f.Tting and swallowing with much rigor and determination. '• He had not long been occupied in this way before he descried Ironbones coming toward the troops with his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes flaming like red coals in his head, and ready to commence slaugh- tering all before him, because he had been vanquished in the contest. " He was not fated to put his design into execution, for, when the Bodaeh saw what wickedness he had in his mind, he took up a handful of oatmeal and blackberries, and, dashing it toward Ironbones with an unerr- ing aim ; it struck him so violently upon his face that it sent his head spinning through the air half a mile from his body, which fell to the ground and there remained, writhing in all the agonies of its recent separation until the Bodaeh had concluded his meal. " The Bodaeh then rose up and went in quest of the head, which, after a little searching about, he found, and, casting it from his bands with an unerring aim, he sent it bowling along the ground all the half mile back again, until, coming to the body, it stopped and fastened on to it as well as ever, the only difference being that the face was now turned completely around to the back of the neck, while the back of the head was in front. "The Bodaeh, having accomplished this feat, much to his satisfaction, now grasped to the ground, lied him hand and foot so that he could not stir, and addressed him in these words : "'O Ironbones! justice has overtaken you. Thesentence your own vain mind had passed on others is about to be pronounced against yourself, and all the liberty that I feel disposed to leave you is the liberty of choosing what kind of death you think it most agreeable to die of. "' What a silly notion you did get into your noddle, surely, when you fancied that you, single-handed, could make yourself master of the crown, sovereignty and trib- utes of Ireland, even though there had been nobody to thwart your arrogant designs but myself. '' ' Take comfort and be consoled, for it shall never be said of the Fenians of Ireland that they took mortal vengeance on a single foe without any warriors to back him, and, if you be a person to whom life is a desirable possession, 1 am willing to allow you to live on condition that you will solemnly swear, by the sun and moon, that j'ou will send the chief tributes of Thessaly every year to Finn MacCoole herein Ireland.' " With many wry faces did Ironbones at length agree to take the oath, upon which the Bodaeh loosed his shackles and gave him liberty to stand up ; then, having conducted him toward the seashore, he made him go into the ship, to which, after turning its prow from the shore, he administered a kick in the stern, which sent it seven miles over the waters at once. " Such was the manner in which Ironbones executed his vainglorious project; and iu this way he was sent off from the shores at Ireland, without victory, honor or glory, deprived of the power of ever again boast- ing himself to l>e the first man on the earth in battle or other coutests. "On the return of the Bodaeh to the troops, the sun and the wind lighted up one side of his face and head in such a way that Fin and the Fiau at once recognized him as Manaunan MaeSir, the tutelary fairy of Cruachan, who had come to afford them his assistance in their exigency. "They welcomed him accordingly with all the honor that was due to him, and feasted an-Chota-Laehtna. ' ' "An' very arausin' adventures they are, too," said Denny Byrne. " Bedad if the Fe- nians of to-day war as good as the Fenian» of Finn MacCoole's time, what a glorioiiiv TERRIBLt CHAPTEK XV. FIGHTING PAT MENACED BY DANGEB. Major Hynes had, by the most extraordi- nary good fortune, escaped the fatal effect.' of tlie hand-grenade thrown into the camp- fire by Fighting Pat. Two men on his right were instant!;! killed, while three on his left were seriously wounded. The explosion was deafening, throwini; the guerrillas into such confusion that Fight- ing Pat, ere they could recover themselves., was a considerable distance on his way — th(^ wrong way, however, as he subsequentlj discovered, to his no little annoyance ancli disgust. As the reader is, of course, acquainted! with all this, it remains now for us to fol- low the guerrilla chief back to his camp. Never were men more disgusted than the rebels when they had re-entered the glade; for a Unionist to come into their camp, as Mooney had done, work so much destruc- tion, and then escape, was more than they could understand. In fact, they did not believe that any man living had the hardihood to attempt, let alone accomplish such an act of daring — for daring it was, beyond the question of a doubt ; and yet, had they been but acquaint- ed slightly with Fighting Pat's character, they would not have been greatly surprisetl at what he had done. As it was, there had been only one person in the glade at the time who had recognized him— and this was Major Hynes, the_ treach- erous officer of Meagher's brigade. ' Hynes did not at first let on that he knew the scout — oh, dear, no. He kept that to himself. Some members of the command of the guerrilla leader had made the discovery long before that there were two other Un- ionists concealed in the forest. In fact, about seven or eight of them had come suddenly upon Frank and Denny, while they were anxiously awaiting the re- turn of Fighting Pat. These the guerrillas had pursued for some time, then finally lost sight of them alto- gether, and returned to report the fact to their chief, which had the effect of putting the whole force on the alert. Over a hundred men were sent in various directions to intercept them, and every avenue from the forest was jealously guarded, in the hopes of being enabled finally to effect their capture. Now we come to a point where Jerry Hynes and the colonel of the " Irregulars'' were holding a quiet discussion, which, in the main, referred to Corcoran and his Legion. 'The colonel had obtained from Jeriy that which he considered information of value to the Confederacy, and he had no doubt that if matters were worked iiropeily he, his men, and a certain Tennessee cavalry regi- ment, would succeed iu making Corcoran and his force prisoners. He had also simi- lar designs on Meagher's brigade, and hoped, with reinforcements of infantry aud caval- ry, which the Confederacy would place at his disposal, to be able eventually to scoop the Irish forces into Southern military pris- ons, at least those who were left of them ; but Major Jerry Hynes was not the man to work without hope of reward. He very frankly intimated that he was in no great love with Federals or Confederates, simply looking upon the whole thing as a THE WAR LIBRARY. 13 business speculatiou. by whk'li he hopea iukI expected to reap goocl jiroftts, witL little —from the v.M.v fuet tbiit I have not lived " Fiankly spolifii," said the gueiTilla ehieltaiii, lauglim^. "Had you said auy- tbiuy else uuder the circumstances, I should not have believed you— pardon me for so saying. And now about your Irish - „nig. _. friends?" "I love them about as much as the devil loves holy water," said Jerry, bluutly. "I am neither Irish by descent, nor am I Irish insvmpathy." " Then why did you join their ranks ?" " Simply because it suited my purpose," the rascal answered. "You perceive," he added, with a disagreeable chuckle, " I mean to be frank and truthful to the end." "That is so long as it suits your purpose," said the other, with a slight touch of sar- casm in his tones. "E.xactly so." " How would a command in our service suit you?" "Not at all. There's no money in it." "How do you know that?" asked the guerrilla colouel, sharply. "I can form a pret'y s'hrewd guess." "You area stjaUL'e lVU.n\ .' "That I have been t..M l.etore to-day," replied the traitor. ■ liiit, joking aside," he continued, "I can do all 1 have told you, and more, too ; Imt 1 have my price." the guerrilla's contemptuous reply. He was unable even to suppress a shrug of disgust at Jerry's coldblooded manner of viewing things ; for, bad as he was, he was a veritable augel of light when compared to Jerry Hynes. But he was a man, nevertheless, who cared little for the instrument he employed, so long as thatinstrumentenabled him to carry out his plans successfully. "What is your opinion of Corcoran's merits as a general ?" was the next query. Major Hynes shrugged his shoulders with contempt, as he replied : "I don't think much of his general- ship." " He has not been tried yet ?" "Granted." "You cannot deny that he is a brave man?" "A brave man does not always make a good general," said Hynes, and very truth- fully. "You have many brave commanders, tor instance, in the Confederacy, but few good generals. Corcoran, in my opinion, is rash and impetuous— brave and daring he undoubtedly is- but these are qualities very often possessed by fools. Betweeen you and me," continued Hynes, "you'll have no trouble in gobbling Corcoran up if you act circumspectly. Follow my advice, pay well for that advice, and, my word for it. Gen- eral Corcoran will be In a Southern prison ere another month passes over his head. If you don't follow my advice, he is likely to encounter Pryor; and, as Pryor's general- ship don't amount to a row of pins, using your own classical phrase, Pryor will be worsted, and Corcoran promoted. That is just how the matter stands." "How do you know that Corcoran will meet Pryor?" asked the guerriUa colonel, curiously. "Everything points that way." "Sure?" " As sure as I have two hands on my body. And let me further tell you— if they are al- lowed to meet, the fight will take place in the neighborhood of the Blackwater." "You seem to lie pretty well posted," laughed the colouel. "The fact Is, Pryor means fortifyiug some heights in that direc- tion. He may have already done so. And now, about Me.agher ?" " He is a man of different caliber." "How?" "You seem to kuow nothi»g about him?" "A^ery little." " Then, let me enlighten you. He is one of the few impetuous, headstrong men, who possess real military genius; and in ray opinion, as an all-round man, he hasn't his superior on this continent. He is not only a sound general, a great orator, but, in my opinion, a great statesman as well. Let them once give him the chance, and he'll show them what he is made of." " This is your hero." •Not at all." 'You eulogize Meagher, because you ve a grudge against Corcoran— isn't that ■ V.Mi are wrong— the two men, however, ■ iioi lit to be named in the same breath. i-onally, I dou't like either of them— .^ I ' too Irisli for me; consequently there 'I'lioicivai little doubt of one fact, how- ever— .Terry Ilyues hated the gallant Michael with a lieree and bitter hatred. He never forgave the nigh'c that Major Mahou threw the glass of wine in his face, nor the fact that he had been driven igno- miniously from the camp. Whenever the chance presented itself, therefore, the poisonous drop in his nature would show itself in his lying abuse of Cor- coran's geuerstlship. This at last had become a favorite theme with him. The man to whom he was speaking, how- ever, weighed his criticism for what it was worth— in fact, he had put its true value upon it. During one of the pauses in this conversa- tion, about half a dozen guerrillas entered the glade. Thev were men, apparently, who had been on duty of some kind, for, as the lurid light of the camp-fire fell upon them, Jerry Hynes discovered that each man carried, besides bis carbine, a brace of revolvers and They were all burly, strong fellows, of an aspect not altogether pleasing— in fact, a more ferocious looking lot of bandits the eye of man never beheld. The leader— a stalwart six-footer— left his men, and, approaching his colonel, saluted him. "Well, Jonkin," said his commaiuler, brusquely, "what is it?" " I would speak with you alone," said the man, " if you have time." "Very well. Isit anything important?" "It is." The man stole a furtive glance at Major Hynes. " Will you excuse me a moment, major?" said the colonel. " Most certainly." The two men walked to one side, and stood talking earnestly for a couple of minutes. "What's in the wind now," thought Hvnes; "and why did that black-muzzled fellow look so scrutinizingly at me?" The colonel of the guerrillas dismissed the man, and came back. " Did you recognize the fellow who chuck- ed the hand-grenade into the camp-fire?" he asked, abruptly. "Why?" "Did you?" "Yes."^' "I have no doubt of that," rejoined Hyues; " that is, if you are fool enough to let him." "Who is he?" " A simple private in the Irish Legion.' "And his name?" "You seem to be greatly interested in him ?" said Hynes, with a slight sneer. " I am so, and have good cause to be ; as I his name " His name is Mooney, and in the Legion he is known uuder the sobriquet of ' Fight- ing Pat,' and an incarnate devil to fight he asked the guerrilla. " Ay, indeed, and more than once; and, to tell the good, honest truth, I'd rather have no more of it. He's the worst man in a row I ever came across." " A regular fire-eater," said the colonel. "That's the very man I want to meet. We will put a stop to his fire-eating befote to- mono ' " who e: "Ye " Well, it was he that brought me word of this fire-eater of yours." " Heis in the forest then still?" The guerrilla nodded. "Yes, in the forest," he proceeded, " and sheltered by a man on whom I would have depended my life ere this happened. "The old woodcutter you were speaking of?" "The same. One of my scouts happened to track the twain to the cave about two miles from here. It is set in the face of a solid mass of granite, and so bountifully has nature enveloped it with thick masses of vegetation that it would have remained un- discovered till the crack of doom for me. I havepa.>i>.Ml the sjiot five hundred times, and nevci mih.- dTeained of such a place." "What .lo you propose doing?" asked Hynes, who r.x'pei ieiieed a fierce joy at the prospect of I'at falling iuto the hands of the guerrilla chief. "What do I propose doing?" hissed his companion. " I propose putting them all to death by the most horrible means I can think of. I shall throw enough combusti- bles into the cavern to inflict on them the tortures of the damned. The man who de- ceives me once has no second chance. He dies with the rest!" COLONEL OF THE ROYAL CHAPTER XV: RASPERS. The Irish Legion, after several brushes with the enemy, had encamped on the banks of a small stream, from which the general had dispatched the three scouts to ascer- tain the state of the couutry south of them. As Fighting Pat and his two companions were longer away than was expected, very grave doubts began to be experienced by Corcoran and his officers as to their safety. Perhaps they had been shot down, or, what was more likely, made prisoners by the enemy, so that considerable uneasiness was manifested in camp on their account. General Corcoran, Mahon and Courtenay sat in the latter's tent enjoying some flu» Havana cigars and a glass or two of wine. "I tell you what, geueral," said Courte- nay, breaking the silence, "that young fel- low. Fighting Pat, as he's called, would be a great loss to us just now." " X great loss to us at any time," said Ma- jor Mahon. "He is one of the best aud most fearless scouts I ever met." "He is the king of them all," echoed ~^' — =--^! -■'- 'and a fine. Why not give him a commission, general?" appealing directly to the gallant Michael. "Why?" " Yes, I should like to know ichy ?" "Simply for one good, honest reason— he would not accept it. He entered the Legion a private, and 'tis his fixed determination to go out as one." "That's a pity," said Mahon. "It's more than a pity— it's a shame," added Courtenay. " How the devil any man can object to a commission is more than I can quite understand ; and, coming to think, I believe my principal reason for leaving the British army was from the fact that promo- tion came too slow, and I didn't care about buying above men who had grown gray in the service. Now, I really don't think I should feel offended if they sent me my colonel's commission to-morrow— I mean those snail-paced people in Washington, who, by Jove, have as much red tape about them as the English. Welcome, O'Shaugh- nessy! Welcome, my boy! Come in here, and join us! How's every bit of you, old man?" The last words were addressed to a young officer who had suddenly entered the tent, aud finding that Courtenay had company, was about to beat a hasty retreat when Courtenay pinned him, so to speak. Tom? " I haven't that honor," replied the young lieutenant, who was a member of the Irish brigade and on General Thomas Francis Meagher's staff. "This, general, is mv old friend. Lieuten- ant O'Shaughnessy, late of Killinhalon Cas- tle, County Dublin; and this, Tom, is Gen- eral Corcoran, the gallant chief of the Irish Legion, to which I have the honor to be- long." As Mahon had been introduced to him all round, the conversation was resumed. " Do you think, geueral, that your scouts are in the hands of the graycoats ?" said Courtenay, leading him back to the subject upon which they had been speaking prior to the entrance of Lieutenant O'Shaugh- nessy. " I really don't know what to think," re- plied Corcoran. "They are certainly much beyond their time, but they may have been delayed through various causes." "I think we may safely conclude," said Mahon, " that Pat will steer clear of difficul- ties, if there be a possibility of doing so ; and you may depend he has got everything con- 14 THE WAR LIBRARY. cerning the graycoats liy this down to a flne point." "That is, if they haven't gobbled him up," said Couitenay, "laughing. " But this is a dry subject, geutlemeu— drink!" "You'll have us three sheets in the wind before we know where we are," said Mahon, jocularly. "Good health, gentlemen!" "Good health!" "Good health!" came from around the table. " I hear Pryor is going to give you a tough time of it, general," said young O'Shaugh- " He's already fortifying the heights above the Blackwater, and he says he will hold out till the crack of doom, if necessary." "Pryor is a boaster," said Corcoran, con- temptuously ; " but, really, this is the first time I have heard that he has formed such an intention. However, let him fortify away, and then we'll fall upon him and take his impregnable position." The general emphasized "impregnable," long for the return of Fighting Pat. Nor did he really intend allowing Pryor to go on longer than he could possibly help with his work of fortifying the heights above the Blackwater. By this time the whole party was getting pretty jolly over their wine and cigars. Courtenay called upon O'Shaughnessy to relate a particular incident in his father's life, with which he was wont to wind up a convivial evening. After considerable urging, Tom O'Shaugh- nessy was prevailed upon to go on with his narrative. It is a very amusing experience, as the reader will be apt to agree ; and here goes, without further preamble : "My father," said Tom, "for reasons best known in the King's Bench, si)eut a great many years of his life iu that jiait <<( lii-land geographically known as Ivint: west of thi- law, and w;is obliged tor oeitaiu reasons of family, of course, to come to Dublin at cer- tain long intervals. "He never proceeded on a journey of the kind without due caution — two trusty serv- ants formed an advance guard, and patrolled the county for at least live miles in advance; after them came a skirmishing body of a few tenants, who, for the consideration of never paying rent, would have charged the whole Court of Chancery, if needful. " One fine morning, a stout escort of his followers were, as usual, under arms, to see him safe in the chaise, the passage to and from which every day being the critical mo- ment of my father's life. " ' It's all right, your honor,' said his own man, as, armed with a blunderbuss, he open- ed the bedroom door. "'Time enough, Tim,' said my father; 'close the door, for I haven't finished my breakfast.' "Now, the real truth was, that my father's attention was at that moment withdrawn from his own concerns by a scene which was taking place in a field beneath his window. " A few moments before a hack had stopped upon the roadside, out of which sprung three gentleman, who, proceeding to the field, seemed bent upon something, which, whether a survey or a duel, my father could not make out. " He was not long, however, to remain in ignorance. "One, with an easy lounging gait, strode toward a distant corner; another took an opposite direction ; while a third, a short, pursy gentleman in a red handkerchief and a rabbit-skin waistcoat, proceeded to open a mahogany box, which, to the critical eyes of my respected father, was agreeably sugges- tive of bloodshed and murder. "'A duel, by Jupiter!' said my father, rubbing his bauds. ' What a heavenly morn- ing the scoundrels have — not a leaf stirrine:, and a sod like a billiard table.' " Meanwhile, the little man who ofhciated as second. It would appear to both parties, bustled about with an activity little congenial to his shape; and, what with suappiug the pistols, examining the flints and ramming down the charges, had got himself into suf- ficient perspiration before he commenced to measure off the ground. " • Short distance, and no quarter ! ' shouted one of the combatants. "'Across a handkerchief, if you like!' roared the other. "' Gentlemen— every inch of them!' re- sponded my father. " ' Twelve paces ! ' cried the little man. ' No more and no less. Don't forget that I'm alone iu this business. ' " ' A very true remark !' observed my fa- ther; 'and an awkward predicament yours will be if they are both shot!' "By this time the combatants had taken their places, and the little man, having de- livered his pistols, was leisurely retiring to give the word. "My father, however, whose critical eye was nevei- at fault, detected a circumstance w hich promised an immense advantage to one at the expense of the other ; in fact, one of the parties was so placed with his back to the sun, that his shadow extended in a straight liue to the very foot of his antago- nist. " ' Unf air— uuf au- ! ' cried my father, open- ing the window as he spoke, and addressing himself to him of the rabbit-skiu. ' I crave your pardon for the interruption,' said he; ' but I feel bound to observe ttiat that gen- tleman's shadow is likely to make a shade of him.' "'So it is,' observed the short man; 'a thousand thanks for your kindness ; but the truth is I am totally unaccustomed to this sort of thing, and the affair will notadmitof delay.' "'Not an hour!' said one. " ' Not five minutes !' growled the other of the combatants. " ' Put them north and south,' said my fa- ther. '"Is it thus?' "'Exactly so; but now again the gentle- man in the brown coat is <'overed with the ash tree.' "'So he is!' said rabbit^skin, wiping his forehead with agitation, " 'Move them a little to the left,' said he. " ' That brings me upon an eminence,' said the gentleman in blue. ' I'll not be made a cock-shot of.' " ' What an awkward little thing it is in the haii-y waistcoat !' said my father; 'he's •■■'.\Ia\l iM'xrr: i( liii nut >irk of you Ih.iIi'' i-i.H'Ml:u.'.l r■:lllhit-^klll, in a passiou. •I'v.-nn.ve.l you ),.nn(l cyt-i-y [.oiutof the compass, aud the sorrow a liearei- we are than ever.' '• ' Give us the word,' said one. '"The word!' " 'Downright murder!' said my father. '"I don't care,' said the little man; 'we shall be here till doomsday ! ' '"I can't permit this,' said my father. ' Allow me ' So saying, he stepped upon the window-sill and leaped down into the field. " ' Before I can accept of your politeness,' said he, of the rabbit-skin, ' may I beg to know your name and position in society ?' " 'Nothing more reasonable,' said my fa- ther. ' I'm Miles O'Shaughnessy, colonel of the Royal Raspers; here is my card.' " The piece of pasteboard was complacent- ly handed from one to the other of the party, who saluted my father with a smile of most courteous beuiguity. " ' Colonel 0'Shaughues.sy,' said one. " ' Miles O'Shaughuessy,' said another. " ' Of Killenhalou Castle,' said a third. " ' A,t your service,' said my father, bow- ing as he presented his snuff-box ; ' and now to business, if you please; for my time also is limited.' "'Very true,' observed the rabbit-skin, ' and as you observe, now to business, in vir- tue of which. Colonel Miles O'Shaughnessy, I hereby arrest you in the king's name. Here is the writ: it's the suit of Barnaby Kelly, of Loughrea, for the sum of £l,58319s. 7., which ' "Before he could conclude the sentence, my father discharged one obligation, by im- tioued, sent the little fellow somerseting like a sugar hogshead. " It was of no avail. " The others, strong and able-bodied, fell both upon him, aud after a desperate strug- gle succeeded in getting him down. " To tie his hands and convey him to the chaise was the work of a few moments, and as my father drove by the inn, the last ob- ject which caught his view was a bloody en- couuter between his own people, and the myrmidons of the law, who in great num- bers had laid siege to the house during his capture. "Thus was my father taken, and thus, in reward of yielding to a virtuous weakness iu his character, was he consigned to the ig- nominious durance of a prison." The story was capitally told, and produced considerable amusement as well as laughter, whereupon they had another drink; then Corcoran was suddenlj; called away, an im- portant messenger having arrived in camp. CHAPTER XVII. WITH THF The messenger who had arrived in camp happened to be Morgan's son, who, as the reader is already aware, had been dispatch- ed by his father with an account of the peril of the three scouts, as well as other matters of an equally important character. The orderly who came tor General Cor- coran, led him to where the messenger stood awaiting him. Morgan's son had dismounted from his tired steed, aud had the reins thrown over his left arm , as the general came up. In his right, he was toying with a riding whip. Corcoran's keen eye wandered from horse to rider. The latter was as fine a specimen of a man as ever the general saw in his life— not even excepting Fighting Pat, who was the most handsome, athletic soldier in the Legion." As the general came up, the messenger sa^ luted respectfully. " Do you bear dispatches?" said Corcoran. "Not quite, general. I have been sent here by my father to give you certain in- formation." "Your father! Do I know him, then?" " I believe not, general. I don't think you have ever even met him." "Then why," said Corcoran, with a tinge of suspicion, "does he take so much interest in my affairs?" " He is a good Unionist." "Ah, yes?" " And au Irishman. Besides " The messenger hesitated. " Well?" said the general. " Proceed." " I have come to inform you of the danger threatening three scouts claiming to belong to your command." Corcoran was at once intereated. "Three scouts, you say?" " Yes," was the messenger's reply. " Do you know their names?" he asked. " Yes, I have heard them. Have you three men out, general, who answer to the follow- ing : Fighting Pat, Denny and Frank ?" " Those are the very men," said Corcoran, hurriedly. "But tell me the nature of th« danger that threatens them ?" Young Morgan briefly recapitulated most of what is already known to the reader; also the fact that the forest was a hotbed of guer- rilladom, and had been so for a considerable time. "That den wants wiping out," said Cor- coran, grimly; " and, instead of attacking and surprising us, we'll attack and surprise them. Are the three scouts in any immedi- ate danger?" " Ha, that is more than I can say. General Corcoran," said the young man. "The guer- rillas are guarding every outlet from the forest, and in this they are assisted by two Tennessee regiments encamped on the other side of the wood. Agaifi let me tell you, general," continued the stalwart messenger, eagerly, " that if any great troub e had be- fallen your command, you might owe mostly all of it to a pretended officer of Meagher's brigade— Major Hynes, he calls himself!" "What? Jerry Hynes!" exclaimed Cor- coran, scarcely believing his ears. " I can hardly credit this. Coward he is, and villain ; but I can hardly think that he would have the temerity or boldness to play the role of traitor and spy. By my honor, if that which you advance against him turns out to be true, he shall dearly rue the day and hour he joined Meaeher's brigade!" " 11 vouch for the truth of what I state with my life, general," said the messenger, earnestly. "The man Hynes is a double-dyed traitor and villain, and he may be even now bartering the blood of the noble Meagher. I was an eye-witness to his treachery, not two nights since, and, believe me, he means to sell you both." "Both?" " Yes ; the gallant Meagher and yourself." " This must be seen to, and at once," said the general. Corcoran dismissed the messenger for the time being, and summoned the officers of the Legion together to consult as to the best means of relieving the three scouts, as well as administering severe chastisement to the guerrillas. It was decided to march at once. Six hundred men were selected and pushed forward, and, as they neared the wood where the guerrillas were encamped, a perfect fus- illade of buUets met them. They had been Jlred at by a troop of the enemy. THE WAR LilSRARY. 15 "Forward! Charge!" exclaimed the ofB- cers of the various companies. Theu the men, with a loud cheer, broke for the timber, and, in five minutes, not a guerrilla was to be seen. They had scampered off through the wood as fast as their legs could carry them. Led on by young Morgan, the lioys of the Irish Legion pushed for the glade, some scat- tering shots meeting them as they went. To these they paid little heed, and, reach- ing the open, they were confronted deter- minedly for the first time. Nothing could withstand the onset of the Irish. The guerrillas were driven before them like chaff before the wind. In less than twenty minutes not a rebel ■was to be seen ; but it must be confessed that Corcoran had a force of over two to their one. Where were the scouts ? They were evidently not prisoners, or they would have been discovered bound in the glade upon the tlight of the Confederates. Whei-e were they ? This was a question at that moment most difficult to answer, for even young Morgan had disappeared. CHAPTER XVIII. CONCLrSION. We may now return to the rocky cavern in which we had left Fighting Pat and his companion the previous night. Morning had scarcely broken when the sound of mauy voices lame upon their ears. Fighting Pat, a light sleeper at any time, leaped instantly to his feet. He listened to the souuds that came float- ing into the cavern. There was no mistaking them ; and who- ever the parties were it was evident that they took no pains to conceal their presence or the work in which they were employed. There were quite a number of them, too- throwing the dried branches of trees and other combustible matter into the cave. They seemed to po very methodically meut was an We can all undcistaud how a man will feel after being suddenly disturbed out of a sound sleep ; and Fighting Pat was no ex- ception to the rule. He was puzzled lieyond expression. What object had the party of men who were employ ingtliemselves so industriously? Who were they V If enemies, and knowing of their presence, could they not easily have rushed into the cave and captured the five men while still wrapped in profound slumber? Mooney gradually awoke to the perils of his position. The fact gradually dawned upon him that the dark figures plying themselves so indus- triously were the very men from whom he had the most to fear— in fact, his acquaint- ances of the preceding evening- the guer- rillas of the glade ! And their work 7 Now thoroughly aroused, the truth flashed across his mind— these men were about to doom them to the most lingering and hor- rible of deaths— that of burning and suffoca- The manner in which they took to revenge themselves was brutal ; nay, fiendish ! "May God have mercy ou usl" groaned the young scout; and for the first time in perhaps his whole life his firmness seemed to completely desert him. He was appalled— horrified ! There are circumstances under which the strongest and bravest of the whole human species give way to feelings of terror. Fortunately in the latter class, this feeling is only of momentary duration. Then comes the reaction— the nerves are strung to the utmost tension — the blood circulates with more than its wonted rapidity, and once more we feel ourselves strong to battle for that which is dear to us all— life and lib- erty! Thus felt Fighting Pat, when he had fully realized the danger which threatened him- self and friends. The four men still slept unconscious of their great peril— slept peacefully, never dreaming for an instant of the horrible death that menaced them. The time for action had indeed come, and the young scout crept back to where his comrades lay and shook the slumbering forms one after the other. "Awake I awake!" he said, In a, hoarse whisper. What's the trouble?" said Morgan, us he "The guerrillas!" "Thedevil! ' and the old man was on his feet m an instant. The rest followed suit, not even yet realiz- ing the full extent of Fighting Passwords. This dreaminess soon passed away, as they caught the voices of their gray-coated en- emies, and beheld dark figures moving back and forth in front of the cavern's entrance. "Ha! and so they have discovered your hidingplace," said Morgan, as he watched for a moment or two the work that was pro- gressing at the entrance. The calmness of the old man's demeanor had an electric effect on the three scouts. His tones were so reassuring that it braced them up considerably. Perhaps there was some other entrance to those wonderful cavernous apartments by which they could escape, and defy those sav- age and bloodthirsty guerrillas. " I perceive they mean making it hot for us!" said old Morgan, calmly, "and what is more, they are willing that we should know of their intentions." " They certainly take no trouble to dis- guise the fact," rejoined O'Mahoney. " The devils are working like beavers." " I am amazed at the discovery," said the old man, musingly. "The discovery!" "I mean the discovery of this cavern. They must have tracked us last night." They unanimously agreed that this was the only true solution of the matter. As the flie in the cavernous apartment had long since died out, nothing could be seen from the outside of what was transpiring in the interior. Perhaps it was well it was so, and no doubt the guenillas labored under the idea that the occupants of the cave still slept. "This will be a hiding-place no more," said old Morgan, regretfully. "And who the devil cares about that?" said Denny Byrne. " What we want now is to get out of it. I, for one, don't want to be roasted alive, or smothered with smoke. So let us get out of it with as little delay as pos- sible." " But the difficulty is to get out," said Frank O'Mahoney, dubiously. " If there is no other way but that," pointing to the en- trance, " then all I can say is we are caught like rats in a trap." "Do not speak so loud," cautioned Mor- gan. " The scoundrels think we are still asleep, and let them think so. This wood has been my home for nigh onto twenty years," continued the old man, sadly. " Here indeed have I spent many a pleasant, peace- ful hour. Well— well, home it is no longer " "To the divil I pitch such a home," growled Byrne, inteiTupting him. "The ?uestion now is, how are we to get out of it ? don't think any of ye's are in love wid the soort o' death them blaggard guerrillas— bad luck to them !— have in store for us, that ye's should remain palaverin' here, when we can either fight or find our way into the open air. Begob, I'm now smotherin' as It is. The very thought of settiu' fire to the place has knocked me all of a heap. Be the mortal powers ! if I was burned up here, I'd never forgive meself the longest day I lived." " Fear not," said the elder Mor gan, reas suringly. . . „ , . , " Arrah, what gab are ye givm' us ?' inter- rupted Byrne, with a gesture of impatience. " Isn't it enough to make a man's heart thremble wid a Christian sowl in his body" We're not martyrs yet, thanks be to Heaven an' don't mane to be aither, if there's the laste chance of gettin' out o' this." troubles me, is the fact, that I will be com. pelled to leave the old forest forever, and it comes very hard at my time of life to part with scenes so fondly familiar ; butenough! " said the old man. "The dawn has come, and we must make our way into the oijen air." "Be the mortal powers! but that's the wisest thing I've heard ye say yet," rejoined Byrne. "Ha!" cried Fighting Pat, as his eyes wandered to the entrance of the cave. " They have already fired the brush— look!" Scarcely had he uttered the words when a vast sheet of flame shot up from the cavern- ous entrance, and loud yells of triumph from the guerrillas without came echoine with terrible significance Into the cave. Higher and higher shot the flames, and, as they mounted to the cavern's roof, the' yells of the men outside grew perfectly fiendish. They still continued their devilish work. Pile after pile of brush was thrown on the seething, roaring mass, and, as it continued to burn fiercely, clouds of suffocating, black smoke were wafted into the cavern. Suddenly the triumphant shouts of the rebels were drowned amid a rattling dis- charge of musketry. Then came a second and a third volley. What could all this firing mean ? The little party, headed by Morgan, paused as they were making their way toward the second entrance; they paused with wildly- beating hearts and listened. They were not left much longer in doubt. The fire which had been built at the en- trance of the cave was suddenly scattered right and left, and through the flames and smoke they caught sight of the uniforms of the Irish Legion ! "My father told you to have no fear, said the younger Morgan, "and you need have none." "Then there are two entrances to the cave ?" said Fighting Pat, eagerly. " But likely the guerrillas are guarding the other?" "They've not discovered the second en- trance," replied the old man, confidently. " How do you know that?" The young scout had no desire to leave anything to chance. "Simply," replied the elder Morgan, "that if they had found entrance number two, they would immediately see. the utter futility of the work upon which they are at present engaged. Bah! the only thing that now The guerrillas had received a crushing blow. Had their leader anticipated the trouble that was in store for his command he would have devised other means of ridding himself of the obnoxious scout, but as it was he had lost valuable time in giving way to a mean and unmanly spirit of revenge. The result was that he and his whole force were cut up to a man. The cruel, not to say barbarous and un- civilized, action of the guerrillas had so in- censed the boys of the Irish Legion that they shot these brigands down right and left with- the former's project into effect. Their foes were vanquished, the roaring, seething fire at the entrance of the cave ex- tinguished, and they were soon folded to the breasts of the victors, and hurried out into the open, where they once more breathed freely, and forgot the perils to which they had so shortly before been exposed. Their danger had been much greater than they had imagined. Bv some means the guerrillas had discov- ered the second entrance to the cave, so that there was no earthly possibility of the escape of our five friends ; and should they have attempted to leave in that direction, even, they would have found the exit most effectually blocked up. Everything considered, they were ex- tremely fortunate. In fact, the prompt arrival of General Corcoran and his men had saved them a horrible and lingering death. Among the slain guerrillas there was one discovered wearing the uniform;of Meagher's brigade. It was Fighting Pat's old enemy, Jerry Hynes. The traitor had met the fate he richly merited— a minie-ball had passed through his heart. We have little more to add. Having rid the forest of the guerrillas. General Corcoran and his men marched back to their old camp. After remaining there a short time, during which Fighting Pat and his two comrades passed through many hairbreadth escapes, the order came from McClellan to storm the heights overlooking the Blackwater. These, as the reader is already aware, were occupied by the Confederate chief, General Pryor. This proved the most disastrous effort of poor Corcoran's life, and only ended in de- feat and death to many a gallant Irishman. Three times they scaled the heights, and as many times were they repulsed with ter- rible slaughter. Fighting Pat performed prodigies of valor, 16 THE WAR LIBRARY and was finally borne off the field sever-ily wounded and unconscious. For weeks and weeks he hovered between life and death, but his robust constitution stood him in good stead, and he finally re- covered. His soldiering days were over. He had lost an arm in the defense of his adopted country. His false love on the other side of the At- lantic was forgotten, and as time passed ou, and toward the close of the war, our hero took to himself a wife, and is now occupying a prominent position in a great Western city, where he lives respected and happy. But he is still known by the sobriquet of Fighting Pat! [THE EXD.] THE SCOUT OF NANSEMOND: The Siege of Suffolk. BT JOHN W. SOUTHARD. CHAPTER I. BEFORE SUFFOLK. Suffolk is a town of considerable import- ance, situated in Southeastern Virginia, which, at the commencement of the late war, boasted a population of about one thousand inhabitants. The village is pleasantly located on the south side of the Nansemond,river, just at the head of navigation, and is twenty miles di- rectly southwest of the great central Atlan- tic seaport city of Norfolk. Beside having navigable communication with Norfolk and the coast, it is also an im- portant railroad junction, as it is here that the Norfolk and Petersburg, and the Sea- board and Roanoke railroads cross each other. The Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia, a large tract of marshy land some fifty miles 1 long by fifteen wide, extends from the » Nansemoud river at Suffolk, south into I North Carolina, and all communication be- tween that section of Virginia south of the James, is cutoff from the coast, except by way of Suffolk. Consequently, all travel between the interior and the coast must pass through the latter place, which also adds til its importance. Will. II t hi- F.'deral army came into posses- fT'oii c.l Niii Inik iu '62, it was thought best t 1 i-xtfiHl til,. ir lines out as far as Suffolk. (.oiiseiiueutly, that place was seized and garrisoned by Union troops, who held un- d-sputed control of the town for nearly a year. Shortly after the evacuation of Norfolk by the Confederates, the leaders of that gov- ernment discovered that a great blunder had been made, in thus withdrawing their forces from that town, by means of which the coast bv way of the James river, which was now placed completely in the hands of the Union Navy. Accordingly, it was determined to make one grand effort to regain Norfolk, and to this end General Longstreet, with an army of forty thousand men, was sent against that place. It was in thelatterpart of March, '63, when Longstreet reached Suffolk, and here he found General Peck with fifteen thousand Union troops, backed up by three gunboats on the Nansemond ready to dispute his fur- ther advance. Peck held possession of the town, and was strongly fortified along the south bank of the river, and in every way was prepared iiud determined to make a desperate re- sistance. Longstreet quickly realized that the Union troops held a position of very great advan- tage, and that nothing short o£ a regular siege would reduce the place; consequently, hebroughthisarmy into position upon the north Ijank of the river and directly oppo- site the town. ' ^ Ouce here, he commenced throwing up earthworks, and mounting heavy guns within easy range of till- Union lint-s as the river is very narro^^- at tins iH,i,„, und per- fecting his plans, t'l,. si,-,. ,,1 suffiilk was duly carriedoninasiiiiitfil laaiuii.rforsome One day, about a week after, Longstreet was eonfenng with one of his ofBeers Col- onel Glaser, when he stated to the latter that he wished he could find some one who would dare go across the river and learn the strength of the enemy. " There is a voun who 1 think will colonel replied. "What is his name, and what kind of a man is he?" Longstreet asked. "HisnameisCTharles Radcllffe," the col- onel answered; "he is about twenty-one years of age, a well bred, highly educated young man and a good soldier. Bold as a lion, and ever ready to do his duty; he is also a man of great presence of mind, and I think iust the one you want." " Go and have him report to me immedi- ately," said the general. An hour later a young man dressed in Confederate uniform entered Longstreet's quarters and, raising his cap, saluted the "•^•neral. The general returned the salute. , your name, if you please?" and then said "Young ,,-_- " Charles Radcllffe. "Take a seat," said the general, motion- ing him to a chair ; and continued : " Young man, I was this morning telling Colonel Glaser that I greatly needed a scout— some person that I could send across the river to learn the exact position and strength of the enemy, and he informed me of you as one likely to answer my purpose. Would you be willing to undert^ike the work ?" •' Geueial," the young man n-plieil, " I did uotkuow that I was in any way iiualificd for a scout ; yet I am always ready and \yill- lug to undertake any worli reiiui'red of me by my superiors.' "Then report immediately to Colonel Glaser, and from him you will receive your orders, and to him make your reports while you act as scout.'" Radcllffe retired in a rather strange state of mind. Very unexpectedly he had been selected for a dangerous as well as very important work. -^ ^ As he walked toward his own camp, he resolved the matter over in his mind, and although he realized that the position was not a very desirable one, yet he determined to do his best, and if by any chance he should succeed, it would undoubtedly be the meams of helping him to a higher posi- tien, which he very much desired. He proceeded to Glaser's quarters and en- tering, said : " Colonel Glaser, I feel very much flatter- ed by the good opinion you have given General Longstreet concerning me." " I only told the general what I thought to be true," the colonel replied. " What ar- rangement have you made with him ?" "I agreed to act as his scout," Radcliffe answered; "and he informed me that I would be subject to your orders." " Well, I am very glad to learn that you have consented to act as such," the colonel replied: "Now what I want of you is this: This night will be dark and rainy, and I want you to cross the river and enter the town; once there, inquire for a person by the name of Samuel Caton. This man is in sympathy with our cause, and from him you will learn the exact strength of the enemy ; also the number of regiments they have, how many pieces of artillery and how and where they are posted. Here is a note that you will give Caton that explains who you are and what is expected of him." Radcliffe took the note, and asked : " How am I to cross the river." " You will find a boat in charge of the picket up here by the creek on the right," answered the colonel; "and here is a pass that will allow you to get it and also to pass out and in the lines any time of day or night.'' Radcliffe took the pass, and parting with the colonel, proceeded down to the river, where he spent the remainder of the day in looking over the situation, and laying plans for his night's work. ^^ but through the gloom and rain the scout slowly moved on and in a short time reached the river. Toward the village he could plainly see. the lights of several Federal camp-fires, imd bending to the oars again he pulled off down stream some distance, and then turning the skiff toward the south bank, effected a land- ing near a clump of bushes, pulled the boat on shore and secreted it in the shrub- bery as best he could in the dark. . Taking the camp-fires asagulde.and mak- ing his way so as to pass between them, he started for the village. But he soon found his path a difficult one, bushes, logs and mire holes he encountered at every step, but making his way over and through them as best he could he proceeded along for some distance, when suddenly he found that he was approaching a picket line. Working his way up as near as he dared, he then paused and listened. Plainly he could hear the tramp of the pickets as they paced to and fro, and also heard them r •• ^ ^ ^^ , ith each other as they met, at the end of their beats. Waiting until they had parted and again started out upon their monotonous tramp, he then cautiously approached the line and passed safely across. Once inside, he pushed on; and in about an hour reached the road that enters the town from the south, and a few moments later was in the village. It was now about eleven o'clock, but yet a goodly number of persons, mostly negroes and soldiers, were about the street. Proceeding along until he reached the main street, he then stopped the first negro he met, and asked if he could tell him where Samuel Caton lived. The negro took him a short distance down a back street, and pointed out a small dilap- idated frame house where resided. he said Caton Through the windows a dim light was to .^e seen, and approaching, the scout rapped upon the door. ^^ A young woman answered the summons by opening the same, and seeing our hero standing in the rain, asked him in. Entering he found a colored boy of about fourteen years of age, reposing half asleep in one corner, and the woman, the only oc- cupants of the room. "Does Samuel Caton live here?" inquired Radcllffe, seating himself. " Yes, sir, my father lives here," the wom- an replied, "but he went to Norfolk to-day and will not return before to-morrow." "I am very sorry he is away," said Rad- clife, "as I wished to see him on some very important business." " Did you come from over the river?" the woman asked. "I did," answered Radcliffe, after a mo- ment's thought. "Well, father has been expecting some one from across the river for a couple of days, and he told me if any one came during his absence to have them remain until he re- turned." " Then, I suppose I may as well stay until to-morrow," Radcliffe replied. For an hour Charlie and the woman sat and talked in a low tone of voice, and he found that she knew his business, and from her he learned considerable that was of great importance. About midnight he expressed a wish to re- tire, and calling the negro boy whose name was Jake, the woman gave him a light and directed him to show the gentleman to bed. Conducting him up stairs and into a room that contained a bed, the boy then left him and retiring, Radcliffe was soon fast asleep. After the scout had retired to rest, the young woman, whose name was Jane Caton, sat for a long time iu deep study. " He is a noble looking young man," she thought to herself, "and I wonder if he is single. It he is, I will play my cards upon him, and if I should be lucky enough to suc- ceed, then Corporal Harper cau go to the four winds. But I must be very careful, lest he finds out there is black blood in my veins. Once married, I will make him take me and leave the country,and never will the people of Suffolk see me again. Curse them," she said, half aloud, " they know my mother was part negro, and they despise me for it, but I'll be victor over them yet or die in the at- tempt." Thus her thoughts ran for some time, but finally she retired, leaving Jake, the negro boy, to fix himself a bed upon the floor as falling, making it very disagreeable, | ful black hair and eyes ; her compllxion was CHAPTER II. THE SCOUT AT WORK. It was about nine o'clock at night ■n'hen Radcliffe, dressed in a suit of citizen's clothes, presented himself at the picket post on the right, and to the sergeant in charge showed the pass that was to procure for him the boat and allow him to pass out- side the lines. Examining the pass, the sergeant pro- nounced it all right, and then at the scout's request aided in pushing the boat into the creek. Seating himself in the boat, Radcliffe seized the oars, and bidding the pickets good- THE WA-R LIBRARY. 17 the goiaen hue which is the pride of all Cre- oles and which added greatly to her beauty. Yet at times a savage 8C0W1 was to be seen upon her face, which always detracted from hei- beauty to a considerable extent. Her mother, who was now dead, had been a mulatto, and, although it was almost an impossibility for any one to discover by Jane C'atoii's looks that black blood coursed tliiiuigli her veins, yet it was known to every on.' in Suffolk that such was the case, and for it she despised and hated them; and made herself very disagreeable to all with whom she came in contact; and many were actuallv afraid of her on account of her vio- lent bad temper. For years Jane Catou had tried to mveigle and marry almost every young man with whom she had formed an acquaintance; but with poor success. „ , When the Union forces first occupied Suf- folk she formed the acquaintance of a young corporal by the name of Robert Hariier. This young man was somewliat smitten with her and paid licr considerable atten- tion ; she also seemed to love him ; but now, having met our hern, and taking a fancy to him slie -was Muite r.aiiv to "off with the old love and on ^^-^th tin- new," providing there The liext morning, wlien Radcliffe awoke, he found it was broad daylight, and, going down stairs, was pleased to find that break- fast was ready. While eating, Jane Caton did her best to entertain him, and also impress him favora- bly in her behsjt. She furthermore took the opportunitj|To a of family, to ifnich he answered in the neg- After breakfast, Radcliffe strolled out and about the town, and, falling in with several soldiers in a saloon, asked them to drink with him. , „ ,. By treating them a couple of times soon had them on good terms, and from them learned considerable that he wished to know. Toward night, Radcliffe returned to Caton's bouse, and was pleased to find that Mr. Catou had just returned from Norfolk. He found the latter to be a man of about fifty years of age, who was apparently a rough, desperate fnllnw, and a tev-- mmutes conversation with liim (('iivin.M'd tlif ^cout that he was a mail wh.. wnnhl >,-\\ Ins soul forgold, and waMMit m li.' trust, .1 m ly far. From him RadcliltV IranieU all lie wished, and, about ten o'clock that night, he started for Longstreet's camp, which he reached m safety about midnight. Proceeding to Glaser's quarters, he caused that ofBcer to be aroused, and to him made his report. , , , , Colonel (ilaser was well pleased, and, hav- ing reduced it to writing, dismissed the scout for the present. CH.^PTER III. DOWN IX NORFOLK. The scout was idle but a couple of days, when he was again summoned to appear be- fore Colonel Glaser. Hastening to the colonel's quarters, he was informed that the array was greatly in need of ammunition of all kinds, and that he wished him to so down to Norfolk, and have agang of Confederate smugglers, who had secretly accumulated a large quantity of the needed" goods at tliat place, run a load of the same to Suffolk uumediately. '•Here is a letter I have written to Captain Chadwick, the head smuggler, telling him who you are, and what I want. When you reach Norfolk, go up Church street to >,o. — , enter this door, and pass up stairs to room 13, there you will find Captain Chad- wick, or some one who will tell you where he is to be found, and to him you are to give this letter which is not addressed. By the way," he continued, "here is another letter which you will also deliver in person, to the one to whom it is directed." Radcliffe took the two letters, and promis- ing the colonel to do his best in the matter, he bade him good-afternoon and started forth to prospect. . Proceeding down the river some distance, he came to a farm-house, and looking around he found a large boat which was drawn up out of the water upon the beach. Then returning to camp, he, as soon as it was dark, accompanied by two soldiers, started forth upon his mission. ^^ v, . Arriving near the place where the boat was, they soon found it, and together pushed itinto the river. Then embarking, the sol- diers seated themselves at the oars, while the scout occupied the st«rn, and with the tiller in hand guided the boat directly out into the stream. Some distance above them, and near the village, were plainly to he seen the lights upon the gunboat that lay at anchor m the river, while three-quarters of a mile below them another one was also visible. Cautiously til.- naisnien dipped their blades in the water, antl on ,iv.-r the al ream the boat moved as i|uieily ;is i",ssihli-, Imt alter a time the Inn\- tir;ilr(l upon tlio pebbly shore, announcing that the liver was crossed. Stepping on shore, HadcUffe oi-- dered his companions to returu, and then off across the fields he started in the direction of the road that leads to Portsmouth. In due course of time, and after encoun- tering many difficulties, he reached the road ; then at a brisk pace he set out for the city, which by this route, running around Dismal Swamp, was distant some twenty- three miles. ^ ■ ^^ It was about eleven o'clock at night, and although it had been somewhat dark in the fore part of the evening, the clouds now broke away, and the stars coming out af- forded plenty of hght by which to travel. It was near daylight when he reached Bower's Hill, having traveled some fifteen miles since entering the road. At this place he found a regiment of Union soldiers sta- tioned, and from a citizen learned that it would be impossible to get through the lines without a pass. By inquiring, he learned that the western branch of the Elizabeth river had its head at this place, and also that at the landing near by, were several flat-boats loading with wood in order to start for Norfolk at high Proceeding down to the landing, the scout offered to hire passage upon one of these boats to the city, but was informed that it required two men to manage each boat, and that each man had to have a pass, in order to go by the pickets posted further down the river. ' .„ , . , After some bantering, Radcliffe hired one of the boatmen to remain, thus allowing him to go in his place and on his pass, he agreeing to help manage the boat. At high tide the boats swung out from the landing and slowly proceeded down the Uur hero found it no easy matter to per- form the work required of him, and very glad he was when they reached Norfolk that afternoon. Hastening to a hotel, the scout procured supper, and then he started for Church street. ^ ,, . A short distance above the corner of Main he came to the number where Colonel Glaser had informed him he would find the Proceeding up the stairway, he readily found room number 13, and, opening the door, entered. . , ,^ ., Half a dozen men dressed in half sailor garb, were seated around the room mostly eusaged in smoking, and, at a table in one corner, a well dressed man sat writing. As Radcliffe entered, they all looked up with some curiosity, and, approaching the man at the table, he asked : " Is this Captain Chadwick ?" "That is my name, sir," the man re- plied. Taking from his pocket the unaddressed letter, Radcliffe handed it to him, and then bv invitation, seated himself in a chair near tlie table. Captain Chadwick broke the letr tei- open and i cad itscontents, then, address- " ^ ou arc from .^utt'olk, it seems ?" "Vcs, sij ; 1 came from there since last uiglit, ' replied lUc scout. Well, lioys," .said Captain Chadwick, ad- dressing'his companions, " we have at last got work to do." " What is it?" asked one of the men. "We have got to run a load of ammuni- tion to Suffolk as permit 1 as circumstances will When do you think we will go?" the man asked. .„ j. " If it is anyways dark, we will go to-mor- row night," answered the captain. Then, turning to Radcliffe, he said : " Well, my friend, when do you propose to return to Suffolk?" ^^ "Just as soon as I possibly can," the scout, replied. " If you wish, you can go up with us on the boat," the captain answered. " I would be very happy to go if you have no objection," replied Radcliffe. " None in the least," replied the captain ; " the fact is you can go just as well as " Then I shall be on hand," said Radcliffe, and, bidding the smugglers good-night, he left them and proceeded to his hotel. The uex.t day about ten o'clock, Radcliffe thought he would go and deliver the other letter that had been intrusted to his care. Taking it from his pocket, he found it was addressed to Miss Julia Gardner, No.—, Cumberland street, Norfolk. . Inquiring of a person who was passing, he learned that Cumberland street was but a short distance away, and thither he bent his A walk of five minutes brought him to the street, and passing along up he soon reached the number designated. The house was a neat brick structure, with a small yard in front, in which stood several beautiful shade trees, and all the surroundings bespoke wealth and reflne- Entering the gate, he ascended the steps and rang the bell. The door was opened by a colored woman, who asked what he wanted. " I wish to see Miss Gardner," the scout answered. , , ^, Through the hall the woman led the way to the sitting-room, and ushered him in. Upon a sofa sat a beautiful young woman of about eighteen years of age, who, as he entered, looked at him sharply for a mo- ment, and then, in an excited manner, arose from her seat, but composing herself, she said: " Good-morning, sir." "Good-morning," answered the scout. " Is this Miss Julia Gardner?" "That is my name," she replied. " Then I have a letter for you," he said, procuring it and handing it to her. She took the letter, and requested her guest to have a chair. Then, seating herself, broke the seal of the letter and perused its contents; after which she turned to the scout, and said : . ^ ^ j. "This is from my cousin. Lieutenant James Gardner, telling me that my uncle. Major Samuel Gardner, lies badly wounded at Suffolk. Are you acquainted with either of them ?" she asked in an excited manuer. "I am not," he replied. " I do not recol- lect of ever having seen, or even heard, of any lieutenant by that name, but I knew that a major by the name of Gardner was wounded a few days ago in a fight between thepickets." "My cousin informs me that through the kindness of Colonel Glaser, this letter will be forwarded by a scout; I presume you are the person referred to?" " I am," replied Radcliffe. "When, aud how do you return to Suf- folk?" she asked. "Before answering your question. Miss Garner, I must know what your sentiments are," answered the scout. ,_. ^,. , "I love the sunny South— my birthplace and home," she replied, "but I am in full sympathy with the North, because I believe secession to be wrong, and that the Union aud the old flag should be preserved. But, she continued, " if there is any secret con- nected with your answer to my question, you may rest assured that it is safe with me, for it is not my purpose to betray those who confide in me." ,. ^ ,. "lam fully satisfied," replied the scout, " and am willing to trust you. Now, with regard to your question. In company with a gang of smugglers, I expect to return to Suffolk to-night by boat." "If it is no secret, I would like to know your name," she asked. "My name is Charle swered. At mention of this name, she appeared somewhat agitated, but composing herself, " Mr, Radcliffe, I wish very much to go to in order that I can nurse and take of my uncle. Can I not accompany you?" "Miss Gardner, in regard kno\ Charles Radcliffe," he an- E,^ , __ _ ,^ your aceom- anying us, you must know that we will ave to run the blockade, and that the trip will be one of danger." " I care not for that," she replied with spirit. "Please promise me that I can go, and I shall ever feel greatly indebted." " Well, it will be just as the captain of the boat says," replied the scout. I will go and see what arrangements I can make with him in regard to the matter." " Please go," she said, " and if nothing else will answer, offer him any amount of money you choose, and I will furnish the same." , , Accordingly, the scout bade her good-day, and started forth upon his errand. 18 THE WAR LIBRARY. As soon as he had departed, the young lady commenced pacing back and forth through the room. As before stated, she was about eighteen years of age, of medium size, and well built, having a round, plump figure, also blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and was in every respect a handsome and attractive woman. But, in spite of her great beauty, there was a sad and careworn look upon her face, tell- ing very plainly of some secret grief and After pacing to and fro for some time in appareutlv di'i-p thought, she said, half aloud, auil to herself: "Howl hate that man; he is the author of all my sorrow aud trouble. But," she continued, lier eyes flashing fire, aud her countenance putting on a determined look, I will yet have my revenge on him. I am called beautiful by all who know me, and if I can but get him to love me, then after leading him on sufficiently I will cast him off, and thus mete out to him what he does to others." After a time the bell rang, and Miss Gard- ner hastened in person to answer the sum- mons. A boy stood upon the steps, and as she opened the door he handed her a letter and then departed. ituruing to _ its contents, which ran th ■■ Miss Gardner : After considerable coaxing, I have lanaged to procure passag&fpr you to S — -.^ Westart irieht hand side of 1 ! ferry. "C. R.' " So far everything appears to be working well," she said, as she finished reading the note. Then calling her servant, she ordered her to pack her traveling valise, as she was to be gone for a few days. CHAPTER IV. BtTKNIXG THE BLOCKADE. It was half-past eight o'clock at night •d the boat t Suffolk on board the boat that was to take him to He found Captain Chadwick and four sea- men already on Ijoard, and from them learned that the cargo was safely in the hold, and that as soon as Miss Gardner came on board, they should beat out for Suffolk. The boat was a small, trim-l^uilt, two- masted schooner, with a cabin above deck. up the wharf where the smuggler lay, and a lady closely veiled and enveloped in a heavy water-proof cloak, was assisted out by the driver. Radcliffe was at her side by this time, and taking her valise, conducted her on board the schooner and into the cabin. By the captain's orders the sailors now quietly cast off the line that held the boat to the wharf, aud loosiug a few sails, they commenced working their way out of the harbor. The night was not only dark, but the rain came gently down, and a better night for their work the smugglers could not have had. Cautiously they worked the little schooner out of the harbor and down the river until Fort Norfolk was passed, then crowding on all the sail she would bear, they sped along like the wind. In about an hour and a half they found g the mouth of - lights on a Fed- eral gun-boat, which lay at anchor in and was blockading the mouth of the river, was plainly to be seen. Captain Chadwick now informed the scout who had remained in the cabin with Miss Gardner, that they were about to try and run by the Ijlookader, and when Rad- cliffe stated that he would go out on deck rhat assistance he could, his fair !ompanying him, 1 prevail upon her to remain. Taking their station near the bowsprit, the scout and his companion watched the scene around them as best they could in the gloom. The sailors were to be seen busily taking in some of the sails, in order t« have the ves- sel more completely under their control, while, well off to the right, the gunboat loomed up m the darkness as she lay quietly at anchor. ■' Keeping the little schooner in as near Pin- point as they could with safetv, they quietly bowled along, and just as they were begin- ning to think that the danger was nearlv danger was nearly passed, they were suddenlv startled by the sharp cry directly ahead of them of "Ship ahoy." Rushing to the rail, the smugglers saw A picket boat," cried one of the smug- glers, as soon as he got his eye upon her. " Prepare to repel boarders," said Captain Chadwick, in a low tone of voice. At this command, his men gathered around him, and drawing their revolvers, the sharp click hasten to the cabin, the scout drew a revol- ver, and joined his companions at the rail. Le^■eling their pistols as best they could in the darkness, the smugglers fired upon the upon the still night air, telling that their shots had taken effect, and the next moment a volley was poured into the smugglers. Captain Chadwick saw one of his men fall wounded, and realizing that lie must manage in charge to swing the vessel around to the right as if to run out of the river. The helmsman complied with the order, and as the little schooner came around, her course brought her nearer the blockader, and the smugglers realized from the loud commands that were to be heard given on board of her, and from the beat of a drum, that the boat was being cleared for action. Captain Chadwick having watched the picket-l)oat as long as it remained iu sight, and seeing it make off toward the gunboat, determined to make one more attempt to enter the river. "Run her out a little further," he said to the helmsman, " then fetch her on around to the right ; hug Pig Point as close as you can, and we will yet run in, in spite of them," .Tust as the captain finished speak- ing, two guns were discharged simultane- ously on board the blockader, and a couple of balls came screaming along just in the rear of the smuggler. "Those are pretty close shots, but we won't pay any attention to them as long as they don't hit us," said Captain Chadwick to the scout. It's so dark they can't just tell where we are." Charlie replied. Two more shots were now fired from on board the gunboat ; but they flew wide of the mark, as the schooner was, by this time, well out of the river. Ordering one of the sailors to carry his wounded comrade into the cabin, the cap- tain then took the helm iu his own hands, and commanded the others to immediately hoist eveiy sail. Swinging the schooner around to the right, he brought her down as close to the Point as he dared, and she glided along into the river at a rapid rate. In a quarter of an hour they were safely in the river, and, for the present, out of danger, while the blockader was still to be seen lying quietly at her anchorage. "They think we are out in the Roads yet," said the captain, "and while they are watch- ing to keep us out, we will make good time toward Suffolk." That was a very good trick, and well ex- ward the cabin, Entering, he found Miss Gardner and one of the sailors engaged in bandaging the wouudeil man's arm, through which a bullet had jjassed. Radcliffe informed the sailor that he might go on deck, as probably he was needed there, and he would assist Miss Gardner in dressing the wound. As soon as they were done with the wound- ed man. Miss Gardner said, addressing the scout : " We had a very narrow escape, did we not?'' "Yes; it was indeed a very narrow es- cape," he answered; "were you frightened much ?" " Not so much by their shots as I was by the thought of being taken prisoner by them, for I do not care to have it known what kind of company I keep," she replied, with a smile. " Well, we are now safe and on our wav, while the Federals appear to think we have beat off ; all danger is passed, unless one of the enemy's gunboats now up the river should chance to be coming down and meet Miss Garduer and the scout sat and talked for about an hour, when they were inter- tain?" asked the scout. " If we can get up to the mouth of the western branch without encountering any of the enemy's boats, I intend to run into that stream, and up a mile or two, where we can then unload our cargo within about five miles of the Confederate camp." " A very good idea," remarked the scout. " To-morrow night we will have the fun— if such I may call it— of trying to get out of here," said the captain, as he left the cabin. An hour later he returned and informed the scout that they were entering the west- em branch, and together they went on deck. Sailing along this stream some distance, the schooner was at last brought up to a little rickety landing and made fast. It was now after four o'clock in the morn- ing, and while the smugglers were unload- ing the cargo, Radcliffe went to a farm- house situated near the landing, and hired a man to carry Miss Gai-dner and himself to camp. About seven o'clock they reached the Con- federate camp, and, leaving his fair charge at the farmhouse where her uncle lay wounded, the scout hastened to Glaser's quarters to make his report. Immediately the colonel dispatched sever- al teams to bring up the cargo. CHAPTER V. THE GIBL WIFE. Let us go back a few years to the city of Alexandria, Virginia, in the year 1S58. In front of an elegant mansion, one pleas- ant afternoon in the month of April, was to be seen a noble pair of well matched iron- gray horses, attached to a carriage upon the seat of which sat a liveried black driver. Suddenly the front door of the palatial residence on Main street was thrown open, and a group of persons came out and down the graveled walk to the carriage. The foremost young couple, a boy and a girl, advanced, hand in hand, whose looks denoted that they were nothing more than children. The boy was an intelligent looking, manly little fellow of about sixteen years of age, whose beauty, however, was marred by an ugly scar upon the forehead just over the right eye, which he had received some years before by being thrown from off a stage coach. The girl was a flaxen-haired, blue eyed lit- tle beauty of thirteen, upon whose sunny face a pleasant smile was playing. Reaching the carriage, they halted ; and then, looking his companion full in the face, the boy said : "Darling little wife! I must now leave you, and although it will be a long time be- fore we meet again, yet you will ever be in my mind, and I shaU expect that you will write me at least once a week during my absence." "Dear Charles," the girl replied, "you know my parents are dead, and I have only you to look to, and you will think no more of me than I shall of you, and rest assured that you will hear from me regularly, and I shall expect to hear from you quite often in return. Maj- you reach Boston in safety," she continued, " and bear in mind to be a good boy while you are absent." There was a shaking of hands all around, handkerchiefs was driven rajiidly away. Twenty years before the opening of our story two young men who had been attend, ing school at the college of William and Mary, and who were warm friends, gradu» ated from that institution and started forth upon the duties of life. John Monteith, the older of the two, em- barked in the mercantile business in the city of Alexandria, and the other, Edward Rad- cliffe, commenced the practice of law in the city of Lynchburg. Shortly after establishing themselves in business, these young men both married, and, in due course of time, each was blessed with a child— Edward Radcliffe with a son, aud John Monteith with a daughter. Both Monteith and Radcliffe prospered well iu their respective business, and, in a few years, each had accumulated an im- mense property. Although they lived many miles apart, yet, with their families, they often visited each other, and renewed those bonds of friend- ship which seemed eternal, and which had THE WA.R LIBRARY. gro'n'n strouger with each year from their boyhood days. Once, when Radclifle and his wife were visiting their friends in Ale.xandria, the for- mer proposed to Monteith that, when theii' children should become of suita)>le aj;e, thi-v should be united in maniau'i', and, by tlifs means, bind the two families more i-ioselv together. To this proposition Monteith readily as- sented, providing that the parties most in- terested were like-minded. The two children, nameil respectively Charles and Fanny, niid wh.. had seen each other several times. A\. re- in time informed of their ]iarent's ^^islit's, uiiil ImitIi wei'e well pleased, as they li:nl :i1\vm\s nuuiitested a warm attachment Id!- luih idhei- from the first. Long before either had reached their ma- jority, or the plans of their i)arentshad been consummated, both families were stricken down with grief, and both houses were made houses of mourning. When Charles Radcliffo was fourteen years of age his mother died of yellow fever, and. mother, while returuinii Imme from a jour- ney North, were both seriously injured in a railroad accident — hei' motlierwas bi'ought home dead and her father dying. As soon as .John Monteith realized that he could not live he made a will, giving all his property to his only child. He also expressed a wish that he might see her and Charles Radcliffeiniited in marriage before he should pass away. Accordiugly Edward R4id(lifre was inform- ed of his friend's request, and, accompanied by his son, whom he was about to send to a Northern school, they started immediately for Ale.xandria. Arriving there, the young couple were married by the bedside of dymg John Mon- teith, who, with his last bre.ath, blessed them both, and invoked the Great KuU-r to w.atch over and protect them tlirouph life. After the body of .lohn .Monteith had been laid to rest in the tomb, it was arranged that Charles Radclifle should go North, and remain until he had completed his educa- while his wife was to make her home with her uncle, Thomas Monteith, who resided at Beaufort, North Carolina; and it was thus that we saw Charles Radcliffe in the commencement of this chapter, taking leave of his young wife, father and friends, as he was starting for the North. CHAPTER VI. THE CAPTnBE AND ESCAPE. " Well, Jake, where have you been all this time?" asked Jane Caton, of the negro boy, who lived with her father, as he reappeared after being absent a couple of days. "Ihab just been ober de riber to Massa Longstreet's camp," he replied with a grin, showing his ivories. tde time, you understand? Well, when once ober de riber, I proceeiled down to Massa Longstreet's without delay." " Now, stop your joking, and tell me all you learned while over there," said Jane Ca- ton, "and if j-ou sawanythingof thatyoung man that was here a few days ago ?" "Saw him! I s'peos I did saw him, my honey ; and a right smart gal he had wid him, too, you bet!" the darky replied. " Had a gal with him, did he ? Who could it be, and where did you see them?" she asked. " Now, seeing as how you want to know, I'll just tole you all 'bout it. Dis mornin' a young officer, by de name ob Gardner, gili a dime to carry a bird to his fader, who is wounded. You see, I went down to de house whar de old gentleman was, wid de bird, and while dar, up drobe a wagon con- taining two fellers and a gal. One ob de fel- lers was de same one who was ober here, and he and de gal got out. I tell you, my honey, he was mighty sweet on her. and a miL;hty sweet kind ob a gal she was— all dressed up kind a highflalutiu", as de big bugs say." "That's enough," said Jane, as the darky finished his story, " and now, Jake, I want you to go and And Corporal Harper, and tell him that I desire to see him immedi- ately." The boy started forth in search of the cor- poral, and Jane Caton threw herself into a chair, and exclaimed, in a bitter tone of voice : " That explains why he has not been over here lately, a young lady is to be cared for, consequently he has no lime for anything else; but," she continued, "when he does come. 1 don't think he will get back very he shall be shot as a spy ; but it I can tame him, then, through Harper, I'll manage to release him, or make sad havoc with the Unionists in Suffolk in the attempt." In the course of the day. Corporal Harper called n^tou .Iniie Caton, who received him witli siiuli s ;iii(l ki~ lie .1 eaii lie, unless it r- In. .1 leiiuiv ; dou t like, at best, )t lie very safe for me to go over there again, I fear." "But," answered the colonel, " it is very essential that you should go, as the informa- tion vou are securing tor us is of the greatest iniporiaiiee. By the way, don't you think morrow morning, down on the extreme Union right. Now, the pickets have their headquarters in an old house, and i propose |ht, the scout to go down to-morrow night with a few men, and capture the entire outpost. Once iu my power, I think I can learn from the i'orporal who exposed me." " lint liow are you to ;ret over with a body ■■'I'lier,. i, a tiat Ileal ii|i above here in the iieek, and it tile iii-lit slioiild be somewhat dark we eau go down on that; of course," he continued, "we will have to run by the village and also their gunboats, but I think it can be done." " It is a good idea, but quite a dangerous one," the colonel replied, " nevertheless, if ' you conclude to go, you can have all the men you tliiiik Miu w Bidding tin ,el,,nel eooii-nigh now took his leaieand proceeded to his own quarters in order to get a little sleep before dawn. The next day proved to be quite dark and cloudy, and about nine o'clock the scout accompanied tiy four trusty and daring men embarked on board the flat-boat and started forth upon their hazardous undertaking. With muffled oars they paddled along down the creek and out into the river. Then dowu the river the boat slowly crept along, propelled by the steady strokes of the long sweeping oars, which inashort time brought them directly opposite the town. A multitude of Ughts were to be seen in the village, and just below the same and near the southern shore, a Federal gunboat was quietly riding at anchor. Keeping well under the north bank of the river, so as to make land and escape it dis- covered, the adventurers quietly worked their way along and after a time safely passed the village and the gun-boat ; then the oars were applied more vigorouslv and the boat swept along at a fair late of .speed. Just above the lower Federal (lieket jMist, Hie boat was landed on the sonth s- le of the river, and then Radcliffe, feilloHed bv his comrades, proceeded cautiously in the direc- tion of the pickets' headquarters. Arriving there, they found the doors and windows of the building, in which the re- serve had their quarters, thrown wide open, and looking in at one of the windows, Rad-! cliffe saw the corporal who had captuied him the night before, and five comrades, . seated around an old table engaged in play- ing cards. Their arms were stacked in one corner of the room, and they were so engaged in the game, that the scout saw their capture was to be an easy matter. Returning to his comrades, Radchffe or- dered them to advance by twos to the open windows while he alone crept up to the door. The sharp click of gun-locks first aroused the Federals, and looking up they saw with some surprise, four rifles leveled at them through the windows, while in the door- way, with an aimed revolver in his hand, stood Radcliffe, the scout. " Don't give an alarm orattempt to move ; if you do you are dead men !" the scout said, advancing into the room. The Federals, although somewhat sur- prised and discomfited, wisely accepted the situation and remained iu their seats, while the scout passed their arms out through a window. After which a stout cord was pro- cured with which Radclifle and one of his men proceeded to bind the si.v prisoners together. "Well, Mr. Scout, you have rather eucher- ed me this time,"' said the corporal, as Rad- cliffe advanced to bind him. "I am only retaliating," answered the scout. " Well, I'll not find any fault if I can man- age to get away as easily as you did," the corporal replied with a smile. "Idou't intend you shall get away from me if I know myself," answered the scout. By the way, corporal, where is your picket ited?" he asked. "You just find ^ut if vou can; I don't in- tend you will by n e, if I know myself," re- plied the eeriieral indi-nantly. "It make, bui liliie diflerence whether we capture the other one c.r not," the scout answered, and immediately he gave the order, "forward I' aud away they marched toward the river with tlieir prisoners. Once there they immediately 1 loarded the fl.atboat, and half an hour later they were safe on the Arri\ in- with lii> inisoners at camp, Rad- elille eaused them to be confined iu an old deserted larmhouse, around which he placed a heavy guard. Early the next morning he visited the prisoners, and taking the corporal into an adjoining room, interviewed him as follows : THE WAB LIBRARY. " Corporal, if it is no secret, I would very much like to know who it was that inform- ed you that I was a scout, and who it was tha't sent you to arrest nie?" "To be frank with vou," replied the cor- poral, "I will tell ynu all. Since my regi- ment has been at Suffolk. I have paid con- siderable attention to a vouiis lady, who lives in the village ; her name is Jane Caton. It was she who informed lue tliat you was a scout, and it was by her special request that I made you my prisoner. The reason I tell you this." he continued, " is because I think Miss Caton is making a fool of me, and only using me as a tool." "What makes you think so?" inquired the* aiKi takt-ii pUicv, >lic rav.'d like a \vild person. 1 was never more a>tunished in my life. She called me a cursed fool, a blockhead, and an idiot, and also ordered me to leave the house immediately, which order I complied with as soon as possible. Early (lie next morn- ing she sent for me. and i.lii.ilaiitly I went toi lile, had taken ; her this, 1 for your she is de- some way and besought me t.i Ioilii- place the day befiiii\ r she then commenied layii capture, and I am sati'sfi ceiving me, and is cnlv ti to promote her own iiit.-i , "I am very much obliged to you, cor- poral, for the information you have given me," said Radcliffe, and conducting the prisoner to the room where his companions were confined, proceeded toward his own quarters, and as he went he wondered why Jane Caton was so anxious for his capture. CHAPTER VII. PROMOTED. On the afternoon of April 18, the scout of the Nansemond, was summoned to appear immediately before General Longstreet. Arriving at thatworthy's quarters, he found Colonel Glaser, who was the general's right- hand man, also there. "Well, Radcliffe," said the general, as soon a^ he wa>; seated, " T h.Tvc a very pleas- ant duty t.. perform this day. For the 1 the Con- fcdcfac y as a s.'out, 1 liav d.Ts to confer uiii'ii yxti the rank of .sicnml lieutenant, your commission to date from this day. Here it is," the general continued, handing him a parchment sheet, "and allow me to state that the commander of the army places great confidence in you, and this pro- motion is but a just reward for the noble services you have rendered our cause here before Suffolk." "General Longstreet," Radcliffe replied, " what services I have rendered as a scout, were performed only as any other duty re- quired of me would have been, for I con- sider thatitis asoldier's duty toaiwaysobey his superiors, even though it may cost him his lile. I feel very grateful," he continued, "lor the honor bestowed upon me in this commission, by those in authority far above me, and rest assured that I shall ever con- sider it a pleasure to carry out and ex- ecute any schemes you may intrust to me." Then for an hour the three sat and dis- cussed the prospects of the campaign, as only experienced soldiers could, and at the ex- piration ol that time, the scout bade his fel- low officers good-day and withdrew, turn- ing his steps toward the house where Miss Gardner was staying. Leisurely wending his way, he thought ol how well he had liked her appearance from the first time he saw her, and that he was gradually becoming more and more pleased with her. The fact is, he thought to himself : " I'm dead in love with this woman, and why should I not be? She is the most at- tractive person I ever saw, and then so brave and courageous. " The night we ran the blockade she ap- peared as unconcerned as any one on board, and one would have thought she was at a ball instead of a battle. "Now, what to do, I do not know, for her ways completely puzzle me. There is some- thing very mysterious about her, she al- ways welcomes me and appears to be pleased with my company, yet she is con- siderably concerned lest her uncle shall see me ; and what it all means I am unable to make out. " I must know what my chances are, and "Then, it she accepts me, I'll tell to her the history of my life, and she shall be the judge of what is right. But it I am reject- ed, then it shall yet remain a secret within my breast." Arriving at his destination, Radcliffe asked for Miss Gardner, and by oue of the servants was conducted within. "Good-afternoon, Miss Gardner." " Good-afternoon, Mr. RadcUffe," she an- swered, handing him a chair. " Why is it that you have not called on me for so long a time?" she continued. " The only reason I can give. Miss Gardner, is that my business has kept me away. I have i-v.-r foiiud votir >oii.-ty very agree- able; aiid.-li..uld liav,',"iil,.loftener than I ited.' plied, with a si duties, do you not expose yourself more than you should. If you are caught you are undoubtedly aware that you would be shot as a spy." "Miss Gardner, I fully realize that I am engaged in a very dangerous work, but it is a duty I owe my country, aud as long as I am a soldier, so long I shall consider that my lile is at the service of the Cnnfedei-acy." " From the way j;oii vi.'w ilj.- matteV, .you must beagood soldier,'' >li.' aii-WHi ,d ; " but do you receive a just ci mi |"n. nation fnr your services, and for the imuiineut dansrer of your parti. ailariolc?" "Sn (ar, I havf .iidy liad the pay of a com- mon .vuldii-r." h..- iiplied, "but to-day I have received, tliiuugh General Lougstreet, a heutenant's commission as a reward for my faithfulness to the Confederacy." " I am very happy to learn that your serv- ices are duly recognized by those in author- ity, but I would advise you to be very care- ful and not throw your life away unneces- sarily." "Miss Gardner, it is not my intention to " " " t some better that I should do it than almost any other. For, in all this wide world, I have not a rela- tive or friend that I know of, and if I should lose my life it would be nothing compared with those who have many to mourn their loss.' " Please do not talk so to me," she replied, " lor no one is so forsaken but must have, at least, a lew Iriends." "I don't think I have one," he answered, "and if you knew my history as wellas I do, you would agree with me, I'm sure." " Beyour history as it may, I willnotagree with you , lor I know you have at least one Iriend." " May I have the liberty to inquire who that Iriend is ?" he asked. "Certainly," she replied, " that Iriend is myself." " Miss Gardner, if you are my friend, I am most happy; lor your good wishes are very much to me. And now as you have pro- lessed to be my friend, I propose to test you. To be plain, I love you ; and although my Tattering, my saber to win for myself a name as a soldier, and also try and better mj circumstances. Can you. Miss Gardner, give me one word of hope ; but one word to encourage me." " Am I to understand that you wish me to become j^our wile?" she asked. " That is just what I would have you to understaud," he answered; "I told you I loved you, and words cannot express the af- fection that I have felt for you since we first met. II you will become my wife, or even promise to be, when I am in circumstances to marry, you will make me one ol the hap- piest of men." " Charles Radcliffe, if I wished to marry you your circumstances would make no dif- ference to me. I cannot give you one word ol encouragement. Difficulties that are be- yond my power to control, and which I am not at liberty to explain, stand in the way, provided I was ever so willing." " Aui I to consider this a direct refusal ?" he asked. " You are to consider that I have refused to become your wife, because, as I stated, there are diffleulties in tlie way tliat cannot be put aside. I am your liieiid, ami wish to see you prosper, and woiiM ad\ ise you to strive just as hard to rise in the wurlii as if I had complied with your request, for you will, beyond a question, some day find another who will willingly and undoubtedly better fill my place in your affections." "No other woman will ever occupy the place in my heart that you do," he replied; "and now with regard to the difficulties that you speak of as standing in the way ol our marriage, do they not arise from the fact that you are a Unionist, while I am a Confederate?" "No, sir; that is not the case," she re- plied, "and. although you fight for a cause I believe to be wrong, and against the dear old flag I love so well, yet the barrier be- tween us is greater than that." " What it can be, then, I have not the least idea," he answered; then, looking at his watch, he observed : " it is near four o'clock and I must be going," and with a "good- day," he departed. As soon as Miss Gardner was alone, she dropped her head upon her hands, and lor a long time remained thus in deep medita^ tion. At last, she murmured to herself : " Do I love this man, or do I hate him ? He is so handsome and brave, and appar- ently so manly, I can but love him. But then, again, I know he is a villain ; for he comes making love to me as passionately as if I was his first love, when I know that he has at present a wife living whom he has de- serted, and of her he says not a word." Whereupon she burst into tears, aud, wom- an-like wept lor a long time. CHAPTER VIII. A BATTERY LOST. When Lieutenant Radcliffe parted 'Tith Miss Gardner, he proceeded directly to Colo- nel G laser's quarters. " Glad to see you, lieutenant, as I have some news lor you," said the colonei, as the scout entered. " Anything ol importance ?" "Yes; of considerable importance. One of your prisoners managed to escape last night." " Which one, and how did he get away?" the scout asked. " It was the corporal, I believe. It appears that while the other prisoners were asleep, he lorei'd eiie of the windows open, and, in the dai kiie>s, is supposed to have slipped out liy lliegiiai'd and escaped." " Well, 1 am (|uite sorry that he has got away," replied Radcliffe, " lor he knows me, aud may make me considerable trouble some time. I think, colonel, I had better go to Suffolk to-night," he continued, " lor, 11 X give the corporal much time, he may be pre- l)ared and on the lookout lor me when I do go." " Do just as you think best," the colonel replied. " I will," answered the scout. Accordingly he started lorth, and, a couple of hours later, was safely across the river, aud within the I'nion lines, and at once pro- ceeded to Catou's house and rapped upon the door. As the scout approached, another person. around in the rear of the same. The door was opened by Jane Caton, and, recognizing our hero, she invited him to enter. He complied with her request, and, clos- ing the door behind him, asked lor her father. " Father's somewhere about the village," she replied. " Please be seated ; he will un- doubtedly be home before long." Looking at her sharply, the scout said : " I don't care to remain here very long, for fear yon may send Corporal Harper after me again." At this remark, the woman looked as if she would like to sink through the floor, but, rallying, she said : "Mr. Radcliffe, are joii not mistaken?" "I am not," he replied: " I know very well all about that affair, and, if you are willing to tell, I would like to know what prompted you to do as you did." "Mr. Radcliffe," she said, beseechingly, approaching him, " I will tell you my object, and 1 imploie you to forgive me for that rash act. It wiismylove for you that prompt- ed me. You will forgive me, will you not? for I love you as I never loved before ; and I thought "if you was but a prisoner, I would in some manner effect your release, and, by that means, win you to me." " Miss Caton, I freely forgive you, aud also pity you from the depth of my heart, but your love I cannot return. Now, we must part forever: for vour treachery has once nearly cost me my life, and to further jeo- pardize it, would, I think, be very unwise.' "Stay! stay!" she cried, giving way Lo THE WAR LIBRARY. 21 tears, and seis.iTw bim by the arm as he arose to depart, but he gently pat her away, aud hastened from the house, and proceeded to a retired boarding-house, where he passed the remainder of the night. On the moniing of the iiineteeiith, the scout was up brit'ht aud e;uly, aud havnig procured liienl a crowd of people vii-uiiig a uiysli-nous look- ins craft that was fastened to the shore. It was a large, flat boat, and all around its eides a heavy awning had been raised, com- pletely hiding from View its interior. " What is the meaning of this?" asked the Bcout, of a bystander, pointing toward the boat. "It's not generally known," the man re- plied, " but the Eighty-ninth New York In- fantry, is to go down the river on this boat, and try and capture the Confederate battery that has annoyed us so much of late." " Who is in command of the Eighty-ninth ?" the scout asked. " I don't know who has command of the regiment," the man replied, '• but Captain Stevens, a young staff officer, is to lead the Radcliffe was well aware that Longstreet had planted a liattery some days before, in a clearing near the river, and about a mile be- low the town. , , . Four guns of this battery commanded the river and the opposite shore, while the other two raked a road to the rear, by which the clearing was approached. " I must try and save the battery," the scout thought to himself ; aud forth he started, determined to do his best iu the matter, or die in the attempt, ,, ,. To get through the hues aud out to his boat, he well knew, would be impossible in daylight; and, again, it would take too miich time. , , , xi Accordingly, he proceeded along up the river, aud a short distance above the village he found a small boat, which lay bottom upward upon the shore. .^ . x x. Turning it over and pushing it into the water, Radcliffe then sprung on board, and, raising the oars, lieaded the boat down stream, iu order to uiislead several soldiers who were watching him. By cunning uiaueuvers, he managed to ■■h the luiTldle of the stream, and then " L-tly toward the opposite ars with a will, which d£ the scout, as he headiugthe bout dirt shore, he plied the t th. of life. .ugh the water like a „ shouted one of the soldiers, as soon as he discovered what our hero's inten- tions were. The scout paid no attention to the order, consequently, the soldiers I'au down to the river and opened tire upon him. Several bullets whistled near him, some of which struck tlie boat, but, uumindful of them, he kept on his way, aud a few meuts later reachcl the shore. Sniineins from the boat, he started off on direction of the battery, o the left, in order to keep a sharp ruu in th makiug a circuit wellaway from iu<; ii.ci. ^ . ., f When within about a quarter of a mile of the battery, the scout came upon a number of infantry pickets, who were under the command of a young lieutenant. "What's your hurry, my friend? asked the commander of the pickets, as the scout came up. , .^, . " An attempt is to be made withm a few minutes to capture this battery, and I have come to inform yon of it," the scout replied. " The enemy are coming down the river on a large flatboat, which is inclosed by a heavy awning, in order to mislead the pick- ets above." . , , , " The pickets down by the river have just sent up word that such a boat was slowly drifting down this way," replied the lie_uten- ant, "but I thought that it was probably some old scow set adrift for the purpose of haying our ai'tillery waste their shots upon it." ., .J .. "Ah! there they come now," said the scout, pointing toward the river. Looking iu the direction indicated, the pickets saw hastily approaching, a regiment of Union soldiers. , The pickets posted near the river, and some distance below where the Federals landed, had deserted their post, and were falUng back toward the battery. "No use of our making any resistance to of," said the commander of the piek- I think our better way is to fall back, and give the artillery Accordingly, the pickets commenced fall ing back slowly, while the scout hastened oi to the battery. . "Do you kuow what regiment that is and who is leading it," asked the mander of the artillery, o, came up. _ , . "It's tlie Eighty-niuth New York, and is It-ail by a I aptairi Sl.\ .'lis, (.f General Get- 1\-'i ^talT " aiiswia.'.l tb.- >.'.-.ut, " and I some- what (vAv tli.'y will ^ixi- us considerable ti..iil.l.- {..■i..i.' ivf ^.'.t tint. ugh with them." •■They come like a tidal wave," replied the commander ; " but we will make it red- hot for them before they get here," and he went to put his threats into execution. Under the lead of gallant Captain Stevens, „g canister went tearing through the ranks, they quickly closed up the spaces made vacant by the dead and wounded, and pressed on more determined than ever. Radcliffe seized a disabled soldier's gun, erals. The scout had only time to load and fire a couple of shots when the enemy with fixed bayonets rushed upon them, and the fight became hand to hand. The artillerymen fought desperately in de- fense of their pieces, but all to no avail, as the enemy now had the advantage, and with the bayonet drove them by main force from their guns, capturing many of them as pris- Radcliffe soon realized that the battery could not be saved, and that further resis- tence would only give the enemy more pris- oners, consequently he joined the infantry who were now slowly retreating back to- ward the timber. But a short distance had they proceeded, when a volley of musketry was poured into their disordered ranks, and the young in- fantry lieutenant staggered, and fell to the ground, a bullet having entered his r-""-* side. The scout saw that the lieutenant was only wounded, and stepping up to where he lay- he asked if he could render him any assist- ance. " Only tell my friends you left me dying on the field of battle," he answered. " What is your name?" asked the scout. " My name is James Gardner," replied the wounded men. At mention of this name, the scout stooped down and raised the wounded officer from the ground, then placing him upon his shoulder, he strode rapidly away. Falling in with several infantrymen, the scout with a couple of their guns and a few branches made a rude htter, and, together, they carried him on toward the Confederate camp. But before half the distance was gained, the young officer breathed his last, and the scout and his companions carried only the corpse of a once bravo young sol- Arriving at camp, Radcliffe procured an ambulance, and by it forwarded the body to the house where his friends were then staying. chance at them." these invincibles pressed steadily forward, ^ «««^i *oii_ oTiri monv n. ( !nnfederflte bit ihe dust before » CHAPTER IX. THE EVACUATION. On the morning of the third of May, an orderly waited upon Lieutenant Radchffe, informing him that Colonel Glaser wished to see him immediately. Accordingly, he proceedeil to the colonel's quarters without delay, aud was informed that the enemy were demonstrating along the river, aud it was thought intended a general advance. "I want you," the colonel said, "to go down toward the river and learn if possible, what regiments, and how many of them the enemy is throwing forward, and then report to me as soon as you can conveniently." " I will do all I can in the matter," the scout replied, and bidding the colonel good morning, he started forth to reconnoiter. To his own quarters the scout first proceed- ed, and arming himself with a couple of re- volvers, he then turned his steps toward the Arriving in the vicinity of the same, he found that a small force of the enemy had crossed over, and that a lively sku-mish fight was going on. Workmg his way well down toward the Union lines, he found that the sturdy Eighty-ninth New York, was do- ing the greater part of the skirmishing, and although the Confederate sharpshooters were picking them off considerably, yet and many a Confederate bit the dust before their unerring aim. . As soon as the Federals were within range, the Confederate artillery opened upon them, and shot and shell went flying over the field dealing out death and destruction on every side. The fight by this time had become general, and the scout soon found that he was in about as much danger from the shots of his friends as he was of those of the enemy. Consequently, he turned his steps to the right, and entered a small piece of timber, which served him as a cover from the flying shots, and which course took him further from the field of battle. For upwards of an hour the scout prowled around in the vicinity of the Union lines, during which time he learned considerable with regard to their position and numbers. Then starting on the return toward the Confederate fines, he had proceeded but a short distance, when he ran smack upon a Federal picket line. "You are my prisoner," cned one of the pickets, leveling his piece at him. "All right," answered the scout, advano- This answer put the picket off guard, and he lowered his gun to the ground. In an instant, Radcliffe drew a revolver, leveled it at his antagonist and pulled the trigger. With the report of the pistol, a wild shriek pierced the air, and the picket dropping his gun, threw up his ai-ms and f »U back lifeless. , „ ^ , , j Then before the astonished Federals had recovered from the surprise which his re- sistance had created, the scout bounded away through the timber like a deer ; and, although they gave chase and also dis- charged their pieces at him, yet he managed to elude them, and an hour later reached the Confederate lines, through which he had no trouble to pass, and after some difficulty he found Colonel Glaser. "Well, lieutenant, how did you make " Very good," he rejoined. " I found the Eighty-ninth New York with a heavy skir- mish line, and supported by the One Hun- dred and Twenty-seventh, One Hundred and Forty-third aud One Hundred and Forty-fourth New York regiments, slow- ly but steadily pushing back our ad- vance, while several other regiments, which I think belong to the Connec- ticut brigade, have later gotten into position, and are now engaging our forces in good earnest. From what I can learn, I think General Peck has been heavily reinforced, and now means to openly give us battle." . ., ^^ , , "That is my impression," the colonel re- plied. " And now, lieutenant, I have to tell you that the commander has concluded to evacuate our position, and the orders have already been given for the army to fall hack." . , ^, " I am very sorry to hear it," the scout re- plied; "but I suppose our general knows what is best. What further assistance can 1 give you, colonel?" ,. , "None at present," the colonel replied; " and if you have any business of your own you wish to transact before leaving, you are at liberty to attend to it." Immediately parting with the colonel. Lieutenant Radcliffe turned his steps toward the house where Miss Gardner was staying. It was quite late in the afternoon when he reached the place, and rapping lightly at the door, it was opened by the young lady in question, who gave him a hearty wel- " Good afternoon, lieutenant ; you are just the person 1 was wishing to see," she said, extending to him her hand. " Then I am very elad that I am here," he rejoined. " I thought as the army was to leave, that possibly I might be of some ser- vice to you, that is ho w I happened to come." " Well, lieutenant, you can be of service to me by assisting me to get over to the vil- lage, from which place I can easily reach my home at Norfolk." " As soon as it is dark I will put you safely across the river," the scout rephed. "By the way. Miss Gardner, how is your uncle at present?" " He has been improving considerable ot late, and to-day, as soon as he learned that the army was to be withdi-awn, he, with other disabled officers, set out for Peters- burg in an ambulance. This being the first time I have seen you since my cousin met his death," she continued, "allow me to thank you, both for my uncle and myself, lor the great service you rendered us by THE WAR LIBRARY. bringing, at the peril of your own life, my cousin from the field of Ijattle, and iu for- warding his body to us after his death." " M-iss Gardner, I never saw your cousin, Lieutenant Gardner, until that day. We were in the flght together and fought side by side. He was brave and undaunted, and to the enemy never yielded an inch of ground until after the guns were silenced and the conflict became hand to hand, and until he saw that we were overpowered, and were to be bayoneted or taken prisoners. Then, when we sought safety in flight, the enemy poured a volley into our ranks, and among those that fell was your cousin. I saw that he was mortally wounded ; and when he told me his name, and requested me to carry a message to his friends, I could not bear to see him fall into the hands of the enemy; consequently, I carried him from the field, and in so doing, did only what I considered my duty as a soldier." "It was a noble act, for which we feel very thankful, as it gave us a chance to bury the body where we can have it disin- terred at our will. What a charmed life you lead, lieutenant," she continued. "Amid all the dangers by which you are constantly surrounded, you have thus far escaped with- out a scratch." "I have been very lucky," the scout re- plied; "but how long it will last nobody knows." Then he related to her the adven- ture he that day had had with the I'ederal pickets. That night, as soon as it was dark, our hero and heroine entered a carriage and were driven out to the place where the for- mer's boat was concealed. Dismissing the carriage, the scout then as- sisted his fair companion into the boat and quietly rowed out mto the river. Heading the boat directly toward the vil- lage, he vigorously bent to his work, and in a short time landed near the upper end of the town. They proceeded to the residence of an acquaintance of hers, where she proposed to ' "Miss Gardner, we must now part, and, ; for all we know, it may be forever; but, be- fore I leave you, I must again tell you that I love and worship you with all my heart and soul ; and if you could but promise to be my wife, it would make me the happiest mau that exists." "Lieutenant Radcliffe, you have rendered me many a good service, for which I feel very grateful, but I have again to tell you that I cannot be your wife. As I before in- formed you, circumstances that are beyond my power to control, prevent any such ar- rangement between us." For a short time they stood hand in hand, deep emotions surging iu the bosoms of each. Then, bidding each other farewell, they parted. She rang the door-bell and was admitted, and warmly welcomed by her friends, while he recrossed the river, and started on in pur- suit of the already retreating army. old man suifl. as the captain gently laid him back upon the ground after he had quenched his thirst. "Caul do anything more for you?" the captain asked. " No, comrade, I think not. I am mortaln ly wounded, and beyond all aid. I am eve- now fast passing away, and I would advise to linger no long: enemy are liable to ment." "I care not for the enemy," the captain replied, " and if it is in my power to relieve your sufferings in any way, I am willing to doit." "Comrade," the old man rejoined, with some diflaculty, his breath coming short and hard, "one favor I will ask of you, and I want you to promise me that you will see my request complied with." " Anything that lies in my power I will do to;accommodate you," the captain replied. "Then, here in my side-pocket, a letter you will find. This letter I wrote a few days ago, and was intending to forward it as soon as a chance presented itself to the one to whom it is addressed, so that in case I never saw home again, a great wrong which I once committed might be made light. Now, what I ask of j-ou is to see, as soon as it is conven- ient, that this letter is forwarded to the one tojwhom it is directed." t designated the captain and glanced at the ad- From drew ft dress m' inln Norfolk, Va." that the letter reaches the CHAPTER X. CONCLUSION. April 1, 1865. It was the battle of Five Forks, and the army of Northern Virgiuia was in full re- treat. The Federal dragoons hung close upon the retiring columns of the Confederates, cap- turing and making prisoners all those who, by chance, became cut off from the main body. In a little ravine, by the side of a sluggish flowing stream, where the beautiful cypress trees grew thick and tall, and made a gor- geous, pleasant shade, a sharp flght had taken place between a small party of troop- ers and a score of Confederate infantrymen, and an old, gray-haired otHcer,amajor, who commanded the Confederates, had been mortally wounded, axid upon the field had been left to die, with no other companions but the dead braves who had fallen in the conflict. Half an hour later, a dozen Confederate stragglers passed that way, and discovered the dying veteran. One, a young man in the uniform of a cap- tain, stopped and knelt beside him. " Comrade, what can I do for you?" the captain asked. " For the love of Heaven, give me a drink •f water." the wounded veteran replied The young captain raised the old man's head, and to his lips pressed his canteen. " "ftat makes me feel much better," the Then you will confer a great favor upou a dying comrade," the major answered. " If it is no secret, major, I would like to know your name," said his companion. "In the army I am known as Major Thomas Gardner," he replied with great difficulty; " years ago I was kno-wn as— as— as " His breath came iu short, fitful gasps, and with one grand effort he raised himself to a half-sitting position, then his strength gave way and with a heavy groan he fell back dead. For a moment the young captain remained silent, then to himself he murmured : " Both father and son upou the field of battle have I seen die." Then Captain Charles Radcllfte hastened on in pursuit of one of his companions, leav- ing the old warrior and his dead comrades to sleep their last sleep beneath the cypress shade. One morning in June, 1865, the good old steamer Louisiana was to be seen making her way up the Elizabeth River, her huge wheels lashing the water into foam as she sped on toward her destination, Norfolk. As soon as the city was reached and the vessel made fast to the pier, a young man of noble appearance hastened on shore and calling a cab took his seat within and order- ed the driver to proceed immediately to No. — Cumberland street. Arriving at the number designated the young man paid and discharged the cabman, - " " "■ " ■ ■■ Bbell. said a young woman with some surprise, as she opened the door. "Yes, Miss Gardner; I am here as the bearer of a message from your uncle." 'Then come to the sitting-room," she an- swered, leading the way. "When and where did yo uncle," she asked, handing him a chaii 70U last It was at the battle of Five Forks that I first and last saw him. On the retreat I found him lying by the roadside mortally wounded, and by his side I remained until he breathed his last." " My last friend is then dead !" she replied with emotion, as tears coursed down her cheeks. " Here is a letter your uncle requested me to forward to you, and knowing of no better way, I brought it in person," Radcliflfe said, handing her the same. Miss Gardner broke open the letter, and as she perused its contents, her tears sprink- led down upon the paper. When she had finished reading, she said : "Mr. Radcliffe, I am greatly indebted to you for the pains you have taken in deliver- ing this letter, as it contains information that is worth more than gold to me." " That being the case, I feel well repaid for all the trouble it has been to me. Miss Gardner," he continued ; "you just said in speaking of your uncle that your last friend was dead. Can I not be your friend ? For the third time, will you be my wife?" "Charles Radcliffe," «he answered, "you ask me to become your wife. Have you not one wife already ?" "I was once married," he replied, "but circumstances which were beyond my power to control parted my wife from me, and I have never seen or even heard from her since." " Please to tell me all about it," she asked. "Wlien I wa.-i hut a boy, at my father's reiiiu-.-it I was married to a mere girl, a love- ly, luautiful creature, whom I had seenjjut a few tunes, yet I loved her withallmy boy- ish luait. Iinmi'.liately after my marriage. 1 Weill Zvoi'tU to complete my education, and my wife, who was an orphan, went to live with an uncle. " My father was quite wealthy, and lived at Lynchburg, Virgiuia, at the time of my marriage. But shortly after, he was strick- en down with fever, and after a brief ill- ness, died. Then it was found that just pre- vious to his death he had invested nearly all his fortune in a bogus mining speculation, and when his affairs were settled, not a dol- lar was left. About the time I was inform- ed of this, I also received a letter from my wife's uncle, stating that my father had died baukrupt, and that it was now apparent his ouly object iu my marriage was to se- cure to me the immense fortune which my wife was known to be heir to. "The letter further stated that for this act, of which I must have known and been a party to, my wife now looked on me with contempt, and wished me to understand that henceforth we were two ; and also that it would do me no good to seek for her, as by the time I received the letter she would be iu Europe. "It was a heavy blow for me, as I loved my girl-wife dearly. I was among strangers without money or friends, and in my per- plexity I returned to Lynchburg. There I reniaiueil al)out a year, then the war broke out anil 1 entered the army. In due course of time 1 met with you, and from that day to this I have loved vou with all my heart and soul. What my life has been since we first met matters but little, suffice to say the Confederacy, as you well know, has gone down in ruin, and the old flag, against whicliIhavM foiiL'lit so long, and which I could but loveal the same time, a;;-ain waves "<;'bailes Ka when story agree, can but bel ' Gulf.' hail lil'lle, said Jliss Gartluer Hnislied his reeital, "your well with this letter that I you. Now allow me to tell you that the wife which you profess to have loved so much, still lives, and at this mo- ment is uot far a wa v, and also that she has ever and does at t!ie present time, love you "If.thatis the ease. .Miss Gardner," he re- plied, with einotiou, "please to tell me where she is to be found ?" " Charles Radcliffe," she answered, rising to her feet, " your wife stands before you!" " What! you my wife?" be cried, advanc- ing toward her. " Yes, Charles, I am your wife, she an- swered, and the next moment they were locked in each others arms, and raining sweet kisses upon each other's lips. "My darling! this explains why I have loved you so much," said our hero, as they seated themselves upon the sofa, "and you must have known me all the time." " Yes, Charles, not only did I recognize you by that scar on your forehead, but if you recollect, I asked and you told me your name." " That being the case, Fanny, why did you not tell me at first that you was my wife ?" " I will tell you, Charles, why I did not; like yourself, I was deceived. My uncle not only informed me that your father had died bankrupt but also that you had left school and was leading the wild, desperate life of a gambler, and that you disowned me as your wife. Consequently, it was an easy matter for him to influence me to accompany him to New Orleans. There we remained until the wai broke out, and then, under the as- sumed name of Gardner, which he took for reasons I forbear mentioning, we came to this city, where my uncle and cousin soon entered the Confederate army." " What reason could your uncle have had to have been so cruel as to separate us in such a manner?" Charles asked. " Read that letter, and it will explain all." said his wife, handing him the one he had brought her. Charles took the letter, and read its contents, whieh were as follows : " Peteksbtjrg. Va., March 25, 1865. "My Dear Niece Faxxt :— Since we flrst eeMled at Norfolk many chanties have token place that 1 did not THE WAR LIBRARY 23 THOJLib MONTEITH. " Fanny," said her husband as he finished reading the letter, "I was by both your uncle and cousin's sidewhiv-iL they breathed their last, aud they died like lu-av.- soldiers that they were. I usk.-.l \,,iii iinile his name, he told me his asrium. a ,,iir, and, dy- ing, tried to tell the real on.- b\it laileil; and, although through him we have been greatly wronged, yet I am willing to forgive him, as I expect to be forgiven for my sins by our Father above." " I, too, freely forgive him," answered his wife. A : withdrew Harper penned and mailed the following letter : •'MISS Jane Caton :-There is no use in telling you how much 1 Many' times _ you deceived i which I will ^splaii undoubtedly i lallu . night called to make 3 er. 'May prayer of oner by the Confederal and the ne.vt night called _ _ . . I approached the house 1 saw that Oonfede: Radcliffe enter, and, playing the spy, I heard claratlon of love for him. Then I realized vr you had made of me, and with this keen Heaven forgive and unite us ' is the fareweir A few d ays after Jane Catou received the above letter, she learned of Corporal Har- per's death ; she then mysteriously disap- peared from Suffolk, and a wi-ek later her body was found by some Imutmeu at low tide upon a. bar in the Xausemoud but a short distance below the towu. Her father, Samuel Caton, turned guer- rilla, and iu lStl4 was shot near Suffolk by a Federal cavalrvraan. To-day t^harles KadeliSe and his noble, loving wife reside iu a beautiful mansion situated on the Elizabeth river, but three miles from Noitolk. They have beeu blessed with two beauti- ful children, a boy and a girl, and many times, seated by their father's side, they at- tentively listen to the stories he tells of the time when he was The Scoot of the Nan- SEMON'D, and their mother, who knows some- thing about it, vouches for the truth of his statements. [THE E^^).] T. J.'s Cavalry Charge. BT CONFEDERATE GRAY. 1862, that a man clad iu a soiled and tattered North Carolina. Timothy J. McSnorter was his name, known in all that region of coun- try as "T.J." He was an original character— a flrst-class ranter; a rude kind of eloquence, a stentor- ian voice, and certain pecuUarities of ora- torical style, had won for him among his unsophisticated neighbors and acquaint- ances the reputation of a powerful lawyer. Tall, raw-boned, angular, and cadaverous, with eyes large, wide, and turning almost over in their sockets, a mouth so wide that it seemed as if it had been made by a trans- verse blow with the edge of a hatchet, his cheek bulged with a quid of "'bacca" as large as a hen b egg, a voice as harsh as the n a d oud as to ne he bellow- B han f side-split- k np h ir, slonch- h n ho e-pistol at ef kn e lUg on the he h et off to his h pent-up oquence of Gn mny ha ak here I have n and wh I a u u have been to en d fl d wh uu n ve, where b g am wh e shimmer, wh mu k a wh e cannons p n n m nd y hat I once thought the bar was the fittest place for the display of the remarkable talents with which my Creator, in His unerring wisdom, was pleased to endow me. I was ' some ' at the bar; yes, a whole team, with the tai- bueket hung on the coupUug-pole, and a big yaller dog under the wagon. Bill Simmons, you know who I was, for who saved you from the d.amuiug infamy of the whipping- post ? You know it, too, Tom Snickers, for had it not Ijeeii for my profound legal ac- quirements and Demostheneau eloquence, you would be, at this very hour, with crop- ped hair and zebra pants, making yourself useful in the public jail and penitentiary of the state, sir ! "And you, Dave Wilkins, cannot be ignor- ant on this subject, for it was my legal acu- men and my pathetic appeals to the sympa- thies of a brainless jury composed of such sap-headed men as yon, Sam Jones, and you, John Smith, that sent Dave forth, not as a convicted felon to the scaffold, where he ought to have gone, but to the eujoyment of a worthless existence and an unappreciated liberty, sir!" Each of the gentlemen thus courteously appealed to, bowed acquiescence as he was individually addressed, and when T. J. fin- ished they all bowed together. "Yes," he continued, " that's so, geiitle- men ; but, as I was about to remark, there is the theater id war— war, the uoblest sciences— war, tlie mightest and the grand- est of all the games of chance — war, a' game iu which steel-panoplied battalions are the cards, and empires the stakes, sir! Yes, gentlemen, war is T. J.'s natural element, " At first I joined the infantry, and a ^rand arm of the service it is, too. Hoosiers, hke you, leared in these mountain gorges, have no conception of the partplayed by in- fantry during an engagement. " Well, I will tell you how the thing works, sir! First, a line of crack shots is thrown to the fi-ont to feel the enemy and to gain time for the formation of the grand line of battle. " These men are called skirmishers. When they see the enemy they begin to pop at them at ' long taw,' but, by and by they are forced back by superior numbers, and then the main column begins to play its part. It is not the 'pop— pop— pop,' as it was with the skirmishers, but at first the united fire of a company here and there, then of a re- giment; and then, all of a sudden, a deafen- ing roar from battalions, regiments, bri- gades, divisions, and ivhole corps, rends the air, sir ! " Soon comes the thrilling order : ' Charge mighty enginery emerges from its curtain of smoke and flame, and sweeps onward to grapple in fearful embrace with the eager and on-rushing foe, sir ! " Tired going through the mud from day- light until dark, and often far into the night; weighted down with knapsack and musket and cartridge-box; sometimes double-quicking for miles, sometimes stand- ing still for hours in the drenching rain or driving snow, bespattered with mud by the dashing cavalry, and always expected to do the hardest fighting, I found that the in- Dave Wilkins sugar kettle; and so far that you can't get away from it; and it cracks louder than all the shot-guns in this county put together would ; and it tears a hole big euough for a three-year old bear to crawl into. That's what it is, sir; that's what it is. " Infantry is a grand arm of the service, gentlemen, but it won't compare with th« artillery. Boom ! boom ! boom ! and then, from a hundred brazen, belching throats, comes a simultaneous crash, shaking earth and heaven, and rolling through the firma- ment like the voice of doom through the ca\erns of the damned ! And such execu- tion ! The solid shot tear through the for- ests like a tornado ; the shell shriek through the air like distracted tieiuls; L-iajH- and canister mow down coniiKii;ii^ ml lei^i- ments as a first-class Jle( .1 mii k ~ najier lays wheat in a harvest tiehl; wlnle with each discharge the grim monsters leap high in air, as if exulting in their capacity lor the destruction of our race. Ah, the artillery is indeed sublime! " But I soon got tired of it. It is very con- venient and comfortable to ride along on a caisson while on the march; but in action there is too much hard work lifting those heavy guns, and just a Uttle too much I quit the artillery and join the cavalry. " You may talk about infantry and ab( to may talk about infantry and a'bouf artillery, but after all the cavalry is just the thing for a man of spirit like J. T. It is after the infantry and artillery have broken and shattered the columns of the euemv, that the cavalry arm of the service isT.rought into play. First, you hear a rumblingsou'nd as of an earthi^nake rapidly approacliing. Clear the track^sfc is a cavalry charge ! Here tliey come, column upon column, horses and riders ; a thousand spm-s pressed to a thousand quivering Uanks: a thousand streaming plumes on a thousand heliueted heads; a thousand sabers raised iu aii- ! The very horses seem infused with the spirit of their riders. With fieiyeyes, e-\panded uos- trils, and every nerve and muscle in full play, they thunder down upon the af- frighted, flying, shrieking foe, while pistol- shot and saber-stroke are doing their work of carnage and of death ! " But, gentlemen, why try to describe that which, iu itself, is indescribable/ I will show you how the thing is done!" So, fixing his feet firmly in his stirrups, T. J. rode proudly down the street some two hundred yards. Here he halted, about-faced, and drew his pistol. By this time, every man, woman and child in the village, attracted by the well-known voice, had collected on the sidewalk. Straightening himself up, grasping the reins witli his left hand, and inclining his body forw.ard at an angle of about forty- five degrees, T. J. drove his spurs into the flanks of his horse. The animal responded to the touch of the steel, and up street they came, the sparks flying from the heels of the steed at every furious bound. Having passed over about half the dis- tance, T. J. suddenly leveled his pistol di- rectly to the front, and as he shouted "Fire!" pulled the trigger, and in an instant horse and rider rolled in the dust. The horse, shot directly through the back of his head, gave one groan and was dead. As T. J. slowly gathered himself up, he cast a rueful glance at his horse ; then with, "There now, won't Betsy give me particular fits !" he slowly hobbled to the sidewalk. Reader, if you wish to avoid a personal difficulty, never say a single word to T. J. about his grand cavalry charge. He now swears that the cavalry is a humbug — " tm, unmitigated humbug, srr !" THE WAR LIBRARY. Catalogue of the War Library. 1 lO-BIVOUAC AND BATTLE. Hoync. I 12-THROUCH FIRE. By w. Wilmot. I 13-IVIUZZLE TO MUZZLE. By Park. I |5-SHERIDAN'S SPY. By Miller, M.D. 116-ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. I 17-FICHTINC FOR THE FLAC. t 18 FARLEY, THE SCOUT. By Wilmot 1 19-DOWN IN VIRGINIA. By Walsh. I20-MARCHINC THRO' GEORGIA. 121-THE MYSTERIOUS MAJOR. 122-CHICKAMAUCA. Bv Mackintosh. 123 THE SIGNAL FLAC. ByEHor. 124-SHELBY'S MEN. By Leon Lenoir. 125-BAYONET BEN. By A. F. Grant. 126-THE MISSISSIPPI SCOUT. 127-GRANT, "THE HAMMERER." 128-THE BLOCKADE RUNNERS. 129-BEFOREDONELSON. By Vincent. ISO-CHARGE BAYONETS. Steadraan. 131 -SOLD FOR A SOLDIER. Edwards. 132-UNDER LITTLE MAC. Grant. 133-BATTLE ECHOES. Brisbane. 134-THE YANKEE PRIVATEER. 135-STARS AND STRIPES, barren. 136-MAJOR PAULINE CUSHMAN. 137-UNDER TWO FLAGS. Redwing. 138-THE DRUMMER BOY. Wiimot. 139-CANNONEER BOB. By Maj. Grant. 140— WILD BILL. Bv Major Sam. S. Hall, 141-RIVAL CAPTAINS. By Col. Eflor. 142-THE OLD FLAG. By Captain Forrest. 143-BATTLE BEN. By Morris KedwinR. 144-KNAPSACK NICK. By M. Hoyne, 145-SEVEN PINES. By Warren Walters. 146-ALL FORCLORY. By Maj. Wilmot. )47-FIGHTINC FOR FAME. Itedwing. I 48-" ON TO GETTYSBURG." Manly. 149-DASHINC O'DONOHOE. Carlton. -150-L1FE IN LIBBY PRISON. Warren 151-SHOULDER-STRAPS. By Wilmot. 152 SHERIDAN AT APPOMATTOX. 153-IRON AND STEEL. Maj. A.F.Grant. 154-HAWKIN'S ZOUAVES, Wilmot. 155-MALVERN HILL. By Morris Hoyne. 156-TRUE AS STEEL. By MacUnt .sh. 157-GUNBOAT DAVE. By M. Eedwin-. 158-CEN.W. T.SHERMAN. VauOrden. 159-SABER AND SPUR. By Mou Myrtle 160-BRAVE BEN. ByM.C.Wulsb. 161-THE FATAL CARBINE. Wilmot. 162-HANDSOME JACK. By P. Kaycee 163-HARD-TACK. By Major Brisbane. 164 LITTLE IRISH. By Ward Edwards. 165-CHAIN-SHOT. By Col. Oram Eflor. 166 FREEDOM'S SONS. By Redwing. 167-MORGAN'S ROUGH-RIDERS. HyMajor A. F.Grant. 168-LIEUTENANT STEVE. By Hoyne. 169-MISSION RIDGE. By Major Wilmot 170~DARINC DAN. By Ward Edwards. I7I-YANKEE STEVE. By M. Redwing. I 72-THE FIGHTING FIFTH. Goode. 173-FARRACUT'SSPY. By A.F.Grant 174-THETRAITORCENERAL. Hoyne 175-CAPTAIN IRONWRIST. Wilmol. 176 GEN. P. H.SHERIDAN. VanOrden 177-CAMP-FIRES. By W.wcn Walteic. 178-JOHN BROWN'S RAID. Merrill. 179-THE LOST CAUSE. By Redwine. 180-LINCOLN'S SPY. By A. F. Grant. 182-FIVE FORKS. By Morris Hoyne. 183 BETWEEN THE LINES. Redwing. 184 HARPER'S FERRY. By w, Wilmot, 185 SHERIDAN'S RIDE. Roland Dare. 186-CLEAR GRIT. By Mailine Manl.y. J87-THE RIVALCOURIERS. By Harry 188-BEFORE PETERSBURG. By Major A. F. Grant. 189-DOWN IN DIXIE. By Hugh Allen. I 90 LIBBY PRISON. By Oram EHor. I9I-WAR'S ALARM. By MorrisRedwing. 192 UNDER FIRE. By A. P. Morris 1 93- M A R C H I N G O N . By Marline Slanly. 194-SWORDANDSASH. By Mon Myrtle. 195-BORDER GUERRILLAS. Hoyne. 196 MOSBY'S TRAIL. By M. Redwing. 197 BLACK CUD JO. By Lieut. Keene. 198-BRAVE COLONEL KELLY. By Beniunl NV^iylL. 199 ISLAND NUMBER TEN. Frazier. 200 WINNING HIS SPURS. 1!< Ivins. 20(-A YANKEE MIDDY, nylhards. 202- COLD HARBOR, ly IMaiul Due. 203 FIGHTING JOE HOOKER. Manly. 204-BOMB PROOF, By A. P. Morris. 205-A SOLDIER OF FATE. By O. Etlor. 206-CUSTER AND HIS MEN. Manly. 207-THE ARMY DETECTIVE. EUor. 208 IN FOR THE WAR. By W. Edwards. 209-OLD POTOMAC. By Col. L. Leslie. 210-PIONEER PETE. By M. Redwing. 21 l-UNION JACK. By Ward Edwards. 2 12-ANDERSONVILLE STOCKADE. By Alee Forbes {War Correspondents 2 13-OUTWITH KILPATRICK. Keene. 214 THE SOLDIER MAGICIAN. By Corporal Morris Hoyne. 215-ROUGH AND READY. ByO.Eflor. 2 16 PARTISAN PATE. By M. Redwing. 2 17-THE SKY SCOUTS. ByOr.amEflor. 218-THE OCEAN DETECTIVE. By Major A. F. Grant. 219-DARING MICKEY LOFTUS. By Ser-ennt .Mile* McCanu. 220-CAPTAIN MONTAGUE. Southard. 221-SKIRMISHER SAM. By A. Forbes. 222-THE LOYAL GUIDE. By Redwing. 223 FORT SUMTER. By Maj. A. F. Grant. 224 FACING THE FOE. By W Edwards 225 THE GIRL GUERftlLLA. Merrill 226 VETERAN DAN ; or, The Old HeroofSharpstaurg. A Story of Lees Invasion of Maryland. Ity Morris Redwing. 227-PRESCOTT'S GUERRILLAS; or, A Fight for the Great Bertram Fortune. A stirring Story of Tennessee During the War. By Judire Baldwin. 228-WILSON'SCREEK ;or,"l Fights MitSigel." By Duke Duncan. 229-UNDER GUARD; or. Raid and Battle in Kentucky. By Corporal Morris Hoyne. 230 BATTERY BOB; or. Crest and Plain at Fredericksburg. By An- thony P. Morris. 231-SIGNAL SERVICE SAM;or,The S i ege of K n oxv i I le . By ward Edwards, "High Private." U.S. V. 232-THE WAR DETECTIVE; or. Se- cret Service in the Rebellion. A Story of Booth's Great Conspiracy. By Maj, A. F. Grant. 233-PHIL, THE SCOUT ; or, A Fight for Beauregard's Dispatches. A Story of Pittsburg Landing. By Captain Ilean Verne. 234-" TO HORSE ; " or. The Winged Scout of Georgia. By Anthony P. Morris. 235-LION-HEARTED LUKE ; or. The Plan to Capture Mosby. A story of Perilous Adventure in the War of the Rebellion. By Ward Edwards, " High Pri- vate," U. s. y. 236-THE SWORD CHAMPIONS; or. Rival Spies of Chancellorsville. A story of the Battles in the Thickets of the Rappahannock. By Anthony P. Morris. 237 LOYAL NED; or, The Last Cruise of the Alabama. A Romance of the Famous Rebel Privateer. By the author of " Before Petersburg." 238-THE RIVAL CADETS; or. From West Point to Battlefields. A stir- ring story of Adventure in the Late War. By Ward Edwards, U. S. V. 239-KlLPATRICK'S BEST BOWER; or, A Cavalry Sweep Through Georgia. By Marline Manly. 240 ON SHILOH'S FIELD ; or, Fight- ing Kit of Kentucky. By ward Ed- wards, " Hii^h Private," U. S. V. 241-THE WAR REPORTER; or. Bat- tle Smoke Among the Mount- ains. By Hugh Allen, of the New York Press. 242-SHARPSHOOTER AND SPY; or. The Terrible Panic at Bull Run. ByMnjor A. F. Grant. 243-MAD SAM THE CAVALRYMAN; or, With Sheridan in the Shenan- doah. By Mark Wilton. 244 THE MOUNTAIN CANNONEER; or, A War Mystery of Antietam. By Anthony P. Morris. 245-TAKEN AT FREDERICKS- BURG; or. The Great Tunnel at Libby Prison. By Aleck Forbes, "War Correspondent." 246-CHICKAHOMINY JOE; or, Mc- Clellan's Wonderful Boy Spy. By Ward Edwards, U. S. V, 247-AN ARMY TEAMSTER DETECT- IVE ; or, The Slaughter at Spott- Sylvania. By A. P.Morris. 248-A DASHING YANKEE MIDDY; or. Before Vicksburg with the Gunboat Flotilla. By Corporal Morris Hoyne. 249^-KILPATRICK'S FAMOUS RIDE; or. Pilgrim Joe's Fight for Free- dom. By J. M. Merrill. 250-BEFORE RICHMOND; or. The Terrible Mystery of Foxhall House. By Major A. F. Grant. 251-VOLUNTEER DUKE; or. The Panic at Pittsburg Landing. By Duke Duncan, of the Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. 2S2-FREMONT,THE PATHFINDER; or. Bullet and Bayonet on Mis- souri Battlefields. By Captain Mark Wilton. 253-SIEGE-GUNS AT FISHER; or. Perils of the Great Bombard- ment. ByMajorA. F.Grant. 254-WiTH THE BOYS IN BLUE ; or. Private Archie Cordon's Career. A Thrilling Story of Adventure Down Ml Dixie. By Marline Manly. 255-STONEWALL JACKSTON'S DIS- PATCH-BEARER ; or. The Wild Rider of the Shenandoah. By An- thony P. Morris. 256-ALONC THE POTOMAC; or. Fighting Pat, of the Irish Bri- gade. A Droll and EiCiting Story of the War. By Bernard Wayde. 257-THE OLD KNAPSACK; or. Long- street's Mad Charge at Knoxville. By Aleck Forbes, " War Correspondent." [Ready Aug. 13. 258-CARL, THE UNION SCOUT; or. The True Blue Sons of Tennes- see. A Rousing Tale of Hood's Last Cam- paign. BvMajor A.F.Grant. [Ready Aug. 20. 259-CAMP AND CONFLICT; or. From Mill Springs to Vicksburg. A Rattling Storv of Tennessee. Bv Mon Mvrtle ' [Ready Aug. 27. 260 THE LAST CHARGE; or. Crossed Swords at Antietam.^ By Corporrl Morris Hoyne. [Ready Sept. 3. s E> IB c X -A. Xj :Ei X3 I rr X o tt . Life and Military Services of GENERAL U. S. GRANT. For sale by all Newsdealers in the United States. Subscription price, $5.00 a year; single copy, by mail, ten cents. Address NOVELIST PUBLISHING CO., No. 18 Rose Street. New York.