CHAPTER IV.
_The Journey--The Cowardly Negro--Nettleton's Method--Meeting the Rebels--He will fight--Powder discovered--The Arrival._
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! Where got'st thou that goose look?--_Shakespeare._
The party rode rapidly to the river, and were soon upon the oppositeshore. Turning to the east, they passed along a narrow road which woundits course along the river's bank. For fifteen or twenty miles thehorsemen did not pause, and not a word was spoken. At last CaptainHayward ordered a halt, and the party dismounted. The horses weresecured to the surrounding trees, and Nettleton and the negro left toguard them.
"Come with me, comrades," said Hayward, as he took his course toward theriver's bank.
In a moment they were seated by the side of the rapid Osage, entirelyconcealed by the thick growth of underbrush by which they weresurrounded.
"It is better that our servants should not hear our conversation,"remarked Hayward. "And now, gentlemen, we must lay our plans. I wishevery one to speak freely. You know our object, of course."
"I know its nature; but perhaps you can give us details we are notacquainted with," answered Lieut. Elsler.
"They are merely the instructions previously given, with a triflingdifference. We are to reach the camp of Price by noon to-morrow, orto-day, as I see it is after twelve o'clock," replied Hayward. "When wearrive within a mile of the outer pickets, we must conceal our horses,and leave the darkey to watch them. I shall walk boldly into the camp,and report myself to Price as an officer and messenger just arrived fromMcIntosh's command. Our colonel was in the same regiment with him, the10th regulars, before this war broke out, and has given me an exactdescription of his person and peculiarities. To throw Price off hisguard, and to prevent his questioning me too closely, I shall repeatsome of the peculiar expressions of Mac, which, of course, Price will atonce recognise, and that, together with my secesh uniform, will settlematters. I am to tell some story which will induce him to make a standhere, or to advance upon us at Warsaw; or, at least, to give us battleat Springfield. I shall tell Price that it is the advice of McIntosh tomeet Fremont on the Osage, if possible, and say that the reason of thisadvice is, that Mac is in communication with one Marshall, an officerhigh in rank in the federal army, and that Marshall tells him the exactposition of our forces. Of course our numbers are to be greatlyunderrated. The federals, I shall say, profess to have thirty-fivethousand men, _all_ anxious to fight, when in reality they have not morethan twenty thousand, poorly armed, and mostly arrant cowards, who willrun at the first discharge of the confederate guns. I shall tell Pricethat Mac has perfect confidence in the information received through hisfriend, and sent me forward at once to communicate with him. You mustall remain concealed until I come to you. I shall remain in his campuntil evening, get such information as I can with regard to his actualstrength, and what he intends doing, and when the countersign for thenight is given out, I shall manage to procure it, and then return toyou. Our further plans we can then arrange."
"But, if there should already be some of the officers from McIntosh'sdepartment, present, and should declare you did not belong there!"
"It is not at all probable. Mac has not received any information atall."
"But you know Price has sent spies into our camp, and if any of themshould be present and recognise you?"
"I must take the chances. If I do not return to you by eleven o'clock,you will know that I have been arrested."
"If ye are arrested we will go in and lick the nasty chaw-tobackerskunks, and get you out," said Nettleton, who had approached just intime to hear the last sentence.
"William, I told you to remain with the horses, did I not?"
"I know you did, captain, but you see I had to come and report myselfunder arrest."
"What have you been doing, William?"
"I've killed the nigger!"
"Not Swasey's nigger?"
"Yes, I have!"
"Why did you do that?"
"Why, captain, ye see the black sneak got skeered and turned almostwhite, and shivered like a poodle when he's going to ketch a licking.And sez I to him, you dog or rascal, what are you skeered about? Andwhen he tried to speak his teeth rattled so that I thought it was awagon coming over the mountain. Then he jumped on one of the horses andsez 'I'm g'wan back!' So I just tapped him on the head with the but ofmy gun, and I'll be blasted if the critter didn't get right off thehorse and lay down without my telling him to do it. But, I didn't wantto kill the black skin; I didn't think his pate was so soft. Niggersgenerally ain't."
"What was the fellow frightened about?"
"I don't know, captain, except it was the dark!"
The officers exchanged glances, and Hayward said in an under tone:
"It was just as I should have expected Nettleton to act!" Then turningto William he said:
"Go back to the horses, and don't kill any one else to-night!"
"I won't, captain, unless they are enemies or cowards," replied William,as he turned to depart.
"I would trust that fellow with my life," said Hayward, gazing afterNettleton.
"But you were saying, captain, if you did not return by eleven o'clock,we should know you were arrested. What shall we do in that case?"
"You can do nothing. Return to camp and leave me to my fate. However, Iapprehend no such danger. But, Harry, you spoke of a beauty whom youlove, and who is a prisoner. Have you anything to request? Perhaps wecan serve you in this matter."
"Yes, Harry, we will try," replied Elsler; "but will you not give us theremaining portion of your adventure?"
"Have I time?" asked the adjutant, turning to the captain.
"Oh! yes, _true_ love affairs are usually short but sweet. I presume itwill not take you very long to speak of bright eyes, ruby lips, flowingtresses, and soft whispers--sighs, and all that kind of nonsense. Goon."
"Captain, I know _you_ think lightly of love, but wait until you haveseen Alibamo. You will love her, too. She is a being to love--beautifulas morning--gentle as a summer evening's breeze."
"Exactly, and so on indefinitely. Young ladies are always all this, andmore, in young lovers' estimation. But give us _facts_, Harry. She is aprisoner, and that interests me. Perhaps I can see her to-day, and giveher some message from you, which will give her hopes of liberty."
"I have very little to say, but much to do. While I was with thescouting party some days since, I went to the camp of the rebels. I didnot seek admittance within their lines, but from a commanding point Isaw their whole army, although I could not form any correct estimate oftheir strength. As I was returning I met Alibamo, in company with asquad of soldiers who are acting as her guard. She recognized me atonce, and was about to spring forward, when I raised my finger to mylips, in token of silence. She understood me. She knew I was not a rebelbut the soldiers supposing me, from my rough, homespun clothing, to beone of their own friends, did not notice me, or observe the sign ofrecognition and silence which passed between myself and the lady. Ispoke to the soldiers: 'Hold on a moment,' I said, 'if I am not greatlymistaken, I have met this beauty before in New Orleans.' As I spokethese words, I fixed my eyes upon her. I tried to look hatred. Sheunderstood me, and replied that she had met me before. 'And I lovedyou,' I said, 'but that love was of no avail. You left me. I determinedto follow you, for revenge, but I did not know where you were. And now Imeet you near my own camp. And you are a prisoner! Am I not revenged?'
"The soldiers heard every word I had spoken, and understood me just as Ispoke. She then replied to me thus:
"'It is true we have met before, and you told me of your love. I turnedfrom you, I scarcely knew why, but you were mistaken if you thought Idid not love you. That I left the place where we first met wasunavoidable. And because I left thus, you wish to revenge me! Well, youhave your revenge. My father and my brother, most likely, have beenmurdered by rebels such as you. I am in the hands of a ruffian. I cannotescape--I meet you, and you taunt m
e! Well, you _are_ revenged!'
"Thus she briefly told me her story. I asked her if she could love meyet, and she replied she could. I pointed to a certain rock, and toldher that, as soon as my duties would permit, I would meet her there. Ofcourse I could not permit her to escape, and unless she would promise toremain, and become one of us, I could do nothing for her. One of theguard said she could not meet me there alone, as Branch would not allowit, but she might be permitted to _walk_ if she chose to do so, in theevening, accompanied by the present guard. I thanked them, said I wouldlet Alibamo know when I could come, and if they would keep the matter asecret, I would pay them well for it. I could afford to do that, as myfather was rich. Believing me a rebel, they readily consented.
"Of course, you know my plans now, captain. Arrange all your affairs,and then communicate with Alibamo for me. Tell her to meet me at eleveno'clock at the place appointed. There will be a guard of twelve,captain. What say you?"
"We will rescue her!"
"Can we do it?"
"Nettleton _alone_ could do it! Why do you ask, can _we_?"
"It is an individual hazard!"
"Your cause is ours, Harry. But come, it is time to continue ourjourney. It will be daylight before we reach our destination."
As they approached the spot where the horses were tied, they saw thenegro standing erect, and Nettleton giving him advice which was asfollows:
"Now look a here, 'Swasey's nigger,' you are a mean feller any how, andain't much account no way. But, don't go and make a sneak of yourself bybeing such a milksop of a coward. Cos why? You see, I hit you on thehead, and I thought you was killed. I didn't care much, no way, kaseyou're such a mean soldier, any way. But just behave yourself, and don'tbe a sneak any more, and I'll let ye live; but if you show the whitefeather, as captain calls it, you will find out that the captain'sbody-guard don't have any turn-tails about _him_; no, sir, Mr. Darkey!"
"I won't be coward no more, Massa Nettleton. Golly, don't I wish dischile was brabe like you. But, ye see, Massa Nettleton, when dis chilegets in de woods, and de rebels are aroun', it makes his har stan' onend."
"Well, don't you do it no more, or I make _you_ stand on end!"
"William Nettleton," called the captain.
"Yes, sir! want the horses?"
"Yes, William."
As the party mounted, and prepared to depart, Captain Hayward said:
"Why, William, you informed me that you had killed that gentleman ofcolor. I see he is alive, and apparently unhurt."
"Why ye see, captain, his skull is so thick, it ain't so easily cracked.But, if you'll only just examine his skull, you'll find a lump there bigenough for a breastwork."
"Do you think it has improved his condition?"
"I guess it knocked some of the fear out of his woolly top-piece, and ifI have occasion to hit him again, I bet it will knock it all out."
"George, what are you afraid of?" asked Hayward, speaking to the negro.
"I'se most afeerd of Cap'n Nettleton, massa," replied the negro, as heopened his mouth and grinned.
"Did he hurt you very much?"
"Considerable much, massa cap'n. Golly, I thought the gun crack deskull, sure."
"But you are not afraid of the rebels, are you, George?"
"Not when I'se good way off!"
"Captain," said the adjutant, "we shall have trouble with this fellow.Had we not better send him back?"
"Perhaps it would be the best course."
"Oh! massa cap'n, don't send dis chile back alone. De rebels catch him,sure. And den, O Lord golly, dey whip me to strings, _sure_!"
"So they would. The best thing you can do is to keep quiet. We shallconceal our horses when we arrive within a few miles of the camp, andyou must remain with them. If you do so, you will be safe, but if youattempt to return alone, you will be caught and whipped to death."
"Oh! golly! massa, dis chile will do just what massa cap'n tell him. Butis ye gwan to lebe dis chile all stark, staring, breving alone?"
"All alone, George, and your only safety will be in keeping perfectlyquiet so that you will not be discovered."
"Can't Massa Nettleton stay?"
"William," said Hayward, "give that fellow a lecture."
"Yes, captain. Look a here, you disgrace of your country," saidNettleton, as he rode up to the side of the negro, "look a here; if Ihear you open your mouth again, I'll cram the muzzle of my gun down yourthroat, and then shoot it off. Lord wouldn't there be a splutterin ofnigger!"
"I'se dumb, Cap'n Nettleton."
"Well, talk no more. Come, comrades, double quick."
Captain Hayward struck his horse and dashed forward, followed by theentire party.
It was about two o'clock in the morning, as they were riding rapidlyalong, when Nettleton rode up to the side of Captain Hayward and said:
"Captain, don't you see them sneaks ahead?"
The captain looked toward the spot indicated and replied:
"_Stumps_, you mean, William."
"No, golly massa, dem's no stumps; dem's hooman beins. Dar, don't youhear dat horse whinner?"
"Halt!" said Hayward. "Look to your pistols--have your swordsready--there are about twenty of them. They see us, and are awaiting ourapproach. It is too late to conceal ourselves. Forward!"
The party moved onward at a slackened pace. When they had arrived withinforty yards of the horsemen, Captain Hayward said:
"Halt here a moment. I will ride forward."
In an instant he had reached them. He rode up carelessly and fearlessly.
"Halt!" cried the leader, addressing Hayward.
"To what purpose, sir?" demanded Hayward.
"For examination!" was the response.
"The moon is shining brightly. You can easily examine my face anduniform. But perhaps you prefer to examine these?" said Hayward, drawinghis revolver with one hand and his sword with the other.
"Precisely!" was the reply, "unless _you_ pass examination first."
"Well, sir, as I don't intend to submit myself to any such process, wewill commence with these at once. Forward, boys!" shouted Hayward,turning to his own party, "_here are a set of d----d home guards_!"
Hayward was well satisfied that the party was no other than a portion ofPrice's army, and his rough allusion to the "home guards" was intendedto impress them with the fact that he and his party were also of therebel army. The ruse succeeded. As the remainder of Hayward's party wereapproaching, with drawn swords, the officer in command of the othersquad, said:
"Don't trouble them. I think we are all cut from the same piece ofcloth."
"Then you are _not_ what I suppose?" asked Hayward.
"We are of the confederate army, and have just come from camp."
"Indeed! then you need not fear us!" said Hayward, laughing. "That is,if you will give a good account of yourselves. Halt, boys, don'tannihilate them."
The leader of the twenty joined in the laugh, as he saw the remainingfive approach.
"Oh! Lord! massa," said the negro as he approached, "don't--don't--ifdem's home guards we will be--"
Somehow in turning, just at that instant the gun which Nettletoncarried, came in violent contact with the darkey's nose, which checkedhis further utterance.
"Yes, ye dam skunk, you maybe mighty glad them ain't home guards. Ifthey was, you'd catch Jerusalem, I tell ye what, ye black rascal!"
The darkey did not appear to comprehend, but dared not speak.
"Whither bound, boys?" asked Hayward.
"Well," replied the leader, "we are going to scout around the federalcamp a little, to find out what we can. I suppose we can get in, as weshall go separately, and if surprised, we shall pass as home guards. Ifancy no difficulty, as you mistook us for such."
"Still, you must be very careful. These Yankees are very sharp, I aminformed," replied Hayward.
"Well, if we are attacked we must do our best, of course. But we may notgo as far as Warsaw. Our principal object is, to get some kegs ofpowder, whi
ch are buried on the Osage, just above--let me see."
The officer took a card from his pocket and read aloud:
"_Just above Rapid creek, on the west bank, near a large oak tree, whichis marked C. S. A._"
"Powder! good! We are in need of it," answered Hayward. "By the by, I amout of powder--so are our entire party. Have you any to spare?"
"Oh! yes, here is a flask."
Hayward reached for his second pistol, and then looking up withsurprise, he said:
"Why, I lost one of my weapons. Ah! I remember where we stopped, _abouttwo miles back_, in the brush, by the river's side. Elsler, you have notridden as far to-day as I have; won't you ride back and get it for me.You probably will find it on the ground where I was sitting. We willride slow, so that you can easily overtake us."
"With pleasure, captain," replied Elsler, as he turned his horse, androde rapidly away.
"I would go with you, captain," said Hayward, "were it not that I haveimportant information to impart to General Price. By the by, captain, ismy friend Branch with you now?"
"Yes--but you must have been absent some time not to be aware of hispresence."
"Oh! I have not been with the general since the Lexington affair. I justcame up from McIntosh's command. But why would I be particularly awareof his presence. Has Branch got himself into trouble?"
"Yes--he's caught a tartar!"
"Will a duel be the result?" asked Hayward, with apparent solicitude.
"Oh! he's already shot!"
"Injured badly?"
"O! no, that is, not mortally. He was only shot, as Mercutio says, 'witha white wench's black eye.' That's all."
"I don't exactly understand you," replied Hayward, feigning ignorance.
"Why, you see, Branch took a young gal prisoner, and has kept her incamp some time. At first he was harsh and done just about as hepleased--that is, he said about what he pleased. But he never couldn'tcome near the gal. She struck him once with a dagger when he tried tokiss her, and nearly killed him. During the time he was sick he fell inlove in real earnest with the gal, and now she does anything shepleases, _except_ leave. That she can't do, as Branch has detailed aguard to watch her, and although they are just as much in love with heras Branch is, they dare not let her escape."
"Indeed! She must be a fascinating creature. Is she in camp now?"
"Oh, yes; she has a tent to herself."
"What is her name?"
"I believe they call her Alibamo."
"She is a Spanish beauty, then?"
"That is her Christian name. But I believe she _is_ of Spanish origin."
"I must see this beauty," said Hayward, laughing.
"You had better look out for your heart."
"Oh! no danger. I am not susceptible. Here is a young gentleman who is,however. How is it, Harry, do you think _you_ will love this--this--whatis her name?"
"Alibamo."
"Alibamo! Yes--soft--musical--poetical. Will you love Alibamo, Harry?"
"Very likely, captain," replied the adjutant.
"Well, we must proceed. Good-by, captain. I hope you will secure thepowder!"
The parties now separated, Captain Hayward and his friends ridingleisurely forward, until the others were no longer to be seen.
"I guess he'll git that powder over the left," said Nettleton, grinninga smile that reminded one of a large hole in the mountain.
"Search for your revolver, captain. _Perhaps_ you have not lost it atall."
"I brought but _one_, and that is here. But never mind."
In the course of a few hours, the captain rode into a thick cluster ofoaks, followed by his friends.
The horses were secured in a position where they were entirely concealedfrom view. The negro was instructed to watch them, and the others wereto remain quiet until the return of Captain Hayward, provided he shouldreturn by twelve o'clock the following night. If not, they were to actas they thought best.