by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER II
PREPARATIONS FOR DECISIVE ACTION
Captain Gordon was in command of the first company of the RiverlawnCavalry. He was an excellent officer, and had been sent down toorganize the company, and Major Lyon wished him to take the command ofthe battalion; but he insisted that the planter should have thatposition. The wealthy and influential men of the county, among whom themajor was honored and respected, persuaded him to accept; and he hadfinally done so, Captain Gordon being the most strenuous that he shoulddo so.
Tom Belthorpe, the son of a planter residing near Riverlawn, was thefirst lieutenant. Deck Lyon, as he had always been called by everybodybut his father, had proved to be one of "the bravest of the brave," andto have excellent judgment for a young man of eighteen. He was auniversal favorite throughout the squadron. In the battles with theguerillas at Greeltop and Plain Hill, Deck had greatly distinguishedhimself. In the first of these actions, Lieutenant Gilder of the firstcompany had been killed, and his place was vacant. Among themselves thecompany signed a paper in favor of the promotion of Deck to the gradeof lieutenant.
Major Lyon had no knowledge of this movement on the part of the men, orperhaps he would have interfered to prevent its success; but the paperwent to higher authority than he, indorsed by Captain Gordon andLieutenant Belthorpe; and when the commission came it was as much of asurprise to the father as to the son.
Wearing his new uniform, with shoulder-straps, he had fought as bravelyas ever at Munfordsville, and had led his platoon with skill anddiscretion. Though in an attack of cavalry he led his men into action,he was not again charged with recklessness, as he had been in theaction at the Cross Roads, as the fight at the other railroad bridgewas called. He conducted himself with dignity in his new position, andall of a sudden he seemed to forget that he was only a boy.
The first company had marched down the road towards the South not morethan three miles, before the forward movement was arrested by amessenger, coming in through a path from the road to Breedings with theinformation that a guerilla or foraging party were approaching ahamlet, evidently with the intention of plundering the houses andout-buildings. It was known that the Confederate forces, who hadestablished and fortified themselves in and around Mill Springs, weredestitute of supplies. They were in a hungry or half-starved condition,and their food was obtained mostly by foraging parties sent aconsiderable distance from their camps.
Major Lyon had divided his squadron at Columbia in order to check theoperations of these bodies, some of which were said to be regularpartisan bands, robbing and plundering for their own benefit, and notauthorized to procure supplies for the Southern army. Captain Gordonhad been instructed to be on the lookout for these marauders. Themessenger said the party approaching the Breedings road consisted ofabout thirty mounted men. He decided to send Lieutenant Belthorpe'splatoon to attack them, accompanying the force himself, for he couldnot remain inactive when there was fighting to be done.
The captain had not expected to meet an enemy in the direction ofBreedings; but he had received an intimation that trouble might beexpected in the region between Columbia and Harrison, though nothingwas known in regard to such a raid. The country was cut up bycross-roads, not much more than mere paths, on which severalplantations were located, making the territory very favorable to theoperations of guerillas or foragers.
"Lieutenant Lyon, I am going with Belthorpe's platoon, for I am morelikely to be needed where he goes than where you go," said CaptainGordon, riding up to the young officer. "You will continue on this roadtill you come to Millersville, and wait there until I join you."
"At Millersville," repeated Deck. "I have studied the map, and I knowjust where it is."
"I talked with a planter just this side of Columbia, who gave me a hintthat marauding parties had a fine chance to operate in the country thatwill be on your left as you proceed," continued the commander of thecompany. "If you hear firing, or see anything that looks like a fire,you will attend to the matter."
"Of course I should do so," added Deck.
"I want you to hurry up the baggage wagons, for they are what makes ourprogress so slow. I need hardly warn you to be prudent, and not exposeyourself unnecessarily to a superior force. Don't leave your wagons toofar in your rear, for they contain just what the enemy want most. Now,relying as much upon your discretion as your bravery, continue on yourmarch to Millersville," the captain concluded, as he galloped after thefirst platoon, which had left the road a few minutes before.
Lieutenant Lyon saluted his superior, and then, conscious for the firsttime in his life that he had been assigned to an independent command,though it was likely to be of brief duration, he sent for the twosergeants of his platoon, and sent them forward as scouts, with twoprivates to assist them.
"Platoon--attention! Forward--march!" called the young officer, when hehad sent the scouts ahead with orders to keep a sharp lookout on bothsides, especially on the left.
Life Knox obeyed his orders to the letter, and made the left hisparticular study; and when he saw something like signs of a plantationin the distance, he dismounted, got over the fence, moving in adirection to satisfy himself that no foragers were in sight. As he wasadvancing towards the plantation, Grace Morgan came out of a bushyknoll and confronted him. After the interview with her, he had carriedthe treasure-chest to the road. He had sent the two privates to theleft; and as Sergeant Fronklyn galloped off to hurry up the platoon,they rode down the road, and halted in front of him. One of thesesoldiers was Deck's cousin, Alick Lyon.
"Have you seen or heard anything crooked, Lyon?" asked the chief scout.
"Not a thing, Sergeant; I thought I heard voices one time, but I couldmake nothing of them. I saw this woman walking across a cornfield;" andhe pointed at Grace.
"I saw him too; but I was afraid of him," added the young woman.
"Wasn't you afeerd of me?" asked the sergeant, with a smile on his wiryface.
"No, I was not; besides, I was tired out with the load I carried, and Ifelt as though I could go no farther."
"How far from here does Colonel Halliburn live?" asked Life.
"It is more than a mile from this road."
"I reckon this box will not be very safe with him, for there's moregorillas runnin' loose about this country than there is skippers in anold cheese. Kin you ride horseback, Grace?"
"Every Kentucky girl can ride horseback," replied she, with the firstsmile he had yet seen on her face, perhaps because she expected to besent to Colonel Halliburn's mansion.
"But we hain't got no side-saddle," suggested Life.
"I can get along very well on any saddle; and I have ridden a spiritedanimal without any saddle," said the lady.
"Perhaps you would like to enlist in our company," added the sergeant,with a heavy chuckle.
"I should like it first-rate, if it could be allowed," replied Grace,with energy, while her eyes snapped at the idea.
"I shall have to leave that matter to Major Lyon. But here comes theplatoon," said Life, as thirty-five or forty men dashed down the road,led by Lieutenant Lyon.
"Where are the enemy, Sergeant?" demanded the officer, as he reined inhis panting steed some distance in advance of his men, and in front ofLife and Grace Morgan.
"Half a mile or more to the east of where we stand," replied the scout.
"Is there a road or path over there?" inquired Deck.
"This is Grace Morgan, and she can tell you all about it, for shebrought me the news," answered Life, presenting the young woman.
The lieutenant raised his cap and bowed politely to the Kentuckydamsel; and he could not help observing that she was a very prettygirl, though he had no time to indulge in the phrases of gallantry,even if his fealty to Miss Kate Belthorpe had permitted him to do so.This fair young lady was the sister of Lieutenant Belthorpe, and Deckhad made her acquaintance on the evening of the "Battle of Riverlawn,"when he had rescued her from the grasp of a ruffian. He was too youngto be absolutely in love with the maiden,
though he believed she wasthe prettiest girl in the State of Kentucky.
Miss Morgan repeated the story she had told the sergeant.
"How did you escape from the ruffians?" asked Deck.
"We saw them coming from the direction of Miltonville; and Mr.Halliburn, who is my guardian, sent me to carry his valuables to themansion of his brother, about a mile and a half from his own house,"replied Grace, by this time quite reassured by the presence of thesoldiers.
"Have you the valuables now?"
"They are in a box," she replied, pointing to the treasure-chest. "Itcontains a good deal of money in gold and silver, and it is so heavythat I could not carry it any farther, for I was faint and tired out."
"I will send two of my men to see you safely to the house where you aregoing," continued the lieutenant, as he glanced at his platoon, whichhad halted in the road near the place where the maiden stood. "Life,name two of your trustiest men," he added in a low tone to thesergeant.
"Fronklyn and Sandy Lyon," responded Life promptly. "The lady can rideon an army saddle, or even without any saddle."
"Send the men you mention; as our spare horses are with thebaggage-wagons, you can wait till they come up. Is there any road, MissMorgan, across these fields to your guardian's mansion?" added Deck,willing that his men should rest for a few minutes, for he was notinclined to fight his first battle, while in command, without fullyunderstanding the situation.
"There is a rough road across the fields and through the woods to themansion; but it is very soft and muddy," replied Grace.
"There comes a man across the field!" exclaimed Life.
"That is Win Milton!" cried the maiden, her face suffused with a blush,as though she supposed all the listeners understood her relations tothe young man, who was now running with all the speed of his legsacross the field.
He was a stalwart fellow, and the maiden's crimson cheeks betrayed thewhole story. He was well dressed, and his face was intelligent andexpressive.
"I am so glad you have come, Win," ejaculated the blushing beauty, asthe young man grasped her offered hands. "What is the news from thehouse?"
"The ruffians are guerillas, and they are trying to make Mr. Halliburngive up his money, but he declared that he had not a dollar in thehouse; yet he found time to tell me that you had taken the chestcontaining it to his brother's," replied Winfield Milton, which was hisfull name. "The robbers were ransacking the house in search of themoney or other valuables; and Mr. Halliburn insisted that I shouldfollow you, for he was alarmed in regard to your safety."
"Mr. Win--I have not heard your name yet," interposed the lieutenant.
"This is Mr. Winfield Milton, of Miltonville," added Grace, withanother blush.
"I am glad to see you, Mr. Milton, for you can be of service to me. Isuppose you are acquainted with this locality?" replied Deck.
"Born and raised in these parts, Captain."
"Lieutenant Lyon, if you please. I have already detailed two of my mento conduct Miss Morgan to the mansion where she wishes to go, for Idesire to employ you as my guide, if the lady will consent," continuedDeck.
"Certainly I will consent!" exclaimed Grace. "I would guide you myself,if I had not to take care of the treasure-chest."
"I shall be very glad to serve you, Lieutenant," added Win.
Although not ten minutes had elapsed since the arrival of the officerin command, the baggage wagons were in sight. Men were sent to them fortwo of the extra horses, saddled for immediate use. One of them wasgiven to Miss Morgan, Sergeant Fronklyn received the treasure-chest onhis horse, and Sandy Lyon was sent on ahead to scout the path. The ladyseated herself on the army saddle, and the party moved off as rapidlyas the muddy road would permit.