The Littlest Rebel

and the Southerner descended, while Virgie crouched, a sobbing little heap, beside her doll. B

didn't do it right! I

he slipped an arm about her and tried to soothe

e." He stooped and kissed her. "It was my fault, honey; but you?-you did it splendidly!" He patted h

a long chase of it; but you

r faced him, spe

ate army. I regret this happening-more than I can say." The Southerner shrug

N

er came, and he added sternly: "It is qu

d him in the eyes; and the answer, though spoken

take it-a

e denied. His request became demand, backed by authority and the ri

s mine! My pass to Rich

owly from the litt

true?"

rumpled paper from his boot leg, and handed it ov

rough all Confederate lines and g

LEE, G

o his side, then he raised his head and asked, in a voice which was st

to be her e

captor swallowed hard as he moved to the cabin door and

pered brokenly; "more sorr

Southerner went to Virgie, dropping his

." She looked up at him doubtfully; but he added, with a reassurin

the two men faced each other, without the hampering presence of the child, each conscious of the coming tragedy that both, till now, had striven manfully to hide. The one mov

he sank into a chair. "I

?" asked

er, "I don't ask quarter, nor aid,

as trembling; not in passion, but with a deeper, finer somethi

herwise my men might have had to shoot you-before her eyes." Cary made no answer, though now he understood; and Morrison went on: "It isn't easy for me to track a fellow creature down; to tak

, as he stood up in his rags and spread his arms. "Look at my country, swept as bare as a stubble field! You've whipped us, maybe, with your millions of money and your endless me

in, cold line; but curbed his wrath

the question, Cary; but

ed me a brave man and a good scout; and, because I'm both, your people have set a price on me. Five hundred dollars-alive or dead!" He laughed; a hoarse, harsh travesty of mirth,

able at his prisoner, and answered gravely, yet

of which, if taken, you would have been a prisoner of war, no more. But you've entered our l

or creeping through your lines. If I've cost you a battle, my life is a puny price to pay, and I'd pay it without a sigh." He paused and sank into his seat. "For myself, I don't

you rode her down with a troop of horse! A fine thing, Colonel! For you, a brevet! For me, a firing squad! Well, call in your men and get it over!" Again he smiled; a grim, sl

at last to the breaking-point in a struggle as b

re flaming; his muscles quivered, and his fists were clenched. "Do you actually suppose," he aske

f their hearts released, each seeing through a mist of red; a mist that had risen up

ner relaxed. His bitterness was laid aside. He spoke, in the soft, slow

hen stepped a little nearer, timidly, as Virgie might have done. "Colonel," he said, scarce audibly, "I ask you just one thing; n

ain that took him by the throat; but his hand went out,

aid the prisoner simply.

ech. They were men-brave men-and both were grateful; the one, because an ene

room and called to her. She came in qui

a mighty long time. It was a

her hands. "Now listen, honey; I'm going away with this gentleman, and-" He stopped as she looked up doubtfully; then added a dash of gayety

r to the Union soldier, who stood w

ed, "he's a right go

and in yearning love for the baby he m

soft brown throat; then he wrenched himself away, but stood for a lingering instant more, his hands outs

ar

ce a firing squad in the hot, brown woods; to cross the gulf which stretched beyond the rumble of the guns and the snarli

man. I'll see yo

this hopeful prophecy could never be fulfilled. Morrison sighed and moved toward the door;

alked with you." He pointed to the scuttle in the ceiling. "Would

ount. At the top he paused to smile and blow a kiss to Virgie, th

yet, while he stood, the little rebel pattered t

up into his face, "are you goin' t

eside the table, and began to scribble on the back of Virgie's rumpled pass; while t

rporal Dudley in the lead. He stood at attention, saluted

His keen eyes marked the changed position of the table and followed upward. He saw the outlines of

orders briskly. "Push that table forward!-there!-below the trap! Two of you get on it!" He turned to the Corporal, while he himself climbed

h the opening. From below they could see him as he waved the lighted candle to and fro,

oys! You can

facing his troopers with a smile, half-humorous, hal

le rebel's right aga

g officer. He stood before them, straight and tall, a soldier, every inch of him; and they knew that Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison was lying li

ng statement, but as there was no help for it he could

ght face! For

lave in iron manacles. The master of war had made his laws; and a servant broke them, knowingly. A captured scout was a prisoner, no more; a spy must hang, or fall before the volley of a firing squad. No matter for his bravery; no matter for the faithful service to his cause,

h the side of a helpless little one-yes, even in a coat of blue-would the Great Tribunal count his deed accursed? Should fearless hu

ison. "In God's name, g

from the table a rumpled paper and turned t

to Richmond-for you and your e

tiny body quivering with suppressed exc

n for-for D

oking as he laughed; "but I'm terribly a

r up; but when he would have set her down, her little brown hand

! Tell her it's from Virgie! An' tell her I sent it, 'cau

d shoulders of the Southerner appeared; wh

you take your little girl to Richmond-nothing more. In p

r; and Morrison knew that Herbert Cary would pass through t

efused to come; so he stretched one trembling hand toward hi

me day it wil

y listened to the distant beat of many hoofs on the river road and the far, faint clink of sabers on the riders' thighs; and when the sounds were lost

James took up his murmuring song again; the locusts chanted in the hot,

d to ride a haunting, hopeful memory of the reb

e battle-call of a still unconquered enmity; but only that pe