Y 
 
 
 THE SCO' 
 PEA niDQ^ 
 
 
I 
 
THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
THE YOUNG KENTUCKIANS 
 
 SERIES 
 General Nelson's Scout 
 On General Thomas's Staff 
 Battling for Atlanta 
 From Atlanta to the Sea 
 Raiding with Morgan 
 
 THE YOUNG MISSOURIANS 
 SERIES 
 
 With Lyon in Missouri 
 The Scout of Pea Ridge 
 
 Illustrated, 12mo, per volume, $1.25 
 
 A. C. McClurg & Co., Publishers 
 CHICAGO 
 
'"SHT 
 
 
 The boy's eves flashed as he stood clutching his rifle, looking 
 upon the scene ot death and destruction [Chapter XI] 
 
THE SCOUT OF 
 PEA RIDGE 
 
 BY 
 
 BYRON A. DUNN 
 
 AUTHOR OF "THE YOUNG KENTUCKIANS " SERIES 
 
 WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 BY H. s. Delay 
 
 CHICAGO 
 A. C. McCLURG & CO 
 
 1911 
 
Copyright 
 
 A C. McCLURG & CO. 
 
 1911 
 
 Published October, 1 911 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 W. 3f. fall l^rtnting OlotnpanH 
 

 To the soldiers of the Army of the Southzvest, — 
 who by their bravery defeated twice their number 
 at Pea Ridge, and thus brought to a successful 
 termination the great zvork zchich Lyon began, — 
 this volume is inscribed. 
 
 iviGDScao 
 
PREFACE 
 
 DISASTER came swift and sure to the Union 
 cause in Missouri after the lamentable death 
 of General Nathaniel Lyon. 
 
 General Price swept clear up to the Missouri 
 River with his army, capturing Lexington with over 
 three thousand prisoners, and was allowed to escape 
 unscathed. 
 
 In this book real history does not commence until 
 the capture of Lexington by Major White. In this 
 episode as well as in the brilliant charge of Fre- 
 mont's Body Guard under the command of Major 
 Zagonyi Lawrence and his troop personate an in- 
 dependent troop of cavalry called the Irish Dragoons, 
 under the command of Captain Naughton. 
 
 In the charge on Springfield Captain Naughton 
 lost his lieutenant and several of his men, but Major 
 Zagonyi refused to acknowledge that Captain 
 Naughton's company had any part in the charge, 
 and a fierce controversy arose between the two. 
 
 In the advance into Arkansas, Lawrence's com- 
 pany is represented as a part of Major Bowen's 
 
 vii 
 
viii Preface 
 
 command ; and at the battle of Pea Ridge, Lawrence 
 takes the part of Bowen himself. 
 
 It may remain a doubt in the minds of our readers 
 whether Guilford Craig was really killed at the 
 battle of Pea Ridge. This at present is a mystery; 
 in fact, is still a mystery in the mind of the author 
 himself. 
 
 Perhaps the boys and girls who read this book 
 can help him solve it. 
 
 B. A. D. 
 Waukegan, Illinois. 
 
 August , igii 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 I A Meeting with Grant 
 
 II Shadowed by Spies 
 
 III Under which Flag? 
 
 IV The Unknown 
 V I am the Traitor 
 
 VI A Stricken Father 
 
 VII Underground Railway 
 
 VIII Lawrence is Promoted 
 
 IX A Murderous Plot Foiled 
 
 X A Change of Base 
 
 XI A Fight with Guerillas 
 
 XII The Capture of Lexington 
 
 XIII The Charge of the Body Guard 
 
 XIV Fremont is Removed 
 XV Hopoeithlevohola 
 
 XVI A Faithless Knight-Errant 
 
 XVII Bruno Wins a Medal 
 
 XVIII Lawrence AIeets Benton 
 Shelley 
 
 XIX Randolph Hamilton 
 
 XX Lola to the Rescue 
 
 XXI A Race for Life . 
 
 XXII Pea Ridge . 
 
 XXIII After the Battle 
 
 Pagb 
 I 
 
 17 
 
 31 
 
 46 
 
 60 
 
 74 
 
 85 
 104 
 118 
 
 135 
 154 
 
 175 
 199 
 
 217 
 
 227 
 
 233 
 245 
 
 258 
 272 
 287 
 306 
 328 
 341 
 
 IX 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 " The boy's eyes flashed as he stood clutching 
 his ritle, looking upon the scene of death 
 and destruction " . . . Frontispiece 
 
 " The door burst open, and with a cry of 
 * Spare, oh ! spare my son; Mrs. Craig fell 
 senseless to the floor " . . . .68 
 
 " There was a flash, a stunning report, and 
 Lawrence felt a burning sensation along his 
 forehead" 126 
 
 " Straight through the crowd he rode, striking 
 right and left " 192 
 
 " ' You saved me.' she repeated, ' and in that 
 uniform' " 240 
 
 ** ' I surrender,' said Benton, with a growl " . 264 
 
 " She closed and locked the door, none too 
 
 quickly " 296 
 
 " Benton fired, aiming squarely at his breast. 
 'At last, traitor! At last!' he said " . 338 
 
THE 
 SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 A MEETING WITH GRANT 
 
 AT the commencement of the mighty struggle 
 between the North and the South, the city of 
 St. Louis was the commercial metropolis of 
 the West. At that time Kansas City was hardly 
 more than a village. After the war began, St. Louis, 
 from a commercial centre became a vast military 
 depot. It was soldiers, soldiers, everywhere. 
 
 The presence of the soldiers could not, however, 
 suppress the disloyal sentiment of the city. The 
 great majority of the wealthier inhabitants were 
 intensely Southern, and they took every occasion 
 to show it, especially the ladies. They never lost 
 an opportunity of showing their contempt for the 
 hated Yankees ; many a woman would sport a large 
 Confederate rosette on her corsage, and for even 
 the hem of her garment to brush a blue uniform 
 was contamination. 
 
 1 
 
2 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 It was early in October, in 1861, that a young 
 lieutenant in Federal unifonn was slowly walking 
 down Olive Street. His pale and emaciated feat- 
 ures showed that he had but recently arisen from 
 a bed of sickness. In fact he had been dangerously 
 wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek, and after- 
 wards he had had a severe attack of fever. Now 
 that he w^as able to walk he was eager to be 
 in active service once more, and feeble as he w^as, he 
 was on his way to General Fremont. 
 
 Lawrence Middleton, for that was the name of 
 the young officer, was an orphan. His father, a 
 minister, had been killed a few years before in the 
 border warfare which raged between Kansas and 
 Missouri. After the death of his father Lawrence 
 had gone to live with an uncle in St. Louis. He 
 w^as received kindly and treated as one of the fam- 
 ily. But the breaking out of the war brought a 
 great change. His uncle, one of the richest men in 
 the city and a slave-owner, cast his fortune with the 
 South, while Lawrence remained steadfast for the 
 Union. 
 
 His uncle had a son, Edward, who was some 
 three or four years older than Lawrence, and who 
 was intensely Southern in his belief. He had al- 
 w^ays treated Lawrence as a brother, "but when he 
 found out that Lawrence had not espoused the cause 
 of the South, but had actually joined one of the reg- 
 
A MEETIXG WITH GRANT 8 
 
 imenls of Home Guards raised by Frank Blair, his 
 anger knew no bounds, and he swore that Lawrence 
 must leave the house, or he would. 
 
 Thus Lawrence was made an outcast. As the 
 nephew of the rich Mr. Middleton, he had always 
 associated with the most aristocratic people of St. 
 Louis, and was everywhere a favorite. But he sud- 
 denly found himself an object of hatred and con- 
 tempt, a miserable, despised Yankee. At first this 
 was galling to his pride, but he bore it bravely, and 
 soon learned not to let it trouble him. 
 
 When Lawrence first joined the Home Guards, 
 he was made a lieutenant in one of the companies 
 of the First Regiment, and when his uncle cast him 
 off, Frank Blair made him his private secretary. 
 Thus Lawrence found new and powerful friends, 
 and in the exciting scenes through which he passed, 
 did not miss that which he had lost. 
 
 About the time Lawrence was cast off by his 
 uncle, one of his school mates, Guilford Craig, 
 came to him. He was a silent, taciturn boy, and was 
 thought to be a little queer. He rarely took part in 
 any of the boyish sports and made few friends. 
 Guilford had a step-brother Benton Shelley, who 
 attended the same school. He was older than Guil- 
 ford and of a domineering spirit, and it was evident 
 there was little love lost between the brothers. 
 
 One day in a heated argument, Benton Shelley 
 
4 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 called Lawrence a Lincolnite and a coward and 
 was promptly knocked down. This made Benton 
 swear undying enmity towards Lawrence. 
 
 A short time after the fight Guilford Craig came 
 to Lawrence in secret, and thanked him for whip- 
 ping his step-brother, saying he hated him, as well 
 as his step-mother, and told the reason why.* 
 
 Guilford was naturally secretive and cunning, and 
 he had brooded so long over the incident (which 
 seemed to have warped his whole life) that he had 
 become a monomaniac on the subject. He hated 
 slavery as intensely as ever did John Brown. 
 
 Swearing Lawrence to secrecy, Guilford in- 
 formed him that wdiile apparently he was one of 
 the most rabid of secessionists, he was for the North 
 with his whole heart and soul, and that it was his 
 intention to join Frost's militia and act as a spy. 
 This he did, and he acted his part so w-ell, that he 
 became an orderly to General Frost; and after the 
 capture of Camp Jackson, became a spy in the em- 
 ploy of General Sterling Price. 
 
 While orderly to General Frost he was enabled 
 to gain the most valuable information, which he im- 
 parted to Lawrence, and through him to Lyon and 
 Blair. It was through the information thus re- 
 ceived that Blair and Lyon were enabled to thwart 
 the most secret machinations of those who were 
 trying to drag Missouri out of the Union. 
 
 *See " With Lyon in Missouri." 
 
A MEETING WITH GRANT 5 
 
 Lawrence had not seen his trusted ally since the 
 battle of Wilson Creek, and as he walked along on 
 his way to Fremont's headquarters he wondered 
 what had become of him. " I am afraid," he 
 sighed, " that Guilford and I will never again be as 
 much ser\'ice to the Union as we have been. Oh! 
 that Lyon had lived." And his eyes filled with tears 
 as he thought of his beloved commander. 
 
 Lawrence was now^ on one of the most fashion- 
 able streets of the city and met many that he knew. 
 Boys with whom he had gone to school, and who 
 had been proud of even a speaking acquaintance, 
 now passed him with looks of hatred, and more 
 than once words of bitter scorn and contempt were 
 hurled at him. Ladies who had once petted him 
 now ignored him, and held aside their skirts so that 
 even the hem of their dresses might not touch him. 
 
 At one place a large United States flag hung over 
 the sidewalk, and LawTence smiled, as he noticed 
 that every woman and girl whose heart was with 
 the South walked around in the street rather than 
 pass under it. 
 
 One lady richly dressed, gave her skirt a more 
 vicious twitch than usual and actually spat at Law- 
 rence in contempt as she passed him. " That 's 
 Mrs. Craig, Guilford's step-mother," laughed 
 Lawrence to himself. " I reckon she has forgotten 
 how I saved her life in the crush of the mob when 
 
6 TUB SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 she was fleeing in terror from the vengeance, as 
 she supposed, of Frank Blair's Dutch. Well, my 
 lady, I am still alive, but no thanks to that precious 
 son of yours." 
 
 Lawrence grew a trifle nervous as he noticed two 
 young misses, about fourteen or fifteen years of 
 age, coming down the sidewalk towards him. Both 
 w^ere fashionably dressed and both wore large Con- 
 federate rosettes, and the way they turned their 
 pretty noses up when they passed one of the de- 
 tested Yankees, was laughable. Lawrence did not 
 care to meet them. He knew them well, one of 
 them especially well. His first thought was to turn 
 and avoid them, but no, that would be cowardly. 
 So he passed them with head as high as their own, 
 and without deigning to look at them. 
 
 " Mercy, Dorothy," laughed one of the girls, " did 
 you notice that ? He did n't even give us a chance 
 to snub him. But he do n't look like himself, he is 
 so pale and thin. They say he came nearly being 
 killed in that dreadful battle near Springfield. I 
 wish he had. It would pay him for turning Yankee, 
 and I used to think he was such a nice boy. I heard 
 father say his uncle had forgiven him for turning 
 Yankee and taken him back into favor. I did n't 
 think that of Mr. Middleton." 
 
 The girl addressed as Dorothy did not reply. In 
 fact her mind seemed so preoccupied that she actu- 
 
A MEETING WITH GRANT 7 
 
 ally brushed against a soldier, and forgot to draw 
 aside her skirt. 
 
 " Why, Dorothy Hamilton," prattled on her 
 companion, " \vhat 's the matter? Oh! I know, 
 you used to be kind of sweet on Lawrence Middle- 
 ton. Think of turning Yankee yourself? " 
 
 Dorothy's eyes flashed. *' Helen Southwick, if 
 you value my friendship, never say such a thing 
 again," she snapped. " I turn Yankee for Lawrence 
 Middleton? I had rather die than turn Yankee for 
 any one. I was thinking what a pity it was that 
 Lawrence went with the North. Like you, I used 
 to think he was a nice boy, but now I hate him. I 
 not only hate him, I despise him. He was not sat- 
 isfied with being a traitor to the South, but he had 
 to insult me." 
 
 " Insult you, how? I always thought he was one 
 of the most gentlemanly of boys," answered Helen. 
 
 Dorothy walked along a short distance without 
 answering. 
 
 " Dorothy, why do n't you tell me," persisted 
 Helen. " I shall begin to think it was something 
 awful." 
 
 " Well, it was this way. You know he and I 
 used to be great friends, and when I heard he had 
 turned Yankee I was all cut up. I met him on the 
 street and told him never to speak to me again. 
 Just before that T had met that spiteful little Lola 
 
8 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 Laselle and told her our friendship was at an end. 
 You know both her father and brother are for the 
 Union." 
 
 " Yes," sighed Helen, " this war is making terri- 
 ble havoc with old friendships. But why call Lola 
 spiteful?" 
 
 " Never mind. When I met Lawrence and tolil 
 him never to speak to me again, he did n't seem to 
 be a bit taken back, but laughed and said, * Wh}/, 
 Miss Dorothy, you seem to be going back on all 
 your old friends. I met a little girl a few minutes 
 ago crying bitterly because you had cut her 
 cold/ * I suppose you mean Lola Laselle,' I 
 snapped. * Of course you comforted her.' * Why, 
 sure I did,' he answered, ' I told her it was just 
 jealousy on your part because she was better looking 
 than you.' " 
 
 (Be it known that Dorothy Hamilton was called 
 a very pretty girl.) 
 
 " Dorothy Hamilton, did he tell you that ? " 
 asked Helen with wide open eyes. 
 
 "Yes, he did. He had the audacity to tell me 
 that." 
 
 "The mean thing, no wonder you hate him," 
 answered Helen, but an amused smile played around 
 her mouth as she said it. 
 
 " They do say," went on Dorothy, " that he and 
 Lola are awful thick, but I do n't care. He is noth- 
 
A MEETIXG WITH GEAXT 9 
 
 ing but a poor beggar anyway, dependent on the 
 charity of his uncle." 
 
 But there was a queer htUe quiver in Dorothy's 
 voice as she said this. 
 
 Helen stopped and looked at her companion curi- 
 ously. " Dorothy Hamilton, I do believe you care 
 for him," she exclaimed. 
 
 " Helen Southwick," cried Dorothy in a rage, 
 stamping her little foot, " take care. What did I 
 tell you? I tell you I hate him, but that can not 
 make me forget that he once saved Randolph's life 
 when those Dutch demons were about to stamp him 
 to death. And then Lawrence is so brave, and I 
 cannot help admiring bravery even in an enemy. 
 You know if it had not been for him his cousin, Ed- 
 ward Middleton, would have been killed at Wilson 
 Creek. And he saved Edward's life nearly at the 
 expense of his own. Randolph wrote us all about 
 it. He says it was one of the bravest and noblest 
 acts he ever saw. Randolph likes him, but I hate 
 him, oh ! how I hate him ! " 
 
 Helen wisely did not pursue the subject, but sud- 
 denly said, " Dorothy, here come two Yankee of- 
 ficers, regular dudes; let us show them how we 
 despise them." 
 
 So the girls gave their skirts an extra twitch, 
 and tilted their noses a little more skyward than 
 usual. The officers smiled and one of them re- 
 
10 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 marked, " There go two deuced pretty girls. They 
 don't hate a good looking Yankee half as much as 
 they pretend. Pity they are not two or three years 
 older. I would try to get an introduction." 
 
 " Little good it w^ould do you," laughed the other. 
 " I had as soon try and tame a wildcat as some of 
 these Southern girls." 
 
 In the meantime Lawrence went on his way all 
 unmindful that he was the topic of conversation be- 
 tween the two girls. His heart was rather sore, for 
 say and act as we may, it is rather galling to our 
 pride to have those with whom we once associated 
 pass us by as strangers, even though we suffer for 
 the most just of causes. 
 
 Lawrence had not gone far w^hen to his surprise 
 and delight he saw Guilford Craig coming towards 
 him. That young gentleman did not seem to no- 
 tice him, but as he passed Lawrence felt a scrap of 
 paper pressed into his hand. After walking a few 
 yards he glanced at it. All it said w^as, " Meet me 
 to-night at nine o'clock at the old place. Be careful. 
 Mistrust your own shadow." 
 
 " There must be danger ahead," thought Law^- 
 rence. " That is the reason he passed w^ithout 
 recognizing me. I w^onder what it can be, but 
 Guilford makes no mistakes. I must be careful until 
 I see him and learn w'hat it is that threatens." 
 
 Thus thinking, Lawrence put the little scrap of 
 
A MEETING WITH GEANT 11 
 
 paper in his mouth, chewed it and threw it away. 
 Then it came to him that it might have been un- 
 wise of him to read the shp so soon after Guil- 
 ford had passed, but there was no help for it now, 
 and he went on somewhat uneasy in mind. 
 
 He soon reached headquarters, where he found 
 all bustle and excitement, for Fremont was to leave 
 for Jefferson City in a couple of days to commence 
 his fonvard movement against Price. Lawrence 
 found the headquarters like a regal court. Officers 
 glittering in gold lace were rushing here and there, 
 and Lawrence had hard work to get past the 
 guards, even into an outer waiting room. 
 
 How different from the headquarters of General 
 Lyon, he thought, and tears came into his eyes as 
 he remembered the fate of his loved general. 
 
 It was a long time that Lawrence had to wait, 
 and he began to think he would never get an inter- 
 view, when the door opened and Frank Blair came 
 out from the presence of Fremont. Blair was ac- 
 companied by a short stocky man wearing a plain 
 uniform, and the only badge of office he showed 
 was a star which glittered on his shoulder. 
 
 Lawrence knew him at once. It was the man 
 who had befriended him when he first landed in 
 St. Louis a lonely, ragged, dirty, hungry boy. 
 Just then Blair spied Lawrence and rushed up to 
 him with extended hand. 
 
12 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " Lieutenant Middleton, as I live," exclaimed 
 Blair, giving Lawrence's hand a wami shake. " My 
 boy, I thought I had lost you, but I heard that your 
 uncle had taken you in and cared for you. That 
 will atone for many of his sins. But come, I want 
 to introduce you to General Grant." 
 
 Lawrence colored to the roots of his hair; it was 
 an honor he did not expect. So it was General 
 Grant who had befriended him. 
 
 " General," said Blair, " this is Lieutenant Mid- 
 dleton, the young officer I have been telling you 
 about. To no one w^ere we so indebted as to him 
 for information which thwarted the most secret 
 machinations of Jackson and Frost. Not only this, 
 but at Wilson Creek he proved a hero, and it was 
 he who caught the gallant Lyon in his arms as he 
 fell." 
 
 " Lideed," replied Grant reaching out his hand, 
 " I am glad to meet Lieutenant Middleton." Law- 
 rence received a grasp of the hand so wanii, so 
 friendly that it thrilled him. 
 
 " I am more than glad to meet General Grant," 
 exclaimed Lawrence, " but, General, this is not our 
 first meeting. I have met you once before and on 
 that occasion you did me a great kindness, one I 
 shall never forget, and one for which, until now, I 
 have never been able to thank you." 
 
 General Grant looked surprised. " I do not re- 
 
A MEETIXG WITH GRANT 13 
 
 member of ever having seen you before, young man," 
 he repHed. 
 
 " General, five years ago, a forlorn, dirty, ragged 
 boy sat on the curbstone on this very street, crying 
 as if his heart would break. He felt that he did 
 not have a friend in the world. Hundreds passed 
 him by unnoticed, but you in the kindness of your 
 heart noticed him and asked him what was the mat- 
 ter. You took him for a newsboy. The little boy 
 told you he wanted to find his uncle, and mentioned 
 his name. You looked incredulous when you heard 
 the name, but paid the street car fare to near where 
 his uncle lived." 
 
 " Why. I remember that," replied Grant, " the 
 boy was as disreputable-looking a specimen as I 
 ever saw. I remember it because the man he said 
 was his uncle was one of the richest and best known 
 men in St. Louis. It is not possible you are that 
 boy." 
 
 " I am that boy," answered Lawrence, " and now 
 that I know it was you who befriended me, it has 
 added to my happiness. I found my uncle, and he 
 took me in and cared for me as a son until — until 
 he knew I was Union, then he cast me off. But 
 that has all been made up. We are friends once 
 more." 
 
 Blair stood by, an interested listener. " General," 
 he exclaimed, " that little act of kindness is just 
 
14 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 like you, but that five cents has been worth miUions 
 to the Government." 
 
 " It was a little thing to do," replied Grant. 
 " When I have more time I would like to hear from 
 Lieutenant Middleton how he came to be in St. 
 Louis in the condition I found him. But I must be 
 going now." 
 
 " I shall expect to hear something good from you 
 in your new command before long," said Blair as 
 he shook hands with the General and bade him good- 
 bye. 
 
 As Grant walked away Blair said, " Mark that 
 man well. Lieutenant, for if I mistake not, he will 
 be heard from before the war is over. He is now 
 In command at Cairo." 
 
 With Blair as sponsor, Lawrence had no trouble 
 in securing the coveted audience with Fremont. In 
 a few words Blair explained to Fremont who Law- 
 rence was and hinted that it might be to the advan- 
 tage of the cause if he (Fremont) would give him 
 the same position that he held under Lyon. 
 
 Fremont frowned and replied, " Impossible, as 
 much as I would like to oblige you. My staff is 
 fully made up, the chief of my scouts is giving sat- 
 isfaction. In fact I get too much news. I hardly 
 know which way to turn. Hell seems broken loose 
 all over the State. The only thing I see for Lieuten- 
 ant Middleton to do is to join his regiment." 
 
A MEETiyO WITH GRANT 15 
 
 Blair bit his lip. " General," he answered, 
 " Lieutenant Middleton is too useful a man to be 
 buried as a lieutenant in the anny. Assign him to 
 me on special duty. I will see that he has work to 
 do." 
 
 " As you like," said Fremont, and the assign- 
 ment was made. 
 
 When by themselves Blair said, " Lieutenant I 
 am almost disheartened over the situation. Every- 
 thing has gone wrong since Lyon was killed. To 
 think of their letting Price reach the Missouri River 
 and capture Lexington. Even after Lexington was 
 captured, he could have been headed off, and his 
 army annihilated, if proper generalship had been 
 shown. The fact is, Fremont is scared to death over 
 St. Louis, and he utterly fails to grasp the situa- 
 tion. He is not the man for the place. He is all 
 for pomp and show, and believes himself to be the 
 greatest general in the world. There is Grant, he 
 is worth a hundred of him." 
 
 " Where is Price now ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Somewhere around Springfield. I wish w-e had 
 Guilford Craig again. H we had we would know 
 more about what Price is doing. I wonder what 
 has become of Craig." 
 
 " I have an appointment to meet him at nine 
 o'clock to-night," replied Lawrence. 
 
 " You have ! Good ! " exclaimed Blair. " That 
 
16 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 is the best news I have heard for a long time. Re- 
 port to me in the morning what he has to say; or, 
 what may be better, bring him along. CoiTie early 
 as I may have to leave in the afternoon." 
 
 " I can hardly wait until evening to see him," 
 said Lawrence. " There is something mysterious 
 going on. He passed me on the street without no- 
 ticing me, but pressed a slip of paper in my hand. 
 It contained an appointment for to-night and then 
 he added, * Be careful, mistrust your own shadow.' " 
 
 " That must mean that you are in personal dan- 
 ger; you know how you are hated." 
 
 " It may," replied Lawrence, " but I will learn 
 all when I see him. I will report as early as possi- 
 ble in the morning, General." 
 
 Blair stood and looked after him as he went his 
 way. " What could Craig have meant," he mut- 
 tered, " I have a mind to have Middleton guarded, 
 he is too valuable a man to lose, but perhaps when 
 he sees Craig all will be explained." 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 SHADOWED BY SPIES 
 
 LAWREXXE left the headquarters of General 
 Fremont downhearted and dispirited. It 
 was evident he would never be to Fremont 
 what he had been to Lyon. But could he expect it ? 
 At the beginning it was a battle of deceit, of treach- 
 er}-; a battle of master minds trying to over-reach 
 each otlier in intrigue and statecraft. Now it was 
 stern war. The days of diplomacy, of compromise, 
 had passed. The appeal had been made to the god 
 of war, and now the cannon and the musket would 
 have to settle the question. 
 
 Under the changed conditions Lawrence felt he 
 could never do for the Union as much as he had 
 done. He would now be but one of thousands bat- 
 tling for the old flag. 
 
 He also felt that Guilford Craig could never 
 again accomplish as much as he had. It would be 
 more and more difficult for him to keep up his 
 double role. General Price would expect him to 
 find out all he could about the Federal army with- 
 out giving any of his secrets in return. Yes, he felt 
 
 17 
 
18 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 General Fremont was right, his place was with his 
 regiment. 
 
 To pass away the time Lawrence walked down 
 to the levee. It was a busy scene he looked upon. 
 Scores of steamboats lay for miles up and down 
 the river. Huge piles of military stores encum- 
 bered the levee, enough it seemed to feed a nation 
 for years. Regiments were marching aboard the 
 boats on their way down the river. Cairo was 
 thought to be in danger, and Grant was being rein- 
 forced. Officers were shouting themselves hoarse. 
 Hundreds of black stevedores were rushing around 
 loading and unloading the boats, and the air was 
 full of profanity. To the spectator it seemed a 
 babel of confusion — a great ant hill with human 
 beings as the ants, and in those days human life was 
 of little more value than the ant's. 
 
 Lawrence turned from the scene with a sigh. 
 Since his convalescence, he had learned that things 
 were not going w^ell in Missouri. Most all that 
 Lyon had gained had been lost. General Price had 
 swept clear up to the Missouri River, capturing Lex- 
 ington with Mulligan's entire command. The whole 
 State was over-run with desultory bands of Confed- 
 erates making war on their Union neighbors. From 
 every county came stories of pillage and murder. 
 And yet this was but the beginning. 
 
 Lawrence went back to his uncle's and impatiently 
 
SHADOWED BY SPIES 19 
 
 waited for the time to come for him to meet Guil- 
 ford Craig. The night proved dark and cloudy, 
 and the flickering street lamps gave but a dim light. 
 So much the better, thought Lawrence for his meet- 
 ing with Guilford, yet he could hardly see the cause 
 for so much secrecy. 
 
 But he would have been startled if he had known 
 that as he left his uncle's house a man who had 
 been lurking on the other side of the street, stealth- 
 ily followed him. All unconscious of being shad- 
 owed he went straight to the place of rendezvous, 
 and reached it just as the clock was striking nine. 
 Guilford had not put in an appearance and Law- 
 rence waited in silence, his back close to the wall. 
 So dark was it that one might have passed along the 
 walk and never noticed him. He had been there 
 but a moment when the dim figure of a man slowly 
 slouched by, apparently not seeing him. But after 
 the man had passed and the darkness had com- 
 pletely hid him, Lawrence no longer heard his foot- 
 steps and he thought it curious. 
 
 A few minutes afterwards a young man came 
 along walking briskly. As he passed Lawrence, he 
 whispered, " You are watched. Follow me. Be 
 careful." 
 
 It was the voice of Guilford Craig. Wondering, 
 Lawrence followed after him, a few paces in the 
 rear. When they came where th^ light of a street 
 
20 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 lamp fell on Guilford, Lawrence saw that he was in 
 his old disguise, and that he must be addressed as 
 Charles Morris. 
 
 Lawrence was now all alert. There was some- 
 thing more afoot than he had been aware of. He 
 had not gone far when he became convinced some- 
 one was shadowing him. Glancing back he caught 
 sight of a stealthy figure who seemed to be follow- 
 ing him, but he had no time to investigate, for Guil- 
 ford kept straight on until he came to a well lighted 
 street where he halted, apparently to gaze into a 
 show window. 
 
 " Do n't speak to me or look at me," whispered 
 Guilford. " Go straight home, and I will meet you 
 as soon as I think safe at the rear entrance to your 
 uncle's lot. Go boldly as if you suspected nothing." 
 
 Mystified, Lawrence walked on still leaving Guil- 
 ford gazing at the window. Why was he shad- 
 owed? Lawrence could not imagine, but shadowed 
 he was. He glanced back. The man he had sus- 
 pected of following him had passed Guilford. 
 
 " Now I know what Guilford is up to," thought 
 Lawrence. " He wants to follow the fellow and find 
 out who he is." Thus thinking, Lawrence went 
 straight home, but passed through the house into 
 the back yard. The lot on which his uncle's house 
 was built was a large one, extending from one street 
 to another. On the back street was an entrance 
 
SHADOWED BY SPIES 21 
 
 which led to the stables. Lawrence saw to it that 
 the gate was unfastened and then sat down to wait 
 for his friend. 
 
 It seemed to him he had waited a long time, and 
 he began to think Guilford was not coming when 
 the gate was gently shaken. He sprang up and 
 opened it and Guilford entered. 
 
 " Let us get where we cannot be heard," Guil- 
 ford whispered. " Even walls have ears. I am not 
 sure but I believe I have been followed here, or that 
 the house is being watched from all sides. There 
 is trouble brewing." 
 
 Lawrence locked the gate and led Guilford back 
 to a rustic seat under a tree. All around wa^ thick 
 darkness. 
 
 " Now, I think we are safe from being overheard," 
 said Lawrence. " No one can scale the fence with- 
 out the aid of a ladder. Now tell me what has hap- 
 pened. In the name of Heaven, why are we 
 hounded by so many spies ? " 
 
 " I am not certain of my ground yet," answered 
 Guilford, " but I believe I am in more danger than 
 you." 
 
 " You ! " exclaimed Lawrence in surprise, " then 
 why shadow me? Did you find out who was shad- 
 owing me? " 
 
 " Yes, it was Tom Stone." 
 
 " Why, I hardly know him." 
 
22 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " But Bent knows him well. I have a surprise 
 for you. Bent is in the city." 
 
 Lawrence nearly sprang to his feet in surprise. 
 " Bent in the city! " he exclaimed in consternation. 
 " Then he must be here as a spy." 
 
 " Yes, and he seems to have let loose a herd of 
 other spies upon us," answered Guilford. " I re- 
 mained at the window, confident I would not be rec- 
 ognized in my disguise, to see if I could rec- 
 ognize the person shadowing you. As I told you. 
 it was Tom Stone. He followed you clear home. 
 Just here he was joined by Jerry Alcorn and Alf 
 Sevier." 
 
 " Alf Sevier ! Great Heavens ! He lives right 
 opposite," exclaimed Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, and you may be sure you do not make a 
 move without he knows it. As I w^as saying, Tom 
 Stone followed you here. When Jerry and Alf 
 came up, the three held a consultation. Then Jerry 
 went one way and Tom another, and Alf went into 
 the house, no doubt to watch from there whether 
 you came out or not. I have no doubt that either 
 Tom or Jerry is w^atching the rear; and if so, it 
 is known that someone is in here with you. But 
 thanks to my disguise, it will keep them guessing 
 who it is." 
 
 "But why all this spying on me?" asked Law- 
 rence. " It looks as if I were the one they were 
 
SHADOWED' Br SPIES 23 
 
 after, and yet you say you are in more danger than 
 I am.*' 
 
 " Listen, and you will know," said Guilford. " I 
 only arrived in the city yesterday. Of course I went 
 straight home. The first chance she got, Molly, one 
 of the house servants whispered to me that Bent 
 was at home. Had been for two or three days, but 
 that he kept secreted, and that even my father ditl 
 not know he was here. Alolly is my friend, all the 
 house servants are, but they all hate Bent. There 
 is not a secret of the house but what they tell me. 
 Molly says that my stepmother was greatly terri- 
 fied when she first saw Bent, for he came disguised. 
 }^Iolly says he only comes home at night and then 
 only for a short time. No doubt he is in some se- 
 cret hiding place. The city is full of these secret 
 meeting places of Rebels, and you may be sure Bent 
 is at the bottom of this spying business. When I 
 left Price's camp he was still there, but he must have 
 left soon after I did. He beat me to the city by 
 three or four days, because I had to go out of my 
 way to deliver messages." 
 
 " But I am still in the dark as to the reason for 
 this spying on me," said Lawrence. 
 
 " I am coming to that," answered Guilford. 
 " Just as I was starting on my trip here and General 
 Price was giving me my last instructions, I heard a 
 conversation which set me thinking. Governor 
 
24 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 Jackson and General Frost were present, and in their 
 conversation I heard your name mentioned." 
 
 " My name ? " exclaimed Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, it seems they had heard you still lived, and 
 were lamenting the fact. ' He did more damage 
 than an army,' I heard Jackson say. You may be- 
 lieve I opened my ears then. It seems that in some 
 manner they had found out that it was you who 
 had revealed their most secret plans to Lyon and 
 Blair. And they declared that if it had not been for 
 you they would have been successful in carrying the 
 State out of the Union. 
 
 " * But/ exclaimed Frost with a bitter oath, ' he 
 must have had an accomplice, for young Middleton, 
 as far as I know never played the spy. No, he had 
 a confederate, and one who must have been close to 
 us to have found out what he did. I would give 
 ten years of my life to spot the traitor.' 
 
 " * How about his uncle ?' asked Jackson. 
 
 " ' I know Alfred Middleton well,' replied Frost. 
 * And I do not believe that for a moment he v/ould 
 play a double part. He is the soul of honor. Then 
 there was information furnished of which he knew 
 nothing. The one who gave the information was 
 much closer to us than Alfred Middleton, Gov- 
 ernor. There was information furnished that I 
 thought not more than half a dozen of us knew. 
 The question is, who is the traitor? 
 
SHADOWED B¥ SPIES 25 
 
 " General Price now took a hand in the conversa- 
 tion. ' It was not only before Camp Jackson was 
 taken, but afterwards there has been something 
 wrong,' he said. * Many of the despatches which I 
 have sent only to those I trust have found their 
 way into the hands of the Federals, and yet as far 
 as I know every one of those despatches was de- 
 livered to those for whom they were intended. I 
 tell you there is a traitor high up somewhere.' 
 
 " The General then turned to me and said, ' Craig, 
 you have shown yourself a valuable and trust- 
 worthy agent, alert and cautious. Not once have 
 you failed me. Now in addition to what I have 
 given you I add a delicate and difficult matter. 
 \\'hen you get to St. Louis I want you to spy on 
 young Middleton. Get all the help you want, you 
 can find it. Do not let him make a move you do 
 not know. In this way you may be able to find out 
 wtio his confederate is.' 
 
 " You can imagine what my feelings were as I 
 received this order, but I bowed, thanked him for 
 the trust reposed in me, and said I would do my very 
 best. 
 
 " As I turned to go out, I came face to face with 
 Bent. You know he is on the staff of General Price 
 now. He merely nodded, and I saw a look in his 
 face which I did not like, a look which seemed to 
 say, ' The fools to trust him with such a mission.' 
 
26 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 For I am sure he had heard every word the General 
 said to me. 
 
 " I lost no time in leaving camp. For some rea- 
 son I felt the quicker I went the better, and now I 
 find Bent here in St. Louis doing the very thing 
 General Price commanded me to do, only I find he 
 is spying on us both. I believe Bent had a say after 
 I left, and his being here in St. Louis bodes me no 
 good. Of one thing you can be assured, I shall not 
 put myself in the hands of General Price again un- 
 til I know how the land lays." 
 
 " Do you think Benton would betray you if he 
 had a chance ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Betray me ! He would rejoice at the opportu- 
 nity," replied Guilford bitterly. " With me out of 
 the way his mother would get around father and 
 see that he inherited all the property. For years 
 she has been hoping that in some manner my life 
 might be cut off. She has told me more than once 
 that she did n't see why I could n't have died when 
 my mother did. One reason she hated Susan so is 
 because she took such good care of me. Poor Su- 
 san." Tears came into Guilford's eyes and his 
 voice broke as he pronounced her name. 
 
 " But Benton is now in your power," said Law- 
 rence. " It is he who has put his head in the lion's 
 mouth. Let me denounce him as a spy, and you 
 know what will follow." 
 
SHADOWED B¥ SPIES 27 
 
 Guilford shuddered. " As much as I hate him, 
 I would not want you to do that," he answered. 
 
 " But he is a spy. It is my duty to denounce him. 
 If the provost marshal knew he was here, he would 
 not rest a moment before he would have him 
 arrested." 
 
 " As to his being a spy," said Guilford, " St. 
 Louis is full of spies. All the harni Bent can do is 
 to myself." 
 
 " Do you think Benton has any suspicions you 
 are the one who gave me my infomiation? " asked 
 Lawrence. 
 
 " He must, or he would not have followed me so 
 closely, and set his horde of spies watching you. 
 The least word of his to Price would have made the 
 General suspicious." 
 
 Both of the boys were silent for a moment, and 
 then Lawrence said, " Guilford, I saw Blair to-day. 
 and I told him I had seen you and had an engage- 
 ment to meet you this evening. He was more than 
 pleased and told me to see him in the morning, and 
 if possible bring you. If it were not prudent for 
 you to come, to learn all I could from you, and tell 
 him. Guilford, how can we deceixe him? He 
 should, must know all." 
 
 " Then Bent — " Guilford stopped abruptly. 
 
 "Then what?" asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Oh. nothing, I was thinking. I reckon you are 
 
28 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 right, Lawrence. Yes, Blair will have to be told. 
 But something may happen before morning. I had 
 best go now. I will see you early in the morning 
 and we will lay our plans." 
 
 " Do n't go yet," said Lawrence. " Tell me some- 
 thing about yourself. Remember I have not seen 
 you since before the battle of Wilson Creek. I got 
 the message you dropped the day before the battle 
 and gave it to Lyon. He resolved to do the at- 
 tacking, and you know the result." 
 
 " Yes, and if Lyon had not been killed, I believe 
 he would have won a great victory. You actually 
 had McCulloch and Price whipped when the battle 
 ended. A few well directed shells would have 
 stampeded the whole army. But, say, what a figure 
 Sigel cut. I am disappointed in the man." 
 
 " So am I," said Lawrence, " grievously disap- 
 pointed. He has done a noble work, but as a gen- 
 eral he failed lamentably. But go on." 
 
 " After the withdrawal of your force from the 
 field, I heard Bent boasting he had killed you, killed 
 you in the act of saving your cousin. For a mo- 
 ment I lost my head and was about to spring on him 
 and kill him regardless of consequences. But I con- 
 trolled myself by a powerful effort and turned away. 
 But I believe Bent began to suspect me then and 
 there. 
 
 " Edward, Randolph Hamilton and myself thor- 
 
SHADOWED BT SPIES 29 
 
 oughly searched the field, but not finding your dead 
 body, we began to hope you had only been wounded 
 instead of being killed. Such I am rejoiced to find 
 was the case. 
 
 " After the battle General Price was crazy to pur- 
 sue your retreating army, but IMcCuUoch would not 
 hear of it. It was fortunate for you that Price did 
 not have his way, for I believe if there had been a 
 vigorous pursuit your whole army would have 
 been captured. But that did not happen, thanks to 
 McCulloch. 
 
 " I was then sent north with despatches and let- 
 ters from General Price, saying he was to make a 
 move as far north as the Missouri River. 
 
 " I warned the Federal generals, but they gave 
 little heed or were too slow, and you know the re- 
 sult. Price captured Lexington and is now slowly 
 falling back on Springfield. General Fremont is no 
 good. He means well and that is the best I can say. 
 
 " There was a little general in command at Jef- 
 ferson City that did things. He brought order out 
 of chaos in a short time. If he had been left there 
 I believe he would have captured Price and his army 
 before they could have got back, but he was trans- 
 ferred to Cairo, I believe. His name is Grant." 
 
 " I met him to-day," exclaimed Lawrence. ''Blair 
 speaks highly of him. He befriended me when I 
 first landed in St. Louis, a friendless, homeless boy." 
 
30 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDQE 
 
 " Well, I believe if he was in Fremont's place 
 there would be things doing. But I have already 
 talked too long, I must be going. I have much to 
 think of before I see you again." 
 
 "Are you not afraid you will be shadowed?" 
 asked Lawrence. 
 
 " I trust such will be the case," answered Guil- 
 ford, much to Lawrence's surprise. 
 
 Lawrence walked to the gate to let him out. As 
 he did so Guilford whispered, " If nothing happens 
 to-night, and you do not hear from me in the morn- 
 ing before you meet Blair tell him to hold his hand. 
 It is much more important that I should find out 
 just what Benton is up to, than that he should be 
 arrested as a spy." 
 
 The darkness swallowed Guilford up, but as it 
 did so, Lawrence was certain he heard a rustling 
 close to the wall and then stealthy footsteps follow- 
 ing after Guilford. His first impulse was to follow, 
 but he muttered, " No, it is better as it is." And 
 locking the gate he retired to the house and to bed, 
 but not to sleep. He lay awake a long time think- 
 ing of Guilford and of the future. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 UNDER WHICH FLAG? 
 
 HAD Guilford Craig known what had tran- 
 spired at the headquarters of General Price 
 after he left he would have had good rea- 
 son for his fears. Well for him he got away as 
 soon as he did, or his career might have ended then 
 and there by his being executed as a traitor. 
 
 His step-brother glowered at him as he passed 
 out, and then turned and saluted the General. 
 
 "Ah! here is Lieutenant Shelley," said the Gen- 
 eral. " Perhaps he can throw some light on the 
 subject, as I understand he knows Middleton well. 
 In fact. Shelley, if you had shot a little better, there 
 would be no Lieutenant Middleton to discuss now." 
 
 " Curse him," replied Benton. " I thought I had 
 finished him. but I will try to shoot straighter next 
 time. But what of him? What has he been doing 
 now?" 
 
 " Sit down. Lieutenant, and we will tell you. As 
 far as we know he has been doing nothing, lately. 
 Your shot has kept him quiet for the past two 
 months, but we have received positive proof that it 
 
 31 
 
32 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 was he who furnished Lyon and Blair with the in- 
 formation which made all our plans to take Mis- 
 souri out of the Union fail." 
 
 " Yes," spoke up Frost, " in some manner he be- 
 came possessed of our most carefully guarded plans. 
 How did he get them? The General and I have 
 come to the conclusion he must have had a confed- 
 erate, one very close to us. You attended the same 
 school that he did, did you not? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 "Who were his closest chums?" 
 
 " Well, I must say," answered Benton, " he was 
 always a popular boy. One well I'ked by all of us, 
 until we found out he was a Lincolnite, then of 
 course we cut him. I was one of the first to find 
 out he was a traitor to the South, and I accused him 
 of it and we quarrelled. Since that time we have 
 been sworn enemies." 
 
 " At that time did any of the boys side with Mid- 
 dleton?" asked General Price. 
 
 " At first, yes, because they would not believe he 
 was a Lincolnite; when they found out, no." 
 
 " Do you believe that Middleton himself could 
 have found out all that he did?" asked Frost. 
 
 " Candidly no. He must have had a confeder- 
 ate," was the answer. 
 
 " Then it remains for us to find the traitor," ex- 
 claimed Frost, bringing his fist down on the table 
 
UN DEE WHICH FLAG.' 33 
 
 with a tremendous whack. " And we have already 
 begun an investigation which may result in unrav- 
 elling the mystery." 
 
 " Pardon me," replied Benton, " but just as I 
 came in I met my step-brother. Guilford Craig, go- 
 ing out, and from what General Price said I imag- 
 ine he was sent on a secret mission of trying to 
 find out the source of Lawrence Middleton's in- 
 formation." 
 
 " Yes," answered General Price, " your step- 
 brother has proven one of my most valuable spies, 
 especially in getting messages back to our friends in 
 the State. He never fails to deliver them." 
 
 " Can you trust me with the full details of what 
 you propose my step-brother shall do? Believe me, 
 this is no idle question asked out of mere curios- 
 ity," said Benton. 
 
 " There is no reason but that we can trust you," 
 answered General Price, and he gave the full de- 
 tails of the plans as outlined to Guilford. 
 
 Benton remained silent for some tim.e. His face 
 twitched, and he seemed to be struggling with some 
 great emotion. At length he raised his eyes and 
 said ver\' slowly as if each word were an ef- 
 fort. " \\'as — it — wise — to — send — my — 
 step-brother — on — such — a — mission ? " 
 
 " What ! " exclaimed General Price in astonish- 
 ment. 
 
34 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIBGE 
 
 " What! " echoed General Frost, his face pale as 
 ashes. 
 
 " You do n't mean to charge your step-brother 
 with this infamous crime, do you?" asked General 
 Price. " He is my most trusted spy." 
 
 " And he was my orderly at Camp Jackson," ex- 
 claimed Frost. 
 
 " Which means that he had unusual opportuni- 
 ties for gaining information," answered Benton. 
 
 The two generals could only stare at each other. 
 Then Price cried out in fury, "If you knew this 
 why did you not inform me? If I find out Guil- 
 ford Craig is a traitor, and you knew or even sus- 
 pected it and kept silent, I will hang you with him." 
 
 Benton turned pale. He realized he might have 
 been too abrupt. Collecting himself, he said, " Gen- 
 eral, if my death will bring victory to our beloved 
 cause hang me at once. But do you realize \Vhat a 
 serious thing it would be for me to cast suspicion 
 on my step-brother, if I had not, at least, some 
 evidence? " 
 
 " Then you have no evidence that he Is a 
 traitor?" 
 
 " Not the slightest. It is only a suspicion that 
 has been growing in my mind since the battle at 
 Oak Hill. That suspicion was strengthened just 
 now, as he looked at me as he passed out." 
 
 " Explain yourself, what did you see in his face 
 
UNDER WHICH FLAG? 35 
 
 as he went out?" exclaimed Price a little petu- 
 lantly. 
 
 " A look of exultation, of cunning, of devilish- 
 ness, I might say." 
 
 '' So you base your suspicions on a mere look, do 
 you? Nothing more tangible?" 
 
 " Nothing more at present; but gentlemen, believe 
 me, nothing would have induced me to say what I 
 have, if I had not learned that you had sent Guil- 
 ford on an important mission which would but play 
 into his hands, if my suspicions are correct. May 
 God grant they are unfounded, although he and I 
 are in a certain sense enemies, at least not friends." 
 
 The generals looked at each other. The same 
 thought had come to both. Was Benton Shelley 
 making a charge against his step-brother on ac- 
 count of enmity? 
 
 " Perhaps I had better make plain what I meant 
 by being enemies," continued Benton. " We have 
 not quarrelled since we were small boys. My 
 mother married Mr. Craig when Guilford was about 
 six years old. His mother had died when he was a 
 mere infant, and up to the time of my mother's 
 marriage he had been cared for by a black mammy. 
 He was a puny, sickly child and never cared to 
 play with other children. He was also of a sly 
 secretive nature. When my mother married Mr. 
 Craig, Guilford's mammy conceived the idea that I 
 
36 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 had come into the family to supplant " her honey," 
 as she called Guilford, and her conduct became so 
 intolerable that Mr, Craig was forced to sell her, 
 Guilford's fury, young as he was, knew no bounds. 
 He blamed mother and me for his mammy being 
 sold and from that time I know he has hated us 
 both with his entire nature. As he grew older I 
 noticed he grew more sly and secretive. When not 
 in school he passed most of his time in reading. He 
 seemed to be very fond of reading stories of in- 
 trigue or adventure. He never took any interest 
 in our poKtical discussions, until there was talk of 
 war, and then it was as if he had been suddenly 
 transformed. No one could surpass him in the de- 
 nunciation of the hated Yankees. 
 
 " You know how active he was. General," said 
 Benton, turning to Frost, " before and at Camp 
 Jackson," 
 
 Frost nodded and said, " Go on," 
 
 " After the capture of Camp Jackson," continued 
 Benton, " Guilford signified his intention of becom- 
 ing a spy, and we all opposed him. His father told 
 him there was neither honor nor glory in it, and 
 probably the end would be a dishonored death. But 
 he was determined. Said it did him more good to 
 fool a Yankee than it did to kill him. It was not 
 until after the battle of Oak Hill that I had the least 
 suspicion he was acting a part. Some of the boys 
 
rXDEE WHICH FLAG? 37 
 
 were congratulating me on the charge I made which 
 resulted in the rescue of Lieutenant Edward Mid- 
 dleton. and the death of Lawrence Middleton, sup- 
 posedly by my hand. Guilford just then came up, 
 and when he heard I had slain that arch traitor in 
 honorable combat, a look of tigerish ferocity came 
 in his face, and I thought he was going to spring 
 on me and try to throttle me. But he pulled him- 
 self together, and walked away without saying a 
 word. Then of all the boys in school I remembered 
 Guilford was the only one that had never denounced 
 Lawrence Middleton for turning traitor to the South, 
 and it set me thinking. Just now when I passed 
 him and saw the look of triumph on his face — a 
 look I cannot explain, but which seemed to say, 'I 
 will yet tramp you and all that you love into hell,' 
 I felt that slight as the grounds are in which my 
 suspicions rest, it was my duty to let you know. 
 This I will say of Guilford, he is as sly and cunning 
 as the devil." 
 
 Benton Shelley had succeeded in presenting a 
 good case, holding back his own deplorable conduct, 
 and the part he had in getting rid of Guilford's 
 mammy. 
 
 After Benton had finished, General Price called 
 an orderly, spoke a few words, and then he. Gov- 
 ernor Jackson and General Frost held a whispered 
 consultation. 
 
38 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 In a few minutes the orderly returned and re- 
 ported that Guilford Craig had already gone; that 
 he had told the Officer of the Day that he had im- 
 portant despatches to deliver, and to give him the 
 swiftest horse in camp. 
 
 General Price frowned. At any other time he 
 would have complimented Guilford on his prompt- 
 ness. Turning to Benton, he said, " I thank you, 
 Lieutenant, for telling us your suspicions. Yet on 
 the slight evidence you present, 1 cannot say that 
 Guilford is a traitor. But it is of the utmost im- 
 portance to us that we know above all suspicion 
 under which flag he trains. He now carries des- 
 patches which may prove my ruin if they fall into 
 the hands of the enemy. What do you suggest? " 
 
 Benton remained in deep thought for a moment, 
 and then said, " General, I have a request to make." 
 
 "What is it?" asked the general. 
 
 " That you let me follow Guilford to St. Louis, 
 and see that he is faithfully following out your in- 
 structions. It will not take long to decide under 
 which flag he serves." 
 
 " Lieutenant, do you know what you ask ? " ex- 
 claimed the General. "If recognized you would be 
 arrested, tried and executed as a spy." 
 
 " I am well aware of that," replied Benton, " but 
 you must remember that once in St. Louis I will be 
 among friends. Friends that will conceal me, carry 
 
UNDER WHICH FLAG? 39 
 
 out my wishes and if need be defend me at the peril 
 of their lives. I am more than anxious to make the 
 trial." 
 
 " Go, then," replied the General. " I sincerely 
 hope your suspicions will prove groundless; but 
 whatever your report is, when you return, you will 
 be Captain, not Lieutenant Shelley." 
 
 Benton bowed low. " How can I thank you, 
 General," he exclaimed. " I only hope I shall merit 
 the honor: and here let me say, none will rejoice 
 more than I if I find Guilford faithfully carrying 
 out your orders, and that my suspicions are 
 groundless." 
 
 But in his heart of hearts Benton Shelley, above 
 all things, wished to prove his step-brother a traitor. 
 It would gratify his secret hatred of years, and mean 
 honor and advancement in the army. 
 
 It was easy work for Benton Shelley to make his 
 way to St. Louis. He avoided the places held by 
 the Federals, and was among friends all the way. 
 When a few miles from the city he left his horse 
 with a well known secessionist to be concealed and 
 cared for until his return. Among the farmers liv- 
 ing near St. Louis there were any number who pro- 
 fessed loyalty, but at heart were rank secessionists. 
 With one of these. Benton, disguised as a young 
 farmer, had no trouble in entering the city. Present- 
 ing himself at the rear door of his step-father's resi- 
 
40 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIUGE 
 
 dence he asked if they needed any fresh vegetables; 
 and when told to begone, he gave the servant a card 
 demanding that she take it to her mistress at once. 
 
 Struck by his tone of authority the servant 
 obeyed, and in a moment came hurrying back with 
 the message that her mistress would see him imme- 
 diately. He was led into the library where the 
 servant was dismissed by Mrs. Craig, and in a mo- 
 ment mother and son were in each other's arms. 
 
 As soon as Mrs. Craig could command her voice, 
 she cried sobbing, " Oh, Benton, Benton, I am glad 
 to see you. But why did you come? Why did 
 you come ? " 
 
 " Glad to see me, mother, and yet sorry that I 
 came. Why, mother? " 
 
 " The danger, Benton, the danger. What if you 
 should be discovered?" and Mrs. Craig shuddered 
 at the thought. 
 
 " Be careful, mother, and there will be no danger. 
 You know there are hundreds of places in St. Louis 
 where I can hide. At present it is best that father 
 [Benton called Mr. Craig father] should not know 
 I am here. I shall see you often, but I shall stay 
 at one of the secret places of the boys." 
 
 " But, Benton, why did you come ? Why incur 
 this danger? I fear, I fear." 
 
 Benton told his mother all and then asked if 
 Guilford was in the city. 
 
UXDER WHICH FLAG.' 41 
 
 " No," was the answer. " He is here very httle. 
 Absent weeks at a time. His father is much dis- 
 tressed. He says he expects to hear every day that 
 Guilford has been arrested by the Yankees, and ex- 
 ecuted as a spy." 
 
 '' If he is executed, I am thinking it will be by 
 Price and not by Fremont," said Benton. 
 
 " It can't be possible that Guilford can be a 
 Yankee spy," said Mrs. Craig. " I can believe most 
 anything of him, but not that." 
 
 " Mother, have you not often heard him say he 
 hated slaver}'? Remember how sly and cunning he 
 is. Remember that he hates us both." 
 
 " But the disgrace, Benton. The disgrace. It 
 would kill his father." 
 
 " His father has never shown any great interest 
 in him," replied Benton dryly. " With him out of 
 the way — " 
 
 " Benton, do n't say that," cried his mother. 
 " I can't bear it. If he were killed in battle I would 
 shed no tears, but this is awful. Why did you en- 
 list in such a thing, Benton? " 
 
 Mrs. Craig was not an entirely bad woman. She 
 was selfish and cruel, but not criminal. 
 
 " Mother, listen," said Benton. " If Guilford is 
 innocent no harm will come. If he is guilty he de- 
 serves to pay the penalty of his crime. But for him, 
 or for some other person, Missouri would now be 
 
42 THE SCOUT OF FEA RIDGE 
 
 safely out of the accursed Union. It is absolutely 
 necessary for the success of our cause that this per- 
 son, this infamous traitor be caught. Think of the 
 honor that will come to me, if I am successful. Gen- 
 eral Price has already promised me a captaincy. If 
 I succeed in unravelling this mystery, when the war 
 is over and the South is free, I may come back a 
 general. Who knows, mother." And Benton drew 
 himself proudly up. 
 
 The mother through her tears looked fondly upon 
 him. " I hope you will succeed, Benton. But I 
 trust you will find that Guilford is not the guilty 
 party. I cannot bear the thought that you should 
 be the one who would send my husband's son to the 
 gallows." 
 
 " He is none of our breed," said Benton coldly. 
 " It is my duty to find the traitor, whoever he may 
 be, and I shall find him if I can." 
 
 " Benton, I shall not sleep a wink as long as you 
 are in the city," sobbed his mother wringing her 
 hands. " Do give this up and get away as soon as 
 you can." 
 
 " Mother, I w^ould be everlastingly disgraced if 
 I did. No, the die is cast. I must go and lay my 
 plans. I will see you again to-morrow, if possible. 
 Until then good-bye." He kissed her and was gone. 
 
 Mrs. Craig sat a long time a prey to her thoughts 
 after Benton had left. A terror that he might be 
 
UNDER WHICH FLAG? 43 
 
 detected gripped her heart. And Guilford — many 
 a time she had wished him dead, that her son might 
 inherit the property; but now to have it come this 
 way ! She shuddered and prayed he might be inno- 
 cent. She thought of her cruelty, of Guilford's 
 agony over the whipping and selling of his mammy. 
 Perhaps she had helped make him what he was. 
 She tried to excuse herself. Were not slaves bom 
 to be whipped and sold? But the iron had entered 
 her soul. 
 
 There were yet in St. Louis quite a number of 
 Frost's old State militia who had not gone to join 
 Price's army. Benton hunted up one by the name 
 of Jerry Alcorn. He had been a member of the 
 police force, as well as one of Frost's most valuable 
 lieutenants. To Jerry Benton confided his mission, 
 merely keeping back that it was his step-brother he 
 suspected. It would be time enough for them to 
 know that if his suspicions proved correct. 
 
 Jerry entered into the plot with his w^hole heart. 
 Benton was to keep concealed, while he would or- 
 ganize a gang to shadow^ every movement of Law- 
 rence. Jerry did his work well, and soon had a 
 force of a dozen enthusiastic daring young fellows. 
 Three or four of them lived close to Lawrence's 
 uncle, so they could watch from their own homes 
 without fear of detection. 
 
 For four days Lawrence had been watched and 
 
44 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 nothing had been discovered. Then Guilford Craig 
 put in an appearance. He brought many letters 
 from the boys in Price's army to friends and rela- 
 tives in St. Louis. One was from Benton to his 
 mother. Mrs. Craig took the letter with trembling 
 hands. Could this boy who was risking so much 
 be a traitor? 
 
 Guilford in the eyes of the aristocratic Southern 
 element of St. Louis was looked upon as a hero. 
 Benton found this out, and knew he must be careful. 
 Not a lisp of whom he expected to catch. He cau- 
 tioned his mother to be discreet. 
 
 Guilford was no sooner in the city than Benton 
 knew it. He was exultant. Now he would soon 
 know. He cautioned Jerry to be unusually watch- 
 ful. Not the slightest movement of Lawrence 
 must go unobserved. 
 
 So it was that the morning that Lawrence went 
 to General Fremont's headquarters and met Guil" 
 ford Craig, a spy was close by his side. The spy 
 noticed that the two did not speak as they passed, 
 but Guilford had made a slight movement as if he 
 had pressed something in Lawrence's hand. The 
 spy was a young man called Dickey Holbrook. Law- 
 rence Middleton did not know him, but Guilford 
 did. 
 
 " Hello, Dickey," said Guilford. 
 
 "Hello, Guilford, you back? Glad to see you. 
 
UN DEE WHICH FLAG? 45 
 
 Would like to talk to you, but I am in a big hurry 
 now. Will see you again." 
 
 Guilford looked after him suspiciously. Dicky 
 was a great talker and Guilford thought he would 
 have difficulty in getting away from him. " Never 
 knew him to refuse to talk before," he muttered. 
 
 A moment afterwards Dickey noticed that Law- 
 rence was looking at a scrap of paper. After glanc- 
 ing at it a moment he put it in his mouth and 
 chewed it up. 
 
 " Ah ! it must be something secret," thought Dickey. 
 
 It was impossible for Dickey to follow Lawrence 
 into the Headquarters of General Fremont so he 
 had to wait until Lawrenca came out. But the rest 
 of the day until evening gave no results. 
 
 When Dickey reported he said, "Of course it 
 could not have been Guilford who gave it to him, 
 but the movement was a little suspicious." 
 
 A look of triumph came over Benton's face. He 
 was on the right track. But he remarked, " I can- 
 not conceive of Guilford being a traitor, but I 
 should not spare even him if guilty. Thank you, 
 Dickey, for your close observation." He gave 
 orders that during the rest of the evening they 
 must be doubly vigilant. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE UNKNOWN 
 
 ONE thing Guilford Craig had made up his 
 mind to do, and that was in some way to 
 warn Benton Shelley of his danger and 
 have him flee the city before morning. He saw 
 how impossible it was that Lawrence should see 
 Blair and not tell him of Benton's presence. Law- 
 rence was a soldier, his duty was plain. 
 
 All the time Guilford was talking to Lawrence 
 he was formulating a plan whereby Benton could 
 be warned, suspicion turned from himself, and Ben- 
 ton still be left in the dark as to who the real traitor 
 was. He had little hope that his former relations 
 with General Price could ever be re-established, but 
 he would like to leave the Confederate authorities 
 guessing. 
 
 Guilford had become convinced that even with all 
 his caution he had been shadowed and that the rear 
 of Mr. Middleton's house was being as carefully 
 watched as the front. When Lawrence let him in 
 at the gate, he was sure he saw a skulking figure 
 across the street, and he had no doubt that as he 
 
 40 
 
IRE UNKNOWN 4T 
 
 and Lawrence talked, someone was lying close to 
 the wall trying to catch a word of their con- 
 versation. 
 
 Guilford believed, whoever it was, that his dis- 
 guise would protect him, and that the spy would 
 be completely in the dark as to who he was. Thus 
 thinking he was in hopes the spy would follow him. 
 If he does, thought he, I will give him the surprise 
 of his life. 
 
 So when Guilford left Lawrence he made no ef- 
 fort toward concealment but walked away as care- 
 less as if he had not an enemy in the world. As he 
 expected he h.ad not gone far before some one was 
 dogging his footsteps. It was now for him to find 
 out who it was. This Guilford accomplished by 
 taking to a well lighted street. 
 
 " Good, it 's Dickey Holbrook," he laughed to 
 himself. " It will not be hard work to scare Dickey 
 into fits. He will tell everything he knows at the 
 sight of a pistol." 
 
 Holbrook was a blatant loud-mouthed fellow, who, 
 to hear him talk one would think had a live Yankee 
 for breakfast every morning, but Guilford knew 
 him to be a coward at heart and that it would take 
 a corporal's guard to drag him into the army. 
 
 But unknown to Guilford there v>as another one 
 on his trail, Jerry Alcorn. Jerry kept some little dis- 
 tance in the rear of Holbrook, and so Guilford did 
 
48 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 not notice him. This was to result in Guilford's un- 
 doing. 
 
 Coming to a favorable spot, Guilford suddenly- 
 quickened his step and turning a corner dashed into 
 an alley. Here he stood, waiting, revolver in hand. 
 Holbrook, turning the corner and not seeing Guil- 
 ford broke into a run, lest he might lose him. As 
 Holbrook passed the alley he was halted by a re- 
 volver being thrust in his face. 
 
 " Hands up ! " demanded a deep voice. " A cry 
 and you die." 
 
 Dickey's hands went up with a jerk and he stood, 
 his teeth chattering with fear. 
 
 " Why do you follow me? " asked Guilford sav- 
 agely. 
 
 " I — I — a-am — not — following you," stam- 
 mered Dickey, his voice trembling so he could 
 hardly get out the words. 
 
 " You lie. Another falsehood and I fire." 
 
 " Do n't, do n't fire. I will tell the truth. Before 
 God I will." 
 
 "You had better, but not so loud. Now, who set 
 you on my trail ? " 
 
 " Lieutenant Shelley. He — " 
 
 " Enough, I know all," broke in Guilford. " He 
 got you to shadow Lawrence Middleton and then 
 everyone with whom he talked." 
 
 " Y-e-s. That 's it." 
 
TBE UNKNOWN 49 
 
 " Go tell Benton Shelley that Lawrence Middle- 
 ton knows that he is in the city, and that if he is 
 not away before morning he will be arrested and 
 hung as a spy. Tell him further that he is a fool; 
 that by his unjust suspicions he has placed his step- 
 brother Guilford Craig, in as great danger as him- 
 self; that he has rendered it impossible for Craig 
 to maintain his present relations with General Price 
 and thus has destroyed his usefulness. Tell him it 
 is the " Unknown " who warns him. That if he 
 values his life to flee the city at once. Now go. 
 Don't look back." 
 
 Dickey went down the street like a streak. 
 
 Guilford chuckled as he looked after him. 
 " Reckon that will keep them guessing for a while. 
 Now for the next act." 
 
 But the next act was not to go as smoothly for 
 Guilford as he thought. 
 
 When Dickey Holbrook turned the corner to fol- 
 low^ Guilford, Jerry Alcorn was but a short distance 
 behind, but just then a squad of soldiers came along 
 with a prisoner who was hanging back and pro- 
 testing loudly that they had made a mistake. That 
 he was a good Union man, and to prove it he would 
 hurrah for Abe Lincoln. 
 
 " Prove nothing," growled the corporal in charge. 
 
 " I think this will quicken your steps," and 
 he pricked him with his bayonet. 
 
60 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 The man howled in pain and yelled, " Cuss old 
 Abe. Hurrah for Jeff Davis." 
 
 Jerry halted a moment to see what would hap- 
 pen. It was not long he tarried, but long enough 
 to give Guilford time for his meeting with Dickey. 
 So when Jerry turned the corner all he saw was the 
 dim figure of Dickey fleeing down the street and the 
 person he was following standing looking after him. 
 
 Jerry stopped suddenly for he was almost cer- 
 tain he caught the glint of a revolver as the man 
 placed it in his pocket. Doing so, the man turned 
 as if to retrace his steps, and Jerry had just time to 
 dodge back around the corner and into a doorway 
 when Guilford appeared. He stood a moment with 
 the light shining full upon him, then with quickened 
 steps went up the street. 
 
 Jerry took a chew of tobacco In his perplexity. 
 " Do n't know just what to do," he said to him- 
 self. " I had a good look at the feller, and blamed 
 if I ever saw him before. Who in the deuce is he, 
 and what did he do to Dickey? They must have 
 met. But Dickey is n't hurt sure. So I reckon the 
 best thing I can do is to follow this guy. I«can hear 
 Dickey's story afterwards." 
 
 Jerry followed carefully after Guilford, but took 
 the precaution of going on the opposite side of the 
 street. If the man was desperate and carried a 
 weapon, he did not care to meet him. 
 
THE i\\K\OirN 61 
 
 Guilford, pleased with the result of his encounter 
 \vith Dickey Holbrook, forgot his usual caution, and 
 thinking he had disposed of die person following 
 him, went straight home, walked up the steps as if 
 he owned the place, and opening the door with a 
 k^y passed in. 
 
 For a moment Jerry stared in amazement, and 
 was on the point of crying out, '* Thieves — rob- 
 bers." But he stopped suddenly, and gave a low- 
 whistle. There flashed through his mind the sus- 
 picion that Guilford Craig had given Lawrence the 
 note Stone saw him reading. Could Guilford be 
 the traitor ? But this was not Guilford Craig ! Still, 
 it was someone who seemed very much at home in 
 that house. 
 
 " Blame funny," he said to himself. " I reckon 
 the best thing I can do, is to report this thing to 
 Benton at once. This gets me! Tracking the sus- 
 pect to Amos Craig's house." 
 
 Jerry lost no time in getting back to the ren- 
 dezvous of the gang. He found everyone in the 
 highest state of excitement. Dickey, breathless, 
 pale and still trembling with fear had arrived and 
 made his report. Benton was both dumbfounded 
 and frightened. 
 
 " And he gave no name but * The Unknown,' " 
 asked Benton. 
 
 " None, but he must have been a friend of vours, 
 
52 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 for he seemed to be greatly alarmed about your 
 safety." 
 
 " And he called me a fool." 
 
 " Yes, said that by your suspicions, you had not 
 only imperilled your own life, but the life of your 
 step-brother as well. What did he mean?" 
 
 " It means that someone is on to the whole af- 
 fair," replied Benton. 
 
 " Bent, you must heed the warning. You must 
 go," cried the whole company. 
 
 " To be hanged as a spy is not pleasant to con- 
 template," replied Benton. " If I were to face death 
 in battle I would face it a thousand times rather 
 than run away and leave this mystery unsolved. 
 Curses on Lawrence Middleton. The Unknown 
 could not have been he, could it? " 
 
 " Hardly," answered one of the company. 
 " After you came so near killing him, I do n't think 
 he would put himself out to save you from the 
 rope." 
 
 Just then Jeriy came in and looked around on 
 the excited group, in astonishment. Then seeing 
 Dickey, he cried, "Dickey, you here? What has 
 happened? I saw you running away from that fel- 
 low as if death was after you. Did he hold you 
 up?" 
 
 Dickey's story was again told. 
 
 " Bent, I followed that fellow straight to your 
 
THE UX KNOWN 53 
 
 father's house." said Jerry, "' and he opened the door 
 and went in as if he was at home." 
 
 At this the wonder and excitement grew. 
 
 " The Unknown must be Guilford," cried some. 
 
 " It was not Guilford I followed," replied Dickey 
 stoutly. 
 
 ** The person who went into Mr. Craig's house 
 did not look like Guilford," said Jerry. " But — " 
 He stopped and looked at Benton. 
 
 " Tell what you think," said Benton. 
 
 " Boys, this thing is as plain as the nose on a 
 man's face," replied Jtrry. " I wonder you can not 
 see it. Guilford Craig is the traitor and the Un- 
 known. The reason we did not know him was he 
 was disguised.'' 
 
 There were smothered exclamations of surprise 
 and all cast curious glances at Benton. 
 
 " Boys, I will make a clean breast of it," said 
 Benton. " I suspected Guilford all the time, and 
 General Price suspected him, so I was sent to watch 
 him. I told you I was after a traitor, but did not 
 want to tell you it was my step-brother I suspected as 
 I might be mistaken." 
 
 " But the warning. Bent," put in Dickey. 
 " Surely the Unknown did not want you caught." 
 
 " Oh ! Guilford did not want to see Bent 
 hanged," put in Jerry dryly. ""You see that would 
 bring disgrace on the family." 
 
54 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " Disgrace will not stand in the way of his being 
 hanged if Price gets hold of him. Curse him. He 
 was always a sneaking whelp," snarled Benton. 
 
 " What will you do, Bent? " asked one. 
 
 " Heed Guilford's warning if he values his life," 
 replied Jerry. " If Bent stays here until morning 
 Lawrence Middleton will inform on him sure." 
 
 *' How in the world did Middleton find out I am 
 here?" asked Benton. "Even Mr. Craig don't 
 know I 'm in the city. Is there a traitor among you 
 boys?" 
 
 " Easy there, Bent," replied Jerry. " The boys are 
 all right. Guilford must have told him, and when 
 he found out that Middleton would inform on you, 
 he gave you this warning. It 's plain to be seen 
 Guilford does not want you hanged, even if you 
 would like to see him swing. But you are wasting 
 precious time, Bent. Better get, and get at once." 
 
 " It seems like mnning away," replied Bent bit- 
 terly. 
 
 " It is not. You have found out what you came 
 for," said Jerry. 
 
 " Yes, you must go," exclaimed the whole party in 
 unison. 
 
 " I must see mother first," was the answer. 
 
 " It 's dangerous. Better not," replied Jerry. 
 
 " I will see mother before I go if hell stands in 
 my way," cried Benton vehemently. 
 
THE UNKNOWN 55 
 
 " Boys, Benton is right." said Jerry quietly. " I 
 would do the same. lie shall go and I will go with 
 him. I will sec that he gels away all right. There 
 is not an alley or dark street in St. Louis that I do 
 not know. More than that I know the station of 
 every picket post around the city. Many are the 
 boys I have piloted out of the city to join Price's 
 army. In two hours from the time we start I will 
 guarantee to have Bent safe and sound out of this 
 Yankee ridden city." 
 
 " Good for Jerry," was the cry. 
 
 " Well, boys, it 's good-bye then," exclaimed Bent. 
 " Jerry, bring out that case of champagne I had you 
 get. We will drink a toast to the confusion of the 
 Yankee army before I go." 
 
 The eyes of the boys began to sparkle. It was 
 the first time most of them knew that Bent had a case 
 of champagne. The wine was brought and Benton 
 raising his glass on high, cried : '' Here is death 
 to all Yankees and spies, particularly to Lawrence 
 Middleton and Guilford Craig." 
 
 The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. 
 
 Then with the wish that he would see them all in 
 Price's army before long, Benton took his departure 
 in company with Jerry. It was now near midnight, 
 and Jerry skilfully dodged two or three patrols, as 
 he did not wish to be asked who they were, anci 
 why out so late at night. 
 
56 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 As they approached the house of his step-father, 
 I'cnton saw a Hght was still burning in his mother's 
 room. As Guilford's room was in the rear of the 
 house, Benton could not see whether there was a 
 light in his room or not. The clock was just strik- 
 ing midnight when Benton rang the door bell. This 
 he was obliged to do, as he had no night key, and the 
 only way he could get in was to arouse the butler. 
 That sable individual came to the door, grumbling 
 and muttering. " Who 's dar? " he asked. 
 
 " I, Benton. Open the door quickly and on your 
 life make no noise," whispered Benton. 
 
 " Good Land ! Massa Benton heah,'" gasped the 
 old servant, and with trembling hands he unlocked 
 the door and Jerry and Benton stepped in. 
 
 The butler had lighted the hall lamp. " Put it 
 out," ordered Benton in a low voice, " and look here, 
 James, if you ever as much as breathe to a living 
 soul, I have been here to-night, I will have you 
 skinned. Do you understand ? " 
 
 " Yes, ]Massa," replied James, trembling. 
 
 " Then stand here until I come back. Let no one 
 else in on your life. Is your mistress up? " 
 
 " I reckon she is," replied the butler. " Po' Missy, 
 something troubles her turrible. She sleeps little. 
 She cries. She wrings her hands. Must be 'caus 
 yo', Marse Bent, be in the war, and she afraid yo' 
 git killed." 
 
TEE UNKNOWN 57 
 
 " Shut up, you black imp, and do as you are told," 
 £,^ro\\lcd Benton, as he led the way to the library. 
 
 " Stay here," he said to Jerry, " until I have my 
 interview with mother. I will make it as brief as 
 possible." 
 
 *' See that you do," said Jerry as he stumbled to 
 a chair. " Time is precious." 
 
 Benton went up to his mother's room and tapped 
 gently on the door. 
 
 '' Who is there? " asked an excited voice. 
 
 '* Benton, mother, I have come to say farewell." 
 
 The door opened and the mother was enfolded in 
 her son's arms. 
 
 " Are you really going, Benton? " she whispered. 
 
 " Yes, mother, I have found out who the traitor 
 is. But the Yankees have learned I am here, and I 
 must get away." 
 
 " Benton, Benton, go at once. Do n't stay a mo- 
 ment," cried his mother. " Oh! what if you should 
 be caught." 
 
 " No danger, mother, I will be away safely be- 
 fore morning. This I must tell you. You have a 
 viper in the house. Guilford Craig is the traitor." 
 
 " Guilford — the — traitor." The words came 
 slowly from her lips. " xA.re you sure, Benton ? " 
 
 " Perfectly sure. He will hang higher than 
 Haman, if Price gets hold of him. I v^'ould hang 
 him to-night if I could." 
 
58 THE SVOUT OF PEA UIDOE 
 
 " Oh, Benton, think of the disgrace. Think of 
 his father. It would kill him." 
 
 " Disgrace ! " replied Benton with a sneer. " Can 
 any disgrace be as black and damning as he has 
 already brought on his father's name ? Spy and 
 traitor that he is. Thank God ! He is no kin of 
 mine." In his excitement Benton had raised his 
 voice. 
 
 " Hush, I believe he is in," said his mother. " He 
 may hear you. He only came home yesterday." 
 
 " Hear me? I wish he would," stormed Benton. 
 " I would like to tell him to his face what a black- 
 hearted traitor he is." 
 
 Then the wild desire seized Benton to see Guil- 
 ford and taunt him with his treachery. 
 
 From what Dickey Holbrook had reported he 
 knew that Guilford would never again knowingly 
 place himself in the power of General Price. This 
 would be his only chance of meeting him face to 
 face. He would wither him with his curses. He 
 looked upon Guilford as being sly, crafty, and treach- 
 erous, but not possessing real courage, and in his 
 own mind he saw him cowering before him, a shiv- 
 ering wretch. 
 
 Forgetting that he might be imperilling his own 
 life, he said, " Mother, I am going to see Guilford. 
 I am going to wring from his own lips the confes- 
 sion that he is a traitor." 
 
THE UNKNOWN 59 
 
 " Do n't, do n't." cried his mother dinging to him. 
 " lie may kill you." 
 
 "Kill mc! Bosh! 1 will make him cringe like a 
 whipped puppy. I want to let him know that there 
 are others as crafty as he is, and that he has been 
 beaten at his own game. He thinks he has me 
 fooled. I want to open his eyes. The Unknown, in- 
 deed!" 
 
 " I beg of you not to go, Benton," pleaded his 
 mother weeping bitterly. " You have no time. You 
 say you must be out of the city before morning. 
 Oh, Benton, think of the danger of delay." 
 
 " It will not take long, mother. I must have the 
 satisfaction of telling him what he is to his face. 
 That he, not I, is the fool." 
 
 " Benton, he may kill you. Remember the time 
 when as a child he sprang at you with a knife." 
 
 " I have something here," replied Benton tapping 
 his hip pocket, " that will keep him quiet." 
 
 " Then I will go with you. I cannot have you 
 see him alone. I know there is danger." She 
 threw her anns around him and clung to him. 
 
 " Mother, you stay right here. Have no fear. 
 There is no danger. Then think of me, a soldier, 
 taking my mother along to protect me." Thus 
 speaking Benton gently disengaged her arms from 
 around him and went out. A moment she hesitated 
 and then she softly followed him. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 I AM THE TRAITOR 
 
 GUILFORD sat in his room quietly smoking. 
 He had taken off his coat and put on a smok- 
 ing jacket, but with his usual caution he had 
 placed a revolver within the folds of the jacket. He 
 now sat smoking and thinking. The day had been 
 rather a strenuous one, but so far had gone as well 
 as he could have hoped. Had he fooled Bent ? He 
 believed he had. But the great question was. Would 
 Bent heed the warning? He hoped he would. As 
 much as he hated him he did not want him to be 
 hung as a spy. 
 
 " One thing is certain," he muttered, " if Bent 
 concludes to go he will come to see his mother be- 
 fore he does; and if he does, wall he come to see 
 me? I believe he will, if he has swallowed the bait 
 of the Unknown. He will be filled with curiosity as 
 to what I know, and, why, like himself I am in dan- 
 ger. He will also be hoping that I can clear up the 
 mystery as to who the Unknown is." 
 
 Thus Guilford sat musing, little thinking that if 
 Benton did visit him it would be on an entirely dif- 
 
 60 
 
7 AM THK TRAITOR 61 
 
 ferent errand from what he supposed. He smiled as 
 he heard Benton and Jerry enter the house. If he 
 came at all he would soon be there. 
 
 After a time he heard footsteps, and then a sharp 
 rap at his door. He opened it and Benton walked 
 in. his face glowing with passion. 
 
 Guilford started back in well simulated surprise. 
 " Great Heavens! you here, Bent! When and why 
 did you come? It 's dangerous." 
 
 " Yes, I am here," answered Bent in tones of 
 mingled scorn and contempt. " And now what can 
 you say for yourself, you black-hearted traitor? " 
 
 It at once dawned on Guilford that Benton might 
 know more than he thought, but not a muscle of his 
 face moved. He resumed his seat, took a whifT at 
 his cigar, and then coolly replied : " That 's a very 
 brotherly greeting you have given me, Bent. Please 
 take a seat and explain." 
 
 " Seat ! I had rather take a seat from your mas- 
 ter, the devil," sneered Benton. " Traitor that you 
 are, if you had any shame, any regard for your 
 father you would go and hang yourself." 
 
 " As to that," replied Guilford, " you and I both 
 may swing if we are not careful. I have just re- 
 ceived a warning from an Unknown — " 
 
 " Do n't keep that farce up. Fool, to think you 
 have deceived anyone." 
 
 " Look here. Bent. You have called me some 
 
62 Tin: SCOUT OF Pi: A niDGE 
 
 hard names. You well know that anyone in the 
 calling I am in, has to be traitor to one side or the 
 other, so I have let your names pass. General Price 
 knows and appreciates what I have done." 
 
 "He does, does he?" sneered Benton. "Then 
 listen to this plain story. When General Price gave 
 you orders to come here to spy on Lawrence Middle- 
 ton, he doubted your loyalty. He sent me here to 
 trap you, if you were guilty. Hardly were you out 
 of sight before he commanded me to follow you and 
 see whether you faithfully performed your duty or 
 not." 
 
 " You are the liar now," said Guilford. " You are 
 at your old tricks. Bent. General Price trusted me, 
 but no sooner was I out of sight, than you poured 
 your suspicions in his ear, and begged to be allowed 
 to come and prove your suspicions true. Nothing 
 would please you more than to see me hung. If I 
 am what you charge, why don't I have you hung? 
 A word and it would be done. I hate you as cor- 
 dially as you hate me. Then why should I save 
 you — you who came to spy on me. But go on, 
 your story is getting interesting." 
 
 " It will prove more so," snarled Benton, showing 
 his teeth like a dog. " I did come here to prove you 
 a traitor, as I have suspected for some time. It 
 was my duty. You have done the South harm 
 enough. I knew you to be friendly with Lawrence 
 
/ Ail THE TBAITOR 63 
 
 Middlcton, and believed you to be the one who gave 
 him our secrets. Generals Price and Frost could 
 hardly believe you were such a dastard, yet as I have 
 said, they were suspicious. Therefore I came to 
 learn the tmth." 
 
 " Noble youth." exclaimed Guilford ironically. 
 " What have you learned? " 
 
 " You will know soon enough. For four days I 
 have had Lawrence Middleton closely watched. 
 Nothing occurred until you came, and then I was 
 well repaid for my vigilance. Yesterday as you 
 passed Middleton on the street you did not notice 
 him, but slyly pressed a paper in his hand." 
 
 Guilford gave no sign of astonishment, but he was 
 surprised Benton had been more crafty, and he had 
 been more closel}^ watched than he supposed. He 
 now began to see that his idea of fooling Benton 
 further was a vain one, but he said ; " Another 
 lie. Your spy saw me give Lawrence Middleton no 
 paper." 
 
 " Middleton was seen to read a paper a moment 
 after you passed, and then chew it up," exclaimed 
 Benton triumphantly. " No doubt it was an en- 
 gagement for a meeting from what aftenvards 
 transpired." 
 
 " So it was the carelessness of Lawrence that gave 
 me away," thought Guilford. Then out loud. 
 " Great evidence. Good." Guilford began to feel 
 
64 TEE SCOUT OF PEA lilDGE 
 
 a little more easy. Benton was simply jumping at 
 conclusions. 
 
 " Yes, great evidence taken in connection with 
 what has occurred to-night," retorted Benton. " To- 
 night Lawrence Middleton went to a dark place on 
 Fourth Street and stayed there for some time as if 
 expecting someone. But the person's suspicions he 
 w-as to meet, must have been aroused for as he 
 passed Middleton he never halted, but said some- 
 thing in a low tone. From there Middleton went 
 straight home, and the person went around another 
 way and was let in by the rear gate to Middleton's 
 home." 
 
 " I do n't see what all that rigmarole has to do 
 with me," said Guilford dryly. " I am not Law- 
 rence Middleton's keeper." But all the time he was 
 wondering whether his disguise had been penetrated, 
 
 " You will see what it has to do with you, before 
 I am through, arch traitor that you are," retorted 
 Benton. " This person remained in conference, sup- 
 posedly with Lawrence Middleton, for nearly an 
 hour. He was then let out the same way he came 
 in. He was followed, and he was aware of it, for 
 stepping into a dark alley he waited until Dickey 
 Holbrook, who was tracking him came along, thrust 
 a pistol into his face and scaring him to death made 
 him tell all he knew." 
 
 "Valiant Dickey," laughed Guilford. "You 
 
/ Ail THE TEAITOB 63 
 
 should employ braver spies. Did Dickey know who 
 waylaid him? "' 
 
 '' No, the fellow styled himself the Unknown and 
 sent word to me to be out of the city by morning, 
 or I would be arrested as a spy." 
 
 " Must have been a friend of yours. If you know 
 when you are well oft, you will heed the advice. I 
 received a warning from the same source and I am 
 going to take it.'' 
 
 Benton was wild with rage. He fairly gnashed 
 his teeth. "Liar! Dastard! Traitor!" he cried. 
 *' How much longer will you dissemble? Another 
 one was trailing the Unknown, one not to be fooled, 
 Jerry Alcorn. He tracked him straight to this 
 house. He entered it with a key. Xo one has left 
 the house since. Great God! Why do such vermin 
 as you live? I ought to crush you as I would a 
 reptile, even here in your father's house." 
 
 If Benton thought that Guilford would cringe 
 when his duplicity was fully exposed, he was mis- 
 taken. Guilford now knew that there was no reason 
 why he should continue his deception. He had been 
 fairly trapped. While Benton had been speaking 
 he had thrown aside his cigar. Now rising from his 
 seat and looking Benton squarely in the eye he re- 
 marked sarcastically, " Let me congratulate you, my 
 dear brother. You are more crafty than I supposed." 
 
 \\'hen he said this his right hand rested beneath 
 
06 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 the folds of his smoking jacket. He took a step 
 towards Benton, a look in his face that even as brave 
 as Benton was, sent a shiver through him. 
 
 " You have had your say," said Guilford in tones 
 as cold as steel. " Now I will have mine. Give my 
 respects to Jackson, Price, Frost and Company. 
 Tell them you accomplished the purpose for which 
 you were sent and claim your reward. The traitor 
 has been found. It was I who gave away their most 
 secret plottings to Lawrence Middleton, and he in 
 turn to Lyon and Blair." 
 
 For a moment Benton stood astounded by the bold 
 avowal, then his face grew black with passion. 
 " Viper, I have a mind to kill you where you stand," 
 he hissed. 
 
 " Do n't try it. You may fail," replied Guilford, 
 and as he said it the hand that was in his bosom 
 twitched nervously. " Furthermore," he continued, 
 " tell that arch liar and plotter, General Frost, that 
 when his orderly I had duplicate keys to his desk 
 made and thus had access to his most secret corres- 
 pondence." 
 
 " Infamous ! You black-hearted villain. You de- 
 serve a thousand deaths," cried Benton. 
 
 " Tell them also," continued Guilford without ap- 
 pearing to notice the interruption, " that I glory in 
 what I did; that great as has been my deception, 
 never can T equal them in deceit, treachery, and 
 
I AM THE TRAITOR 67 
 
 falsehood. You despise me, do you? What do you 
 think of yourself, plotting treason under the folds 
 of the American tlag and claiming its protection at 
 Camp Jackson? I may be a traitor, but you and 
 they are ten times the hypocrite and traitor that I 
 am. There, do n't finger that revolver. It 's death 
 if you do." 
 
 From the blackness of his rage Benton's face grew 
 pale. In Guilford's eyes he saw the same deadly 
 glint that he saw when as a child he sought to plunge 
 a knife in his bosom. There was death in the look, 
 and he knew it, and his hand left the region of his 
 hip pocket. 
 
 There was a rustle at the door. An exclamation 
 of terror, but in their terrible earnestness neither 
 Guilford nor Benton noticed it. 
 
 " Do you want to know why I. a child of the 
 South, have done this?" continued Guilford, his 
 voice falling lower and taking on a tone of sadness. 
 " I will tell you. As a child I was timid, shrinking 
 and sickly. I never knew a mother's love, but, oh, 
 how my little heart yearned for love. My father, 
 immersed in business, saw my bodily cares provided 
 for, but there it ended. Still there was one who 
 cared for me. My mammy. She took me to her 
 bosom, nourished me. loved me, and I gave her all 
 my love in return. Young as I was then I did 
 not know the difference between a white and a black 
 
68 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 skin, and I could not have loved my own mother 
 more. 
 
 '' Then I was told I was to have a new mother 
 and your mother came and you with her. When she 
 first came she caressed me, but I knew she did not 
 love me. How I longed to be taken to her bosom, 
 to be called her darling child, but she only had love 
 for you." 
 
 Again there was a rustle at the door, a sobbing 
 moan of agony. It was not noticed and Guilford 
 went on. 
 
 " I once more took refuge in the love of 
 my mammy. You, Benton, older, stronger than I, 
 lorded it over me as if I was a menial and you my 
 master. You made my life a burden, and I grew to 
 hate you. My mammy saw it all and she grew des- 
 perate. Then came that day, that terrible day that 
 changed my whole life and made me what I am. 
 Benton, if it had been your own mother being 
 whipped you could not have suffered more than I 
 did." 
 
 Again that rustle, that moan and the trembling 
 woman at the door pressed her hands to her heart in 
 agony. 
 
 Guilford, his voice now vibrating with passion, 
 continued. " I can still hear you clapping your 
 hands in glee and crying. ' Whip, harder ! Whip 
 harder ! ' God ! how I have hated you and slavery 
 
The door hurst open, and with a cry of "Spare, oh! spare 
 niv son!" Mrs. Craig tell senseless to the floor 
 
/ AM THE TRAITOR 69 
 
 ever since. Your niollicr with more than hellisli 
 cruelly made — " 
 
 Guilford never ihiished the sentence, Benton, 
 terrible in his rage, and forgetting everything cried, 
 " No man can slander my jiiother and live," and 
 snatched at his revolver. 
 
 With a cat-like spring, Guilford with his left 
 hand knocked the weapon aside and the shot went 
 wild. Then with a strength he did not look to pos- 
 sess, he caught Benton by the wrist and twisted his 
 arm. A look of pain came over Benton's face, and 
 the revolver dropped from his nerveless hand. At 
 the same time the muzzle of Guilford's pistol was 
 pressed against his breast. In Guilford's face there 
 was the pent up hate of years, and in a second more 
 murder would have been committed, when there 
 came a piercing shriek, the door burst open and with 
 a cry of " Spare, oh ! spare my son," Mrs. Craig 
 fell senseless to the floor. 
 
 A moment Guil.ord stood, then the expression of 
 his face changed. Perhaps he thought of his own 
 mother. He lowered his pistol. " Live," he said, 
 " but you have never been closer to death." 
 
 Mrs. Craig's shriek of terror, and the report of 
 the pistol had aroused the whole household. Ter- 
 rified servants cowered in their rooms, and gave 
 word to their fear in ear-piercing shrieks. Mr. 
 Craig, aroused from a deep slumber, snatched an old 
 
70 TUE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 sabre and rushed as he supposed to the defence of his 
 family. 
 
 Jerry Alcorn who, for the past half-hour had 
 been pacing the libraiy with nervous strides and 
 cursing Benton for his prolonged stay, was on 
 the point of going to Benton and telling him 
 they must go, when the pistol shot and the shriek of 
 Mrs. Craig startled him, and with quick bounds he 
 went up the stairs. 
 
 Mr. Craig had preceded him. The old gentleman 
 stood on the threshold, sabre in hand, and gazed at 
 the scene before him in amazement. On the floor lay 
 the senseless form of his wife. Benton with a face 
 as pale as death was bending over her. Guilford 
 with a revolver in hand stood motionless. 
 
 "My God! You here, Benton?" cried Mr. 
 Craig. " Guilford ! My wife ! Great Heavens ! 
 Have you shot her, wretched boy? " With uplifted 
 sabre he turned on Guilford with flaming eyes. 
 
 " She is not shot. She has simply fainted. Strike 
 me down if you wish. I care not, but Benton has 
 just tri^d to kill me." 
 
 The old gentleman lowered his sabre, his whole 
 form shaking like a leaf. He could hardly 
 understand. 
 
 Jerry was the first one to take in the situation. 
 " Benton, we are lost." he cried. " The shot has 
 aroused the patrol. Hark! they are thundering at 
 
/ AM TUI-: TRAITOR 71 
 
 the door. Fool, that you are to throw away our 
 lives that you might have revenge." 
 
 Guilford was once more his sane cool self. 
 " Father," he exclaimed in quick sharp tones. " I 
 tell you Mrs. Craig is not hurt. Bear her to her 
 own room. She is sick, has been sick, has not been 
 out of her room to-night. The excitement has thrown 
 her into hysterics. Do you understand?" 
 
 Bewildered and as in a dream, Mr. Craig gathered 
 up the senseless form of his wife, and bore her from 
 the room. From below came the sound of splintered 
 wood. The patrol was breaking in the door for the 
 cries of the affrighted ser^-ants were still ringing 
 through the house. 
 
 Guilford sprang to a window and threw it wide 
 open. " Quick, Jerry, you and Benton, through 
 there. It opens on the roof of the porch. Leave 
 all to me. There have been burglars in the house. ' 
 
 Jerry and Benton understood. Without a word 
 they dashed through the window and were gone. 
 
 Guilford noticing the revolver of Benton lying on 
 the floor where it had fallen, picked it up and tossed 
 it through the open window onto the roof of the 
 porch, and then turned to face the patrol who with 
 a sergeant at their head came rushing into the room. 
 
 "What is all this racket about?" demanded the 
 sergeant furiously. "What's the matter?" 
 
 " The matter is easily explained," answered Guil- 
 
72 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 ford coolly. " My mother is very sick and I had 
 been sitting with her until a few moments ago when 
 1 returned to my room. As 1 opened my door I dis- 
 covered that two burglars had climbed on the porch, 
 opened a window and were just crawling into the 
 room. I happened to have a pistol in my pocket and 
 I took a shot at them. By the way they tumbled off 
 the porch I reckon I missed. Of course the shot 
 alaiTned the whole house, and from the racket the 
 servants are making, I judge they are somewhat 
 frightened. At the sound of the «hot father rushed 
 in with the old sabre you see lying there, but he has 
 gone back to mother, who is greatly excited over the 
 occurrence. That is all, gentlemen." 
 
 The sergeant walked to the window and looked 
 out. " Why, one of the scoundrels dropped his re- 
 volver on the roof of the porch," exclaimed the ser- 
 geant. " Do you think there is any chance of 
 catching them? " 
 
 " Not in the least," replied Guilford. " They are 
 well away by this time. Excuse me just a moment, 
 gentlemen, I want to see how mother is." 
 
 Guilford went to Mrs. Craig's room, spoke a few 
 words to his father and coming back said, " Gen- 
 tlemen, I must ask you to be as quiet as possible. 
 The excitement has thrown mother into hysteria, and 
 father, greatly alarmed, has sent for two physicians." 
 
 " Beg your pardon," replied the sergeant. " We 
 
/ AM THE TKAITOri 73 
 
 will withdraw quietly. Sorry we broke in the door, 
 hut no one came to open it." 
 
 " No apology is necessary, Sergeant. You only 
 did your duty. I suppose the butler was under the 
 bed shaking with fear. Let me thank you for your 
 promptness in coming as you supposed to a scene 
 uf crime. Here is something to treat your men." 
 (ruilford handed him a five-dollar bill. 
 
 The sergeant was profuse in his thanks and with- 
 drew his men quietly. 
 
 Guilford drew a long breath of relief as they de- 
 parted. " Now to quiet the servants," he said, " and 
 then — " He had to decide what the " then " 
 would be. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 A STRICKEN FATHER 
 
 IT was sometime before Guilford could allay the 
 fears of the servants, and convince them that no 
 one had been killed. Burglars had broken into 
 the house, he told them, but he had shot at them an; I 
 frightened them away. 
 
 None of the servants, except James, the butler, 
 knew that Benton had been at home. Under threats 
 of the most horrible punishment Guilford swore 
 him to everlasting secrecy. " It is as much as our 
 lives are worth if it is known he was here. The 
 Yankees would hang us both," said Guilford. 
 
 " I nevah tell, Massa Guilford," replied the trem- 
 bling butler. 
 
 It is well to say here that Mr. Craig had sent his 
 two daughters away to a school which he thought 
 would be far away from the excitement of war. 
 
 Soon the household was restored to its wonted 
 quiet, with the exception of Mrs. Craig. She was 
 in a violent hysteria. Two physicians were doing 
 ever>^thing they could to quiet her. It was no time to 
 make explanations, and Guilford told his father he 
 
 74 
 
A STRICKKX FATHER 75 
 
 would explain everything in the morning. He then 
 repaired to his room and sat down to think. 
 
 " I am glad I did n't kill Benton," he said softly 
 to himself. " He loves his mother." 
 
 Then he looked at a portrait of his own mother 
 which hung on the wall. The mother he had never 
 known. He had spent hours looking at it, when a 
 child, and wondering why God took her, and he never 
 tired of hearing Susan tell what a sweet lady she 
 was. 
 
 Now as he gazed on the portrait, a look of the 
 deepest sadness came over his face. "If she had only 
 lived." he sighed. " it might have been different." 
 
 Suddenly he started up in amazement, and stared 
 at the portrait with startled eyes, and a tremor 
 shook his body from head to foot. 
 
 The ball from Benton's revolver which he had 
 struck aside had pierced the portrait where, if she 
 had been in its place, her heart would have been. 
 
 "Great Heavens!" he gasped and sank down 
 faint and weak. At that moment, he felt as if Ben- 
 ton had really killed his mother, and a fierce desire 
 for vengeance filled his heart. At length he arose, 
 tottered to a seat by the table, and, burying his face 
 in his hands, sat silent for a long time. 
 
 When he lifted his face it looked worn and hag- 
 gard, more like the face of an old man than a boy. 
 
 " It is the only thing I can do," he said wearily. 
 
76 THE SCOUT OF PEA HIDGE 
 
 " I cannot meet father. 1 cannot say to him all I 
 wish to say. I cannot bear his scorn and contempt. 
 It 's the only way. To him as well as to the w^orld, 
 Guilford Craig must be dead — dead." 
 
 He hastily arose, and gathering together writing 
 material, he sat down to the table and rapidly com- 
 menced writing. At length he finished and without 
 looking at what he had written, folded the sheets, 
 placed them in an envelope directed to his father, 
 and left the letter on the table. 
 
 Next he placed a few of his belongings in a valise 
 and then stood a moment looking around the room, 
 at length fixing his gaze on his mother's portrait. 
 The rent made by the ball seemed frightfully large, 
 but the eyes smiled down upon him. A moment he 
 looked and then he turned, and just as the gray 
 dawn was beginning to show in the east, he left 
 the house — he believed, forever. 
 
 Mr. Craig never forgot that night. He could only 
 surmise what had taken place. He knew that Guil- 
 ford and Benton must have had a fierce quarrel. 
 One that nearly resulted in murder. Yet Guilford 
 had aided Benton in escaping. He could not un- 
 derstand it. Why was Benton at home? Why had 
 his presence been kept concealed from him? He 
 thought Benton was with Price. But he must wait 
 until morning, then Guilford had promised to make 
 all things plain to him. His place was now^ by the 
 
A STRICKEX FATHER 77 
 
 side of his wife, and as he hstened to her incoherent 
 talk his heart was filled with fear, and a vague ter- 
 ror took possession of him. His wife must have 
 known Benton was at home, for was she not in the 
 room with Guilford and Benton when the quarrel 
 took place. Then at times she would sob, " Benton, 
 why did you come? They will hang you." Then 
 she would shriek, " Guilford, do n't shoot. Spare 
 my son." 
 
 But what puzzled Mr. Craig most was when she 
 would sob with broken moans, "' Guilford, forgive 
 nie. I did not mean to be selfish and cruel, but Ben- 
 ton is my son, my own son." 
 
 Once she started up wild eyed and shaking in fear. 
 " There is Susan," she cried, " take her away. See 
 how she looks at me." 
 
 Mr. Craig was like a great many other men of af- 
 fairs. His business engrossed all of his attention. 
 When his wife died and his infant son was com- 
 mitted to the care of his mammy, he knew the child 
 would have the best of attention. What money 
 could buy was freely given, but a father's love was 
 withheld. Xot that Mr. Craig did not care for or 
 love his son, for he did. but he had no time for 
 caresses. As a child Guilford had no more thought 
 of carr>'ing his suimII griefs to his father, than he 
 would to a stranger. It was in the bosom of his 
 mammy that he found love and sympathy. 
 
78 THE SCOUT OF PEA L'IDGE 
 
 At last Mr. Craig noticed that his son was lavish- 
 ing too much love on his mammy — that in his heart 
 there was no caste, that he did not realize the dif- 
 ference between a white and a black skin, between 
 the bound and the free. It was time Guilford had a 
 real mother, and so he had married. 
 
 But the woman he chose for a wife was both fash- 
 ionable and selfish. Then she had a son of her own 
 in whom all the love she had to give was wrapped 
 up, so she had no motherly affection to give the 
 child of her husband. Glad not to be troubled with 
 him, she still left him in the care of his mammy. 
 Guilford made no advances towards his new mother 
 and she encouraged none. But the two boys did not 
 agree. Then came the sad ending and the sale of 
 Susan. 
 
 Guilford cherished his hate in secret and grew to 
 young manhood as we have seen, sly, crafty, moody 
 and in a measure a monomaniac on the subject of 
 slavery. He would have made a fit companion for 
 John Brown. 
 
 Mr. Craig was a violent partisan of the South. 
 He believed in the divine ordination of slavery. He 
 rejoiced when secession came. That the South 
 could be conquered was to him an impossfibility. 
 He aided Frost all he could in the attempt to capture 
 the arsenal. When Benton entered the militia Mr. 
 Craig purchased for him the finest horse and equip- 
 
A STHICKEX FATHER 79 
 
 ment that could be had. He opposed Guilford's 
 joining on account of his youth, but at length con- 
 sented, and it was at his request that Frost had made 
 Guilford his orderly. Thus unknowingly he had 
 contributed to the success of the Federal cause. 
 
 The capture of Camp Jackson he considered one 
 of the greatest outrages ever committed on a free 
 people, and Lyon became to him the personification 
 of everything evil. Guilford acting as a spy for Gen- 
 eral Price, he greatly disapproved, and begged him 
 to give it up ever)' time he returned home. "If you 
 must fight," he would say, " do so like a gen- 
 tleman." 
 
 But Guilford would declare he was doing the 
 Southern cause more good than a hundred soldiers. 
 and was willing to take the risk. 
 
 It was near morning before Mrs. Craig became 
 quiet, and at last sank into a peaceful sleep. The 
 physicians now assured ?vlr. Craig that all danger 
 was past, that all she would need was rest and 
 quiet. But nothing should be said or done to excite 
 her. 
 
 Weary with his vigil, and with his heart torn with 
 conflicting emotions, Mr. Craig obeyed the call for 
 the morning meal. He did not feel like eating but he 
 would see Guilford. He must know the meaning of 
 what had taken place. Guilford not being down, Mr. 
 Craig managed to drink a small cup of coffee, and 
 
80 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 cat a few mouth fuls. He then sat waiting, but no 
 Guilford appeared. 
 
 " James," he said to the butler, " go to Guil- 
 ford's room and see if he is awake. Tell him to 
 come down as soon as possible." 
 
 The butler obeyed but in a moment came back 
 with the startling intelligence that Guilford was not 
 in his room, that the bed had not been slept in, 
 and that the room was in disorder. 
 
 With a muffled groan Mr. Craig sprang to his 
 feet, and hurried to the room. It was as the butler 
 had said, but the letter on the table caught his at- 
 tention. Snatching it up he tore it open with trem- 
 bling hands. He had read but a few lines when an 
 awful expression came over his face. If the paper 
 had been his own death warrant the effect could 
 not have been greater. He gasped for breath and 
 reeled like a drunken man. He glanced at it again 
 to be certain he was not mistaken, then with a bitter 
 curse he threw it down and stamped on it in fury. 
 
 " May the curse of God rest upon him," he cried. 
 " The devil in hell rend him. A traitor, a black 
 damnable traitor." 
 
 For half an hour he raved like a mad man then 
 after his fury had somewhat spent itself, his thoughts 
 took a new turn. 
 
 " The boy must be insane. He has imagined all 
 this. It cannot be. It must not be true. I cannot 
 
A STRICKEN FATHER 81 
 
 believe it. The whole letter will show him to be 
 insane. He was always a queer boy." 
 
 Thus saying he picked up the letter and this is 
 what he read: 
 
 Dear Father: — 
 
 I thought to see you this morning and tell you all, 
 but I find I cannot do it. I cannot face you and tell 
 you I am a traitor to all you hold dear, that I have 
 been playing a double part. Instead of being for the 
 South, for the past months I have been acting as a spy 
 for Blair and Lyon, and it was greatly through the 
 information that I furnished that the arsenal was 
 saved to the Union. 
 
 I know that you will despise me, hate me. That 
 you will curse the day you had a son born, and never 
 want to look upon my face again. I do not blame you, 
 but in extenuation of what I have done, hear what I 
 have to say. 
 
 Here followed a long recital of what the reader 
 already knows. In fact Guilford laid bare his whole 
 life. How he had pined for love and received none 
 except from his mammy. He told of the brutality 
 of Benton, and how Susan had been scourged and 
 sold, because she sought to protect him. 
 
 The letter then continued : — 
 
 From that time T have hated slavery with a deadly 
 hatred. This war has given me the opportunity I have 
 long wished for — to deal slavery a deadly blow. Con- 
 trary to what you believe, the war instead of perpet- 
 uating slavery will be its death. The South in her 
 blindness has dug the grave of her beloved institution. 
 
82 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 In no other way could I have aided the cause of the 
 Union than in doing what I have done. As to the deceit 
 and treachery I have practised, it is no greater than 
 that practised by one of the most honored men in the 
 State. What did your friend Frost do, in order that 
 he might capture the arsenal? You were privy to his 
 acts and endorsed them. Then why am I worse than 
 you or he ? I have no apology to make. I am proud 
 of what I have done. 
 
 But I know that you will curse me. That to every 
 Southern sympathizer in St. Louis I will be a Benedict 
 Arnold, hated and loathed. All those I have asso- 
 ciated with will spurn me as a viper. I will be a social 
 leper. Therefore forget you ever had a son. Erase 
 all your remembrance of me. Make Bent your heir. 
 That is what he long has wished. He came here on 
 purpose to prove me a traitor and have me hanged as 
 a spy. He tried to shoot me. I do n't blame him. It 
 was the kindest act he ever tried to do me. I have 
 often thought of taking my own life. Now, that the 
 war is on, for the first time I want to live. There is 
 plenty of excitement, and I want to live to see slavery 
 dead. 
 
 From this day I am dead to you. If I fall in the 
 great struggle now going on, you will never know it, 
 for my name will be changed. 
 
 Forgive me for the pain I may cause you. In many 
 ways you have been a kind father. Now, farewell 
 forever. Remember that Guilford Craig is no longer 
 of this world, lie is dead. 
 
 After reading the letter Mr. Craig sat for a long 
 time as one stupefied. He then leaned his face on 
 his hands, and the hot tears trickled through his fin- 
 
A ^T RICK EX FATHER 83 
 
 gers. At last he picked up the letter and read it 
 through again, this time very carefully. 
 
 " 1 was right," he murmured. " The poor boy is 
 insane. Has not been right for years. I now see 
 it. Great God! Why could I not see it before. 
 And I. his father, am to blame. Poor child, only 
 his mammy to love, and she scourged and sold for 
 trying to protect him. Guilford, Guilford, my son, 
 my boy, forgive me. I will protect you. I will tell 
 the world you did not know what you did. Come 
 back, Guilford. Come home." 
 
 Thus the poor father rambled on. Then he read 
 the letter again. It did not read as if written by one 
 insane. He began to see how impossible it would 
 be for him to convince his friends that his son was 
 not in his right mind. 
 
 " If he had only taken a manly course." he 
 groaned. " Hard as it would have been I could have 
 borne it. Many of the noblest sons of the South 
 cling to the Union. If he had only done as Law- 
 rence Middleton has. There is no dishonor in his 
 course. But this deceit, this treachery. Oh ! God ! 
 My son ! My son ! " He bowed his head on his 
 hands and wept. 
 
 At length he grew calmer. " Yes. Guilford." he 
 moaned. " you are right. Better be dead. Dead 
 and forgotten, lest your treacher\' come up against 
 you. I have no son. Oh ! God ! He is dead — 
 
84 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 dead." He staggered from the room, looking ten 
 years older. 
 
 He gave orders that everything belonging to 
 Guilford was to be destroyed — that his name was 
 never to be mentioned. When the servants came to 
 the portrait of Guilford's mother they marvelled at 
 the bullet hole through it and discussed whether they 
 should show it to their master or -not. But one gray- 
 haired servant who had nursed Guilford's mother in 
 her girlhood took it and carefully put it away. " De 
 honey child may want it sum time," she whispered. 
 " De po' boy. De po' boy." 
 
 Mrs. Craig's recovery was slow. All that she 
 was told was that Benton was safe, he had escaped. 
 But W'hen she grew stronger and learned it was 
 through Guilford that he escaped and was saved 
 from an ignominious death, conscience stung her as 
 it had never stung her before. 
 
 There was a sensation throughout St. Louis when 
 the treachery of Guilford became known, for Jerry 
 Alcorn and others told, and to every one who loved 
 the South and its cause his name became execrated, 
 even as the one who betrayed his Saviour. 
 
 Even the heart of his father grew hard, and 
 though he claimed that he believed that his son was 
 not in his right mind, he publicly acknowledged that 
 he had disowned him, that he never wished to hear 
 his name mentioned, that the only son he had was 
 Benton Shelley. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY 
 
 WHEN Benton Shelley and Jerry Alcorn 
 escaped from the room of Guilford Craig 
 they dropped lightly from the roof of 
 ;he porch to the ground, unhurt. The yard in which 
 the house was situated was a large one and full of 
 .■shrubbery. 
 
 " This way," whispered Jerry leading the way to 
 a tree near the rear fence. To climb the tree, crawl 
 out on one of the branches and drop on the other 
 side of the fence was but the work of a moment, 
 then through the alley to another street. 
 
 " Take it easy now,"' said Jerry. " Do n't hurry. 
 Do nothing to attract attention, but keep your eye 
 peeled for patrol guards. We must avoid them." 
 
 Through unfrequented streets and dark alleys 
 Jerry led the way, now and then crouching in the 
 shadow of buildings to let the patrol guards pass. 
 
 " How are we to pass the pickets which surround 
 the city?" asked Benton. 
 
 " Easy enough," answered Jerry. " Wait and 
 see. 
 
 85 
 
86 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 Soon they came to the outskirts of the city. A 
 large mansion, standing back from the street, and 
 surrounded by extensive grounds loomed darkly be- 
 fore them. A high stone wall, surmounted by iron 
 pickets, guarded entrance to the grounds. The gate- 
 way was rounded in, so that the gate was completely 
 in the shadows. 
 
 Jerry carefully observed the ground before they 
 crossed the street. There was no one to be seen. 
 
 " Bend low," he whispered, "follow me, and walk 
 carefully." 
 
 Soon they stood in the shadow of the gateway. 
 Jerry gave two raps on the gate, waited a moment, 
 then gave three more. 
 
 " Who is there? " came in a low voice from the 
 other side of the gate. 
 
 " Friends of the rising Confederacy," whispered 
 Jerry. 
 
 " Friend, give the pass word." 
 
 " The two Bears." 
 
 " Right." There was a sound of sliding bolts, the 
 gate was throw^n open, and they passed in. 
 
 "Hello, Jerry, is this you?" said the keeper of 
 the gate. " What news ? Who is with you ? " 
 
 " Allow me to introduce Lieutenant Benton Shel- 
 ley of Price's army," said Jerry, " who is fleeing 
 from the wrath to come. Lieutenant, Mr. Mon- 
 tague, keeper of our underground railroad." 
 
THE UXDEJiCTiOrXD Ti.ilLJVAY 87 
 
 Mr. Montague shook hands with Benton. '* Get- 
 ling warm for you in the city, was it? " he asked. 
 
 '* Rather," answered Benton with a shrug. " I 
 could fairly see the rope dangling before my eyes." 
 
 " Saved his neck from being stretched by a 
 scratch," said Jerry with a laugh. " Never had a 
 closer shave myself. Tell you all about it as soon as 
 the Lieutenant gets away. His horse is back some 
 miles, at Logan's, I believe." 
 
 " That is bad," said Montague. " Logan is not on 
 the line, but I will try to arrange it. It will be al- 
 most impossible though to get him there by daylight. 
 Why not let the Lieutenant rest here during the day 
 and then he will have the whole night before him? " 
 
 Benton shook his head. " It is best I go on." 
 
 " I reckon the Lieutenant is right," said Jerry. 
 " Do n't know what may happen to-day. The whole 
 city may be searched. The lieutenant has been here 
 after big fish, and he has located one of the biggest 
 traitors in the State. Is Murdock here? " 
 
 " Yes. I will see him. Be ready to move on in 
 fifteen minutes. Lieutenant. Before you go you had 
 better have something to eat. You look weary and 
 worn." 
 
 " Good enough. Feel like eating myself," ex- 
 claimed Jerry. 
 
 They were taken into the basement of the house 
 where no light could be seen from the outside. To 
 
88 TUK SCOi'T OF PEA JUDGE 
 
 Benton's surprise he found a sumptuous repast al- 
 ready prepared. 
 
 " We are always ready to feed the hungry," re- 
 marked Mr. Montague smiling. " You will find the 
 coffee splendid, Uncle Sam's best. You would be 
 surprised if I should tell you all who have sat at this 
 table. Murdock will be ready by the time you are 
 through eating. Enjoy yourselves, gentlemen." 
 
 When left alone Jerry explained that the house 
 was really the chief station on what might be called 
 an underground railroad, and was the main artery 
 of connection between the Southern element in the 
 city and their friends in the country and the anny. 
 
 " The house," said Jerry, " is owned by one of 
 the richest men in the city, who is known as a Union 
 man. All men connected with the line are known 
 as Union men. Alany noted Confederate officers 
 have passed into and out of the city, and the Yankees 
 none the wiser. Do n't offer to pay any of your 
 guides. All of them are getting good salaries." 
 
 Benton laughed heartily. " Jerry, you ought to be 
 in the army at the head of our scouts. I will speak 
 to General Price about it, and I do n't believe there 
 will be the least trouble in getting you a commission. 
 Think of it, Jerry." 
 
 " I am doing a good work here," replied Jerry. 
 " Still there is precious little honor in it. I some- 
 times long for the army. Yes, I will think of what 
 
THE UNDEEGBOUyD HAILIVAY 89 
 
 you say. I may be obliged to leave the city now that 
 jMiddleton and Guilford know that I have been 
 mixed up in your affair. But, Bent, what happened 
 between you and Guilford? I suppose your temper 
 got the best of you. I was afraid all the time you 
 would make a fool of yourself. But that was a neat 
 turn Guilford gave us. I suppose we ought to thank 
 him for it. It saved your neck." 
 
 Benton's brow darkened. " Jerry," he exclaimed 
 passionately, " I would leave St. Louis happy if I 
 could leave Guilford Craig and Lawrence Middle- 
 ton dead. Guilford not only boasted of his treach- 
 ery, but insulted my mother. I lost my head and 
 tried to shoot him. He was too quick for me. I 
 saw murder in his eye and thought I had but a sec- 
 ond to live, but mother burst into the room and that 
 stopped him." 
 
 " Yet a minute afterwards he showed us a way to 
 escape," said Jerry. " He cannot be wholly bad." 
 
 Benton gave utterance to a fierce oath. " Jerry, I 
 will never rest until I have his perjured life. He 
 hates me. Even as a child he tried to kill me. Wliy 
 he let me go, I do not know. It makes no difference. 
 He is a traitor of the darkest dye, and the law of the 
 world has ever been that death should be the doom 
 of all traitors. What difference does it make 
 whether a court martial, or a single individual exe- 
 cutes that law ? " 
 
90 THE SCOUT OF PEA HIDGE 
 
 Benton slopped a moment, then looking earnestly 
 into the face of his companion slowly said, " Jerry, 
 more than one soldier and Dutchman have been 1 
 
 found dead in the streets and alleys of St. Louis, and 
 no one knows how they came by their death. More 
 than one man has disappeared, never to be heard of 
 more. He who would rid the earth of Guilford 
 Craig and Lawrence Middleton would but execute 
 the judgment of an outraged South, and he would be 
 hailed a hero." 
 
 Jerry turned pale and his hands trembled, but be- 
 fore he could answer Mr. Montague came in. '* All 
 ready, Lieutenant, when you are," he said. " I trust 
 you have been refreshed." 
 
 " Yes, thanks to you," answered Benton. " I do 
 not know how I can ever repay you for your 
 kindness." 
 
 " You have already repaid me a thousand times 
 by fighting for the South," answered Mr. Montague 
 heartily. 
 
 " Jerry tells me you are all stanch Union men," 
 said Benton. 
 
 " Certainly, to deceive the Yankees is a part of 
 our bible, and accounted an act of righteousness." 
 
 " Good gospel," laughed Benton. 
 
 Benton was now ready to go, and taking Alcorn's 
 hand, said, " Jerry, I do not know how I can thank 
 you enough for what you have done. I trust it will 
 
THE rXDEEGEOrXD BAILWAY 91 
 
 not be long before I shall see you with us in Price's 
 amiy. I know a grand career will open up to you 
 there. And" — here he looked at Alcorn ear- 
 nestly — "if any accident happens to certain indi- 
 viduals, greater honor will await you." 
 
 Thus sowing the seeds of assassination in the 
 mind of Jerr}- Alcorn, Benton Shelley went his way. 
 Did his conscience trouble him? No, his heart was 
 too full of hatred. 
 
 Benton's guide, a man named Murdock, proved 
 to be silent, taciturn. He was heavy set and of 
 rather evil countenance. " Follow me and keep 
 quiet," were his only words. 
 
 The way led through the lawn, then up a narrow 
 lane with fields on each side. The lane ended at a 
 wood, through which wound a path. Soon they 
 came to a road. Keeping in the shadow of the 
 wood. Murdock halted and gave the low call of a 
 night bird. The call was immediately repeated on 
 the other side of the road. 
 
 " Come on, it 's all right," said the guide crossing 
 the road to a thick hedge, the only way through be- 
 ing guarded by a heavy gate. By this gate stood a 
 man. 
 
 "How is it. Daniels?" asked Murdock. 
 
 "Quiet as a church." was the answer. "Who 
 do you pass through to-night? " 
 
 " Lieutenant Shellev of Price's armv. AFr. Mon- 
 
92 THE SCOUT OF PEA lUDGE 
 
 tague tells me that he is the bearer of an important 
 message. That he must get to Logan's by morning." 
 
 " Logan? Why, he is not on the line," exclaimed 
 the man called Daniels in surprise. 
 
 " I know, but Shelley is recently from Price and 
 knew nothing about the line, but he knew Logan, so 
 he left his horse at his house." 
 
 " Well, it 's a little risky, but I will do the best I 
 can. Must be eight miles there." 
 
 " Can't help it. Get him there," growled Mur- 
 dock, and with a blunt good-bye he was gone. 
 
 The man Daniels proved more social, and much 
 more of a talker than Murdock. 
 
 " Tired ? " he asked. 
 
 " Tired ? I can hardly walk. This beats cam- 
 paigning all to pieces," answered Benton. " The 
 fact is, my friend, I am about used up. They found 
 me out in the city and I had to run to save my neck." 
 
 " Spy, eh? Don't suppose you care about being 
 captured then? " 
 
 " Not alive, but you do n't think there is any dan- 
 ger of that, do you? " asked Benton nervously. 
 
 " No, not if I could keep you in the line, but to 
 get to Logan's we will have to take the road a good 
 part of the way, and that may be dangerous. Better 
 not say anything to Logan about the line." 
 
 " Why, do you doubt Logan's loyalty to the 
 South ? " asked Benton surprised. 
 
THE UXDEliGIiOl'ND /.'.l/ZJCJi' 93 
 
 " No, the trouble is, he is loo blame loyal and 
 spits it out. Can't keep his tongue in place. Now 
 everyone of us connected with the line are true and 
 loyal citizens of the United States, dote on old Abe, 
 and worship the star spangled banner. We each 
 and everyone of us have papers to that effect. See? " 
 
 *' I see," replied Benton. 
 
 " To get to Logan's by sun up you will have to 
 have a horse. Dare not take two, but I am good on 
 a trot." 
 
 Benton was more than glad to hear he wafs to 
 have a horse. Now that the excitement of the last 
 five hours was over, he felt completely exhausted, 
 and knew that it was utterly impossible for him to 
 walk the seven or eight miles, they said it was to 
 Logan's, without a rest. 
 
 In due time the horse was brought and they 
 started. Daniels proved he was no boaster as far 
 as his pedestrian qualities were concerned. He took 
 a dog-trot and kept it up. 
 
 After going about a mile they came to another 
 road where again the night call was given and re- 
 peated before they ventured to cross. Daniels held 
 a short conversation with the man on guard, and 
 Benton heard him say, " Blamed if I 'd do it, Dan- 
 iels. It 's too dangerous." 
 
 " Got to," replied Daniels. " Them 's the orders." 
 
 Daniels then explained to Benton that tlicy had 
 
94 27//!,' SCOVT OF PEA HIDGE 
 
 gone on the line as far as they could. They would 
 now have to take the main road. " Ruggles, here, 
 thinks its dangerous, but I do n't look for much 
 trouble, if we are careful. Only this, and mind what 
 I tell you, if we hear any Yankee soldiers coming, 
 you slide off and hide. Leave the rest to me. If 
 we meet any soldiers it will be cavalry and we can 
 hear them." 
 
 They now took the main road and made good 
 progress. Only once did they meet anyone. They 
 had gone about three miles, when the tramp of 
 horses and jingling of sabres told that a troop of 
 cavalry was coming. 
 
 " Slide, and slide quick," said Daniels. 
 
 Benton dismounted, and nmning quickly to a 
 clump of bushes near the road secreted himself. 
 Daniels mounted the horse and slowly jogged 
 forward. 
 
 " Halt," exclaimed the commander of the troop 
 as Daniels met them. " Where to, my friend, this 
 time of night? " 
 
 " Most mornin'," drawled Daniels. " Bought a 
 cow yesterday of old man Sutton who lives up the 
 road 'bout five miles. Started early to get her, so 
 as to get back to shuck corn. I 'm a good Union 
 man. Have papers to show it," and he began to 
 feel in his pockets. 
 
 " No time to look now. Go and get your cow, but 
 
THE UNDEEGnOUXD EAILUAT 95 
 
 too many of you fellows are good Union men by 
 clay and guerillas by night. Forward boys ! " The 
 troop rode on. 
 
 "Are they all put off as easy as that?"" asked 
 Benton as he came up and remounted the horse. 
 
 '* Do n't have much trouble. It pays to be a good 
 Union man. I sell a heap of stuff to the Yankees, 
 big money." 
 
 They now made rapid progress and just as it be- 
 gan to be light Daniels stopped and pointing to a 
 house about half a mile away on a cross road said, 
 ** That is Logan's. You will have no trouble to 
 make it. I must be going back." 
 
 " How about that cow if you should happen to 
 meet that same troop of cavalry? " asked Benton. 
 
 " Oh ! Old Sutton jumped the contract. Would n't 
 let me have her, without I would pay five dollars 
 more. Would n't humor him. Well, good-bye, 
 Lieutenant. Luck to you." And he was off. 
 
 " A genius that," said Benton as he looked after 
 him. " What a spy he would make." Then a scowl 
 came over his face for he thought of Guilford. 
 
 Benton found the family at Logan's just sitting 
 down to breakfast and was given a warm welcome. 
 
 " I have been greatly worried over you." said Mr. 
 Logan. " Were you successful in what you wished 
 to find out ? " 
 
 " Yes, but I had a narrow escape from arrest," 
 
96 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 answered Benton. '* Still, the information I received 
 well repaid nie for the danger encountered." 
 
 " Have any trouble in getting away? " asked his 
 host. 
 
 Benton remembered what Daniels had said about 
 not telling Logan about the line, so he remarked 
 lightly, " Not a great deal. Some friends helped me 
 slip through the pickets." 
 
 " Some of my neighbors," said Logan, " have 
 taken the oath of allegiance and pretend to be good 
 Union men, when I know they are as big Rebels as 
 I am. Blamed if I will do it. Lose everything I 
 liave first." 
 
 " Good for you, Mr. Logan," said Benton. " Yet 
 the neighbors of whom you speak may in a secret 
 way do much for the Confederacy " 
 
 " Maybe," replied Mr. Logan doubtfully. 
 
 Benton needed both sleep and rest and he con- 
 cluded to wait over until evening before he started. 
 Mr. Logan told him this was a wise thing to do as 
 scouting parties from St. Louis were numerous. 
 
 Early in the evening, refreshed by a good sleep, 
 Benton started on his long journey. He was now 
 clad in the uniform of a Confederate ofificer and he 
 knew that everyone he met who sympathized with 
 the South would be his friend. He had carefully 
 mapped out his route and made good progress, tie 
 met with no adventure of moment until in Webster 
 
TEE UNDEEGEOUND EAILUAY 97 
 
 county he heard the faint sound of firearms in 
 front, and in a few moments a number of rough- 
 looking men dressed in homespun came galloping 
 down the road. They were armed with shot guns 
 and squirrel rifles, and Benton knew at a glance they 
 were guerillas. He halted the foremost and asked 
 the trouble. 
 
 " Yanks," was the answer. 
 
 " How many? " 
 
 " Do n't know. A right smart number." They 
 started to ride on wdien Benton in a tone of author- 
 ity cried, " Halt! " 
 
 " I am ashamed of you men for running before 
 you know whether you have any cause to run or 
 not," he said. 
 
 In the meantime the guerillas had kept coming 
 until there were fifty or sixty of them in the road. 
 
 " Let every fourth man lead the horses over the 
 brow of the hill there. The rest of you take position 
 along the side of the road in the wood and when the 
 Yankees come give them a warm reception." 
 
 Just then the leader of the band who with three 
 or four more who had lingered to hold back the en- 
 emy, came up. 
 
 "What's up?" he thundered. "Why don't 
 yo'uns git along? " 
 
 Just then he spied Benton. " I halted your men. 
 Captain. I am not accustomed to see Confederates 
 
98 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 run. In Price's army we let the other fellows do the 
 running." 
 
 " Who are yo'un? " asked the leader with an oath. 
 
 '' I will tell you when we whip these Yankees," 
 replied Benton. 
 
 A squad of Federals had appeared up the road. 
 When they saw the enemy had halted, they stopped, 
 held a consultation and then turned around and 
 disapi>eared. 
 
 " They are afraid," cried Benton. " Order your 
 men to mount and run after them." 
 
 The leader shook his head. " Not we'uns. Cap. 
 Them fellers shoot. An' thar is too many of them. 
 We'uns never fight, w'ithout we'uns got the under 
 hold." 
 
 Benton was disgusted, but he saw it would not do 
 to anger the rough men around him, so he said to 
 the leader, " I believe your men could whip the 
 whelps, for you have a fine looking set of fellows." 
 
 Here those who heard began to grin, but Benton 
 went on. " You asked who I am. I am a Confed- 
 erate officer on the staff of General Price. The gen- 
 eral is badly in need of soldiers just such as you men 
 w^ould make. Why not come with me and join 
 Price? May I make your men a little speech? " 
 
 " If yo'un w^ant to," was the gruff answer. 
 
 Benton then gave the men a little talk telling them 
 what honor would await them if they would join 
 
THE UNDEEGEOUi\D RAILIVAY 99 
 
 Price, and how they would hurl the Yankee vandals 
 from the sacred soil of their beloved State. 
 
 The speech met with a cool reception, and of the 
 whole gang but two men signified their willingness 
 to go. 
 
 The leader, whose name was Odell, said with a 
 grin, " Xo use. Cap, the men are like me. They 
 do n't hanker after life in a reg'lar camp. The 
 brush for we'uns. Honest farmers when we'uns 
 want to be, and sogers when we'uns like. For sport 
 we hang a Union man when we'uns catch him. No, 
 Cap, we'uns thank yo'un for your kind invitation but 
 the free and easy life for us. Is n't that so, boys? " 
 
 " You bet," they shouted. " No army for us." 
 
 Benton looked his disgust, but said nothing. 
 While he despised the wretches with all his heart, he 
 knew it was such bands as this one, that kept a small 
 army of Federals busy, and in this way they were 
 helping the Confederate cause. 
 
 Accompanied by the two men who had volun- 
 teered to go with him, Benton went on his way, tak- 
 ing a road to the left to avoid the Federals, which 
 he was aware was only a scouting party. 
 
 His two recruits told him they had come with him 
 because they were sick and disgusted with the cru- 
 elty and barbarity they were not only forced to see 
 but to take part in. They told tales of outrage and 
 murder that made Benton shudder. 
 
100 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " Yet," said one of the men, " we had to join the 
 band or be victims of their outrages ourselves.'' 
 
 In due time Benton reached his destination. He 
 found Price slowly falling back, his army growing 
 weaker each day by desertions. It was evident many 
 of his men, like Odell's gang, had no relish to be- 
 come regular soldiers. They had rather take to the 
 brush and become guerillas. 
 
 " Back, so soon," cried General Price when he saw 
 Benton. " I am so glad you are back safely. But 
 what news? What news?" 
 
 " General," replied Benton, " my suspicions were 
 correct. You have been betrayed by as foul a traitor 
 as ever lived." 
 
 The general turned pale. " And I trusted him so, 
 because he was a Craig," he gasped. 
 
 Recovering his composure he said, " Lieutenant, 
 you look w^ary and must be so. Rest, and this 
 evening make a full report." 
 
 That evening Benton found gathered at head- 
 quarters not only all the members of General Price's 
 staff, but the principal generals of the army. They 
 listened to Benton's story with the closest attention, 
 and it must be said he told it well. One thing he did 
 not tell and that was that he was indebted to Guil- 
 ford for his life. 
 
 The feelings of Generals Price and Frost can be 
 imagined as they listened to how they had been 
 
THE UNDERGBOUND BAILWAY 101 
 
 duped by a mere boy. As for General Frost, lie was 
 white with rage. 
 
 " Do you mean to tell me that that traitor had 
 duplicate keys to my desk while he was»acting as my 
 orderly ? " he roared. 
 
 " That is what he said," answered Benton. 
 " Moreover he told me to tell you that he gloried in 
 his treachery, and whatever you might think of it, 
 he could never equal the deceit and hypocrisy you 
 practised in trying to deceive Lyon." 
 
 A faint smile was seen to play around the lips of 
 some of the officers present, as Benton said this, for 
 many believed that Frost should have let Basil Duke 
 and Colton Green have their way. and struck boldly, 
 and not have tried a game of tricker}'. If Duke and 
 Green had been j)ermitted to carry out their pro- 
 gramme of March 4 they believed the arsenal could 
 have been taken. 
 
 As for Frost he was wild when he heard what 
 Guilford had said. " I will never rest," he shouted, 
 "until I see that traitor hung — hung higher than 
 Haman." 
 
 While General Price deeply felt the deception 
 which had been practised on him, he did not let his 
 face betray his feelings. 
 
 " Gentlemen, what is past cannot be helped," be 
 said calmly. " Now that Guilford Craig has been 
 unmasked, he can do us no more harm. But we 
 
102 THE tiCOVT OF VEA RIDGE 
 
 have a duty to perform, that of rewarding the brave 
 and gallant officer who freely exposed his life that 
 the traitor might be discovered. Lieutenant Shelley, 
 stand up." 
 
 Benton arose, his face glowing with pride. 
 
 " Gentlemen," resumed the general, " allow me to 
 introduce to you, not Lieutenant Shelley but Captain 
 Shelley; and never was a promotion more richly 
 deserved." 
 
 The room rang with the loud huzzahs of the of- 
 ficers, and they crowded around Benton to shake 
 hands. It was one of the proudest moments that 
 Benton had ever known. 
 
 General Price, now aware that the despatches 
 which he had intrusted to Guilford were in the 
 hands of the Federals, and that the weakness of his 
 army was known, made preparations to fall back. 
 He did so deliberately, having little fear that Fre- 
 mont would strike, as Lyon w^ould have done, 
 swiftly and surely. 
 
 About a week after Benton had returned he was 
 amazed to see riding into camp Jerry Alcorn and 
 with him six others. 
 
 Benton's heart gave a quick throb when he saw 
 them. Had Jerry acted on his suggestion and Guil- 
 ford and Lawrence been assassinated? He was in a 
 quiver of excitement and rushing up to Jerry 
 grasped him by the hand. 
 
THE rXDERGEOrXD RAIUVAY 103 
 
 " What is it. Jerry? "' lie asked. " What news? " 
 '* Come to get that commission you spoke about." 
 rcpHed Jerry grinning. 
 
 " But — but — has anything happened? " 
 " Lots, or we would n't be here. The traitors still 
 live, thanks to Dickey Holbrook, who tried to be the 
 whole thing, curse him! But Dickey did the brave 
 thing at last, and warned us; though I sometimes 
 think he gave us away first. He or someone of the 
 boys did, for the Federals got on to the whole plot, 
 where we had our rendezvous and everything. But 
 no more now. I have warned all the boys to keep 
 their mouths shut. We have come to join Price; not 
 a word why we had to leave." 
 
 A crowd had begim to gather, and Benton saw 
 that it was wise not to say more. That evening 
 Jerry told him the whole story, and how he had 
 failed to murder Guilford Craig. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 LAWRENCE IS PROMOTED 
 
 WHEN Guilford Craig left his father's 
 house, he went to an obscure hotel where 
 he engaged a room. He felt that he had 
 Imrned every bridge behind him, that he was as a 
 stranger in a strange land. 
 
 His first thought was to flee the city without let- 
 ting even Lawrence know, and under another name 
 and in other fields seek new adventures. He had 
 been paid liberally both by General Lyon and Gen- 
 eral Price, and this added to what he had been sav- 
 ing for years from the allowance given him by his 
 father gave him several thousand dollars, so there 
 was no danger of immediate want. 
 
 One thing he was fully determined to carry out to 
 the very letter — that was, to be dead to all who 
 knew him. To do this neither friend nor foe must 
 know w^hat name he assumed or where he went. I 
 will go East, he thought. It will be around W^ash- 
 ington that the great battles of the war will be 
 fought. In the vast army gathering there I will in- 
 deed be as one dead. 
 
 104 
 
LAWllEXCE IS I'nOMOTED 105 
 
 Then as if some good angel had whispered to him 
 he said, " I cannot go without first seeing Lawrence. 
 I promised to see him this morning, both him and 
 Blair. I would be false to them if I went away 
 without telling them what has happened." 
 
 While thinking, he mechanically put his hand in 
 his pocket, and felt a package of letters, letters he 
 had brought from officers in Price's army to be de- 
 livered to friends in St. Louis. Li the stress of 
 events he had not yet examined them. Among them 
 was one written by General Price to a leading seces- 
 sionist of the city. Now that he was discovered 
 there was no occasion for the letters ever to be de- 
 livered, but Lawrence and Blair must see them, 
 especially the one from General Price. It might be 
 very important, for the general had cautioned Guil- 
 ford to deliver it only into the hands of the one to 
 whom it was addressed. Finding the letters only 
 confirmed Guilford in the thought that he must see 
 Lawrence, before he took his plunge into the 
 unknown. 
 
 He had little heart for breakfast, but he managed 
 to drink a cup of coffee and eat a few mouthfuls be- 
 fore he started for the home of Alfred Middleton to 
 meet Lawrence. It was yet early, and but few were 
 stirring, for which he was glad. He did meet one he 
 knew. One, who had a son in Price's army, and 
 he could hardly get away from him, so eager was he 
 
106 THE SCOUT OF PEA Til DOE 
 
 for Guilford to tell him the news. Guilford told 
 him what he wished to know, and as the gentleman 
 left he wrung Guilford's hand with tears in his eyes 
 saying, " God bless you, Guilford Craig, for what 
 you are doing for the South." 
 
 As Guilford looked after him an expression of 
 pain came over his face, and he murmured, " He 
 do n't know now, but he will in a few hours, and 
 then Guilford Craig will be a devil." 
 
 A moment later he came face to face with Jerry 
 Alcorn. Jerry gave a startled look and darted up 
 an alley. 
 
 " Fool to run," said Guilford. " He might know 
 if I wanted to have him arrested all I would have 
 to do, is to call a patrol. He must have got Bent 
 safely away. I am glad of it." 
 
 If Guilford had known what w^as in the thoughts 
 of Jerry at that moment he would have regretted 
 that he let him escape. 
 
 It was hardly eight o'clock when he knocked at 
 the door of Alfred Middleton's residence, and asked 
 if Lieutenant Middleton was in. 
 
 " Be yo' Massa Craig? " asked the butler. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Den, sah, de Lootenant is in. Jest had brek- 
 fast. Told me to tak yo' right up to his room." 
 
 Lawrence met Guilford with outstretched hand. 
 
LAWRENCE IS PROMOTED 107 
 
 " I 'm so glad to see yon," he cried. " I hardly 
 slept a wink last night thinking of you, and that yon 
 might be in danger." 
 
 Lawrence stopped suddenly and gazed into the 
 face of his friend. " Guilford, what is the matter? 
 \\'hat has happened? You look as if you had just 
 arisen from a bed of sickness," he exclaimed with 
 much feeling. 
 
 Guilford's haggard face told that he had been suf- 
 fering. He smiled wanly and said, " Xot sick, Law- 
 rence, but I have suffered since last I saw you. In 
 fact, I have been through, as it were, the fires of 
 purgatory." 
 
 Lawrence took his hand ; it was hot and feverish ; 
 and leading him to a seat said gently, " Xow tell me 
 all about it. It will do you good." 
 
 " In the first place," said Guilford, " I must tell 
 you that my days as a spy for General Price are 
 over. Bent has discovered everything, and is now 
 on his way back to Price." 
 
 Guilford then gave a full detail of all that had 
 happened since he parted with Lawrence the night 
 before. Lawrence listened with breathless attention, 
 now and then asking a question. 
 
 When Guilford told of his encounter with Benton 
 and how near he had come to killing him, Lawrence 
 cried, " I 'm glad you did n't do it, Guilford. I 'm 
 
JOS TRE SCOUT OF PEA JUDGE 
 
 glad you did n't do it. It would have been dreadful. 
 In your father's house too." 
 
 " He can thank his mother for his life," said 
 Guilford. 
 
 Then he told of his letter to his father and what 
 he had written ; and Lawrence cried, " You are not 
 going to do that, Guilford." 
 
 " I am going to do just that," answered Guilford 
 sullenly, " and do you know, I came near not coming 
 to see you at all." 
 
 " Guilford, what would I, what would Blair have 
 thought ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " That is the only thing that made me come," ex- 
 claimed Guilford. " I could not bear that you and 
 Blair should think me false. Then I have some let- 
 ters that Blair should see." 
 
 When Guilford was through, Lawrence sat in 
 deep thought for a moment, and then said, " Guil- 
 ford, are you fully determined to do what you wrote 
 your father? " 
 
 " Yes, nothing can change me. From this time 
 Guilford Craig is dead." 
 
 " I am going to give you a little solid advice, 
 Guilford. But first let me tell you a little of my 
 own histoiy. You know nothing of my early life. 
 Few do in St. Louis." 
 
 Lawrence then told him w^hat had happened to his 
 father and himself in Missouri and Kansas. 
 
LAWEEXCE IS PRU MUTED 109 
 
 " So you see," continued Lawrence, " slavery took 
 from me a dear father. Like you I hate slavery, but 
 not the people who own slaves. Think of what Judge 
 Lindsley did for me; think of how Uncle Alfred 
 took me in and cared for me. Can I hate those who 
 have befriended me? No, never. 
 
 " This war is not waged against a people nor 
 against slavery, but for the preservation of the 
 cM-andcst nation on earth. If it is necessary for its 
 preservation that slavery must go, it will go in due 
 time, and I am beginning to think it must go. If it 
 does, you and I will rejoice. 
 
 " Guilford, you have had a loveless childhood and 
 you have became morbid on the sn])ject of your real 
 and fancied wrongs. It is wrong for you to feel as 
 you do tow^ards your father ; yes, even towards your 
 step-mother and Benton. Think of the grief you 
 are causing your father. To do as you say you will 
 do, would be worse for him than to see you dead." 
 
 " You do n't understand," exclaimed Guilford, 
 a gleam of anger in his eyes. " If all you have to 
 cay is to lecture me, I might as well go. As for my 
 father I have already caused him all the pain I can. 
 He would rejoice if I had died before I became a 
 traitor to all he holds dear. You well know that I 
 will be loathed, execrated by all my people, and all 
 who ever knew me. No, it is for my father's sake 
 I have determined to become as one dead." 
 
110 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " Guilford, forgive me," said Lawrence, and tears 
 came into his eyes as he said it. " I now see that for 
 the present, as far as your father is concerned, you 
 are right. In the future it may be different. But, 
 Guilford, do n't go away, do n't bury yourself in the 
 Eastern army. You may be needed here." 
 
 " I can see no way of doing more here," said Guil- 
 ford. " You have been ordered to your regiment by 
 Fremont. You are no longer a staff officer of Gen- 
 eral Lyon. As for me, now that I am known for 
 what I am, I see nothing more I can do here. Law- 
 rence, I would like to stay with you, to work with 
 you, if things were as they were with Lyon. But 
 now I have no heart to work. Fremont is a failure, 
 a dead failure. He is losing all that Lyon gained." 
 
 " Give Fremont a little time," said Lawrence. " I 
 hear he is about to make a forward movement." 
 
 " Too late to catch Price now," answered Guil- 
 ford. " Lawrence, I must bid you good-bye, you 
 will never see Guilford Craig again." 
 
 "Guilford, if you must go, don't go yet," cried 
 Lawrence. " Remember you promised to see Blair 
 this morning. That is. I promised to bring you with 
 me to see him." 
 
 "Blair! Blair! That makes me think I have 
 some letters yet which I brought from the Confed- 
 erate camp, which I have not yet looked over. Now 
 they can be examined and thrown aw^ay. One of 
 
LAWEEyCE IS PROMOTED 111 
 
 them is from General Price himself to Judge Pent- 
 worth. That may be valuable." 
 
 Thus saying, Guilford reached into his pocket and 
 drew forth several letters. They lost no time in 
 looking them over. The letter to the Judge, while 
 cautious, was a piteous plea to him to use all his in- 
 fluence to urge the people to come to his support. 
 " The great majority of those who come to me," 
 Price wrote, " refuse to go out of the State. They 
 will not enlist as soldiers in the service of the Con- 
 federacy. If I fall back — and fall back I must if 
 Fremont makes an advance — they will desert by 
 hundreds." 
 
 " Fremont must see this letter," said Lawrence. 
 
 " Not until Blair sees it," said Guilford. " I have 
 no dealings with Fremont." 
 
 " Then let us go to Blair at once," exclaimed 
 Lawrence. 
 
 " Xot L" said Guilford. " You can take it. Tell 
 Blair good-bye for me." 
 
 Lawrence put his hand on Guilford's shoulder, 
 and looking in his face said. " Guilford, you and I 
 have worked together for a long time. Now I want 
 you to make me one promise, that you will not go 
 until after I see Blair and after I see you once more. 
 Promise me this." and Lawrence's voice trembled as 
 he said it. 
 
 Guilford hesitated and then replied. " For the love 
 
112 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 of you, Lawrence, I will grant your request. Come 
 this evening to where I am staying." He gave him 
 the street and number. 
 
 The two boys shook hands and parted. Guilford 
 to return to his obscure hotel and remain secluded, 
 and Lawrence to see Blair, who was about to start 
 for Washington. 
 
 To Blair Lawrence told Guilford's story, only 
 keeping back the fact that Guilford had aided Ben- 
 ton to escape, thinking that Blair would not like it. 
 He was glad, for when Blair heard that Benton had 
 escaped he exclaimed vehemently, " \Miy did n't 
 Craig shoot the villain in spite of his mother? So 
 it is all up with young Craig as to his playing the 
 Confederate spy any longer." 
 
 " Yes, but here are some letters he brought from 
 the Confederate camp,"* said Lawrence. " One is 
 from General Price to Judge Pentworth." 
 
 Blair took the letters and hastily glanced them 
 over. "If Guilford Craig never did anything be- 
 fore," exclaimed Blair. " the delivery of these let- 
 ters entitles him to the gratitude of every Union 
 man. Fremont must see them at once. I under- 
 stand he goes to Jefferson City to-morrow. If he 
 does not act on them and strike Price quick and 
 hard, I would not give much for his generalship. 
 
 " Come. Lieutenant, I want you to go with me." 
 
 *M\']iat!'" asked Lawrence in surprise. "After 
 
LAWRENCE IS PROMOTED 113 
 
 what occurred yesterday? Von know he ordered me 
 to report to my regiment." 
 
 " ^^'hich order I asked him to h(->ld in abeyance," 
 repHed Bkiir. 
 
 When Blair and Lawrence arrived at head- 
 quarters they found everything in confusion, for 
 Fremont was about to go to Jefferson City to 
 assume personal command of the amiy. 
 
 " Tell the General I wish to see him on very im- 
 portant business ami in private," said Blair to a staff 
 officer. 
 
 In a few minutes the officer returned saying Fre- 
 mont would receive him. 
 
 As they entered the august presence of Fremont, 
 the General stared at Law rence and then said curtly, 
 " Mr. Blair, I thought you wished to see me in 
 private." 
 
 *' So I do," replied Blair, " but as Lieutenant 
 ]\Iiddleton is so intimately connected with what I 
 want to say I brought him along. But, General, first 
 read this letter." He handed Fremont the letter of 
 General Price to Judge Pentworth. 
 
 Fremont read the letter through and looked up in 
 astonishment. "Who gave you this letter?" he 
 asked abruptly. 
 
 " Lieutenant Middlcton." replied Blair. 
 
 " .-Xnd how did you come by it? " asked the gen- 
 eral turning to Lawrence. 
 
il4 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 " It was given to me by one of my scouts," 
 ciuietly answered Lawrence. 
 
 "Your scouts? Your scouts? How came you to 
 have scouts?" asked Fremont, his tone showing 
 both surprise and anger. 
 
 " The General forgets that I was the chief of the 
 Secret Service of General Lyon," answered Law- 
 rence, " and that I employed scouts and spies who 
 reported to me only." 
 
 " You, you the head of General Lyon's secret 
 service? Why you are nothing but a boy," replied 
 Fremont with a look of incredulity. 
 
 Before Lawrence could reply, Blair said, " Gen- 
 eral Fremont, Lieutenant Middleton speaks the 
 truth. Young as he is it was through him and the 
 spy through whose hands this letter came, that we 
 were able to thwart the machinations of the enemy." 
 
 " But how did the spy get hold of this letter? " 
 asked Fremont. 
 
 " I suppose Price gave it to him," answered Blair 
 with a smile. " To be brief, General, this spy of 
 Lieutenant Middleton's is supposed to be a good 
 Confederate, a trusted spy of General Price's." 
 
 " Where is he? Can I get him? " asked Fremont 
 greatly interested. 
 
 " He has Ijeen discovered, I regret to say," re- 
 plied Blair. " Bringing these letters is his last trip. 
 But, General, the letter of Price's is important." 
 
LAWEENCE IS PROMOTED US 
 
 " It is," answered Fremont. " It bears out what 
 my own scouts have reported. I shall move on Price 
 the earliest moment I can concentrate my forces." 
 
 '* Be careful he does not slip through your fingers, 
 General," said Blair. " But to come to the point on 
 which I came to see you. You know how important 
 it is that you should receive as correct news as pos- 
 sible as to the movements of the enemy. There is 
 no one in the army who can furnish you the news 
 as correctly as Lieutenant Middleton here. Yester- 
 day you ordered him to his regiment. Pardon me, 
 but I think you made a mistake. You should keep 
 Lieutenant Middleton in your service; if not on 
 your staff, at the head of an independent company 
 of scouts. You will find that he will be of inestima- 
 ble value to you." 
 
 Fremont sat for a time, as if in deep thought. He 
 was well aware that so far his administration of af- 
 fairs in Missouri had been a failure. He had come 
 in conflict with President Lincoln and been forced to 
 withdraw his famous proclamation that the slaves of 
 all secessionists in the State should be free, thus an- 
 ticipating Lincoln's proclamation by over a year. 
 The fall of Lexington added to his unpopularity, 
 and there went up from all over the country a de- 
 mand for his removal. No one knew better than 
 Fremont that his keeping the command of the De- 
 partment of Missouri hung by a slender thread 
 
116 TEE aCODT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 which might be snapped at any time. The fah of 
 Lexington must be avenged, or his fate was sealed. 
 To do what Blair asked would do no harm, it might 
 do good. So lie said, " Blair, from what you have 
 told me Lieutenant Middleton may, as commander 
 of an independent company of scouts, render im- 
 portant service. I have no place for him on my 
 stafif, but I will give him full authority to raise such 
 a company as he wishes. Let him call at four o'clock 
 this afternoon. All the necessary papers for this in- 
 dependent command will be ready. I am now very 
 busy or I would have further talk with the Lieuten- 
 ant, as I have been much interested in what I have 
 heard. Good day." 
 
 Lawrence had listened to this conversation be- 
 tween Fremont and Blair with the greatest surprise. 
 He had not the least inkling as to what Blair was 
 to ask, but when alone he grasped the hand of his 
 friend and said, " You must have read my thoughts, 
 for you asked for what I most desired. I hope I 
 can now keep Guilford Craig." 
 
 " Ah, my boy, I know you," answered Blair 
 laughing. " I only wish I could be here to help you 
 organize your company. But I have no fears. Get 
 that company together, for I may need you after a 
 time. In all probability I shall resign my seat in 
 Congress and accept a command in the army." 
 
LAWRENCE IS PROMOTED I17 
 
 Thus saying, he shook Lawrence warmly by the 
 hand and went his way. 
 
 Lawrence was highly elated. He could hardly 
 wait until four o'clock, when he was to receive the 
 necessary authority to raise his company. 
 
 At the appointed time he returned to headquarters, 
 and the adjutant general placed the coveted papers 
 in his hand. They were full and complete. They 
 gave him full authority to raise a company of not 
 more than fifty men, and he was to act independ- 
 ently, but should report as often as necessary to the 
 general in command, nearest the point where he was 
 acting. 
 
 But the best of all, with the order was a commis- 
 sion as captain. This almost took Lawrence's breath 
 away. It was more than he had ever dared to hope. 
 
 " Now to Guilford," he exclaimed, " with the 
 good news. I do hope I can get that foolish notion 
 of his of going away, out of his head." 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 A MURDEROUS PLOT FOILED 
 
 THE clock was striking seven as Lawrence en- 
 tered the little hotel where Guilford was 
 staying. He asked for John Jackson, for 
 Guilford had told him he registered under that 
 name. 
 
 The hotel keeper looked at Lawrence suspiciously, 
 for a Federal officer was not often a visitor, and 
 when one came, it generally meant trouble. 
 
 The hotel keeper wrinkled his brow. " John Jack- 
 son. John Jackson," he said in a tone of deep 
 thought. " I believe there was a feller of that name 
 who stopped here, but he is gone." 
 
 " I know better," exclaimed Lawrence. " Show 
 me to his room immediately, or it will be the worse 
 for you." 
 
 " He said he was going to-day, anyway," sput- 
 tered the hotel keeper. "His room is Nmnber ii. 
 I will go and see if he is in." 
 
 " No, thank you. I will go myself," said 
 Lawrence. 
 
 The hotel keeper muttered something under his 
 118 
 
A MUBDEROrS PLOT FOILED 119 
 
 breath, and then said, " \'en- well, up stairs to the 
 right." 
 
 Lawrence tapped at the door of 1 1 and it was 
 opened by Guilford himself, but disguised as Charles 
 Morris. 
 
 " Glad to see you, Lawrence. I am all ready to 
 move. I take the eleven o'clock train for the East." 
 
 " Oh, Guilford, I have great news to tell you," 
 exclaimed Lawrence. " You are not going East. 
 You are going to stay with me. Listen." 
 
 Lawrence then told him of his independent com- 
 mand and of his being commissioned as captain. 
 '* Just think what it means, Guilford. I want you to 
 be one of my lieutenants." 
 
 Guilford shook his head. " I am glad for your 
 sake," he answered. " But how can I stay ? Have I 
 not told you Guilford Craig is dead?" 
 
 " Guilford, you must stay," cried Lawrence. " I 
 will have no heart to raise my company if you do 
 not. Think how we have worked together for the 
 past months. Guilford Craig may be dead, but 
 Charles Morris is not." 
 
 This was a happy .thought. " Morris was my 
 mother's maiden name. I have a right to it," said 
 Guilford, " but even in my disguise I have been 
 seen." 
 
 " Only at night." replied Lawrence. " Then only 
 by two or three and you were only identified as Guil- 
 
120 THE SCOUT OF PEA TJDGE 
 
 ford Craig by Jerry Alcorn trailing you home. Why 
 not come in my company as Charles Morris?'" 
 
 " Let me think," said Guilford wavering. " I had 
 so fully made up my mind to go away that 1 cannot 
 imagine it otherwise. Do n't speak to me, Lawrence, 
 just let me think." 
 
 Guilford sat down, leaned his head on his hands 
 and remained for some time in a deep study. At last 
 he raised his head and said slowly, " I will remain 
 with you, Lawrence, if we can agree on certain con- 
 ditions, not otherwise." 
 
 " Name your conditions," replied Lawrence 
 eagerly. 
 
 " First : You must not enlist in your company a 
 single man who already knows me. All must be 
 strangers. 
 
 " Second : You must never reveal my identity, 
 even if I should fall. Charles Morris I must be in 
 death, as well as in life." 
 
 " Must I never tell your father if — if you should 
 be killed, which I hope will never be ? " asked 
 Lawrence. 
 
 " Above everyone, not him. To him I am now 
 dead. Let it be so. Promise me faithfully, or I 
 start East to-night." 
 
 " I promise," said Lawrence, " but I see I must 
 now enlist my company out of St. Louis, lest by 
 chance I get some one who may know you." 
 
A MUEDEEOrS PLOT FOILED 121 
 
 " Then it is settled." said Guilford. " Lawrence, 
 your liand." 
 
 Lawrence gave him his hand and Guilford looked 
 into his face long and earnestly. At last he spoke. 
 *' I can trust you, Lawrence. Look for the last time 
 into the face of Guilford Craig. Never call me by 
 that name again. Guilford Craig is now dead, but 
 Charles Morris lives." 
 
 When afterwards Lawrence knew how the name 
 of Guilford Craig was execrated by all who knew 
 him; how Mr. Craig would not allow his name to 
 be spoken, and proclaimed to the world that he had 
 no son, he felt that Guilford was not far wrong. 
 
 The next two days were busy ones to Lawrence 
 for he was making preparations to leave for the 
 northern part of the State, where he expected to 
 raise his company. During this time, Charles Mor- 
 ris, for by this name Guilford must now be called, 
 remained quietly at his hotel. But death was not 
 only on his track, but on the track of Lawrence as 
 well, though they knew it not. 
 
 The words of Benton Shelley had sunk deep into 
 the heart of Jerry Alcorn. Jerry, by birth poor and 
 belonging to a stratum of society which was looked 
 down upon by the slave-holding portion of the city 
 as no better than " niggers," had keenly felt his 
 position, for he had ambitions, and also some ability. 
 
 By the time he was twenty he had gathered quite 
 
122 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 a political following, and was able to get enough in- 
 fluence to be appointed a policeman. This position 
 he lost by refusing to obey commands in the trouble- 
 some days before the war came. He was an ardent 
 Rebel, for he believed that the black Republicans 
 with Abe Lincoln at their head were trying to make 
 the nigger just as good as a white man, and this 
 Jerry resisted with all his soul. 
 
 It seems to be a part of human nature for one 
 stratum of society to look down upon and despise the 
 strata supposed to be beneath it. As the slave-hold- 
 ing population of the South despised " the poor white 
 trash," " the poor white trash " despised the negro. 
 The belief that the war was waged to make the 
 negro their equal, made them as ardent secessionists 
 as their slave-holding brothers. 
 
 It was this belief that drove thousands upon thou- 
 sands of the poor whites into the Confederate army, 
 and made them the best soldiers in the world. Ac- 
 customed to look up to and honor the slave-holder 
 as a superior being, they obeyed orders without a 
 murmur, and fought with desperation. 
 
 Thousands upon thousands of the poor whites of 
 the South fell upon the battlefield that slavery might 
 live, and yet slavery was as great a curse to them as 
 it was to the negro. 
 
 Jerry Alcorn was no stranger to violence. During 
 the rioting in St. Louis he had assisted in beating to 
 
A MUBDEBOUS PLOT FOILED 123 
 
 death two or three of the hated '' Dutch." Naturally 
 brutal by nature, he had little moral scruple in act- 
 ing on the suggestion of Benton Shelley. The hint 
 that the assassination of such a traitor as Guilford 
 Craig might not only win him honor, but might lead 
 to a commission, took possession of him. 
 
 Jerry was vain and fond of display. He remem- 
 bered how grand the officers of Frost's militia looked 
 as they rode forth to Camp Jackson ; how fair ladies 
 threw flowers in their pathway and cheered them. 
 He fancied himself on a prancing horse, a clanking 
 sword by his side and waving plume in his hat. 
 Should he do the deed and claim the reward? 
 
 First, Jerry lost no time in spreading the news of 
 Guilford's treachery. The Southern element were 
 dumbfounded. Maledictions deep and fearful were 
 heaped upon Guilford's head, and it was plain to be 
 seen that anyone putting him out of the way would 
 have the sympathy of the entire party. This decided 
 Jerry. He believed he would have little trouble in 
 escaping after committing the deed. 
 
 He lost no time in calling together some half-dozen 
 of his confederates. Of those who had helped Ben- 
 ton spy on Lawrence, he dare approach but two, 
 Dickey Holbrook and Allen Duncan. His other four 
 were professional toughs, ready for any desperate 
 deed. As we have seen, Dickey Holbrook was not 
 renowned for his courage, but he was sly and crafty. 
 
124 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 No one could trail a victim better than he, and no 
 one could put up a better story if caught. 
 
 To the six Jerry unfolded his plot, telling them 
 that honor awaited them if they could accomplish 
 the death of that arch traitor, Guilford Craig. 
 
 " It 's a duty we owe the South, to put him out 
 of the way," said Jerry. " We can do it and no one 
 be the wiser." 
 
 " That 's so," spoke up one of the gang called 
 Billy the Kid. " I have helped put three Dutchmen 
 out of the way and no trouble." 
 
 "If we are suspected, there is Price's army," said 
 Jerry. " A grand welcome would await us there." 
 Then he added with a wink, " I am thinking there 
 would be some who would give big money to see 
 Guilford Craig put under ground." 
 
 " But how are we to find him? " asked Allen Dun- 
 can. " The rabbit must first be caught, and Craig 
 has not been seen for the past two days." 
 
 " If he is still in the city," replied Jerry, " all we 
 have to do is to watch Lawrence Middleton, and you 
 may be sure we will find him. And, by the way, if 
 we get the chance, it would be a mighty .good thing 
 to give Middleton the same dose that w^e do Guil- 
 ford. He is as deep in this traitor business as young 
 Craig." 
 
 The matter was fully discussed and ended by the 
 seven binding themselves together by the most horri- 
 
A MUBDEEOUS PLOT FOILED 12o 
 
 ble oaths to kill both Lawrence and Guilford. But 
 how ? 
 
 " Let 's find them first, and then decide," said 
 Jerry. " Let our headquarters be here and let the 
 first one who finds out anything report." 
 
 " Let me have the first trick on spying," spoke 
 up Dickey Holbrook. " I owe Guilford a turn for 
 the way he fooled me." 
 
 " All right, Dickey. Go ahead," replied Jerry. 
 " But be sure and do n't let him scare you to death 
 again." 
 
 Dickey turned red. " I reckon you would be 
 scared if you found a revolver thrust in your face," 
 snapped he. '' Just give me a chance and I will show 
 you fellows what I can do." 
 
 " Well, you are good at trailing anyway," said 
 Jerry, " and Middleton do n't know you. He is onto 
 me, and if he should see me sneaking around he 
 would become suspicious." 
 
 This all happened two days after Guilford had 
 consented to go with Lawrence, and during this time 
 he had remained quietly in his hotel. 
 
 Lawrence had made all preparations to leave the 
 city for Rolla, thinking that the best place to recruit 
 his company, as that place was filled with Union 
 refugees, the whole of southwest Missouri being now 
 in the hands of the Confederates, and the county 
 over-run by murderous bands of guerillas. 
 
126 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 Unconscious of impending danger, Lawrence in 
 the evening went to see Guilford to tell him that 
 everything was ready and that they would start for 
 Rolla in the morning. 
 
 Fremont was already in Jefferson City making 
 preparation for his forward movement, and Law- 
 rence wished to lose no time. 
 
 That afternoon the sharp eyes of Dickey Hol- 
 brook watched every movement Lawrence made, 
 and when he started to see Guilford, Dickey trailed 
 along behind and had no trouble in following him to 
 the little hotel. 
 
 Lawrence went in and Dickey stood in the shadow 
 of the building waiting and thinking what he had 
 best do. It was now dark and he had no fear of 
 being discovered. He was about to go and tell 
 the boys that he was sure he had discovered Guil- 
 ford's hiding place when the door opened and Law- 
 rence and Guilford came out, and walked slowly 
 down the street. 
 
 Dickey followed softly, but they did not go far 
 before they turned and Dickey had just time to 
 dodge into a dark alley. As if tempting fate Law- 
 rence and Guilford stopped right in front of the 
 alley. Dickey trembling with excitement could 
 have reached out his hand and touched them. 
 
 " Then you believe your life is not safe in the 
 city," Lawrence was saying. 
 
There was a Hash, a stunning report, aiul Lawrence telt a 
 burning sensation along his forehead 
 
A MURDEROUS PLOT FOILED 127 
 
 " Not for a minute as long as Jerry Alcorn is 
 here, but that will make little difference as we go in 
 the morning." 
 
 So Lawrence and Guilford were going to leave 
 the city in the morning and Jerry's plotting would 
 come to naught. Then a mighty thought thrilled 
 Dickey. They were side by side; one shot would 
 suffice for both. He couldn't miss them, they 
 were so near. He could shoot and dash up the 
 alley. Such a deed would make him the leader of 
 the gang. He would show Jerry Alcorn he was 
 not the coward he supposed him. 
 
 With shaking hands Dickey Holbrook reached for 
 a heavy revolver that he carried concealed in his 
 bosom. 
 
 There was a flash, a stunning report, and Law- 
 rence felt a burning sensation along his forehead, 
 and at the same time a piece of the rim of Guil- 
 ford's hat went flying away. 
 
 Without waiting to see the effect of his shot, 
 Dickey threw the revolver away and darted up the 
 alley; but fate was against him, the alley was a 
 blind one and brought up against a stone wall. In 
 the darkness Dickey did not see the wall, and ran 
 against it with such force as to be flung back and 
 thrown violently to the ground. 
 
 For a moment the flash blinded both Lawrence 
 and Guilford, then they heard the thud of Dickey's 
 
128 TRE SCOUT OF PEA KIDGE 
 
 revolver as it struck the ground, and his rapidly re- 
 treating footsteps. 
 
 Without hesitation Lawrence dashed up the alley, 
 drawing his revolver as he went. 
 
 " Look out," called Guilford, " there is a brick 
 wall ahead." 
 
 This made Lawrence halt but he heard a groan 
 in front and advancing cautiously soon came on 
 Dickey, who was still unable to rise. 
 
 By this time Guilford had come up and Dickey 
 was dragged to his feet badly shaken. 
 
 The shot had been heard and a patrol guard, 
 under the command of a sergeant came running, 
 "What is up? Who fired the shot?" he asked 
 breathlessly. 
 
 " This fellow tried to murder us," said Lawrence. 
 " Let 's get to the light and see who he is." 
 
 " Why, it 's Dickey Holbrook," exclaimed Guil- 
 ford, the moment he saw the culprit. " Dickey, I 
 am surprised. If it had been Jerry Alcorn I would 
 not have thought it strange ; but you, Dickey ! " 
 
 Dickey did not answer. He had hardly recovered 
 from the shock of his fall. 
 
 The sergeant now noticed Lawrence's uniform 
 and saluting said, " Lieutenant, will you go with us 
 or wait until morning to make your charge against 
 the prisoner?" 
 
 " First let me speak to him in private," said Law- 
 
A MUEDEROUS PLOT FOILED 129 
 
 rence, and taking Dickey aside he said, '' Dickey, do 
 you know that you will swing about to-morrow for 
 this? "" 
 
 Dickey turned as white as a sheet, " Oh. my God ! 
 Do n't hang me," he gasped. 
 
 " I do not know that I can save you, but I will see 
 what I can do if you will tell me the exact truth. 
 Who put you up to this? and why? " 
 
 Dickey with his teeth chattering, gasped, " Won't 
 — won't you hang me if I tell? " 
 
 " I have not the power to hang, or not to hang 
 you," answered Lawrence. " But this I know : it 
 will be better for you to confess all. As I told you, 
 I will do all for you I can if you do this." 
 
 Shivering with fear, Dickey told all he knew. 
 Lawrence heard with darkened brow. 
 
 " So that scoundrel. Benton Shelley, would hire 
 an assassin to murder his step-brother after that 
 step-brother saved his miserable neck from the gal- 
 lows," exclaimed Lawrence, his heart filled with 
 anger. 
 
 " And you too, he would have you killed, too," 
 whined Dickey. 
 
 " And Jerry Alcorn was the one to carry out 
 Shelley's murderous plans?" asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, Jerry was the one who got us into it," 
 eagerly replied Dickey. " He is the one to blame. 
 If anv one is to hang, he should be the one." 
 
130 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 "You say you have a place of rendezvous?" 
 asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, no doubt Jerry and the boys are there now. 
 I wall lead you to the place if you will let me go." 
 
 " I cannot let you go, but where is the place ? 
 Telling will count much in your favor. It may save 
 you." 
 
 Dickey told, not only this, but of a secret exit at 
 the back which he offered to show them. 
 
 " Sergeant," said Lawrence, " this fellow has con- 
 fessed to a most damnable plot, and tells me 
 where the rest of the conspirators are congregated. 
 Hurry and get help, and we may be able to capture 
 the whole gang." 
 
 The sergeant spoke to one of his men, and he 
 rushed away to bring reinforcements. 
 
 " The reserve station is not far," said the ser- 
 geant. " We will have reinforcements within five 
 minutes." 
 
 Lawrence now looked for Guilford, but he was 
 nowhere to be seen. He had slipped away. 
 
 " He does not want to be mixed up in this affair," 
 thought Lawrence. " He 's right. It will be suf- 
 ficient for me to make complaint." 
 
 In the meantime Dickey Holbrook was thinking 
 hard. He was no fool. He had attempted the life 
 of a Federal officer, and he knew that no one could 
 save him. His only chance was to escape. 
 
A MUEDEEOUS PLOT FOILED 131 
 
 He now began to complain, said that his running 
 against the wall had nearly killed him, that he could 
 scarcely stand and would be unable to go with them 
 to show them the place of hiding. 
 
 " I think this will put just a little strength into 
 you," said the sergeant, pricking him with his bay- 
 onet. 
 
 Dickey howled and protested he was telling the 
 truth. 
 
 A lieutenant with twelve men now came hurrying 
 up, brought by the soldier who had been sent for 
 reinforcements. 
 
 He was a pompous fellow and asked in a fierce 
 tone, " What 's the trouble here? " 
 
 " Allow me to explain," said Lawrence stepping 
 forward, and in a few words he told what had 
 occurred. 
 
 "You think we can bag the whole lot?" asked 
 the lieutenant eagerly. 
 
 " Yes, if we hurr}%" answered Lawrence. 
 
 " Forward men ! Double quick ! Be sure the 
 prisoner don't escape," shouted the lieutenant who 
 thought he saw a captain's commission in the fu- 
 ture, if the raid was successful. 
 
 Poor Dickey was hurried along, apparently so 
 weak he might drop at any moment. But like a 
 rat in a trap he was looking for a chance to escape. 
 He felt he had forfeited his life either way, for if 
 
132 TUE SCOUT OF FEA BIDGE 
 
 by chance the Federals let him go,, his companions 
 would seek revenge for his treachery at the first 
 opportunity. Oh ! if he could only escape and warn 
 them. They passed a place where an excavation 
 was being made for a new building. The soldiers 
 who had hold of Dickey were almost dragging him 
 along, so weak did he pretend to be. As they passed 
 the excavation Dickey gave a sudden jerk and dived 
 head foremost into the hole. 
 
 All was excitement, a dozen rifles blazed, and a 
 number of soldiers leaped into the pit after the 
 fugitive. Dickey was fleet of foot and he seemed 
 to be unharmed, for the soldiers heard him scramble 
 out of the other end of the excavation, and then he 
 was lost in the darkness. 
 
 Some moments were spent in a fruitless search. 
 The lieutenant in command was furious, cursing the 
 soldier who had let Dickey escape and placing him 
 under arrest. 
 
 " Lieutenant," said Lawrence, " let us waste no 
 more time, lest the escaped prisoner get to the ren- 
 dezvous before we do and the whole gang get 
 away." 
 
 " That is so," answered the officer, and calling 
 back his men from the pursuit, they hurried to the 
 place where Dickey said the gang met. To break 
 down the door and get into the room was the work 
 
A MUBDEBOrS PLOT FOILED 133 
 
 of but a moment, but Dickey had been ahead of 
 them. The room was empty. 
 
 Hatless and breathless and with a face as pale as 
 death Dickey had rushed into the room, where he 
 found the whole gang present. 
 
 *' Run ! Run for your lives," shouted Dickey. 
 " Everything has been discovered. The place will 
 be surrounded by soldiers in a few moments. Run, 
 I tell you." 
 
 A dark suspicion crossed the mind of Jerry Al- 
 corn. With an oath he drew his revolver. '* Have 
 they scared everything out of you again? " he thun- 
 dered. " Speak, before I blow out your cowardly 
 brains." 
 
 " No, no," cried Dickey in terror. " Did n't you 
 hear the firing? They were shooting at me — me 
 who was risking my life to warn you." 
 
 " My ! " suddenly exclaimed one of the men. 
 "Look at Dickey's hand." The blood was running 
 down it and off his fingers. 
 
 "I — I did n't know I was hurt," gasped Dickey. 
 
 Jerry caught the arm and gave a quick look. 
 " Only a flesh wound," he said. " But such as it 
 is it has saved your life. What has happened ? " 
 
 " No time to tell now," cried Dickey. " Only 
 they captured me as I was trailing Guilford Craig. 
 T heard him tell the officer in charge that he knew 
 
134 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 all about our plot, and where we met, and that if 
 he hurried he might catch the whole gang of us. 
 Then I broke and ran to give you warning. There ! 
 Hear that." 
 
 The sound of running feet was heard approaching. 
 
 " Out the back way," shouted Jerry. " Follow me. 
 It's to Price's army now. The jig is up with us in 
 St. Louis." 
 
 But as he went he muttered, " If Dickey tells the 
 truth Guilford Craig must be in partnership with 
 the powers of darkness." 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 A CHANGE OF BASE 
 
 OWING to the incidents related in the preced- 
 ing chapter, Lawrence was delayed for a 
 day in getting away, for he had to report to 
 the provost marshal the affairs of the night before. 
 
 " I will have that whole gang by night if they 
 are still in the city," said the marshal. " I am 
 afraid they may have fled, for I am confident there 
 is constant communication between the city and the 
 county." 
 
 "There is not the least doubt of that," answered 
 Lawrence. " This Jerry Alcorn of whom I spoke 
 is a dangerous man and I hope you can catch him, 
 but I am of the opinion he and his gang are well 
 out of the city by this time. The failure of the plot 
 to assassinate me will alarm them." 
 
 " It was a close call you had," observed the 
 marshal. 
 
 A red streak across Lawrence's forehead showed 
 how close the call had been. 
 
 " I am not anxious for anything closer," replied 
 Lawrence. " I must now bid you good day, as I 
 
 135 
 
136 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 have given you all the information I can. I am off 
 to-morrow." 
 
 "To join Fremont? Well I hope Price will get 
 what he deserves. Things have been going wrong 
 since Lyon was killed. The capture of Lexington 
 gave us a terrible black eye." 
 
 " It was a disgrace which should be wiped out," 
 replied Lawrence. " I am going to help do it." 
 
 " Good ! " and the marshal shook Lawrence 
 warmly by the hand as they parted. 
 
 During the day Lawrence fell in with an officer 
 he knew well and who had been with him at Wil- 
 son Creek. To him Lawrence showed his commis- 
 sion and confided his plans. 
 
 " I congratulate you," said his friend. " But if 
 I were you I would raise that company right here 
 in St. Louis. The best young men of tiie city 
 would jump at the chance to go in such a company 
 as that." 
 
 " I would like to," answered Lawrence, " but cer- 
 tain conditions which I am not at liberty to state 
 preclude my enlisting a single man in St. Louis." 
 
 The officer looked surprised. " I cannot imagine 
 what conditions would forbid your enlisting men 
 here," he exclaimed, " but such being the case I 
 would advise you to go to St. Joseph, instead of 
 Rolla." 
 
 " Why St. Joe ?" inquired Lawrence. 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 137 
 
 *' Because St. Joe is on the border. There you 
 will meet rough dare-devils, those who have fought 
 both Indians and border ruffians. You could raise 
 a superb body of men, fighters, every one." 
 
 " I will think of it," said Lawrence, as he bade 
 the officer good-bye. 
 
 The more Lawrence thought of it, the better he 
 liked the idea, so when he met Guilford he told him 
 they would go to St. Joseph instead of to Rolla. 
 
 " It may be all right," said Guilford, " but I 
 do n't like the border fellows. Many of them are 
 as bad as guerillas to steal and plunder." 
 
 " Well, we may stop off before we get to St. 
 Joe. I am convinced I can raise a company in 
 Northern IMissouri quicker than in any other part of 
 the State, so there we will go if you are willing." 
 
 " Oh, I am willing to go anywhere so we get out 
 of St. Louis," answered Guilford. 
 
 That evening Lawrence went to bid his uncle 
 and aunt good-bye. The parting was painful, for he 
 well knew they despised the uniform he wore, and 
 that it was only their love for him that kept them 
 from driving him from their door. 
 
 The next morning Lawrence and Charles Morris 
 (no longer Guilford Craig) started north. The 
 journey was not without its dangers, for the \\hole 
 northern part of the State swarmed with irregular 
 bodies of Confederates, mostly guerillas. Every 
 
138 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 train had to be closely guarded, and railroads were 
 being continually torn up. The progress of the 
 train was slow and Lawrence found that all the 
 troops that could be spared were moving south to 
 join Fremont in his forward movement to crush 
 Price. 
 
 It was sometime the next day before the train 
 reached Cameron, some forty miles east of St. Joe. 
 Here there was a delay, and Lawrence found an 
 Iowa regiment ready to march south to Lexington 
 as Price had abandoned that place. Lawrence hap- 
 pened to state to the colonel his purpose. 
 
 The colonel slapped his thigh. " Captain, I be- 
 lieve I have it," he exclaimed. " A company all 
 ready raised for you. Last night a company of fifty 
 State troops reported. They are under the command 
 of a Captain Mark Marvin, a young man who knows 
 nothing of military training, but looks as if he had 
 good stufif in him. He reported here to me, for he 
 did not know where he really belonged, or to whom 
 he should report. He told me if he could find a 
 good man who understood military tactics, he would 
 willingly yield command, and take second place. I 
 will send for him." 
 
 " First, let me look over the company," replied 
 Lawrence. 
 
 The colonel laughed. "I see you are cautious," he 
 said. 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 139 
 
 " I want a good company," answered Lawrence. 
 
 Lawrence sauntered over to where the company 
 was encamped. He saw they nearly all had good 
 horses. This pleased him. The men as a w'hole 
 w^ere stalwart bronzed fellows, most of them from 
 farms or the plains. Some there were with rough, 
 hardened faces, which bore traces of crime and dis- 
 sipation. All of them were young and full of life 
 and energy. As a whole they impressed him as be- 
 ing all right. He could weed out the poor and 
 vicious ones. 
 
 He went back and reported to the colonel that he 
 found the company all right and Captain Mark Mar- 
 vin was sent for. 
 
 When he came Lawrence saw a sturdy built man 
 of about twenty-five years of age. His black hair 
 was long and heavy on his shoulders ; his eyes, dark 
 and piercing, were shaded with heavy black eye- 
 brows, and his square heavy set jaw denoted both 
 courage and determination. His dress and looks 
 bespoke the plains, but his countenance was open 
 and honest, and Lawrence liked him. 
 
 The proposition was presented to him without un- 
 necessary words. He examined Lawrence's com- 
 mission and orders under which he was to act, 
 asked a number of questions and then said, ** I 
 rather like this. It makes a fellow independent of 
 every dude w^ho w^ears a shoulder strap, a little 
 
140 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 higher up in rank than yours is. And, Captain," 
 looking Lawrence straight in the face, " I rather 
 like you. You arc young, very young, but you must 
 have done something or Fremont would never have 
 given you such a commission." 
 
 " Done something? I should say he had," spoke 
 up the colonel. " Do n't you know he was on 
 General Lyon's staff, was at the head of his secret 
 service? It was he who caught Lyon when he fell 
 at Wilson Creek." 
 
 " Jerusalem ! " exclaimed Marvin. " On General 
 Lyon's staff and with him at Wilson Creek. Here 's 
 my hand. Captain," and Lawrence received a grip 
 of the hand which made him wince. 
 
 " Thank you," said Lawrence. " I can sincerely 
 return the compliment and say that I like you, but 
 what will your men say about the change of 
 commanders ? " 
 
 " I reckon the boys will be all right," answered 
 Marvin. " Some of them may kick a little, as they 
 hate discipline. Come on and I will put the thing 
 up to them." 
 
 The company was duly ordered to fall in, and 
 when in line and at attention Marvin made them a 
 little speech in which he brought the blushes to 
 Lawrence's cheeks, as he told what a brave officer he 
 was and what an honor it would be to be com- 
 manded by him. Marvin concluded his speech by 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 141 
 
 saying, " But the best thing of all and what influ- 
 enced nie in doing as I have, is the kind of service 
 wiiich we will be called on to do under Captain 
 Middleton. Of this the Captain can tell you better 
 than I. Boys, Captain Middleton." 
 
 There was a look of surprise on the faces of the 
 men as their captain commenced his speech. As he 
 proceeded many glances were cast at Lawrence and 
 several spoke up and said, " We do n't want any 
 other Captain than you." 
 
 One burly fellow with a sinister countenance, 
 sneeringly remarked in a stage whisper, " What, 
 that young popinjay be our captain ! Not much ! 
 The first thing he would do would be to order us to 
 black our boots and wear white collars." 
 
 " Silence in the ranks," thundered Captain Mar- 
 vin, and then turning to a corporal, he snapped, 
 " Corporal Sanders, arrest Kelley. I will attend 
 to his case after I am through." 
 
 " Marvin is just the man I thought he was," 
 thought Lawrence. " he will do to tie to," but he 
 interfered by saying, " Captain, please let Kelley 
 remain. I want a free expression from the men and 
 wish no one to be punished for that expression." 
 
 " Ver)^ well," replied Marvin. " Kelley, you 
 may remain, but be careful you do not interrupt 
 again." 
 
 There were no more interruptions. The little 
 
142 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 episode had made friends for Lawrence, who now 
 addressed the company. 
 
 He read them his commission and explained what 
 he expected them to do. " The work/' he said, 
 " will be arduous and dangerous, but less irksome 
 and far more independent than life in the regular 
 army. But do not think," he continued, " that be- 
 cause it is an independent company you will not be 
 under discipline. I shall expect every man to do 
 his duty, strictly obey orders, and be a model soldier 
 in every respect. Now it is for you to decide. Cap- 
 tain Marvin, I will leave you to talk matters over 
 with the men of the company and give me their 
 answer." 
 
 For a time there was a babel of voices, and argu- 
 ments pro and con, but the idea of an independent 
 company appealed to them, and by a unanimous 
 vote the company accepted Lawrence as their 
 captain. 
 
 The next two days were busy ones for Lawrence. 
 The company was regularly organized with Law- 
 rence as captain, Mark Marvin as first lieutenant 
 and a young man named James Bates as second 
 lieutenant. Charles Morris was introduced to the 
 company by Lawrence. " Morris is not a regularly 
 enlisted soldier," he said, " but is enrolled as a scout 
 and spy. In this capacity he has performed much 
 valuable service. I consider it fortunate he has 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 143 
 
 consented to serve under me. Consider him as one 
 of our number." 
 
 " If Captain Middleton thinks himself fortunate 
 that I serve under him," said Morris. " I consider 
 myself doubly fortunate in having that privilege. I 
 came with him because I know him, and when you 
 come to know him as well as I do. you will be glad 
 you are in his command." With these words ]\Ior- 
 ris turned and walked away. 
 
 " What a glum looking chap," said ]Marvin. 
 " Has he lost all his friends? " 
 
 " He is singular," answered Lawrence, " but you 
 will find him as true as steel. You must remember 
 he works most of the time with a halter dangling 
 before him. Time and time again he has entered 
 the camp of the enemy and there is a price on his 
 head." 
 
 Lawrence stopped. He was telling too much, .'^o 
 he changed the subject. 
 
 While the company was not as well armed as 
 Lawrence would have liked, each had a carbine and 
 a navy revolver. 
 
 On the morning of the third day after Lawrence 
 had arrived at Cameron, the Iowa regiment spoken 
 of started for the front to join Fremont, and Law- 
 rence concluded to accompany it, much to the joy of 
 the colonel, who had taken a great fancy to him. 
 
 " I will need you," the colonel said. " The coun- 
 
144 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 try through which we will pass is infested with 
 bushwhackers, and infantry is of little use against 
 them." 
 
 As if in contempt of Fremont, General Price had 
 lingered in Lexington nearly two weeks after he 
 had captured it, and then began a slow retrograde 
 movement, his trains loaded with spoils. 
 
 Fremont had enough soldiers in Missouri, if he 
 had hurried to throw a large force in Price's rear 
 and captured his whole army. But by the time 
 he had consolidated his army and got ready to move, 
 Price was a hundred miles away. He had captured 
 Lexington, administering a crushing blow to the 
 Union cause, and escaped unscathed. 
 
 When Lexington fell, President Lincoln tele- 
 graphed to Fremont. " I expect you to retrieve the 
 disaster." But it was not to be. Fremont was not 
 the general to do it. 
 
 The capture of Lexington was the crowning 
 point in the career of General Price and, in the eyes 
 of the Missouri secessionists, placed him among the 
 greatest generals of the South. 
 
 It was a bright October morning when Lawrence 
 and his company left Cameron for the long march 
 south. It so happened that the first day proved an 
 eventful one. 
 
 Along in the afternoon the troop was fired upon 
 by a small party of guerillas, who took to flight 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 145 
 
 the moment they had delivered their fire. A head- 
 long chase of some two miles took place but with- 
 out results. On returning, Lawrence noticed that 
 Lieutenant Bates and some six of the company were 
 missing. Towards evening they joined the column 
 loaded with plunder. 
 
 They told how a woman had cursed them as Yan- 
 kees, and as much as confessed her husband was 
 among the guerillas who had fired on them. " We 
 learned her a lesson she '11 not soon forgot," 
 chuckled one of the men. " We went through the 
 house, took everything we wanted and then piled 
 all the furniture up and made a bonfire. Ought to 
 have burned the house over her head, but she 
 begged so hard we spared it. I tell you we have 
 tender hearts, have n't we, Bill? " addressing one of 
 his companions. 
 
 " You bet," answered Bill, with a loud, coarse 
 laugh. 
 
 Lawrence heard the story with a darkened brow. 
 He ordered the company to fall in and then pro- 
 ceeded to give them a lecture they never forgot. 
 
 '" We are not making war on women and chil- 
 dren," he said, " nor do I intend to command a 
 company of desperadoes. Nothing must be taken 
 even from an enemy, except when in actual need for 
 sustenance, and in no case must a house be entered 
 for the purpose of plunder. 
 
146 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDOE 
 
 " Lieutenant Bates, you were with these men. I 
 am surprised you allowed such a thing to be done." 
 
 Bates had listened to Lawrence's speech with a 
 scowling face. " Do you mean to say," he growled, 
 " that you will allow no foraging on the enemy? " 
 
 " I mean to say," coolly replied Lawrence, " that 
 I will allow no homes to be plundered as if we were 
 robbers instead of soldiers. And above all I will 
 not allow women and children to be terrorized and 
 insulted." 
 
 " What will you do if we do n't obey your pious 
 orders ? " sneered Bates. 
 
 " Arrest the first man who disobeys," answered 
 Lawrence. " Lieutenant Bates, you are under ar- 
 rest for insubordination. Your sword, please." 
 
 Instead of yielding his sword, Bates turned to 
 the company and shouted, " Boys, are we to stand 
 this? Are we to submit tamely and be bossed 
 around by this young upstart? How many of us 
 have had to flee from our homes to save our lives ? 
 Give the devils the same medicine they do us, I 
 say, and I '11 be damned if I don't do it. Captain 
 Middleton to the contrary." 
 
 " That 's the stuff, Jim. That 's the stuff. We 're 
 with you," shouted a dozen of the men. 
 
 " Lieutenant Bates, your sword." The order 
 came as sharp as steel. 
 
 Instead of yielding his sword. Bates drew it with 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 147 
 
 a flourish and shouted with an oath, " Come and 
 get it, if you can." 
 
 As quick as a flash Lawrence covered him with 
 his revolver. " Drop that sword, before I count 
 three, or I fire." 
 
 Bates glanced at the company. Some eight or 
 ten of the men made a movement as if to help him. 
 
 " The first man that moves from the ranks dies." 
 said a cold, clear voice, and there by the side of 
 Lawrence stood Morris, a cocked revolver in each 
 hand. 
 
 The men stood as if rooted to the spot. 
 
 " One — two," counted Lawrence. 
 
 The sword of Lieutenant Bates fell to the ground. 
 
 " Now pick it up, return it to its scabbard, un- 
 buckle your belt and deliver it to Sergeant Graves," 
 commanded Lawrence. 
 
 With his face distorted with rage Bates obeyed 
 the command. 
 
 Lawrence now turned to his men, as cool appar- 
 ently as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. 
 
 " Boys, we might just as well settle this now for 
 good," he said. " You must be aware that for a 
 soldier to mutiny is death. Fortunately for you, 
 you have not yet been sworn into the United States 
 service, and therefore I shall not hold you to strict 
 military law. I did not wish to make real soldiers 
 of you, until I proved each and every one of you. 
 
148 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 To serve in this company you will not only have to 
 be soldiers brave and true, but like the knights of 
 old, scorn to do a mean act. And woman or child 
 in your presence must be safe from insult or injury. 
 Our enemies who have ceased to be soldiers and 
 become murderers we must let the law deal with as 
 their crimes deserve. Now if any of you feel that 
 you cannot become such soldiers as I wish, you are 
 at perfect liberty to go. If you stay I shall know 
 you are with me in all things. 
 
 " Sergeant Graves, return the sword of Lieuten- 
 ant Bates. These terms are made to him, as to all." 
 
 Bates hesitated a moment, then took his sword 
 and turning to Lawrence with a bow said mockingly, 
 " Good-bye, Captain, to you and your Sunday 
 School class. Boys, all of you who have any sand 
 follow me. It 's to Lane or Montgomery; they are 
 the boys to fight under." 
 
 Ten of the company joined him as he rode away. 
 
 During the exciting minutes of the mutiny most 
 of the company had stood as if spell bound, neither 
 had Mark Marvin, the first lieutenant, offered to 
 help quell the outbreak. 
 
 Lawrence now turned to him and said, " Well, 
 Lieutenant, what of you? If you and the rest of 
 the men wish to go, you have my consent." 
 
 " This thing took me by surprise. Captain," re- 
 plied Marvin. " I reckon I should have helped you, 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 149 
 
 but what you ask is a little tough after all we have 
 suffered at the hands of the bushwhackers. Still, 
 I reckon you are right. You have the sand. Who 
 would have thought you could make Jim Bates come 
 down like that? I shall stay with you, and I hope 
 the rest of the boys will." 
 
 " Thank you, Lieutenant," answered Lawrence. 
 " It is just what I expected of you. As to my deal- 
 ings with the bushwhackers, you need have no fears, 
 but to pillaging, or burning houses which shelter 
 women and children I object." 
 
 " You can count on me. Captain," replied Marvin. 
 " From now on I am with you heart and soul, and 
 I reckon the men will be. How is it, boys? " 
 
 The men raised a cheer. " We 're with the Cap- 
 tain," they shouted. 
 
 Lawrence noticed that three or four of the men 
 did not join in the cheering. " They '11 be missing 
 by morning," he thought. 
 
 As soon as Lawrence met Morris alone he 
 grasped him by the hand. " I hardly know how 
 to thank you," he exclaimed, " but for you, that 
 affair might have ended much differently." 
 
 "Bah! that Bates is a coward at heart, in spite 
 of all his boasting," replied Morris, " but there was 
 something to fear from the men. I saw by their 
 looks that some of them meant to support Bates. 
 It 's all over now, though, you '11 have no more 
 
150 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 trouble. Not a man in the company but fears and 
 respects you." 
 
 Among the men that night there \vas many a 
 heated argument, but they all agreed it would not 
 do to fool with the young captain. Like all soldiers 
 they admired bravery, and the action of Lawrence 
 had won their hearts. 
 
 In the morning, as Lawrence expected, he found 
 five more of the men missing. This left him only 
 thirty-five. 
 
 " Boys, I would rather have you only thirty-five," 
 he said, " than a regiment of such as have left. 
 There is not a man among you, but I know I can 
 trust." 
 
 The march was without incident during the day 
 until late in the afternoon, when Lawrence, who was 
 scouting some distance in advance of the column 
 passed a house where two men stood by the fence 
 watching him. 
 
 " Any Rebs around? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Yep, I 'm one," answered one of the men. 
 
 " Well, my friend, you 're honest anyway," 
 laughed Lawrence. 
 
 " Reckon you will steal everything I have," said 
 the fellow. 
 
 " Not as bad as that," replied Lawrence, " if you 
 behave yourself. But there is a column of infantry 
 behind, and you had better not be quite so out- 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 151 
 
 spoken; and if you have any nice fat pigs you had 
 better not let thcni run around die soldiers' legs. It 
 might be bad for the pigs." 
 
 " Reckon I had better get them pigs out of the 
 way," he drawled, and started across the road, where 
 a rude barn stood with several pigs rutting around 
 it. 
 
 " Say. Cap. my name is Hank Wilson and I 'm 
 no Reb," whispered the man when out of hearing 
 of his companion. " I have to pretend to be, to live 
 here. Tom Proctor and his band of guerillas left 
 here not an hour ago. He said they were going for 
 old man Semans who lives about four miles from 
 here. Claimed Semans had been informing on 
 them." 
 
 "How many in the gang?" asked Lawrence. 
 
 " 'Bout seventy, I would say." 
 
 "And where does this Semans live?" 
 
 " First road to the left, 'bout four miles. How 
 many men have you? " 
 
 " Thirty-five." 
 
 " Never do to attack Proctor with that number. 
 His men are devils." 
 
 " What does Proctor intend to do with Semans? " 
 asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Shoot or hang him," drawled the man. 
 
 " li Proctor had twice seventy men I would try 
 and save Semans. There is a strong column of 
 
152 TRE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 infantry behind to fall back upon. Thank you for 
 your information. If it is false, you will hear from 
 me." 
 
 Lawrence gave the command and the troop gal- 
 loped away. Wilson stood and watched them and 
 saw they turned down the road to Semans's. " The 
 fool," he muttered. " Proctor will eat that squad 
 up. Precious little good the infantry behind will 
 do. But I have it. I will save him if I can. I like 
 his looks." 
 
 Apparently forgetting his hogs he went back to 
 where his companion was still leaning on the fence 
 watching Lawrence and his men. " Say, Dave, 
 that young chap will get into trouble," he grinned. 
 
 " He will run right into Proctor, and not one of 
 them will get back alive." 
 
 " Do n't know about that, Dave, I reckon it 's 
 Proctor had better look out," answered Wilson. 
 " You had better git ahead of them fellers and warn 
 him. The boys will be so busy with Semans they 
 won't keep a sharp lookout." 
 
 "What do you mean?" askea Dave in surprise. 
 
 " I pumped that young captain. He 's rather 
 green, a-nd there is hundreds of Yanks just behind. 
 They know all about Proctor being in the neighbor- 
 hood and have sent a strong column to cut him off. 
 This gang will make a feint of engaging him and 
 then come back with a rush. By that time the place 
 
A CHANGE OF BASE 153 
 
 will be swarming with Yanks, and Proctor will be 
 
 in a trap. By — ! here come the Yanks now." 
 " I 'm off," cried Dave. " My hoss is in the 
 
 barn and I can ride through the field and head them 
 
 Yanks off and warn Proctor." 
 
 "Just the thing, Dave. Hurry up." 
 
 In less than two minutes Dave was on his horse 
 
 and riding as if for his life through the fields to get 
 
 ahead of Lawrence and his men. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 A FIGHT WITH GUERILLAS 
 
 WHEN out of sight of the house Lawrence 
 halted his troop and explained the situa- 
 tion to them. " The guerillas are two 
 to one/' he said. " Boys, shall we attack or not? " 
 
 "Attack!" shouted ever>^ one of the men, 
 
 " Then we must surprise them if possible. Hold 
 your fire until close, give them a volley from your 
 carbines, and then use your revolvers. Keep cool, 
 take good aim, and make every shot count." 
 
 They had gone about three miles when Mark 
 Marvin who was riding by the side of Lawrence, 
 said. " I hear firing. See there 's smoke from a 
 burning building. The devils are at their work." 
 
 "Forward! Gallop!" shouted Lawrence. 
 
 Just then a lone horseman was seen in a large 
 field to their left. His horse was at full speed and 
 he was apparently trying to gain the road in ad- 
 vance of them. Lawrence took a quick look at him 
 through his field glasses. 
 
 " The fellow who was leaning on the fence in 
 front of Wilson's," he exclaimed. " He is going to 
 
 154 
 
A FlCnr WITH GUERILLAS loo 
 
 warn Proctor, and he is nearly a quarter of a mile 
 ahead of us." 
 
 Lawrence was right, and the man came into the 
 road some four hundred yards in advance of them. 
 Two or three shots were fired at him but without 
 effect. 
 
 " Do n't waste time. Forward ! " shouted Law- 
 rence, and the party dashed forward in a wild chase. 
 
 The report of fire arms in front was now plainly 
 heard and in a moment more the scene of conflict 
 came into view. Smoke was rolling from the hou?e 
 and from a big barn. The fire of the guerillas 
 seemed to be directed against the barn. 
 
 The man ahead was now riding like mad, swing- 
 ing his hat and shouting, " Run ! Run ! The Yanks 
 are on you." 
 
 Just then there burst out of the burning barn a 
 man, a boy and a large dog. The man and boy both 
 fired and two of the guerillas dropped, but a second 
 later the man threw up his arms and fell on his face. 
 
 " Charge ! " shouted Lawrence, and with a cheer 
 the troop swept forward. 
 
 The guerillas, taken by surprise and not know- 
 ing the number attacking them, scattered like a pack 
 of scared wolves. Dave Calloway, the man who rode 
 to give the warning, lingered a moment too long; 
 with an angry roar the dog was on him, fastening 
 his teeth in his throat. The troop gave the fleeiirg 
 
156 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 guerillas a parting volley and one was seen to reel 
 in his saddle. 
 
 Both house and barn were now a roaring mass of 
 flames. A woman with a terrified child clinging to 
 her crept out from some shrubbery where they had 
 taken refuge. 
 
 Her eyes fell on the dead body of her husband 
 and with a heart-breaking cry she threw herself on 
 him, covering his face with kisses. 
 
 The boy, who was a fine manly looking fellow of 
 about sixteen years of age, had been badly burned, 
 but he tried to comfort his mother and little sister, 
 not heeding his own suffering. 
 
 Three of the guerillas were dead and one badly 
 wounded. So wrought up by the scene were some 
 of the men that they were on the point of killing the 
 wounded one when Lawrence interfered. " Never 
 let it be said," he exclaimed, " that one of my troop 
 ever killed a wounded man, no matter what his 
 crimes may have been." 
 
 Harry Semans gave Lawrence an account of the 
 affair. " My father a few days ago sent me to 
 Cameron," he said, " to inform the commanding of- 
 ficer there of the depredations of Proctor's gang. 
 In some way Proctor found it out, probably through 
 that scoundrel there," pointing to the body of Cal- 
 loway, who lay, a dreadful object, with his throat 
 all torn. " He pretended to be a friend of father's, 
 
A FIGHT WITH GUEEILLAS 157 
 
 but I always mistrusted him for a spy; and Bruno, 
 our dog, could never bear him. Dad and I saw 
 them coming and we grabbed our guns and rushed 
 to the barn where we had two horses standing sad- 
 dled, ready for just such emergencies, for he had 
 received warning that Proctor had vowed vengeance 
 on Dad. But they were too quick for us and we saw 
 all we could do was to sell our lives as dearly as 
 possible. We killed two of them and that made 
 them careful, but they sneaked around and fired the 
 barn. W'e stood it as long as we could, and then 
 rushed out, thinking it better to die by bullets than 
 be burned to death. We got two more as we came 
 out, but they got poor Dad. But it is n't over yet, 
 I '11 have my revenge." 
 
 The boy's eyes flashed as he stood clutching his 
 rifle, looking upon the scene of death and destruc- 
 tion around him. 
 
 A white-haired, patriotic-looking man now came 
 riding up. Dismounting he introduced himself as a 
 Mr. Piper, a near neighbor. " I feared this," he 
 said, " and told Mr. Semans weeks ago he had bet- 
 ter leave the country, but he would not listen." 
 
 " Then you are one of those who though taking 
 no part in such damnable outrages as this, aid and 
 protect the villains who do," replied Lawrence 
 hotly. 
 
 The old gentleman flushed and drawing himself 
 
158 THE SCOVT OF PEA TdDGE 
 
 up proudly said, " I will not deny, suh, that I am fur 
 the South. I am a slave-holder and believe slavery 
 is right. I have two sons with Price, but, suh, they 
 are honorable soldiers. I do not believe in such 
 warfare as this but what can I do, suh? 
 
 " The action of the Yankee Government has let 
 loose the poor white trash of the State, and in the 
 name of the South they kill and plunder. It would 
 be as much as my life is worth to refuse to feed them 
 if they demanded food, suh. It was but three days 
 ago that this same gang of Proctor's took two of my 
 best horses and I dare not say a word, suh, not a 
 word." 
 
 " Pardon me," replied Lavi^rence. " I am afraid I 
 judged you harshly. But what is to become of this 
 poor family? " 
 
 " My roof will protect the woman and the child, 
 suh, until we see what can be done," answered the 
 old gentleman. 
 
 Lawrence grasped his hand. " Would that all 
 our enemies were like you," he exclaimed, " surely 
 much of the horrors of war would be mitigated." 
 
 Mrs. Semans was now consulted. She said she 
 had relatives living in Illinois and she and the chil- 
 dren would go to them. " We have a little money," 
 she said, " We buried it when these troublesome 
 times came, so it is safe." 
 
 Just then a squad of horsemen came galloping up. 
 
A FIGHT WITH GUERILLAS 159 
 
 The officer in command said Wilson had lold the 
 colonel of the near proximity of Proctor's gang and 
 of Lawrence's pursuit. 
 
 " We feared for your safety," said the officer, 
 " so the colonel halted his columns and a strong force 
 of infantry is now marching to your relief." 
 
 " Go and turn them back," said Lawrence. " Tell 
 the Colonel I am very much obliged, but that I am 
 all right. It is useless to try to catch Proctor with 
 infantr}\ Tell him to move on and I will join the 
 column sometime during the night, or early in the 
 morning." 
 
 " Very well," said the officer. " We were some- 
 what worried, for Wilson said Proctor had twice as 
 many men as you." 
 
 " I do n't know how many of the gang there 
 were," replied Lawrence. " They got away too 
 quickly to see. It is a pity we did not get here a 
 few minutes quicker for we could have saved this 
 man's life." 
 
 " You did well as it is, but I must go and turn 
 the infantry back; so good-bye and be careful that 
 Proctor don't come back at you." 
 
 ]Morris now called Lawrence one side and pro- 
 posed a most daring scheme. He would imperson- 
 ate a Confederate scout, tell Proctor of the small- 
 ness of the Federal force, and advise him to attack. 
 In the meantime Lawrence could prepare an am- 
 
160 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 buscade, and deal Proctor a blow that he would 
 remember. 
 
 At first Lawrence strongly objected on account 
 of the danger Morris would run, but he merely 
 shrugged his shoulders, remarking, " No danger, 
 no excitement." So Lawrence reluctantly gave his 
 consent. 
 
 Much to the amazement of the men Morris now 
 rode away alone. Lawrence gave his attention to 
 the dead, who were decently interred. The wounded 
 guerilla was taken to the home of Mr. Piper. He 
 was greatly surprised at the mercy shown him and 
 feebly taking Lawrence's hand whispered, " If I 
 live I will remember this." 
 
 Lawrence thought little of this at the time, but 
 later he had cause to remember it. 
 
 The money which Mr. Semans had buried was 
 dug up and given to the widow. Now the unex- 
 pected happened. The boy Harry Semans refused 
 to go with his mother. " Mother, you and Ella go 
 to Illinois and be safe," he exclaimed. " But I am 
 not going to run away. I am going to stay and 
 fight these hounds, I and Bruno, here," and he 
 patted the dog's head. 
 
 The mother with tears begged him to come. 
 " You and Ella are all I have now," she sobbed. 
 
 The boy pointed to the fresh earth heaped above 
 his father. " Mother," and his voice trembled with 
 
A FIGHT WITH GVEEILLAS 161 
 
 passion, "do you not want to be revenged? If I 
 live I will have ten lives for his." 
 
 Harry then went to Lawrence. " Captain, please 
 let me go with you," he begged, " me and Bruno, 
 here." 
 
 " I might take you," said Lawrence, " but what 
 can I do with Bruno ? " and he looked at the great 
 dog, which was half mastiff and half Newfound- 
 land. 
 
 " Bruno knows more than many men," said 
 Harry. " I believe he is half human. On a scout 
 he would be worth ten men. If Dad and I had 
 heeded his warning to-day we could have got away. 
 I would like to go with you, Captain, but if you will 
 not take Bruno there is no use talking." 
 
 " Very w^ell," replied Lawrence smiling, " I will 
 try you and the dog." 
 
 It was a sad parting between Harry and his 
 mother and little sister, but it was over at last. " I 
 will be happy, mother," were the parting words of 
 the boy, " knowing that you and Ella are safe." 
 
 Lawrence now assembled the troops together, 
 telling them he would select a good position and 
 aw^ait the return of Morris who had gone on a 
 scout. " If he does not return by dark," he said, 
 " we are to wait no longer, but rejoin the column." 
 
 A good position was selected, pickets sent out to 
 guard against surprise and the return of Morris 
 
162 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 awaited. Would he return? Tliat question caused 
 Lawrence many forebodings. 
 
 When Morris left the troop he rode straight down 
 the road over which the guerillas had retreated. 
 He expected to overtake some of them, and was not 
 disappointed. After going some three miles he 
 came to a squad of men who seemed to be guarding 
 a road which led to the left. They halted him, 
 roughly asking who he was and where he was 
 going. 
 
 " Be you 'ns some of Proctor's men who had a 
 fight back heah ? " drawled Morris. 
 
 " What of it? Who do yo 'un know about it? " 
 demanded one of the men fiercely. 
 
 " Do n't blame you for being mad," continued 
 Morris. " It makes me mad to think of you 'ns run- 
 ning away from less than half your number. If 
 you 'ns do n't go back and whip them fellers, I 
 you 'ns are not the men I take you to be?" 
 
 " Look heah, stranger," said one of the men. 
 " Thar was a whole regiment of them Yanks what 
 came for we 'uns. I seen hundreds." 
 
 Morris laughed, " Instead of seeing double, you 
 must have seen ten at least where there was but 
 one. I counted them. Thar was about thirty. 
 Whar is Captain Proctor?" 
 
 " Thar he is comnig now," exclaimed one of the 
 men, pointing to a horseman coming down the road. 
 
A FIGHT WITH GUERILLAS 163 
 
 As Proctor came up Morris coolly saluted him 
 and said, " Captain, allow me to introduce myself. 
 I am Charles Morris, scout and spy for General 
 Price. I 've been up in some of the north counties 
 trying to get recruits for Price." 
 
 " Cap, he says thar was only thirty of them Yanks 
 that run us away from Semans's," spoke up one of 
 the men. 
 
 Proctor turned on Morris, his face red with anger. 
 "What do you know about Semans's?" he de- 
 manded. " Who are you, anyway? Show me your 
 credentials. How do I know but N\hat you 're a 
 sneaking spy? Dave Calloway warned us and he 
 never would have told us to run from thirty 
 Yanks." 
 
 " Dave will never warn you again," replied 
 Morris. 
 
 " Why ? By — ! I 've a mind to shoot you. 
 You know too much." 
 
 " I would n't if I were you. It might get you 
 into trouble," said Morris coolly. " Read that." 
 Morris took off his hat and from under the band 
 took the pass he had received from General Price. 
 Morris rightly guessed that the news of his true 
 character had not reached northern Missouri. 
 
 Proctor read it with a frowning face. 
 
 " You see. Captain, if you put me out of the way 
 you might have to settle with Price," said Morris 
 
164 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 mildly. " But I do n't blame you for being cau- 
 tious. Now let me explain. There is a large body 
 of Yankee infantry over on the main road, about 
 four miles from here. Dave Calloway thought they 
 had sent a column to cut you off and that the men 
 who attacked you were only a blind to get you to 
 follow tHcm. That big dog of Semans's killed Dave. 
 Tore his throat all to pieces. That is the reason I 
 told you he would never warn you again. 
 
 " Now as to how I come to know all this. I have 
 important despatches for General Price and must 
 reach him as soon as possible. I expected to be in 
 Richmond by this time. I came nearly running into 
 those Yankees over on the other road, so switched 
 over on this one. That fight of yours made me sus- 
 picious. I stopped at a Mr. Piper's. He 's all right." 
 
 " Yes, I know him," growled Proctor. 
 
 " Well, he told me he would go and see what the 
 trouble was. He was gone quite a long time and 
 when he returned told me all about the fight. Said 
 he counted the Yanks and there were just thirty of 
 them. He was all cut up about you fellows run- 
 ning away." 
 
 " Now, do n't stick it In a fellow too hard," said 
 Proctor. " We did n't see those fellows until they 
 were on us and we did n't know but what there were 
 a thousand of them. And then there was Dave 
 yelling like mad for us to get." 
 
A FIGHT WITH GUEEILLAS 165 
 
 "Yes, I know," answered Morris, " but if I were 
 you I would come back at those Yanks, and come 
 strong. Piper says the captain in command of the 
 Yanks is a young chap, and that he is all swelled up 
 over his victor}', and that he is going to camp at 
 Semans's to-night, send for more troops and hunt 
 you up to-morrow." 
 
 " He is, is he ? " exclaimed Proctor, his eyes 
 gleaming with hate. " I will have something to say. 
 You are sure thar 's only thirty." 
 
 " That 's what Piper says," answered Morris. 
 " I would give anything to stay and see the fun, 
 but I must be in Richmond to-night." 
 
 " Hold on, stranger," said Proctor as Morris 
 started to ride away. " You have not told us how 
 you avoided them Yanks." 
 
 " Oh ! Piper showed me a cut through the woods 
 and I came out into the road this side of them." 
 
 " All right. Wish you could stay and see the fun. 
 I would like to have you see the way we will chew 
 them Yanks up." 
 
 " Hang those you do n't kill," yelled Morris as 
 he galloped away. 
 
 " Now to get back," muttered Morris, " or I may 
 have done more harm than good." He stopped 
 long enough to take from the roll behind his saddle 
 a wig and mustaches and after they had been ad- 
 justed. Captain Proctor would hardly have taken 
 
166 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 him for the same person with wliom he had just 
 talked. 
 
 Morris's plan was to take the first road to the right 
 and ride until he came to a road leading north, then 
 on that until he came to the road they had come over 
 during the day. This would give him several miles 
 of extra travel and it was already getting late, so he 
 urged his horse to a stiff gallop. 
 
 People rushed out of their houses to gaze after 
 him as he galloped past. Those he met shouted and 
 asked him what was up. One took a shot at him 
 after he had passed. At last he overtook a party of 
 three who showed that they meant to give him 
 trouble. 
 
 "What's the hurry, stranger?" they shouted. 
 " Hold on and tell us." 
 
 " No time," said Morris. 
 
 " Take time and that mighty quick," exclaimed 
 one reaching for his pistol and attempting to block 
 Morris's way. He was too slow. Morris's revolver 
 spoke and the man tumbled from his horse. 'The 
 other two fired, but their horses had shied at the 
 sound of Morris's revolver and their shots went wild. 
 Morris turned in his saddle and fired again and an- 
 other saddle was empty. The remaining man had 
 no stomach to follow one whose aim was so true, 
 and gave up the pursuit. 
 
 " Whew ! that was a close shave," laughed Mor- 
 
A FIGET WITH GUERILLAS 167 
 
 ris. " Most excitement I 've had for some lime. 
 This is hving." 
 
 The sun was sinking to rest when Morris rode his 
 reeking horse into camp. 
 
 " Never more glad to see you in my Hfe," said 
 Lawrence as he grabbed his hand. " I began to fear 
 for your safety." 
 
 " I 'm all right," said Morris, " Had one or two 
 close calls. Tell you about it when I have time, but 
 get ready for a fight. Proctor and his men will call 
 on you to-night and you want to give him a warm 
 reception." 
 
 Lawrence had not been idle while Morris was 
 gone. He had looked over the ground and selected 
 a place for an ambuscade about three-fourths of a 
 mile from where the troop was camped. Here the 
 road ran down a hill and was dug out a few feet. 
 Each side was fringed with a thick growth of 
 bushes. Horsemen would find it almost impossible 
 to turn out of the road. They w-ould have to go 
 ahead or turn back. 
 
 One old building on Semans's farm had not been 
 burned. In it was plenty of forage for the horses, 
 and Lawrence had camped his troop around it. 
 
 As soon as it was dark, leaving his camp fires 
 burning, Lawrence moved his troop to the place of 
 ambuscade. Every detail was carefully arranged. 
 The horses were left in the rear, close to open fields 
 
168 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 which led to the road over which they would wish 
 to retreat. Fences were let down so as to have an 
 open way. Half a dozen of the men were left with 
 the horses and the rest stationed a few yards apart 
 in the bushes along the sides of the road. 
 
 Lawrence's orders were, " Not a whisper, not the 
 slightest move. At the command * Fire,' pour in a 
 volley from your carbines, and then give them the 
 six shots from your navies. Do n't wait for results. 
 As soon as your revolvers are empty, make a break 
 for the horses, when there reload your weapons and 
 await further orders. Above all things keep cool 
 and fire low." 
 
 So there in the darkness of the night with every 
 nerve strained to the utmost tension, the twenty- 
 five men waited the coming of more than thrice their 
 number. 
 
 Tom Proctor, the captain of the guerillas, watched 
 Morris as he rode out of sight, in an amiable frame 
 of mind. "Thinks we're cowards, does he?" he 
 growled. " Boys, we '11 show him. But why was he 
 so anxious for us to attack the Yanks ? \\'ish I had 
 kept him. It may be a Yankee trick to draw us into 
 a trap, and that fellow may be no spy of Price's at 
 all. I do n't like the idea of that infantry being so 
 near." 
 
 The matter was discussed with his men and it was 
 decided to send out spies to learn the situation. 
 
A FIGHT WITH GUERILLAS 169 
 
 They were to learn as near as possible the number 
 in the troop and if they were going to camp on the 
 Semans's place. They were to see Piper if they 
 could, and find if Morris had talked to him as he 
 claimed. 
 
 Four men were sent to locate the infantry. 
 
 Proctor decided to make no movement until all 
 these men had reported. 
 
 It was nearly dark before the men came in. The 
 three sent to spy on Lawrence were first to return. 
 They reported they had found things about as Mor- 
 ris said. The troop was camped by the old barn 
 on the Semans place, and it looked as if they in- 
 tended to stay there for the night as the horses were 
 being fed, and the men were cooking their suppers. 
 They had never been able to count more than twenty 
 men at one time, but there were some on picket, and 
 there was a guard at Piper's, so it was probable the 
 number was between thirty and forty. Owing to 
 the guard around Piper's they could not get to him, 
 and find out if IMorris had seen and talked to him. 
 
 " The fellow's story seems to be as straight as a 
 string," said Proctor. " But what puzzles me is 
 that little company of cavalry camping so uncon- 
 cernedly near us. That captain must be a fool if he 
 has no support near. I will wait and hear about the 
 infantry before I make a move." 
 
 In about half an hour the four sent to locate the 
 
170 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 infantry returned and with them about a dozen 
 more who had come " to have a hand in the fun," 
 they said. They reported the infantry at least eight 
 miles away and preparing to go into camp. They 
 could discover no scouting parties out. But a 
 strange thing had happened. A lone horseman rid- 
 ing furiously had passed up the road leading west. 
 One of the men who had come in with them had 
 tried to stop him, had even fired at him, but he paid 
 no attention. Shortly afterwards the fellow had met 
 Steve Holcomb, Bob Avery, and Jim Holmes, who 
 ordered him to stop. He shot and killed Holcomb, 
 badly wounded Avery and got away. Instead of 
 keeping straight on he took the first road to the 
 north. That was a lonely road and they lost track 
 of him. 
 
 Proctor was much excited when he heard this. 
 " You say one of the boys who came in with you 
 saw and shot at him?" he asked. 
 
 " Yes, Dan Hebron, heah he is." 
 
 "Dan, what did he look like?" 
 
 Dan ejected a huge quid of tobacco, and drawled, 
 " He was a young fellow dressed in a gray suit and 
 rode a bay boss, and a mighty good boss it was, 
 too." 
 
 "Black hair and smooth face?" asked Proctor 
 growing more excited every minute. 
 
 " Do n't know about the hair, pears it was light, 
 
A FianT WITH OFFTilLLAS 171 
 
 but he had a mustache, a fine one. I 'm sure of 
 that." 
 
 Proctor gave a sigh of rehef. " I was ahnost 
 certain it was that spy," he exclaimed, " but it can't 
 be, for he had no mustache. Reckon it will be safe 
 to go for them Yanks." 
 
 With the reinforcements he had received Proctor 
 now had nearly seventy men, and he saw no chance 
 of failure. The only question was Vv'hether to at- 
 tack at once or wait till morning. It was argued 
 that the Yanks might be away by morning, so it was 
 decided to attack at once. 
 
 The men fed their horses and then prepared their 
 suppers in high glee. Quite a discussion arose among 
 them as to how to dispose of the prisoners they 
 might capture, would it be best to shoot or hang 
 them. It was put to vote and hanging had the ma- 
 jority. At last all was ready and with oath and jest 
 they started on their devilish mission. 
 
 When Lawrence posted his men Harry Semans 
 begged to be one of the number, but Bruno refused 
 to leave him. 
 
 " We can't have the dog," said Lawrence, " he 
 might betray us to the enemy before we are ready." 
 
 " Never fear," replied Harry. " Bruno will keep 
 as still as a mouse if I tell him to. And if the gue- 
 rillas come he will be the first to warn us of their 
 coming." 
 
172 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 So Lawrence permitted the dog to stay with the 
 boy and he never had cause to regret it. The min- 
 utes passed slowly by and ten o'clock came. Bruno 
 who was lying beside his young master suddenly 
 raised his head sniffed the air and uttered a low 
 growl. 
 
 Harry put his hand on the dog's head. *' Keep 
 quiet," he whispered. " Lie still." The dog sank 
 down but Harry felt him quivering with suppressed 
 excitement, 
 
 Lawrence was close to Harry and the boy whis- 
 pered, " Captain, they are coming." 
 
 The word was passed softly along the line. Soon 
 the tramping of horses could be heard and through 
 the gloom the shadowy forms of horsemen could be 
 seen. 
 
 The horsemen halted just as they reached the 
 right of Lawrence's line and one was heard to say, 
 " I can see the faint reflection of their fire, so I 
 reckon they 're thar yet. Better tell the captain." 
 
 Proctor came up, saw the reflection of the smoul- 
 dering camp fire and gave orders for the column to 
 close up. 
 
 When this was done he said to his advance guard, 
 " Ride on until you are challenged by their outpost. 
 Then charge at once. The whole column will be 
 close behind. Go through them like a whirlwind. 
 Spare none." 
 
A FIGHT WITH GUERILLAS 173 
 
 Lawrence heard these orders and all pity left his 
 heart. The men heard and some trembled, but 
 others gritted their teeth and grimly waited for the 
 order to fire. 
 
 The advance guard was allowed to pass by, but 
 when the head of the column reached the left of the 
 Union line, suddenly, as if a bolt had fallen 
 from Heaven, there rang out sharply the command, 
 " Fire." 
 
 The word had hardly left Lawrence's lips when 
 twenty-five carbines blazed. Then came the sharp 
 crack of the six-shooters in quick succession. 
 
 The scene in the road must have been awful. 
 Groans, curses and shrieks of terror filled the air. 
 Riderless horses reared and plunged trampling on 
 the dead and living. The road was filled with fal- 
 len horses and men, the living, the dead and the 
 wounded, mixed in one horrible mass. Hardly a 
 shot was fired in return. The only thought of those 
 who could was to get away. 
 
 As the last revolver shot died away, the men true 
 to orders broke for the horses. Here they rallied 
 and to his joy Lawrence found that not a man was 
 missing. 
 
 The troop rode away unmolested and by two 
 o'clock had joined the infantry column. 
 
 Of the guerillas fully one-half had been killed 
 and wounded, and those who escaped fled terror- 
 
174 
 
 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 Stricken, many of them abandoning their horses and 
 taking to the woods. 
 
 Captain Proctor was among those killed, but 
 there were others to take his place as cruel and as 
 bloodthirsty as he. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 THE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 
 
 THE iniantry was a little late in starting that 
 morning, which gave Lawrence and his tired 
 troopers a much needed rest. When the re- 
 sult of the encounter with Proctor's gang was 
 known, Lawrence and his men were saluted with 
 cheer after cheer, Lawrence was warmly congratu- 
 lated by the colonel in charge of the column. 
 
 Just as the force was about to move, a courier es- 
 corted by a squad of cavalry arrived from Cameron 
 with peremptory orders for the infantry to return 
 at once. Guerillas had again commenced their dep- 
 redations on the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, 
 tearing it up in several places, and the force was 
 needed to protect it. Amid groans and curses the 
 infantry was faced about to retrace their weaiy 
 steps. 
 
 " Of course you will go with us," said the colonel 
 to Lawrence. " It would be madness for you to 
 proceed with your small force." 
 
 The orders for the infantry to turn back came as 
 a cruel blow to Lawrence. He knew if he went 
 
 175 
 
176 THE SCOUT OF FEA BIDGE 
 
 back, it meant he could take no part in the forward 
 movement against Price. A battle might be fought 
 any day. He was aware that Price had fallen back 
 from Lexington before he left St. Louis ; that Fre- 
 mont had organized his anny in four grand divis- 
 ions, one at Jefferson City, one at Rolla, one at Tip- 
 ton and one at Sedalia, and that these divisions were 
 to concentrate at Warsaw, where it was expected to 
 force Price to battle. 
 
 Lawrence had no thought but that Lexington had 
 by this time been occupied by Federal troops from 
 Kansas City, and as he was now only a day's march 
 from Lexington he believed there would be little 
 danger in his proceeding to that place. Once there 
 he could decide his farther course. 
 
 These ideas he imparted to the colonel but that 
 officer shook his head. " You are mistaken," he 
 said, " in thinking that our forces occupy Lexington. 
 When Price retreated south many companies of 
 State Guards did not go with him but remained. 
 To these add the numerous guerilla bands, and it is 
 estimated that there is a force of at least two thou- 
 sand Rebels in and around Lexington. My orders 
 were to proceed to Lexington and disperse this 
 force. Now I am ordered back, what chance have 
 you to proceed with your thirty-odd men? You 
 would simply be committing suicide." 
 
 Lawrence called his men together, presented the 
 
THE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 177 
 
 facts to them and said he would be guided by their 
 opinion. 
 
 Some of the men, elated by their victory over 
 Proctor, were for going on. " We can whip any 
 band we meet," they argued, " and, as for Lexing- 
 ton, we can go around that." 
 
 Others of the men demurred, and a hot discussion 
 arose. Charles Morris who sat on his horse by the 
 side of Lawrence had listened quietly to the dis- 
 cussion, but so far had not said a word. Lawrence 
 now turned to him and said, " Morris, w^hat is your 
 opinion? " 
 
 " There is but one way for us to go ahead," he 
 said. 
 
 " How is that? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 ** Turn Rebels, represent ourselves as a company 
 of State Guards on our way to join Price." 
 
 The idea took like wildfire among the men. It 
 was just such an adventure as appealed to them. 
 
 " Then you believe such a plan feasible? " asked 
 Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, but it has many elements of danger. Our 
 true characters might be discovered," said Morris. 
 
 " Let 's try it anyway," shouted the men, 
 
 " You fellow^s seem anxious to put your heads in 
 a noose," replied Morris. " A single w^ord from 
 anyone of you might betray us. Every man would 
 have to know just what to say, our stories would 
 
178 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 have to agree. In the first place we shall have to 
 agree just where the troop was raised." 
 
 " The truth could be told there," spoke up Mark 
 Marvin. " In the northwestern part of the State. 
 A few of the boys are from Kansas." 
 
 " Are you well enough acquainted in your part 
 of the State to answer questions correctly?" asked 
 Morris. 
 
 " Certainly, I can tell all about Gentry, Bu- 
 chanan, and DeKalb Counties and there are boys 
 here who can speak for other counties." 
 
 " Let me say a word," spoke up Lawrence. " I 
 certainly could not answer questions that might be 
 asked me, for I am totally unacquainted with that 
 portion of the county. For the time being I will 
 yield the command to Lieutenant Marvin, and take 
 my place in the ranks. Let Sergeant Miller take 
 Marvin's place as lieutenant, for I understand he is 
 well acquainted throughout that whole section." 
 
 " A sensible idea," replied Morris. " Next I 
 must get another horse. If we should meet any of 
 Proctor's men they would spot this one as soon as 
 they laid eyes on it. It would also be best for me 
 to change my dress and appearance somewhat." 
 
 " Anything you wish, Morris," said Lawrence. 
 " Remember you will really be the commander if we 
 make this attempt, and we shall be guided by you." 
 
 "After some discussion it was unanimously de- 
 
THE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 179 
 
 cided to go forward. When Lawrence informed the 
 colonel of this decision he was not only astonished 
 but angr}'. 
 
 " I cannot, as your superior officer, permit this," 
 he exclaimed. " I command you to return with 
 me. 
 
 " You forget, Colonel, that I command an inde- 
 pendent company. Let us talk this over. I do not 
 believe that the undertaking is as dangerous as you 
 believe." 
 
 Lawrence then unfolded the whole plan to him. 
 The colonel listened attentively, and then said, 
 " Perhaps you may be able to get through all right, 
 but it is a dare-devil undertaking. Morris, that scout 
 of yours, is a wonder. The way he led Proctor into 
 a trap shows that. I shall not oppose you further, 
 but remember it is against my best judgment." 
 
 " Thank you, Colonel," replied Lawrence. " If 
 we come to grief it will be through no fault of 
 yours." 
 
 Lawrence then explained to the colonel Morris's 
 wish to change horses. 
 
 " That fellow thinks of ever^-thing," said the coh 
 onel, " but he is right." 
 
 The colonel called his sergeant major to him, 
 " Riley, you have a good horse, have you not ? " 
 
 " A dandy, Colonel, — can outnm anything in the 
 regiment." 
 
180 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " Sorry, but I wish you to exchange with Morris, 
 that scout of Captain Middleton's." 
 
 Riley at first strongly demurred, but when the 
 facts were presented to him he yielded saying, 
 " Bedad ! I '11 do anything for the fellow that 
 fooled Proctor." 
 
 So the exchange was made and Morris found 
 himself in possession of a fine gray instead of a bay. 
 He also exchanged coats with one of the boys who 
 did not look in the least like him, and put on a 
 mustache that turned up at the ends instead of droop- 
 ing. " I reckon they will have hard work to place 
 me now," he remarked with a smile. 
 
 The troop looked on his metamorphosis with 
 wonder. " Blast me ! " said Marvin. " I would n't 
 know him myself." 
 
 Adieus were now said, and in parting, the colonel, 
 wringing Lawrence's hand said in a broken voice, 
 " Captain, may you get through all right, but I never 
 expect to see you again." 
 
 There was not a man in that infantry force but 
 thought that the little troop of cavalry was going 
 to its destruction. But the troop thought differently 
 and turned southward with smiling faces and brave 
 hearts. 
 
 " Which would you advise ? ''•* asked Marvin who 
 had now taken command of the troop. " Shall we 
 go to Richmond or around it ? " 
 
THE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 181 
 
 " Straight for Richmond,'" answered Morris. 
 " The boldest course is now the safest." 
 
 Straight for Richmond they rode, and when they 
 passed a house where a Confederate flag was flying, 
 they w^ould cheer for Jeff Davis and General Price, 
 and the women would answer with waving hand- 
 kerchiefs and cries of encouragement. 
 
 Single horsemen and now and then groups of 
 three or four were passed, and to all they had to ex- 
 plain who they were and where they were going. 
 
 Now they began to hear rumors of the defeat of 
 Proctor and that there was a large Yankee force 
 advancing on Richmond, and many were the ques- 
 tions asked of them. 
 
 To these questions they answered they had slipped 
 by an infantry force by going to the west, but of 
 Proctor's fight they knew nothing. 
 
 The dog Bruno was the cause of numerous ques- 
 tions. " That dawg," answered Man-in, " can 
 smell a Yank farther than any dawg yo'un have can 
 smell a nigger. We'uns can sleep when he is on 
 guard." 
 
 When Richmond was reached and it became 
 known who they were, they were given an ovation. 
 Food and drink were given the men and Marvin 
 was invited to enjoy the hospitality of one of the 
 finest homes in the city. 
 
 But rumors began to fly thick and fast. Two or 
 
182 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 three of Proctor's men had come in, telhng how 
 their command had been ambushed by a whole regi- 
 ment of Yankees and how Proctor had been led into 
 the trap by a young man who claimed to be a spy 
 for General Price. 
 
 Then came the news of an infantry column, and 
 the whole town was in a panic. 
 
 " We had better get out of here," whispered Law- 
 rence to Marvin. " I am afraid some of Proctor's 
 men will come who will recognize Harry Semans 
 and his dog." 
 
 So thanking the people for their hospitality and 
 saying that it was imperative for them to reach 
 Lexington as soon as possible, the troop moved on. 
 
 " I feel better," said Morris to Lawrence. " Cap- 
 tain, we were in more danger than you thought. I 
 mingled with the crowd. One of Proctor's men no- 
 ticed the dog and swore it was Semans's dog, he 
 knew it was, and Vx^ondered how it came here. I 
 reckon if we had stayed half an hour longer there 
 would have been trouble." 
 
 The troop now rode forward rapidly and by sun- 
 down neared the river. It was thought best not to 
 cross into Lexington until the next morning, there- 
 fore they went into camp in a secluded place among 
 the bluffs, about half a mile from the road. 
 
 Morris signified his intention of crossing over into 
 Lexington to find out the lay of the land. 
 
THE CAPTUBE OF LEXINGTON 183 
 
 One of the men wished to go with him, but Mor- 
 ris sternly refused, saying that in case of trouble 
 he would be a hindrance instead of a help, and rode 
 away alone. 
 
 " A queer fellow," remarked Marvin to Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, he never seems as happy as when on some 
 dangerous undertaking." 
 
 " He ought to enjoy something," replied Marvin. 
 " He is as glum a looking young fellow as I ever 
 saw. Looks as if he had no friend." 
 
 " He has one here," answered Lawrence warmly. 
 
 " As to that, we all swear by him," said Marvin. 
 *' Wonder what makes him look so sad. When 
 there is a fight on he is a changed being. I shall 
 never forget how he looked when he stood by your 
 side at the time of the mutiny. Not a man but 
 knew he would do just what he said he w'ould." 
 
 " It would have been death if one had raised a 
 finger to help Bates," said Lawrence. " I tell you 
 Morris is a man one can tie to." 
 
 " That he is," answered the lieutenant heartily, 
 " and all the boys know it." 
 
 It was not until the next day near ten o'clock that 
 Morris returned. Lawrence had begun to be 
 greatly worried. 
 
 " I found the city full of independent companies 
 of State Guards to say nothing of guerillas," he 
 told them. " I had no trouble, as men are constantly 
 
184 TBE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 coming and going. In all I believe there are at 
 least two thousand of the State Guards and gue- 
 rillas in and around Lexington, and if we get through 
 that place without trouble I shall be surprised, for 
 when I mentioned that it would be a good thing for 
 the different companies of Home Guards to get to- 
 gether and make their way south to join Price they 
 took it as a joke. 
 
 " ' Do n't you know,' they exclaimed, ' that Fre- 
 mont's anny is squarely between us and Price? No 
 one but a crazy man would think of taking a com- 
 pany through,' So you see we may have some 
 trouble." 
 
 " Yet we must make the attempt," said Lawrence. 
 
 " There is nothing else we can do," answered 
 Morris. " But I do n't like the looks of things over 
 there. Why, they would have hanged every Fed- 
 eral prisoner in the city last night, if it had not 
 been for me." 
 
 " How is that ? " asked Lawrence, startled. 
 
 " They had heard of the advance of the Federal 
 troops from Cameron and magnified the number five 
 times. The news of the crushing defeat of Proctor 
 had also been received, and it set them wild. It was 
 rumored that Richmond was already in the hands 
 of the Federals, and that Lexington would next be 
 attacked. Therefore they decided to hang the pris- 
 oners, about twenty of them, I believe. Then they 
 
TEE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 185 
 
 were going to disperse into the county, and when 
 the Yankees came, they would all be good, peaceable 
 farmers. 
 
 " I told them I had just come through Richmond, 
 that it was all right, and that the Yankees instead 
 of advancing had turned back, so Lexington was in 
 no danger. I then told them that if they did hang 
 the prisoners and the city was ever captured, the 
 Yankees would take a fearful revenge on the place. 
 
 " The guerillas cared little what became of the 
 city, but a number of prominent citizens sided with 
 me, and they promised to postpone the hanging for 
 twenty- four hours. My statement that the Yankees 
 were falling back was doubted, but two or three of 
 Proctor's men who had escaped came in, also some 
 scouts and they verified my report and put me all 
 right. 
 
 " But say," and Morris actually laughed, " you 
 ought to have heard Proctor's men. They claimed 
 they fought a force of over a thousand for two 
 hours and it was not until nearly all of them were 
 shot down that they retreated. 
 
 " * But the Yankees paid dearly for their fun,' 
 said one. ' Thar was at least two hundred of them 
 killed and wounded.' " 
 
 " Did they say anything of the spy who led them 
 into the trap ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " I never enjoyed anything in my life as I did 
 
186 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 hearing those men cuss me. If they only had had 
 me they would have put me to slow torture and 
 danced around me like a pack of painted savages. 
 And, to think I was there and heard it all. I tell 
 you, it was glorious." 
 
 " It must have been," said Lawrence dryly, " but 
 excuse me." 
 
 The question of moving now came up. Morris 
 looked around and his eyes fell on Harry Semans 
 and Bruno. His face clouded. " We can never get 
 through with them," he exclaimed. " A number of 
 Proctors men are in the city and they would recog- 
 nize both the boy and the dog." 
 
 He thought a moment and then said, " Perhaps I 
 can fix the boy." 
 
 There happened to be a chokeberry bush grow- 
 ing close by, full of ripe berries. Calling Harry to 
 him Morris stained one of his cheeks with the juice. 
 It had the appearance of blood dried on. He then 
 took a dirty handkerchief and bound it over one eye, 
 concealing as much of the face as possible. 
 
 " Reckon that is all right, my boy. You can go," 
 said Morris. " If anyone asks you how you got 
 hurt tell them your horse threw you. As for Bruno 
 we will have to leave him." 
 
 "What, leave Bruno? I can't. I can't." 
 
 " I am sorry, my boy, but it 's that or hanging 
 for us all." 
 
TEE CAPTUEE OF LEXINGTON 187 
 
 " Let 's shoot him," said one of the men drawing 
 his revolver. 
 
 " No, no," cried Harry. " Not that. I will send 
 him away. He will mind me." 
 
 Seeing the distress of Harry, Lawrence told him 
 if he was sure he could send the dog away, he should 
 not be killed. 
 
 Harry took Bnmo some distance away, in fact 
 out of sight. He was gone some time and when he 
 appeared, Bruno was not with him, nor was he when 
 the troop reached the river. 
 
 They had to wait some time for a ferry, and by 
 the time they could cross there was a motley crowd 
 to go with them, and an inquisitive crowd it was too. 
 
 There were two men more iI^quisitive than the 
 rest. Each had two huge navy revolvers strapped 
 to him, and they went swaggering around boasting 
 of their prowess and of the number of Yankees they 
 had killed. One of them had his left arm in a sling. 
 
 It did not talvC Lawrence long to learn that they 
 were members of Proctor's gang. Soon there was 
 a crowd around them and one was giving his ver- 
 sion of the fight. 
 
 " Thar must have been two thousand of the 
 Yanks," he said. " We'uns had no chance." 
 
 "How did you come to get into such a trap?" 
 asked one of the listeners. 
 
 " Come? Led into it by a sallow faced devil who 
 
188 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 pretended to be a spy of General Price's. Proctor 
 bit, never knew him to be fooled before. The fel- 
 low must be in league with Satan himself. He can 
 take on as many forms as the evil one. Killed three 
 men after he left Proctor. Did n't look like the 
 same chap but rode the same boss. 
 
 " Another queer thing, some of the boys swear 
 they saw Semans's dog in Richmond yesterday. Se- 
 mans is the old abolitionist we wiped out, and that 
 is what brought on the fight. Now, how did that 
 dog come in Richmond? Semans lived full ten 
 miles from there." 
 
 When Lawrence heard this, he saw how wise 
 Morris had been in not allowing Bruno to accom- 
 pany them. 
 
 When about half across the river their attention 
 was attracted by the peculiar actions of a number 
 of people who had been left standing on the bank 
 which the boat had left. They were running and 
 pointing to some object in the water. Lawrence 
 looked and saw that either a man or beast was 
 struggling in the river. He quickly brought his 
 glass to bear, and gave a start as he looked. " It 's 
 Bruno," he whispered to Morris, who stood by his 
 side. 
 
 It was Bruno and nobly was he breasting the 
 current of the river. He was a powerful swimmer 
 and made rapid progress. 
 
THE CAPTUEE OF LEXINGTON 189 
 
 Morris never said a word but stood with com- 
 pressed lips watching the progress of the dog. The 
 boat was now nearing the bank and he suddenly 
 drew his revolver and shot at the dog. 
 
 There were some who cried " Shame ! " but the 
 humor took the crowd and soon the bullets were 
 falling thick and fast around Bruno. The crowd on 
 the bank followed suit and there was a perfect 
 fusillade. The dog seemed to realize his danger, 
 for he turned and swam with the current and was 
 soon out of range. 
 
 " A wise dog that," laughed some as they 
 sheathed their weapons. The boat now landed and 
 the incident was forgotten by the crowd but not 
 by Lawrence's troops, and more than one wished 
 that the dog still lived, even if his living brought 
 them danger. 
 
 Hardly had the troop landed when they were sur- 
 rounded by a crowd of hundreds, most of them 
 armed. "Where were they from? Who were 
 they? Where were they going?" were the ques- 
 tions put to them in rapid succession. 
 
 Man-in answered that they were from the north- 
 ern part of the State and were on their way to join 
 Price. 
 
 " Yes. yo 'uns will join Price with a vengeance," 
 cried one. " Do yo 'uns know the whole Yankee 
 armv is between heah and Price?" 
 
190 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 " Better stay with we 'uns," said another. " Thar 
 is lots of Yanks up heah to kill." 
 
 Marvin drew himself proudly up. " Boys, I 
 would like to stay with you," he said, " but my men 
 enlisted with the understanding I was to lead them 
 to Price, the grandest man, the greatest general in 
 the Confederacy, and there are not enough Yankees 
 between here and him to prevent me." 
 
 This sentiment took, and the air rang with cheers 
 and cries of '' Bravo! We '11 go with you." 
 
 This was more than Marvin had bargained for, 
 but he found when the shouting was over, they 
 w^ere not so anxious to go. Yet, no doubt the troop 
 could have picked up a good many recruits. 
 
 So well were Marvin and the troop acquainted 
 with the county from which they came that they were 
 able to answer satisfactorily every question put to 
 them. 
 
 Morris as usual had circulated among the crowd 
 and he knew that every minute they stayed in Lex- 
 ington was fraught with danger. But horses had 
 to be fed, the haversacks of the men filled, and it 
 was late in the afternoon before they could get 
 away. 
 
 The troop was drawn up ready to start, a great 
 crowd stood around them to see them off, when a 
 man shouting and gesticulating furiously was seen. 
 
THE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 191 
 
 trying to break through the ring of spectators which 
 surrounded the troop. 
 
 " Do n't I know him? " he was shouting. " I tell 
 you he is a Yank, a sneaking, contemptible Yank." 
 
 "Oh! shut up," yelled the crowd. "You're 
 dnmk." 
 
 " Drunk, am I ? " he growled. " I '11 show you," 
 and striding up to Alarvin peered into his face and 
 said sneeringly, " Howdy, Mark Marvin. How long 
 has it been since you turned Confed? " 
 
 Marvin turned pale. He knew the fellow well, 
 but quickly collecting himself replied, " I do n't know 
 you, my friend. My name is not Marvin. You are 
 mistaken." 
 
 " Do n't know me, eh ? " replied the man turning 
 red with anger. " Well I know yo 'un was with Col- 
 onel Cranor up in Gentry. Yo 'un helped bring a 
 lot of Yanks from Iowa, and run me and lots of 
 others out of the county." 
 
 There was not a man in the troop but felt that 
 his death warrant was being read as they listened to 
 that conversation. 
 
 Lawrence turned his horse in the direction he 
 wished to go. 
 
 " You dirty, lying scoundrel, take back your 
 words or I will run you through," cried Marvin 
 whipping out his sword. 
 
192 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 This created a diversion and some of the crowd 
 began to cheer. 
 
 " Boys, follow me! Charge! " shouted Lawrence 
 as he drew his sword, the sword of Bunker Hill, 
 given him by his uncle. Straight through the crowd 
 he rode, striking right and left, his horses trampling 
 and knocking down those who could not get out of 
 the way. With cries of terror the crowd surged 
 backwards, crushing down the weak. 
 
 After Lawrence thundered the troop, leaving be- 
 hind them the crushed and bleeding forms of those 
 they had ridden over. In three seconds it was all 
 over; they had broken through the ring of specta- 
 tors, and were away. So sudden, so unexpected 
 had been the onslaught that not a shot was fired 
 until the troop had broken through the crowd, then 
 revolvers began to crack, but the shots were wild 
 and did no harm. 
 
 With cries of rage the guerillas made a wild 
 rush for their horses, and soon an irregular line of 
 horsemen were streaming after the fugitives. 
 
 The question with Lawrence was, could the troop 
 keep up its terrific pace until darkness came and 
 covered their retreat? Already some of the fore- 
 most of the pursuers were pressing them close, and 
 they would have to be checked and that meant a 
 halt. 
 
 But Morris had already noticed the danger. He 
 
Straight through the crowd he rode, striking right and left 
 
TEE CAPTUEE OF LEXINGTON 193 
 
 fell in the rear of the troop and allowed the fore- 
 most of the pursuers to come within range, then 
 he raised his carbine and fired, and his shot went 
 true. This checked the pursuit for a moment, but 
 soon fifteen or twenty mounted on the fleetest horses 
 had gathered and on they came yelling like fiends. 
 
 The scouts could go only as fast as the slowest 
 horse could travel, for Lawrence refused to leave 
 any of his men behind. Leaving Marvin to lead the 
 troop he fell to the rear and as he did so, called 
 out the names of four of his men, who he knew had 
 good horses, to fall out with him, and at the same 
 time asking one of the other men for his carbine. 
 
 Lawrence now found himself in the rear with 
 Morris and the four men. The pursuers were gain- 
 ing rapidly. 
 
 " We must stop them or all is lost," he exclaimed 
 to Morris. 
 
 " The first place where they cannot see how many 
 have halted," he said. 
 
 The place soon came. They rode over the brow 
 of a hill and for a moment were out of sight. 
 " Halt," ordered Lawrence. " Hart, you hold the 
 horses, the rest come with me." The five ran back 
 where they could look over the brow of the hill. 
 They were none too soon, the foremost of the enemy 
 was not ten rods away. 
 
 " Take good aim and fire," shouted Lawrence. 
 
194 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 The carbines blazed and the foremost horses went 
 down. Two of the riders lay still. Their navies 
 were as good as rifles at that range and the five 
 poured in a volley of balls. 
 
 The enemy beat a hurried retreat, then rallied 
 and began to return the fire. Lawrence and his men 
 were lying down and w-ere firing deliberately and 
 with effect. The enemy, which had now grown 
 to number at least fifty, fell back a short distance 
 and many of them were seen to be dismounting. 
 Lawrence knew what that meant, a detachment was 
 to steal through the woods and flank him. 
 
 " One more volley and go," he ordered. 
 
 The volley was given, then running back they 
 sprang on their horses and were away. 
 
 This affair so checked the pursuit that it gave the 
 troop a good start. 
 
 Hardly had Lawrence joined his men when Marvin 
 called him and pointed to the front where a cloud 
 of dust was arising. Soon they made out a body 
 of cavalry. 
 
 They looked at each other with white faces. If 
 the cavalry were enemies, and of this they had little 
 doubt, there was no hope. 
 
 " All we can do is to sell our lives as dearly as 
 possible," said Marvin. " To be taken alive would 
 mean an ignominious death." 
 
 " You are right " replied Lawrence and he called 
 
TEE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 195 
 
 a halt. " Men," he exclaimed, and his voice rang 
 out without a tremor, " that force in front is with- 
 out doubt the enemy. You know what it means to 
 be taken alive. I will order a charge and let each 
 man die fighting. We can die as soldiers, but never 
 as felons." 
 
 " Hold," cried Morris. " Those men do not ride 
 as guerillas do. There is discipline there. See 
 they have halted. They take us for enemies." 
 
 " I believe you are right, I will investigate," re- 
 plied Lawrence, tying a handkerchief to the point 
 of his sword he rode forward. A fine looking of- 
 ficer rode out to meet him. When they came face 
 to face Lawrence fairly gathered the officer in his 
 arms. " Major Frank V\'hite of the Prairie Scouts, 
 as I live," he shouted. " Major, you do not know 
 how glad I am to see you. You have saved our 
 bacon." 
 
 " Can this be Lieutenant Middleton, once of Gen- 
 eral Lyon's staff? asked the Major, nearly wring- 
 ing Lawrence's hand off. 
 
 " The same. Major. What fortunate circum- 
 stance brings you here?" 
 
 " I might ask that of you," replied the Major 
 laughing. " Give an account of yourself." 
 
 Just then shots were heard. The pursuers had 
 come up, and were exchanging compliments with 
 Lawrence's men. 
 
196 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 " I will, Major," said Lawrence, when you drive 
 back those hounds who have been chasing us." 
 
 Quickly the major gave the order; but the Con- 
 federates had seen them and were now scurrying 
 back to Lexington as fast as their horses could carry 
 them, taking with them the direful tidings that a 
 large force of Yankees were near and would be in 
 the city by morning. 
 
 Terror and consternation reigned. ]\Iost of the 
 State Guards fled from the city during the night. 
 Many were in favor of hanging the prisoners before 
 they left, but the citizens told them it meant the 
 destruction of the city if they did, and in all prob- 
 ability the execution of as many of them, as the 
 number of Federals hung, so they rode away with- 
 out carrying out their threat. 
 
 There being no foes in front. Major White halted 
 his command. " We have ridden sixty miles to- 
 day," he said, " and my men must have rest before 
 I attack the city. Can I take it with my force?" 
 
 " How many men have you ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Two hundred and twenty." 
 
 " That with my men will make two hundred and 
 fifty. Yes, you can take it. There are between fif- 
 teen hundred and two thousand State Guards and 
 guerillas in and around the city, but there is no 
 organization, no discipline. They will not stand." 
 
 " Then you have been there? " asked the major. 
 
TEE CAPTURE OF LEXINGTON 197 
 
 " Yes. Left the city not two hours ago. Chased 
 out. Masqueraded as good Rebels and they found 
 us out." 
 
 That evening Lawrence told the major all that 
 had happened. 
 
 " \\' onderful," exclaimed the major. " Your trip 
 is the most daring thing I have heard during the 
 war. The wiping out of Proctor's gang was 
 glorious." 
 
 " Now tell me of yourself," said Lawrence. 
 " Finding you here with so few men, tells me I am 
 not the only one taking chances." 
 
 " I was about to leave Jefferson City with my 
 command to join Fremont," said the major, " when 
 word came that the Federal prisoners in Lexington 
 were about to be executed. Among the prisoners 
 are Colonel White and Colonel Groves, For some 
 reason General Price refused to parole them when 
 he paroled the rest of the officers captured at Lex- 
 ington. There were no troops that could be spared 
 to go to their relief, excepting my command, and 
 small as my force is, I concluded to make the at- 
 tempt. We have come in a hurry, as I told you 
 we have ridden sixty miles to-day." 
 
 " Which speaks volumes for you," said LawTence. 
 " Major, there should be an eagle on your shoulder 
 strap." 
 
 The next morning Major White charged into the 
 
198 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 city meeting with but slight resistance, but he suc- 
 ceeding in capturing seventy prisoners, sixty stands 
 of arms and twenty-five horses. 
 
 The Federal prisoners, some twenty of them, to 
 their great joy were released. 
 
 Along in the afternoon the steamer Sioux City, 
 came down the river, and having no suspicion that 
 the place had been recaptured by the Federals, pro- 
 ceeded to tie up at the wharf, where it was imme- 
 diately taken possession of by the Yanks much to 
 the surprise of the crew. 
 
 The Federal prisoners who had been released 
 were put on board together with a new crew, and 
 the boat sent on down the river, and in time reached 
 St. Louis in safety. 
 
 Thus was Lexington once more in the hands of 
 the Federals, but not for long. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 THE CHARGE OF THE BODY GUARD 
 
 THE disloyal element in Lexington was not 
 long in finding out the smallness of the force 
 that had captured the city. No time was 
 lost in sending this information to the State Guards 
 and guerillas w'ho had fled. They began coming 
 back by hundreds and Major White saw he would 
 soon be surrounded by an overwhelming force, so 
 he concluded to evacuate the city. This he could 
 do with good grace, as the object of his coming, 
 the liberation of the prisoners, had been accom- 
 plished. 
 
 His little force must have been held in great 
 dread for no attempt was made to prevent his leav- 
 ing, nor was he followed. 
 
 From the time Bruno swam the river, nothing 
 had been seen of him, and the troop began to think 
 him lost, but Harry would shake his head and say, 
 " He '11 show up all right." 
 
 Hardly had the troop left Lexington, when, as 
 they were passing through a piece of woods Harry 
 gave a peculiar whistle, and to the surprise of all, 
 
 199 
 
200 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 Bruno came bounding out, overjoyed to meet his 
 master once more. 
 
 " Bnmo has not been far away any of the time," 
 said Harry, " but he had strict orders not to come 
 near me, until I gave permission." 
 
 " So you think the dog understood your orders ? " 
 asked one of the men rather sarcasticahy. 
 
 " Certainly," replied Harry. " If not, why did 
 he stay away until I whistled for him?" 
 
 " But he followed the ferry and you did not 
 whistle," persisted the doubter. 
 
 " Bruno knew full well he would have to get 
 across the river or he would lose track of us," an- 
 swered Harry. " Did he come to us after he got 
 across? Not at all. He waited until he got per- 
 mission. I tell you, Bruno knows more and obeys 
 orders better than some men." 
 
 At this there was a laugh for the doubter was 
 known as a big kicker against discipline. 
 
 Not only Lawrence, but the whole troop, was 
 glad the dog had returned and before the day was 
 over Bruno had sliown that the confidence reposed 
 in him was not misplaced. 
 
 Warrensburg, which lay about thirty miles south 
 of Lexington, was to be the next stop. The route 
 lay through as hostile a country as if it had been 
 South Carolina instead of Missouri. 
 
 Lawrence's troop was given the honor of the ad- 
 
TEE CHARGE OF THE BODY GUARD 201 
 
 vance by IMajor White, and rather a busy clay it 
 proved for them. Not many miles from Lexington 
 they ran into a squad of guerillas, and after an 
 exciting chase captured four of them. 
 
 Bnmo now began to show his value. He rarely 
 failed to give notice if any guerillas were skulking 
 near. 
 
 Once he showed great excitement, and kept nm- 
 ning towards a thicket some distance from the road. 
 He would make a few bounds toward the thicket, 
 then come back, look up at the men and then bound 
 back, as if to say, " Danger over there." 
 
 Lawrence halted and said to Marvin, " Have 
 half a dozen men dismount, let them advance care- 
 fully and investigate that thicket. The dog evi- 
 dently scents trouble." 
 
 Hardly had Lawrence spoken when there burst 
 from the thicket puffs of smoke, and then the re- 
 port of half a dozen rifles. 
 
 " Do n't dismount. Charge," shouted Lawrence. 
 By the time the thicket was reached the birds had 
 flown. The guerillas had fired but the one volley 
 then mounted their horses and dashed away. 
 
 " No use following," said Lawrence. Then he 
 asked, " Did the curs do any damage with that 
 volley?" 
 
 " Look at your hat," answered Marvin smiling. 
 Lawrence took off his hat, the crown had been torn 
 
202 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 by a ball. " A trifle high," he remarked as he placed 
 it back on his head. " Is that all? " 
 
 " Colton's horse was wounded," spoke up one of 
 the men. 
 
 " Let him take one of the horses we have cap- 
 tured," answered Lawrence. 
 
 About one o'clock the column was halted to rest 
 the horses and give the men time to make a little 
 coffee. The halt was made near a house, and for 
 a wonder the owner was at home. He v/as a surly 
 fellow about forty years of age, and he showed by 
 his manner he had no use for Yankees. 
 
 There was a fine field of corn growing near the 
 house, and to this the soldiers helped themselves 
 liberally, giving their horses a good feed. Against 
 this the man protested vehemently. Major White 
 in reply to his protest said, " I will give you a 
 voucher for the full value of the corn taken, and if 
 you can prove your loyalty you will have no trouble 
 in collecting it." 
 
 To this the fellow replied with a fierce oath, 
 " Keep your voucher. I want no Yankee paper." 
 He went into the house and they saw him no more. 
 
 The rest over, the column moved on, Marvin in 
 advance, Lawrence having fallen back to speak to 
 Major White. 
 
 When they had gone about half a mile there 
 came a puff of smoke from a clump of bushes about 
 
THE CHARGE OF THE BODY GUARD 203 
 
 three hundred yards away and Marvin's horse fell. 
 A ball had struck it squarely in the side close to 
 Marvin's leg-. 
 
 Hardly had the report of the shot died away when 
 there came from the bushes shrieks of terror min- 
 gled with the hoarse growling of some beast. 
 
 " Charge for the bushes," shouted Marvin, trying 
 to disengage himself from his fallen horse. 
 
 Harry Semans was already half across the field. 
 When he reached the bushes he found Bruno with 
 his teeth buried in the throat of a man, who was 
 struggling to free himself and shrieking for help. 
 
 " Back, Bruno, back," commanded Harry. The 
 dog released his hold, but stood eyeing the prostrate 
 man. 
 
 " It 's that surly fellow back where we halted," 
 said Lawrence, looking at the man who lay groan- 
 ing, the blood welling from the fearful gashes in his 
 throat. 
 
 A hasty examination showed that although the 
 throat was badly torn, no vital spot had been reached. 
 A few rods away a fine horse w'as found hitched. 
 
 " So this is how the fellow^ thought to get his 
 pay for the corn," said LawTence. " Take a shot at 
 us, and flee. Lieutenant, it is fortunate that he got 
 your horse and not you, and here is a better horse 
 than yours." 
 
 "How about the bushwhacker?" asked Marvin. 
 
204 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 " It would serve him right if we left him here to 
 rot." 
 
 " No, we must take him back to his wife," said 
 Lawrence. 
 
 A blanket was produced, the wounded man placed 
 in it, and carried back to his home, Lawrence going 
 ahead to break the news to his wife. 
 
 " Your husband has been badly hurt, but I hope 
 not fatally," said Lawrence gently. " My soldiers 
 are bringing him." 
 
 She gave a low cry, clasped her hands to her 
 breast and looked at Lawrence wildly. 
 
 " How did it happen? " she whispered. 
 
 " He shot at us and the dog caught him. I am 
 sorry for your sake, but he came near killing one of 
 my officers." 
 
 By this time the man was brought in and laid 
 on a bed. The woman dropped on her knees by his 
 side, " Oh ! Tom, Tom," she sobbed. " I begged 
 you not to go, but you would." 
 
 Two little children clung to her dress, adding their 
 cries of terror to her sobs. Lawrence looked on with 
 saddened heart, yet this little scene was but a single 
 drop in the great ocean of tears which was being 
 shed by a stricken nation. 
 
 As Lawrence turned away he heard a kind voice 
 say, " Let me look at him, madam," and the surgeon 
 of Major White's troop was bending over the 
 
TEE CHARGE OF THE BODY GUARD 205 
 
 Stricken man. With skilful fingers he washed and 
 dressed the wounds, and then cheerfully said to the 
 wife, " Be of good cheer. The wounds are not 
 necessarily fatal. With good care he may pull 
 through." Then he gave her careful instructions 
 and left her bandages and medicine. 
 
 She seemed amazed at the kindness shown and 
 sobbed out her thanks. " I have been told all 
 Yankees were monsters," she said. " That you mur- 
 dered women and children and did even worse, but 
 you have been so kind, and after Tom tried to kill 
 some of you." 
 
 The troop rode away, saddened for a moment by 
 the woman's sorrow. Bruno became the pride of 
 the troop. Lawrence patted him saying, " Good 
 old Bruno, and we wanted to leave you. But we 
 won't again old fellow for we 're riding under our 
 own colors now." 
 
 Bruno looked up into Lawrence's face and wagged 
 his tail as much as to say, " I know it." After- 
 wards even Morris looked upon the dog with increas- 
 ing favor. 
 
 It was nearly night w^ien the column rode into 
 Warrensburg. The city was intensely Southern and 
 was the home of the fier\^ \\'est and the gallant Cock- 
 rell. The one served his State in the Confederate 
 Congress and the other as a general. After the 
 war they were both in the United States Senate for 
 
206 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 years, and served the whole country as faithfully as 
 they had served the Confederacy. 
 
 No waving flags greeted the column of Major 
 White as they rode through the city, there were no 
 joyous shouts of greeting, instead the streets were 
 full of men who gazed on them malevolently, and 
 cursed as they gazed. From every house angry 
 eyes glared at them, and fair women spat at them 
 to show their contempt. 
 
 " Truly a royal welcome," said Lawrence, smiling. 
 
 " It is a welcome we will do well to heed," re- 
 plied Major White. " We must pitch our camp 
 where it can be easily defended, and where it will 
 not be easy for bushwhackers to slip up and pick 
 us off." 
 
 Such a place was found and the men were cau- 
 tioned to be unusually vigilant. 
 
 Shortly after dark an attack was made on the 
 camp. It was very feeble and easily repulsed with- 
 out loss. All through the night skulking bush- 
 whackers kept firing into camp, and the men got 
 little rest. 
 
 The next morning Major White sent out and 
 gathered the principal men of the city and made 
 them a speech, short and to the point. " If you have 
 enough men to offer me honorable battle," he said, 
 *' come on and we will try conclusions, and fight it 
 out like soldiers; but I do not intend to allow my 
 
THE CHARGE OF THE BODY GUARD 207 
 
 men to be fired on by a lot of skulking, cowardly 
 bushwhackers. I shall stay here two days, and if 
 another shot is fired into my camp 1 shall lay the 
 city in ashes. That is all." 
 
 It was enough. Major White stayed the two 
 days, but not another shot was fired. It was a re- 
 lieved lot of citizens that saw the command ride 
 away. 
 
 " Now for Warsaw and Fremont," exclaimed 
 Major White, and the slogan ran along the line amid 
 the wildest enthusiasm. 
 
 Their way was once more through a hostile coun- 
 try, but Fremont had passed over it, and they had 
 little trouble with guerillas. They found the in- 
 habitants xtry bitter over the actions of General Jim 
 Lane of Kansas. When Price moved up to capture 
 Lexington, Lane made a dash in his rear from Fort 
 Scott, and advanced into Missouri as far as Osceola, 
 which place Price had made a depot for supplies. 
 Lane not only burned the supplies but the wliole 
 town, and on his retreat back, his men freely plun- 
 dered houses, returning to Fort Scott loaded with 
 spoils. 
 
 There is no doubt that the acts of Lane, Mont- 
 gomery, Jennison and other Kansas leaders made 
 the w^ar in Missouri more bitter than it would have 
 been otherwise. 
 
 But Kansas had many an old score to pay off 
 
208 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 against Missouri. For years the people of that Ter- 
 ritory had been plundered, robbed, and in many cases 
 murdered by the border ruffians who had come over 
 from Missouri, and now that they had the oppor- 
 tunity they were not slow in repaying the debt. The 
 term " Kansas Jayhawkers" became as much of a 
 terror to Missourians as " Border Ruffians " had 
 been to the residents of Kansas. 
 
 The advance of Fremont had been slow, and when 
 Major White reached Warsaw he found that the 
 army had advanced but little beyond. 
 
 At Warsaw Lawrence found a number of scouts 
 who had been with him when he was with Lyon, 
 and every one of them was eager to go into his 
 company. He had no trouble in bringing his num- 
 ber up to fifty, and these men were of the best 
 material. Among them was one named Dan Sher- 
 man, a scout whom Lawrence prized very highly, 
 and who became to him what Dick Darling was to 
 Fred Shackelford in the " The Young Kentuckians 
 Series." 
 
 Lawrence continued with Major White, who was 
 given the advance with orders to reconnoitre 
 towards Springfield and ascertain w^iether Price in- 
 tended to give battle there. 
 
 Fremont firmly believed Price had concentrated 
 his army and would make a stand at Springfield. 
 In fact from the beginning of the campaign Fremont 
 
THE CHAEGE OF THE BODY GUARD 209 
 
 had been haunted with the fear that Price might 
 attack him, yet during the whole campaign he never 
 got within fifty miles of Price. 
 
 At Warsaw Morris had gone off on one of his 
 lone scouts. He returned just as Major White's 
 command was to start for Springfield. He reported 
 that he had been near Springfield and that Price's 
 amiy was not there, but at least fifty miles beyond. 
 Springfield was occupied by about five hundred cav- 
 alr>\ It was also said that there was an infantry 
 force of about one thousand near by, but ihis he 
 could not verify. 
 
 The news was taken to Fremont, who ordered 
 Major White to move on the place as rapidly as 
 possible, that he would reinforce him with his body 
 guard, and if Major Zagonyi, commander of the 
 guard thought it feasible they should take posses- 
 sion of the city. 
 
 When the command was several miles from the 
 city, Major White halted to await the coming of the 
 body guard. 
 
 Morris signified his intention of returning to the 
 city and learning the exact situation. For fear he 
 might meet someone who knew him, he assumed 
 his old disguise. 
 
 Dan Shennan looked at him in surprise, for he 
 had not seen him in disguise before. " Look here, 
 Morris," he said. " I know you now. You were 
 
210 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 with US when we made that scout to Jefferson City. 
 I 've laughed a hundred times over the way you 
 fooled Colonel Bell. I have often wondered what 
 became of you. Let me go with you." 
 
 Morris shook his head. " Can't this time, Dan," 
 he said. " There is no one I had rather take with 
 me than you if I took any one, but some other 
 time," and he rode away. 
 
 Sherman looked puzzled. " Captain," he said to 
 Lawrence, when Morris was out of sight, " I do n't 
 understand. Why did Morris disguise himself on 
 that scout to Jefferson City, and now only disguises 
 himself when in fear of meeting the enemy."' 
 
 " Things have changed," replied Lawrence. 
 *' Then he was disguised when he was Union, and 
 his natural self when a Reb; now he is his natural 
 self when a Union, and disguised when a Reb. But, 
 Dan, seek to know no more. Never question him 
 as to his past. If you do we might lose a valuable 
 man." 
 
 Dan promised; but he was naturally curious to 
 know who Morris was, and whether that was his 
 right name or not. 
 
 When Morris left Lawrence it was with the full 
 determination of entering Springfield and finding out 
 the exact state of affairs. He knew the undertak- 
 ing was a dangerous one, but that only added to the 
 zest of it. 
 
THE CHARGE OF TEE BODY GUARD 211 
 
 Instead of taking the direct road to Springfield, 
 Morris made a circuit around, and entered the city 
 from the rear. He had httle trouble in getting in, 
 and soon had the information he desired. 
 
 While he was debating the best way to return, a 
 troop of Confederate cavalry came riding along and 
 Morris with a start hastily turned away. Riding 
 with the troop was Dickey Holbrook, and Morris 
 knew that Dickey had seen him in the disguise he 
 wore. He now knew that the quicker he got out 
 of Springfield the better. IMoreover the approach 
 of a force of Yankees was now known, and frantic 
 messages were being sent to all nearby troops to 
 hurry to the city to help defend it. IMorris seized 
 upon this fact to get away without being suspected. 
 He volunteered to go and find out if possible the 
 number of Yankees threatening the city. This met 
 with approval and he was given a pass by the com- 
 manding officer. He galloped away well pleased 
 with his mission, for the pass would protect him from 
 all interference. 
 
 More than once he was halted and his name and 
 business demanded, but the pass made all clear sail- 
 ing, and soon he was told that only an advance 
 picket post was in his front. 
 
 " Any Yanks around ? " Morris asked of the ser- 
 geant in command of the post, as he rode up. 
 
 " Do n't know/' drawled the sergeant. " We'uns 
 
212 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 heard thar was a few around about Baker's, three or 
 four miles from here." 
 
 " Is it not your business to find out ? " asked Mor- 
 ris in a tone of authority. " What are you here 
 for?" 
 
 " To guard this heah road," answered the ser- 
 geant. " I was told to stay heah, and heah I stay, 
 unless the Yanks drive me away." 
 
 " Excuse me. Sergeant," said Morris. " I see 
 you are not to leave your post to do scout duty. 
 Well, if there are any Yankees in front, it 's up to 
 me to find out how many there are. Say, Ser- 
 geant, if I come back in a hurry see that your men 
 do n't fire on me." 
 
 The sergeant shook his head as Morris rode away, 
 *' Do n't know what to think of him," he muttered, 
 *' but I reckon it 's all right." 
 
 While talking with the sergeant Alorris had care- 
 fully noted the number of men at the post, and also 
 the best way to take it by surprise. 
 
 Morris had not ridden more than three miles far- 
 ther when he came on the advance guard of the 
 Federals, who proved to be a part of Fremont's 
 body guard. The guard had come up under the 
 command of Major Zagonyi, and he had assumed 
 command of the whole force. 
 
 The guards at first took Morris for a gpierilla, 
 and thought they had taken a prisoner. They would 
 
THE CHARGE OF THE BODY GUARD 213 
 
 hardly believe him when he said he was a scout for 
 Major White and demanded to be conducted to him. 
 
 Morris could not hide his admiration for the ap- 
 pearance of the body guard. Mounted on their 
 splendid horses, their gaudy uniforms showed re- 
 splendent in the sun. They were soon to show the 
 world they could fight, and were not merely dress 
 parade soldiers. 
 
 Both Zagonyi and White listened closely while 
 Morris made his report. 
 
 " There are," he said, " from five to seven hun- 
 dred cavalry in Springfield and at least one thou- 
 sand infantry within supporting distance. But 
 these troops are not seasoned veterans, neither are 
 they under good discipline, and the different com- 
 mands are somewhat scattered. I believe with a 
 sudden dash the city could be captured." 
 
 Zagonyi had one hundred and fifty men; White, 
 including Lawrence's command, one hundred and 
 eight}', making a force of three hundred and thirty 
 to attack at least six times their number, but Zag- 
 onyi did not hesitate. 
 
 After hearing Morris's report he wrote a despatch 
 to Fremont in which he said, " There are 1800 or 
 1900 men in Springfield. I move forward and do 
 what I can." 
 
 Brave words, but the major made them good. 
 
 Morris now told of the advance picket post, and 
 
214 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 that if the whole post was captured, the enemy could 
 be completely surprised. A squad under his guid- 
 ance undertook to do this, but succeeded in captur- 
 ing only five of the six, the one escaping carrying 
 the news of the advance back to Springfield. 
 
 All hope of surprising the enemy now being gone, 
 Major Zagonyi concluded to make a circuit around 
 the city and attack from the rear. 
 
 Morris again guided the column, taking the same 
 route he had taken when he entered the city. 
 
 When about two miles from Springfield they sud- 
 denly came upon the enemy drawn up in line of 
 battle. Not a moment did the body guard hesitate ; 
 with a cry of " Fremont and the Union " they swept 
 forward as invincible as an avalanche. Through 
 the hundreds before them they rode, trampling them 
 down, sabring, shooting. 
 
 The infantry fled to a wood, where they were at- 
 tacked and halted by Major White's command. The 
 body guard accompanied by Lawrence's company 
 followed the fleeing cavalry into Springfield and 
 through the streets, riding down everything before 
 them. The enemy would rally only to be scattered 
 like chaff before the wind. 
 
 Back and forth through the streets they rode until 
 all armed resistance ceased. Springfield was once 
 more in the hands of the Federals, won against 
 overwhelming odds, by one of the most gallant 
 
TEE CHAEGE OF THE BODY GUAED 215 
 
 charges made during the war — the one bright spot 
 in Fremont's career in Missouri. In the newspa- 
 pers the charge was compared to the charge of the 
 Light Brigade at the battle of Balaklava. It was 
 indeed a wild charge and the body guard deserved 
 all the praise they received. No one now thought 
 of the gaudy uniform they wore, for each unifomi 
 clothed the body of a hero, and was made sacred, 
 not by tinsel and gold, but by the blood of a patriot. 
 Of the gallant men who charged fifty had fallen, 
 dead and wounded. 
 
 The Starr}' flag was raised over the court house, 
 and seventy Federal prisoners released. Springfield, 
 for which Lyon had fought and died, was once more 
 in the hands of the Federals. 
 
 After the battle, when Lawrence gathered his 
 little company together he found ten of them had 
 fallen, and among them was his gallant lieutenant, 
 Mark ^larvin, who was mortally wounded. 
 
 Chol^ng back his grief, Lawrence bent over the 
 brave fellow. " Mark, Mark." he whispered, 
 "What can I do for you? Oh! My God! I did 
 not think of this. I cannot give you up." 
 
 Marvin opened his eyes and smiled. " It 's all 
 right, Captain," he whispered. Then seeing the 
 tears glistening in Lawrence's eyes he gasped, 
 " Do n't. Captain, do n't. Thousands must die for 
 the old flag, and why not I? But there is a little 
 
216 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 girl back in St. Joe to whom this will be sad news. 
 Will you not tell her I fell doing my duty ? And — 
 and tell her I died thinking of her." 
 
 Lawrence promised, and afterwards that promise 
 was faithfully fulfilled. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 FREMONT IS REMOVED 
 
 FREMOXT moved fonvard with his army, oc- 
 cupied Springfield, and made it his head- 
 quarters. He fully expected that Price 
 would give him battle at or near Springfield, but in 
 this he was disappointed. Price was in no con- 
 dition to attack, in fact the bulk of his army was 
 fifty miles away. 
 
 There are no records of Price and Fremont meet- 
 ing ; yet in some way they must have communicated, 
 for about this time there appeared a joint proclama- 
 tion signed by both. By the terms of this procla- 
 mation no person was to be arrested for his political 
 opinions, and all such that had been arrested were 
 to be released. In return Union men were not to 
 be molested. 
 
 It was almost the same old agreement that Price 
 had made w^ith General Harney. Under it Price's 
 soldiers could return home for the winter and re- 
 main practically unmolested. As for the guerrilla 
 bands which infested the State, they owed no alle- 
 giance to General Price, and he had no more control 
 
 217 
 
218 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 over them than the man in the moon. It left the 
 Union men completely at their mercy. 
 
 It is strange that Fremont and Price would enter 
 into any such agreement without consulting their 
 respective Governments. There was some excuse 
 for Price acting as he did. He had been waging 
 a warfare almost independent of the Confederate 
 Government. His command had consisted of State, 
 not Confederate troops. Although he had accom- 
 plished more than any other general of the South, 
 he was mistrusted and disliked by Jefferson Davis 
 and his advisers. 
 
 Time and again had Price been balked in his 
 movements by General Ben McCulloch, who had 
 Davis's ear. If Price had been heartily supported 
 by McCulloch and Davis, the situation in Missouri 
 would have been dark indeed for the Union cause. 
 
 About that time a serious disagreement arose -be- 
 tween McCulloch and Price. Under the pretext 
 that Fremont would use the products of the country 
 to support his army; against the protests of Price, 
 McCulloch sent his Texas cavalry into southwest 
 Missouri, and the country was lighted up with burn- 
 ing mills and stacks of grain and forage. Thus 
 McCulloch did what would have been denounced 
 as an act of savage vandalism if done by any Fed- 
 eral general. 
 
 With the exception of Wilson Creek, so far Price 
 
FREMONT IS BE MOV ED 219 
 
 had fought all his battles without the aid of Mc- 
 Culloch and with State troops alone. 
 
 General Fremont, on his part, had a serious 
 grievance against President Lincoln and felt he had 
 not been properly supported by the authorities at 
 Washington. Thus it was not strange that Price 
 and Fremont felt like running the war to suit them- 
 selves. But these generals never had an opportunity 
 to carry out their agreement. 
 
 Hardly had Fremont established his headquarters 
 at Springfield when like a thunderbolt from a clear 
 sky, came an order from Washington for him to 
 turn over the command of the army to General 
 David Hunter. Fremont's partisans, and they were 
 legion, were not only amazed, but terribly wrought 
 up over the order. 
 
 The Union men of ^Missouri had become divided 
 into two factions : the Radicals, nicknamed the 
 Charcoals; and the Conservatives. The feeling be- 
 tween these two factions became almost as bitter 
 as the feeling between Union and Confederate. 
 
 The Charcoals were strong supporters of Fre- 
 mont, and to this faction belonged most of the 
 Union-loving Gennans. The Gennans hated slavery 
 fully as much as the old line abolitionists. Fremont 
 and Sigel were their idols. Fremont was also in 
 high favor with the abolitionists of the entire 
 North. His proclamation issued nearly a year and a 
 
220 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 half before Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, 
 that all slaves of disloyal persons should be free, 
 had struck a popular chord throughout the entire 
 North, and President Lincoln was severely con- 
 demned for nullifying Fremont's act. 
 
 The first months of the war had been very dis- 
 astrous to the Union forces, and for these disasters 
 many held Lincoln responsible. There were mut- 
 terings over the way the war was being conducted, 
 and many went so far as to advocate the overthrow 
 of the National Government, and the appointing of 
 a military dictator. In the East these malcontents 
 looked to General George B. McClellan as the 
 Cromwell to guide the nation in its extremity, while 
 in the West Fremont was looked upon as the com- 
 ing saviour of the nation. 
 
 Now that the name of Lincoln is honored and 
 revered throughout the world, one can hardly im- 
 agine the fault found with him and the abuse heaped 
 upon him during the first years of the war. 
 
 As to the removal of Fremont, the student of his- 
 tory, can now see that it was a military necessity. 
 Not only was his military record a failure, but his 
 administration was one of reckless extravagance. 
 Many of his subordinates were what we now call 
 grafters. 
 
 To illustrate: Fremont at the commencement of 
 the war was sent to Europe to buy arms. He pur- 
 
FREMONT IS BEMOVED 221 
 
 chased a large consignment of guns, known as the 
 Belgian rifle. These guns proved almost absolutely- 
 useless, but the Government was charged a big round 
 price for them. 
 
 One of Fremont's agents, a ]\Ir. Selover, who 
 helped make the purchase, boasted that he cleared 
 thirty thousand dollars in the transaction. But Mr. 
 Selover was not the only one who made money out 
 of the extremity of the country. Graft is no new 
 thing. 
 
 When the orders for the removal of Fremont 
 came, many of his hot-headed admirers urged him 
 to defy the Government, declare himself the Com- 
 mander of the Department of the West, and rtm 
 things to suit himself. To the honor of Fremont he 
 refused, and issuing a touching and patriotic farewell 
 to the army, departed for St. Louis with his now 
 famous body guard as an escort. Here the body 
 guard, by the order of General McClellan, was mus- 
 tered out of service. Thus this gallant body of 
 men who canned their names among the nation's 
 heroes by that memorable charge at Springfield, was 
 lost to the Government, and we hear of them no 
 more. 
 
 With the appointment of General Hunter to the 
 command of the army there came to him a personal 
 letter from President Lincoln on the situation in 
 Missouri, and while the letter left much to the dis- 
 
222 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDOE 
 
 cretion of Hunter, in it Lincoln strongly advised 
 him to relinquish Springfield, and the whole of 
 southwest Missouri, and to fall back, foiTning a line 
 south of the Missouri River. 
 
 It is plain from reading this letter that the Presi- 
 dent had no conception of the real situation in Mis- 
 souri. He seemed to take for granted that Price's 
 army had disintegrated, and that the Union men and 
 guerillas would soon get tired of killing each other 
 and quit of their own accord. 
 
 It was grievous advice, a gigantic mistake on the 
 part of Lincoln, advice that General Lyon would 
 never have taken, for he would have shown the Pres- 
 ident the lamentable results that would follow. 
 But the advice was so strong it almost took the form 
 of an order, and General Hunter proceeded to carry 
 it out to the letter. 
 
 Orders were given for Springfield to be evacuated, 
 and without striking a blow at Price, leaving Lex- 
 ington unavenged, the army that had advanced with 
 such high hopes, commenced their weary march 
 back to the Missouri River. There was nothing to 
 make them go, no enemy in sight ; they were fleeing 
 when there were none to pursue. 
 
 Twice had the army marched over that one hun- 
 dred and fifty miles of rough roads ; twice had 
 Springfield been taken, now to be given up. Was 
 it any wonder that the soldiers turned their faces 
 
FBEMONT IS EEMOVED 223 
 
 northward with despairing hearts? Was it any 
 wonder there were curses both loud and deep? 
 
 Well was it that the great mass of soldiers did 
 not know that the retreat was by direct advice of 
 Lincoln. Well was it that Fremont had gone, for 
 had he been present and it became known he was 
 against the retrograde movement, the soldiers would 
 have compelled him to resume command. 
 
 To the Union men of Southwest JNIissouri this 
 backward step came as a cruel blow. It was not 
 only disheartening, but appalling, ^^^hen the army 
 advanced, hundreds who had fled for their lives 
 had returned to their homes. Now they were again 
 to be deserted and left a prey to the blood-thirsty 
 guerillas. After having suffered much, they were 
 to suffer more. 
 
 Not only this, but the movement opened a way 
 for Price clear to the Missouri River. The road to 
 Lexington was again clear, and the vast supplies of 
 North Missouri were again in his reach. The gue- 
 rilla bands once more took courage and sprang up 
 all over the State, like mushrooms in the night. 
 Little did Lincoln think when he gave that advice, 
 the direful consequences that would follow, and in 
 all probability he never did fully know, for more 
 tremendous problems were pressing upon him.* 
 
 *John McElroy in his book, " The Struggle for Missouri," 
 tries to excuse Lincoln by saying that in all probability the 
 
224 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 No one was more surprised at the retreat of the 
 Federal army than General Price. At first he could 
 hardly believe it, thinking it a ruse to draw him out 
 in battle. When once assured it was a fact, he 
 made preparations to advance, and sent word to 
 McCulloch to join him. Again McCuUoch failed 
 him. Nothing daunted, Price again started north 
 with his faithful Missourians. He advanced with 
 his main army as far as Osceola, and sent the bri- 
 gades of Rains and Steen as far north as Lexington 
 to hold the river, and make a safe passage for re- 
 cruits and supplies from the northern part of the 
 State. 
 
 To encourage recruiting he issued a grandiloquent 
 proclamation to the people of Northern and Central 
 Missouri, calling for fifty thousand recruits. Now 
 that the fierce excitement and passions of those days 
 are no more, one can hardly read the proclamation 
 without a smile. It sounds more like the effusion 
 of some sophomore than like a staid old general. 
 
 " I must have fifty thousand men," was the bur- 
 den of his cry. He implored them to leave all and 
 
 letter was dictated by McClellan, yet praises Lincoln for the 
 generalship it displayed. The generalship would have been 
 all right if conditions had been as Lincoln supposed. If 
 McClellan dictated the letter why not give him credit for the 
 generalship? When the great charge at Gettysburg failed, 
 and some were trying to lay the blame on Longstreet, General 
 Lee in the nobleness of his heart said, " I alone am to blame." 
 Such would have been the answer of the great Lincoln if 
 asked, as to the results of that letter. 
 
FEE MO NT IS REMOVED 225 
 
 to come. What if they did lose their property? 
 The Union men of ^Missouri owned $200,000,000 
 \\ orth of property, antl if needed every dollar of it 
 would be taken to reimburse them when Missouri 
 was free. 
 
 Thus did General Price promise universal con- 
 fiscation of all property of Union men in the State. 
 Happily for his friends the Federal Government did 
 not enforce the same doctrines. 
 
 After this munificent promise the General cried: 
 " In the name of God and the attributes of man- 
 hood let me appeal to you by considerations infi- 
 nitely higher than money! Are we a generation of 
 drooling, snivelling, degraded slaves?" 
 
 The proclamation closed with : " Do I hear your 
 shouts? Is that your war cry which echoes through 
 the land? Are you coming? Fifty thousand men ! 
 IMissouri shall move to victory with the tread of a 
 giant! Come on, my brave boys, 50,000 heroic, 
 gallant, unconquerable, Southern men! We await 
 your coming! " 
 
 But General Price waited in vain to hear the 
 shouts of the fifty thousand. They did not come. 
 But the promise of confiscation did encourage the 
 guerilla bands to renewed activity, and make them 
 more free, if that v.-ere possible, with Union men's 
 property. In some places these guerillas gathered 
 in such numbers as to become formidable annies. 
 
226 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 From all over the State there went up a wail of 
 despair and anger from the Union men. In the 
 army there was discontent and discouragement. 
 Especially were the friends of Fremont active in de- 
 nouncing the Government and General Hunter, 
 claiming Hunter had intrigued in getting Fremont's 
 place. They claimed that if Fremont had been kept 
 in command there would have been no backward 
 movement, that Fremont had been removed when 
 he was about to give battle, and thus had not been 
 given a fair chance. 
 
 So desperate became the situation, and so great 
 the dissatisfaction that the authorities at Washing- 
 ton began to wake up and realize that a great 
 mistake had been made, and General Hunter was re- 
 moved after he had been in command hardly more 
 than two weeks. Thus he had to suffer for follow- 
 ing the advice of the President. But as some com- 
 pensation, a new department was created called, 
 " The Department of Kansas " and he was placed 
 in command. 
 
 To the disappointment of Sigel's friends he was 
 not given the place vacated by Hunter, but there 
 came to St. Louis General Henry W. Halleck as 
 commander of the entire Western Department, and 
 with him there came a change, for a new regime 
 began. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 HOPOEITHLEYOHOLA 
 
 THIS is the story of Hopoeithleyohola, the 
 brave Cherokee chief — a story of how the 
 war bhghted the Indian Territory. It is a 
 part of the great war which is but Httle known, and 
 of which history has little to say, yet it is one of 
 the saddest episodes of that great struggle. 
 
 At the commencement of the war it was estimated 
 that the Indian Territory contained about one hun- 
 dred thousand inhabitants. These Indians consisted 
 chiefly of the tribes which had been forced to move 
 out of the Southern States, notably the Cherokees, 
 Choctaws, Creeks and Chickasaws. These tribes 
 had made remarkable progress in civilization, and 
 were known as the civilized tribes. They had 
 churches, school houses, tilled large farms, and had 
 immense herds of cattle, horses, sheep and swine. 
 They were prosperous, contented, happy and at 
 peace among themselves. It is a curious fact that 
 at the commencement of the war, these Indians 
 owned nearly ten thousand negro slaves. 
 
 When the war began, these Indians petitioned to 
 '227 
 
228 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 be left in peace. " We have done nothing to bring 
 on the war," they truthfully said. " We are friends 
 to both sides. All we wish is to remain in peace." 
 
 It is an everlasting disgrace that this prayer was 
 not granted. They were wards of the nation, not 
 citizens. But the Confederate Government viewed 
 the Territory as a part of its domain, and treated it 
 as such. Hundreds of these Indians were half- 
 breeds, and the Confederacy thought they would 
 make good soldiers. 
 
 The Indian agents who had all been appointed by 
 Pierce or Buchanan, were intensely Southern. 
 These agents were commissioned colonels, and di- 
 rected to raise regiments among the Indians for the 
 Confederate service. 
 
 At the head of these agents was Superintendent 
 Albert Pike, a New England Yankee, but who 
 rivalled the most rabid fire-eater in his hatred of the 
 Union. Pike was made a Brigadier General and was 
 to command the whole force of Indians when raised. 
 It is claimed by some that Pike was a born poet. Be 
 this as it may, his career showed he was no soldier. 
 It is certain that the Confederacy reaped little re- 
 ward for all the misery it brought upon its Indian 
 adherents. 
 
 The agents, as new-made colonels, commenced 
 enlisting the Indians, but Hopoeithleyohola, an aged 
 Cherokee chief rebelled. " Why," he asked, " should 
 
EOPOEITHLETOHOLA 229 
 
 I and my people fight against the Great Father at 
 Washington? " 
 
 Hopoeithleyohola. at this time was nearly a hun- 
 dred years old. If all the details of his long life 
 could be written they would be more interesting 
 than any dime novel of Indian life. He was a boy 
 at the time of tlie Revolutionary War. When a 
 young man he fought for the Spaniards against the 
 English in Florida. During the War of 1812-1815 
 of the United States against England, he fought 
 valiantly for the English, for he felt he was fight- 
 ing for the preservation of the land of his fore- 
 fathers. He was one of the bravest of the 
 chieftains that opposed General Jackson in his 
 campaign against the Southern Indians in 1813- 
 1814 and fought until all hope was gone. 
 
 When the inevitable came, and the Southern 
 tribes were compelled to give up their hunting 
 grounds and be transported across the Mississippi 
 to the wilds of the Indian Territory, with a heavy 
 heart he took his last look at the hunting grounds 
 of his ancestors and went with his people to their far 
 western home. 
 
 Here he taught his tribe the arts of peace, and 
 they were among the moet contented, happy and 
 prosperous of the Indians of the Territory. 
 
 " Why should I in my old age," he asked, " dig 
 up the tomahawk and make war against the Great 
 
230 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 Father? The war is none of my making. Let me 
 remain in peace, and the white men fight it out 
 among themselves, but if I have to fight it will be 
 for the Great Father." 
 
 War was at once declared against Hopoeithle- 
 yohola. The grim, old chieftain accepted the issue, 
 and gathered his faithful followers for the unequal 
 contest. 
 
 Not only were there let loose on him, the hundreds 
 of Indians and half-breeds which had been enlisted 
 for the Confederate service, but between one and 
 two thousand of Texas and Arkansas troops as 
 well. 
 
 In the first encounter Hopoeithleyohola was suc- 
 cessful in driving the invaders back. Before they 
 could gather in stronger force and renew the conflict 
 there came Fremont's advance and capture of 
 Springfield. 
 
 The Confederates became alarmed, and withdrew 
 their troops from the Indian Territory to help re- 
 sist Fremont. 
 
 Now comes the saddest sequel to that unfortunate 
 advice given to General Hunter by President Lin- 
 coln. When it became known that the Federal army 
 had fallen back, and that Price was no longer in 
 danger of being attacked, the Confederates once 
 more renewed their efforts to crush the loyal In- 
 dians. An overwhelming force was hurled against 
 
EOPOEITnLETOnOLA 231 
 
 them. After an obstinate battle Hopoeithleyohola 
 was defeated, and his forces hopelessly crushed. 
 
 Hopoeithleyohola with the remnant of his follow- 
 ers fled to Kansas. The way was long, the country 
 barren, the weather bitterly cold and on their heels 
 followed the remorseless and merciless pursuers. 
 Before Kansas was reached the bones of a thousand 
 men, women, and children lay whitening on the 
 bleak plains. 
 
 Hopoeithleyohola reached Fort Scott in safety, 
 but with his heart broken and bowed beneath his 
 weight of years. In a few days he passed away and 
 joined his followers who had gone before, to the 
 happy hunting grounds of the future. 
 
 The Federal Government did this much for him. 
 It gave him a military funeral worthy of his rank. 
 
 The death of Hopoeithleyohola and the defeat of 
 his followers did not end the sufferings of the In- 
 dians in the Territory. For four years they suffered 
 all the horrors of war, and when it was over the 
 country was a waste. Schools, churches and houses 
 were gone ; their fields were devastated ; their flocks 
 and herds had been driven away ; their horses and 
 cattle had either been stolen or taken to supply the 
 Confederate armies. 
 
 So abject was the poverty of the Indians at the' 
 close of the war that they had to be fed by the Gov- 
 ernment to keep them from starving. It is esti- 
 
232 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 mated that of the one hundred thousand Indians 
 who inhabited the Territory at the beginning of the 
 war, at least twenty-five thousand perished either 
 in battle or from exposure and starvation before the 
 conflict was over. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 A FAITHLESS KNIGIIT-ERRANT 
 
 THE retreat of the Federal army from Spring- 
 field was a bitter disappointment for Law- 
 rence and his scouts. As for Charles Morris, 
 he was wild with rage. " I 've a mind to throw up 
 the whole thing," he growled. " Fremont was bad, 
 but Hunter is worse." 
 
 " Do n't blame Hunter too much," said Lawrence. 
 " I am told he acted on the advice of the President." 
 
 " Advice ! Advice of the President ! " sneered 
 Morris. " What does Abe Lincoln know of the sit- 
 uation here in Missouri? He a thousand miles 
 away." 
 
 " It was mighty poor advice, I admit," sighed 
 Lawrence. " The consequences have been de- 
 plorable." 
 
 " Do you think that Lyon would have followed 
 that advice?" asked Morris. " No, he would have 
 told the President his advice was no good and gone 
 on and w^iipped Price out of his boots. Just look 
 at the army now, discouraged, worn out with march- 
 ing, almost ready to mutiny. Why, if Fremont 
 
 233 
 
234 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 would but raise his standard, nine out of ten soldiers 
 would rally around it in defiance of Hunter and the 
 President. I tell you things have to change and that 
 mighty quick, or Price will have the State." 
 
 But something now happened that made them for- 
 get the situation in Missouri. " Have you seen 
 this? " shouted Dan Sherman, coming up and shak- 
 ing a St. Louis paper before their eyes. " It 's 
 outrageous ! " 
 
 " What is it? " asked Lawrence surprised. 
 
 " Read it," said SheiTnan pointing to an article 
 in the paper. 
 
 It was the report of Major Zagonyi of the cele- 
 brated charge of the body guard on Springfield, and 
 to Lawrence's astonishment, it was stated that his 
 troop had taken no part in the charge, in fact had 
 deserted the body guard, and left them to make the 
 charge alone. 
 
 His face grew stern as he read. " For myself," 
 he said, " I care little, but for the sake of the brave 
 Marvin and others of the troop who gave their lives, 
 justice must be done, and I shall go to St. Louis and 
 see that it is." 
 
 As soon as he could make preparations to go, 
 Lawrence left for St. Louis, leaving the troop in 
 command of Dan Sherman, knowing that all would 
 be well. 
 
 At St. Louis Lawrence found all excitement. The 
 
A FAITHLESS KNIGHT-ERBANT 235 
 
 Federals were quarrelling fiercely among themselves. 
 The Germans were angry because Hunter instead of 
 Sigel had been given command of the army. The 
 partisans of Fremont were raging because of his re- 
 moval, claiming he was about to do great things. 
 
 The secessionists were correspondingly jubilant. 
 Price was again sweeping north with his army, and 
 they believed the liberation of the State from the 
 hated Yankees was at hand. 
 
 Lawrence found that the body guard with Zag- 
 onyi had been mustered out of service, but he found 
 the major, who acknowledged his error in his report, 
 but did not seem inclined to make amends. Law- 
 rence asked for a Court of Inquiry. It was granted, 
 and the court found that his objections to the report 
 of Zagonyi were well taken, but for some reason the 
 report was never made public, and in the rush of 
 events that happened afterwards, the incident was 
 forgotten. 
 
 Lawrence found that his uncle like the other seces- 
 sionists of St. Louis was highly elated over the turn 
 affairs had taken. Although he was warmly wel- 
 comed he could see his uniform was a thing to be 
 hated and despised. 
 
 " I tell you, Lawrence," said his uncle, " the 
 South is bound to win. The North has been beaten 
 both here and in the East. There is not a ghost of 
 a show for you. Better resign and get out of the 
 
236 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 army while you can with some credit. We will try 
 and forget your going wrong and look to you, in the 
 years to come, to be a good and loyal citizen of the 
 Southern Confederacy." 
 
 Lawrence smiled. " I admit, uncle," he said, 
 " that we have made a mighty poor showing so far, 
 but the war has hardly begun. We were all mis- 
 taken, both North and South, in thinking that the 
 M-ar would be a short one. It will be both long and 
 bloody ; but in the end the old flag will be triumphant 
 and the Union restored." 
 
 " Bosh ! " said his uncle as he turned away dis- 
 gusted. 
 
 Lawrence could not leave St. Louis without call- 
 ing on his little friend Lola Laselle. She was de- 
 lighted to see him and gave him a warm greeting. 
 " I have heard of that charge at Springfield," she 
 exclaimed, " and was n't it grand, grand ! Lawrence, 
 I am proud of you." 
 
 Lawrence looked at her with admiration. She 
 was now fourteen and rapidly budding into woman- 
 hood. Her dark eyes and hair showed her French 
 extraction. Her complexion was clear and she had 
 a bright, intelligent face, a face one loved to look at, 
 for it showed a sunny disposition and a kind heart. 
 
 " I declare, Lola, you are getting to be almost a 
 woman," exclaimed Lawrence, " and you 're grow- 
 ing lovelier every day. Soon you will be a young 
 
A FAITHLESS KNIGHT-EEEAM 237 
 
 lady and have hosts of admirers and poor I will be 
 forgotten ! " 
 
 " Flatterer, you do n't believe a word you say," 
 laughed Lola. " But I shall never forget you, Law- 
 rence. You are my knight-errant you know, de- 
 fending the flag that I love." 
 
 "And a true knight may I be! But, Lola, tell 
 me the news. How^ is your brother Leon? " 
 
 " Leon's regiment is with Grant at Cairo now. 
 He writes me he has been promoted to sergeant, and 
 that before he comes home he expects to have a 
 commission." 
 
 " He will win one before the war is over, never 
 fear. But, how are times here?" 
 
 " Bad as they can be. The Unionists and Seces- 
 sionists are getting to hate each other w'orse every 
 day, and the women are worse than the men. It is 
 awful the way the girls insult the soldiers. I do n't 
 see how^ they stand it." 
 
 "And Miss Dorothy Hamihon?" 
 
 Lola's brow clouded. " I do n't see why you 
 should ask about her," she pouted. " She is the 
 worst of the lot. I heard that she said she wanted 
 to live to see both you and Guilford Craig hanged." 
 
 " Blood-thirsty Dorothy, I would like to oblige 
 her, but I do n't see how^ I can," laughed Lawrence. 
 " The last time I saw her I passed her on the side- 
 w^alk, and she tilted her nose so high I thought it 
 
238 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 would never come down. How does she pass you 
 now ? " 
 
 Lola tossed her head. " Oh! it 's tit for tat," she 
 exclaimed. " I tilt my nose just as high as she tilts 
 hers when I pass her." 
 
 " Poor noses," said Lawrence. " I am afraid 
 they will get out of shape, and such pretty noses 
 too." 
 
 " Keep your compliments for Dorothy's nose. 
 You know mine turns up a little," said Lola a little 
 sharply. 
 
 " Now, Lola, do n't slander your nose, it 's a pretty 
 one and my only fear is that some day it may turn 
 up at me." 
 
 " It never will," said Lola solemnly, and as she 
 said it there came a look in her eyes that set Law- 
 rence's heart throbbing, and at that moment he 
 thought her the only girl in the world worth look- 
 ing at. 
 
 " I do n't see how Dorothy can be so wicked," 
 Lola continued. " I do n't wish any one hung, not 
 even Benton Shelley, and he tried to kill you." 
 
 "That was in battle Lola, and I bear him no ill 
 will for that, but I do for some other things he has 
 done. For instance he seems to take pleasure in 
 trying to get Guilford hung." 
 
 " Poor Guilford," sighed Lola. " My ! Did n't 
 that create an excitement among the Secessionists 
 
A FAITHLESS KNIGHT-ERBANT 239 
 
 when they found he had been playing them false. 
 Poor Mr. Craig. They say he looks ten years older. 
 You know he disinherited Guilford, and will not al- 
 low his name to be mentioned. I wonder what has 
 become of him." 
 
 Lawrence did not answer. 
 
 " I believe you know all about Guilford," cried 
 the girl. " Please tell me. Evei*yone is wondering 
 what has become of him." 
 
 " I can tell you this," answered Lawrence. 
 "When Guilford left it was with the intention of 
 never returning, and he so wrote his father. He told 
 me that from the day he left Guilford Craig was 
 dead, that he would change his name, and become 
 lost to everyone who knew him. It seems that he 
 has carried out his intentions. But, Lob, let 's 
 talk of other things, it makes me sad to think of how 
 this war is dividing father from son, brother from 
 brother." 
 
 Then they talked of other things, but it was not 
 the merry talk of youth, for the black cloud of war 
 hung over the land and on every heart, young and 
 old, there rested a burden of fear. 
 
 When Lawrence bade the girl farewell, he took 
 with him a promise that she would write to him. 
 " Your letters will cheer me, and be a ray of sun- 
 shine however dark the clouds may lower," he said. 
 
 Lola watched his retreating form until it disap- 
 
240 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 peared, then she gave a deep sigh and entered the 
 house. 
 
 Fate seemed to decide that Lawrence all too soon 
 was to forget that he was the chosen knight of Lola, 
 and another was to come between. 
 
 A cold rain was falling which froze as it fell, and 
 made the street very slippery. Just as Lawrence 
 was to cross a street, a run-away horse came dashing 
 around the corner. A girl was crossing the street, 
 seeing the horse she turned, but her foot slipped and 
 she fell directly in the path of the run-away. 
 
 A cry of horror arose from those who saw, but 
 Lawrence sprang forward and snatched the girl, al- 
 most from beneath the hoofs of the horse. The girl 
 was not only terribly frightened, but stunned by the 
 fall, and as Lawrence raised her he saw she was 
 Dorothy Hamilton. 
 
 Calling a cab he placed Dorothy in it, and bade 
 the cabman drive with all speed to her fathers 
 house. For a few moments Dorothy lay in Law- 
 rence's anns as one dead. Her eyes were closed, 
 her golden hair lay in masses around her face and 
 shoulders, and as Lawrence looked, he thought he 
 had never seen so fair a vision. 
 
 "My God!" he groaned. "What if she be 
 dead! " For the moment all thoughts of Lola were 
 driven from his mind. Lola, the true hearted Lola 
 who loved the flag for which he fought, was for- 
 
♦'You saved me," she repeated, "and in chat uniform " 
 
A FAITHLESS KNIGHT-ERBANT 241 
 
 gotten, and he only thought of the fair being who 
 lay in his arms, the girl who despised him and 
 loathed the uniform he wore. 
 
 But Dorothy was not dead. She sighed and then 
 opened her eyes. " Where am I ? " she asked 
 faintly. 
 
 " Here all safe," answered Lawrence. " You had 
 a fall and I am taking you home." 
 
 Dorothy shivered. " I remember," she gasped. 
 " That terrible horse. It was right on me." 
 
 " You slipped and fell," said Lawrence, " but I 
 was near enough to snatch you away before the 
 horse's hoofs struck you. I 'm afraid I tore your 
 dress sadly in so doing." 
 
 Dorothy glanced down at her ruined garment. 
 " It does not matter," she said. Then she sat up 
 and stared at Lawrence with wide open eyes. " Law- 
 rence Middleton, it 's you — you who saved me," 
 she cried. 
 
 " Yes, Dorothy, and I thank God I was near 
 enough to do so." 
 
 Instead of thanking him, she shrank from him. 
 " You saved me," she repeated, "and in that 
 uniform." 
 
 " How else could I save you ? I did not have 
 time to take it off," replied Lawrence, somewhat 
 amused. 
 
 " I suppose I ought to thank you for saving my 
 
242 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 life, but I do n't. I had rather have died than have 
 that uniform touch me. I hate it, and I hate you, 
 Lawrence Middleton. I tell you I hate you ! " and 
 the hot tears came into her eyes. 
 
 "Why?" asked Lawrence contritely. 
 
 " Because you are a traitor to the South. Law- 
 rence Middleton, stop the cab and let me get out. I 
 will not be seen riding with a Yankee officer." 
 
 " With your torn dress ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, with my torn dress." She started to rise, 
 but turned pale and sank back with a moan. " I am 
 afraid I have sprained my ankle," she gasped. 
 
 Lawrence's face showed his pity. " Dorothy, be 
 sensible," he said. " You do not know how sorry 
 I am for you and I do not hate you. I never can 
 hate you. Remember what good friends we used 
 to be." 
 
 " That was before you turned traitor. Oh ! how 
 disappointed I was in you." 
 
 " I cannot help being what I am, true to the flag." 
 said Lawrence, " and you cannot help being what 
 you are a true loyal girl to the South; and I think 
 none the less of you for it." 
 
 " That is because you know I am right," cried 
 Dorothy. " I tell you I hate you. Let me out." 
 Once more she tried to rise and once more sank 
 back with a moan. 
 
 " To see you suffer is harder to bear than your 
 
A FAITHLESS KNIGRT-EliliANT 243 
 
 hatred, Dorothy. But you are ahnost home. You 
 will soon be rid of my hateful presence." 
 
 Just then they passed a fine mansion, on the steps 
 of which stood two fashionable young ladies. They 
 stared at Dorothy and then fairly shrieked, " If 
 there is n't Dorothy Hamilton riding with a Yankee 
 officer. Shameful! Shameful!" 
 
 Dorothy heard and her cheeks flamed, but before 
 she could say anything the cab drew up at fher 
 father's door. 
 
 " Here we are," said Lawrence and he sprang out 
 and turned to assist her, but she waved him im- 
 periously aside and rose to get out by herself. But 
 no sooner did she bear her weight on her injured 
 ankle than she gave a sharp cry and would have 
 fallen had Lawrence not caught her in his arms. 
 
 Up the steps he bore her, her head resting on his 
 shoulder. He could feel the beating of her heart 
 against his; her soft hair caressed his cheek, and one 
 golden lock fell across his lips, and — must we con- 
 fess ? — he gently kissed it. 
 
 As for Dorothy, for a moment she forgot she 
 ^vas in the arms of a Yankee officer. Those strong 
 young arms held her so gently, yet so securely, and 
 now there was no weight on her ankle she sighed 
 with relief, and rested her head on Lawrence's 
 shoulder as gently as if it had been her mother's 
 bosom. 
 
244 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 The entrance of Lawrence into the Hamilton 
 household caused consternation. " Miss Dorothy 
 has had a fall and sprained her ankle. Better call 
 a physician right away for I am afraid it is serious." 
 Thus saying he deposited his lovely burden on the 
 sofa and was gone before any one had time to thank 
 him. 
 
 That night as Lawrence lay on his bed, two faces 
 came before his mental vision. One was the lovely 
 face of Lola, her dark eyes shining with happiness, 
 her heart full of sympathy. The other, the beauti- 
 ful face of Dorothy Hamilton, Dorothy, the Yankee- 
 hating Southern girl. 
 
 Lawrence tried to put away the face of die South- 
 ern girl and think only of Lola, who loved the flag 
 he loved, who honored the uniform he wore, but the 
 thought of the head that had rested on his shoulder, 
 that tress of golden hair his lips had kissed would 
 come again and again. 
 
 At last he muttered, " See here, Lawrence Mid- 
 dleton, you are a fool. Not yet eighteen years of 
 age, with no fortune but your sword, and thinking 
 of two school girls. Better go to sleep." 
 
 Like a sensible boy he took his own advice, turned 
 over and went to sleep, not to dream of girls, but of 
 the rush and roar of battle, and Lyon was by his 
 side. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 BRUNO WINS A MEDAL 
 
 WHEX Lawrence returned from St. Louis 
 he found his troop, which he had christ- 
 ened the Lyon Scouts, in fine spirits and 
 eager for active service. Dan Sherman had been 
 faithfully drilling them, not only in the manceuvres, 
 but in target and sword practice. 
 
 " What I want," he said. " is not a troop for 
 show, but men \\ho can ride, shoot, and know how 
 to handle the sabre." 
 
 Lawrence heartily commended him on the im- 
 provement he had made in the troop and expressed 
 the opinion that he would not be afraid to meet an 
 equal number of any command that the enemy might 
 bring against him. 
 
 WHiile Lawrence found the condition of the 
 Scouts so satisfactory he was anything but pleased 
 with the condition in which he found the army. 
 The dissatisfaction over the retreat had increased, 
 instead of dying out, and Fremont's friends were 
 busy in fanning the flames. 
 
 From all over the State there came fierce denun- 
 
 245 
 
246 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 ciations of the Federal Government. The Union 
 men of the State who had done so much and suffered 
 so much for the flag they loved, had it was claimed, 
 been deserted and left to their fate. 
 
 In the meantime Price was busy recruiting his 
 army, and drawing immense supplies from the 
 northern portion of the State to sustain it. Gue- 
 rilla bands swarmed everywhere to plunder and to 
 kill. 
 
 So great was the cry of general disapproval that 
 went to Washington that the authorities had to take 
 notice. The President soon realized that a mistake 
 had been made and hastened to rectify it. Hunter 
 was transferred to the new Department of Kansas, 
 and the friends of Fremont had the satisfaction of 
 knowing that Hunter had held the position of com- 
 mander of the army hardly more than two weeks. 
 But, as has been said before, Fremont was not re- 
 instated. 
 
 It was during these changes that Lawrence came 
 back from St. Louis. He had been back but a couple 
 of days when a fugitive came into camp, saying that 
 the day before his house had been attacked by some 
 forty or fifty guerillas. He saw them coming and 
 managed to escape to the woods, but as he fled he 
 saw the flames and smoke from his burning 
 buildings. 
 
 With tears running down his face he exclaimed, 
 
BRUNO }yiNS A MEDAL 247 
 
 " God only knows what has become of my poor wife 
 and children! " 
 
 Lawrence asked if he might take iiis Scouts and 
 go in pursuit of the hand and permission was read- 
 ily granted. Upon the earnest entreaty of the man 
 an army wagon was sent along to bring back the 
 women and children if they could be found, for he 
 said it would be impossible for them to live in the 
 neighborhood any longer. 
 
 A detachment of cavalry went along to guard the 
 wagon back, if the family could be found. 
 
 Just as they were ready to start, Law-rence noticed 
 that Bruno was with them. " Here," he called to 
 Harry Semans, " you had better tell Bruno not to 
 come. He may be in the way." 
 
 Harry, young as he was, had been made a cor- 
 poral, and was considered one of the best soldiers in 
 the company. He looked disappointed but was about 
 to obey, when Dan Sherman spoke up, " Captain, 
 you had better countermand that order. Harry, tell 
 the Captain what you have been doing." 
 
 Harry then told Lawrence that he had been train- 
 ing Bruno to stand guard. To try him he said a 
 couple of nights before he and a few others had 
 gone to the woods and lain down as if to sleep. 
 Some soldiers of another regiment were dressed as 
 guerillas, and were instructed to try and creep up 
 on them, and surprise them. They found it to be 
 
248 TEE SCOUT OF FEA HIDQE 
 
 impossible, Bruno detected them and gave warning 
 every time. 
 
 "If lie is that good a picket he shall surely go," 
 said Lawrence. " Heh ! old fellow, do you want to 
 go?" and he patted the dog's head. 
 
 Bruno wagged his tail vigorously and gave three 
 short yelps, so he was allowed to go along. Law- 
 rence noticed that the dog did not travel in the road 
 with the troop, but was generally scouting, some- 
 times ahead, sometimes on the side, and at all times 
 alert and watchful. 
 
 A march of some fifteen miles brought them to 
 the home of the refugee, but where his farm build- 
 ings had stood formerly were only heaps of ashes. 
 All his stock, tools, and everything portable had dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 " I am ruined," he exclaimed, " but if I can only 
 find my wife and children I shall be content. They 
 may be at Croy's, if alive. Croy is a Confederate, 
 he has two sons with Price, but he is a good man, 
 not a guerilla. He would take them in if he 
 dared." 
 
 "Where is Croy's?" asked Lawrence. 
 
 " About a mile farther on," was the answer. 
 
 So to Croy's they went and to the man's great 
 delight found his wife and children safe. 
 
 " I took them in," said Croy, " although I real- 
 ized I was doing a bad thing for myself. Now you 
 
BEUXO WINS A MEDAL 249 
 
 had better take them, and get out of the county as 
 soon as you can." 
 
 So the woman and children were put in the wagon 
 and sent back in charge of the detachment of cavalry. 
 
 The Scouts were eager to stay and see if they 
 could not find the guerillas and Lawrence was more 
 than willing. When he asked Croy if he knew any- 
 thing about the guerillas or in what direction they 
 went that gentleman absolutely declined to answer 
 any questions. " If I gave you any information 
 concerning them it would be as much as my life is 
 worth," he said. " If I gave you any false informa- 
 tion, and tried to mislead you, you would seek 
 revenge." 
 
 Lawrence admired the man's honesty and assured 
 him he had nothing to fear from him, neither would 
 he ask him any questions. 
 
 Mr. Croy thanked him, and then added, " 1 will 
 say that if you meet this gang it will be no child's 
 play. Their leader Jerry Alcorn is a great fighter." 
 
 " Who did you say their leader is? " asked Law- 
 rence in surprise. 
 
 " Jerry Alcorn. He is a stranger in these parts. 
 Some say — " he stopped and then slowly added, 
 " that he is a brave and skilful leader." 
 
 So Jerry Alcorn had deserted Price's army and 
 turned guerilla ! This knowledge only made Law- 
 rence more determined to hunt up the gang. 
 
250 TlIK SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 But he found it no easy matter to get any trace 
 of the enemy. To one who has never hunted Mis- 
 souri guerillas during the war it would seem won- 
 derful how quickly a gang of forty or fifty men 
 could disappear and to all appearances the county be 
 as peaceful as a Sabbath morning. 
 
 To most of the inquiries made, the answer would 
 be, " Do n't know anything 'bout any guerillas. 
 Ain't seen any. We 'uns is all peaceful citizens 
 heah." 
 
 Others would answer, " Thar hev bin a gang 
 around, but they hev all gone." 
 
 But at last Lawrence struck a hot trail and fol- 
 lowed it at a swift gallop. Coming to a house, be- 
 fore which a native sat whittling, Lawrence reined 
 up, and asked if any guerillas had recently passed. 
 The man had on a slouch hat, and his eyes were 
 uneasy and shifty, his countenance had what might 
 be called a hang-dog expression. 
 
 But to Lawrence's surprise he proved communica- 
 tive. Yes, he replied, he had seen some guerillas, 
 ten or twelve had passed only a few minutes before. 
 Their horses looked tired, and if he rode fast no 
 doubt they could be overhauled. 
 
 " You seem to be a little anxious I should over- 
 take them," said Lawrence somewhat suspicious. 
 
 The fellow ejected a goodly quantity of tobacco 
 juice from hi^ capacious mouth, and then drawled. 
 
BRUNO niXS A MEDAL 251 
 
 " Yank. I be. Gol darn thcni. See that hoss over 
 thar?" and he pointed to a sorry lookmg specimen 
 grazing in a small field. " Wall, they took a good 
 hoss from me and left that thar thing." 
 
 " Are you sure there were not more than ten or 
 twelve?" asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Sure, I counted them. Ain't afraid, air ye? " 
 
 " Xot that I am aware of." replied Lawrence with 
 a smile. " Forward boys! " 
 
 No sooner had they started than Bruno who had 
 been scouting in front and had just returned on the 
 full run began acting as if mad. He ran in front 
 of them and then facing them would howl and 
 jump. 
 
 When Lawrence turned to ride past him he actu- 
 ally sprang and caught the bridle and hung back. 
 
 " Captain ]\Iiddleton, there is danger ahead," 
 cried Harry. '' Bruno would never act like that if 
 there were not." 
 
 Lawrence ordered a halt and Dan Sherman rode 
 forward and he and Lawrence held a consultation. 
 Ahead about a quarter of a mile they could see the 
 road had been dug out through a ridge. The road 
 was narrow and the bank on each side quite high 
 and covered thickly with bushes. It was an ideal 
 place for an ambuscade. A troop of cavalr}' caught 
 in that narrow road could be slaughtered without 
 mercv. 
 
252 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIBGE 
 
 " It will never do to ride through there without 
 investigating-," said Dan. 
 
 " We cannot investigate without dismounting," 
 answered Lawrence, " and that would divide our 
 little force." 
 
 " What can we do ? I do n't feel like running 
 away," growled Sherman. 
 
 Lawrence glanced back at the house they had just 
 left. The man was still in front regarding them 
 anxiously, and seemed to be making signals with one 
 hand. 
 
 Lawrence thought a moment and then said, " Dan, 
 let 's try to draw them out if they 're there." 
 
 "How?" 
 
 " Back about a mile you see the road goes over 
 the brow of a hill. Once back of that brow you 
 cannot be seen. Take the company, ride rapidly 
 as if in retreat until you get out of sight, then halt, 
 face about in line of battle, and be ready for any- 
 thing that comes. I will keep four men and stay 
 and interview^ that fellow back there. My idea is 
 that seeing me with only four men, they will try to 
 capture us." 
 
 " For God's sake be careful if you try that, Cap- 
 tain," exclaimed Dan. 
 
 " Do n't worry — only be ready for them if they 
 follow me." 
 
 Dan saluted and rode back crying, " Company 
 
BRUNO WINS A MEDAL 253 
 
 about wheel, all but the first four. Forward! Gal- 
 lop! " And away they went in a cloud of dust. 
 
 The four men left with Lawrence looked at him 
 wonderingly and then' at the disappearing troop. 
 " Boys, keep cool and be ready for any emergency," 
 said Lawrence. " First I want a little more talk 
 with that scoundrel back there. Keep your car- 
 bines ready and do n't let hhn get the drop on any 
 of us, if he should try." 
 
 They slowly rode back to the house but before 
 they reached it, the fellow turned and went in. 
 
 " Hello," shouted Lawrence. " Come out here. 
 I want to ask you a few more questions about those 
 guerillas." 
 
 There was no answer, then one of the troopers 
 suddenly exclaimed, " By Jove ! There he is run- 
 ning away and he has a gun." He drew his own 
 carbine and fired. The shot must have struck his 
 arm for he dropped his gim, but he ran on gesticulat- 
 ing wildly with his left hand. 
 
 Lawrence looked down the road towards the cut 
 and the effect of the shot was plainly seen. Men 
 came tumbling out of the bushes into the road in 
 great excitement. They looked for a moment and 
 then disappeared to appear in a few moments on 
 horseback. They came sweeping on with blood- 
 curdling yells, at their head their leader on a power- 
 ful jrrav horse. 
 
254 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 " Let them come on until I give the word," said 
 Lawrence. " Then fire, wheel and ride on as if 
 Satan were after you." 
 
 The men sat like statues on their horses, but they 
 thought Lawrence was letting the foremost men 
 come perilously near before he gave the command 
 to fire. At last the order was given, their carbines 
 blazed, then they turned and fled. Lawrence waited 
 a moment to see the effect of the shots. The horse 
 of the leader pitched forward, but the rider struggled 
 to his feet. Lawrence waited no longer, for the balls 
 began to whistle about him. 
 
 The fall of their leader, who was no other than 
 Jerry Alcorn, checked the advance of the guerillas. 
 As he arose to his feet he found one of his legs had 
 been badly bruised. Maddened by his pain and the 
 loss of his horse he shouted to his lieutenant who 
 had ridden up, *' Do n't stop, Davis. Catch the 
 devils. Give no quarter." 
 
 The band rode on. Alcorn stopped one of the 
 rear men, ordering him to dismount and help him 
 on his horse. He then started to follow his men, 
 but had not ridden far, when he was startled by 
 wild cheering and over the hill came his men in 
 utter rout, followed by the Yankees. 
 
 When Lawrence reached his men he found Sher- 
 man had them drawn up in solid array across the 
 road. 
 
BEUKO jriNS A MEDAL 255 
 
 " Steady, men," said Lawrence, ** let tiie leaders 
 get well over the brow of the hill. Fire at the word, 
 arid then at them with revolver and sabre." 
 
 Over the hill came the foremost of the guerillas. 
 They saw the solid line in front, and tried to draw 
 back, but those in the rear pressed on. 
 
 Then came the command, " Fire." Nearly fifty 
 carbines blazed. "Charge!" shouted Lawrence. 
 Like a whirlwind the Scouts were on them, shoot- 
 ing, sabring, striking right and left. Taken en- 
 tirely by surprise the guerrillas stood only for a 
 moment, and then fled in terror, but the remorseless 
 pursuers were among them, dealing death on every 
 side. ]^Iany of the guerrillas abandoned their horses 
 and fled into the bushes which lined the road. 
 Others threw down their arms and begged for 
 mercy. 
 
 It was soon over. After pursuing the remnant 
 for about a mile Lawrence thought it best to recall 
 his men, and gather up the trophies of victory. He 
 found he had fifteen prisoners and about twenty-five 
 horses. Six of the guerillas were found dead and 
 about a dozen more desperately wounded. Of the 
 troopers one had been killed and five wounded, but 
 only two seriously. 
 
 The dead and wounded were taken to the house 
 where the man had tried to deceive them. There 
 were a badly frightened woman there and three chil- 
 
256 TEE aCOVT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 dren. Some of the men were about to lire the house 
 on account of the man's treachery, but Lawrence 
 stopped them. " Never let it be said," he ex- 
 claimed, " that we make war on women and chil- 
 dren or that we wantonly destroy property. Leave 
 that for our enemies. But I see there is a lot of 
 forage here. Give your horses a good feed, and 
 do n't let any of the chickens or fat pigs run over 
 you. But take no more than you actually need." 
 
 The men smiled and soon fires were blazing and 
 each scout was seen holding over the fire on the end 
 of a pointed stick, the half of a chicken or a savory 
 piece ef pork. 
 
 Lawrence entered the house and found the woman 
 cowering in a corner with her three children cling- 
 ing to her in terror. " Do not be alarmed, madam," 
 said Lawrence. " Neither you nor your children 
 shall be harmed. Forage will be taken for our 
 horses and I see my men are helping themselves to 
 some of your chickens and pigs. Beyond this you 
 will not be disturbed." 
 
 "I — I heard some of your soldiers say they were 
 going to burn the house," gasped the woman. 
 
 " So some of my men proposed," said Lawrence, 
 " to repay your husband for his treachery in trying 
 to send us to our deaths. But you shall not suffer 
 for his sins. If I had him I could hang him with 
 good grace." 
 
BRUNO WISS A 21EDAL 257 
 
 Lawrence let his men rest about an hour. The 
 sun had set, and night was near and he did not deem 
 it prudent to remain with his small force where he 
 was. 
 
 The wounded guerillas were made as comfort- 
 able as possible and left. Lawrence knew his com- 
 mand would hardly be out of sight, before some of 
 the gang would be creeping back. 
 
 In a rough barn some harness was found and two 
 of the captured horses were harnessed to a farm 
 wagon. Into this wagon the Scouts tenderly placed 
 the dead body of their comrade and the seriously 
 wounded. The hands of the prisoners were tightly 
 bound behind them and they were placed on the cap- 
 tured horses. By the side of each prisoner rode a 
 scout with a loaded revolver in his hand. 
 
 All through the darkness of the night they trav- 
 elled, and just as day was breaking reached camp. 
 
 The news of their victory spread like wildfire and 
 they were quickly surrounded by a cheering, excited 
 throng. 
 
 When the stoiy of Bruno was told, the soldiers 
 nearly went wild. They petted and hugged him and 
 voted him an honorary member of the army. They 
 even hammered out a rough medal, and attached it 
 to his collar, and no soldier of the Legion ever wore 
 his Cross of Honor more proudly than did Bruno 
 his medal. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 LAWRENCE MEETS BENTON SHELLEY 
 
 TO his great satisfaction, Lawrence saw that 
 .with the appointment of Halleck a different 
 spirit came over the army. The soldiers 
 began to be more hopeful, and said Halleck would 
 do something, nor were they mistaken, Halleck 
 had a difficult task before him, but he met it with en- 
 ergy, and showed wise generalship. He infused 
 new life into the amiy, and at once, turned his at- 
 tention to clearing out the guerilla bands that 
 infested the State. He also began to make prepara- 
 tions to drive Price back from the ^Missouri River. 
 
 It is hard to believe that the Halleck who com- 
 manded in Missouri was the same who commanded 
 the great army before Corinth. In Missouri he was 
 alert, daring, and did not hesitate to throw his army 
 against superior numbers. Before Corinth he was 
 weak, vacillating, trembling for fear he might be 
 attacked, and threw away the grandest opportunity 
 offered to any general during the war. No larger 
 or better army was ever gathered on this continent 
 than was at Pittsburg Landing for the advance on 
 
 258 
 
LAWRENCE MEETS BENTON SHELLEY 259 
 
 Corinth, and it all came to naught through the in- 
 efficiency of Halleck. But that part of the war has 
 nothing to do with this story.* 
 
 Hardly had the Scouts returned from their suc- 
 cessful encounter with Jerry Alcorn's gang of gue- 
 rillas, when Charles Morris made his appearance. 
 When Lawrence returned from St. Louis he found 
 Morris had gone off on one of his lonely scouts. No 
 one knew where. I'ut now he suddenly returned 
 and as usual brought news. He laughingly said he 
 had been hobnobbing with General Rains. 
 
 "How is that?'' asked Lawrence. "I would 
 have thought you would have been detected. You 
 must have seen Rains when you were with Price." 
 
 " Well, to tell the truth," said Morris. " I did n't 
 hobnob with Rains, but I did with his hostler, which 
 is about the same." 
 
 " How in the world? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Oh ! I was rather a dilapidated looking specimen 
 of a mulatto boy when I did." 
 
 " Do you mean to say you penetrated the camp 
 of General Rains disguised as a negro?" 
 
 " Sure. It was easy enough. For true blue 
 Unionism and faithfulness trust the slaves every 
 time. But you have not asked me what news I 
 bring." 
 
 *This part of the war is fully dealt with in The Young Kcn- 
 tuclcian Series."' 
 
260 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " Well, by all means, tell nie now." 
 
 Morris went on to say that the brigades of Rains 
 and Spear had fallen back from Lexington, and 
 taken a position along the Osage. " But there are 
 still a large number of recruits and heavy trains 
 back yet," he said, " and by a swift movement they 
 can be intercepted." 
 
 The news was quickly taken to headquarters and 
 General Pope, who was in command at Sedalia, acted 
 with promptness and despatch. A force of about 
 four thousand men, consisting of two brigades, one 
 commanded by General Jeff. C. Davis and the other 
 by General Steele, was selected to make the move- 
 ment. To deceive Confederate spies, if any might 
 be around, it was given out that the force was to 
 move against Warsaw. To carry out the deception, 
 the force marched south towards Warsaw for sev- 
 eral miles, then turned and marched west. 
 
 As Morris was guide the Scouts were given 
 the honor of the advance. Towards the close of the 
 second day's march the force was directly across the 
 main roads which led from Warrensburg south, and 
 the routes taken by Price in bringing his recruits 
 and supplies. The Scouts who had been far in ad- 
 vance reported that a force of over two thousand 
 of the enemy were encamped about six miles south. 
 
 General Davis ordered all of his cavalry to attack. 
 Although the enemy were three to one they fled 
 
LAWRENCE MEETS BENTON SHELLEY 261 
 
 without giving battle. They could hardly have done 
 otherwise for they were recruits, hundreds of them 
 without arms. 
 
 When they were closely pressed they would scat- 
 ter and take to the bush. For a day and a night the 
 pursuit was kept up, and in the end the enemy was 
 completely scattered. 
 
 The Scouts and a couple of companies of cavalry 
 called the ^lerrill Horse pursued the portion which 
 had kept directly south. They relentlessly kept up 
 the pursuit until they rode into the outposts of Gen- 
 eral Rains, a little north of the Osage 
 
 Here they captured a picket post and two loaded 
 wagons, but just as they were getting ofi with their 
 prisoners and booty, a company of cavalry came 
 charging down on them. Sending back his prison- 
 ers Lawrence formed his company to meet the 
 charge. 
 
 " Stand firm," said Lawrence. " Have your car- 
 bines ready, but not a shot until the command, then 
 fire and charge with sabre." 
 
 On came the Confederates, yelling and firing, but 
 most of the shots went wild. 
 
 To Lawrence's surprise he saw that the leader of 
 the charging squadron was no other than Benton 
 Shelley. Lawrence's jaws came together \\-nth a 
 snap. He believed that if they met. one or the other 
 w^ould die. and he nerved himself for the conflict. 
 
262 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 So close did Lawrence let the charging column 
 come that some of his men began to get nervous. At 
 last there rang out the word, " Fire," and fifty car- 
 bines blazed. Half a score of men and horses went 
 down. 
 
 Hardly had the smoke lifted when the Scouts 
 were upon them. Sabre rang against sabre. There 
 were wild yells, horrid oaths, and cries of agony. 
 Straight to Benton's side Lawrence fought his way. 
 
 The Confederates began to give way, and Benton 
 like a mad man was trying to check the panic when 
 Lawrence rode on him. Swiftly Benton turned to 
 defend himself, and as he did so recognized his as- 
 sailant. A look of deadly hatred came over his face. 
 
 " So it is you," he cried with an oath. " Curses 
 on you. Now^ you or I die." 
 
 Their swords clashed, and for a moment the is- 
 sue was doubtful. Benton fought like a demon, but 
 Lawrence was the cooler of the two. With his 
 trusty sword, the sword of Bunker Hill, he parried 
 every stroke, carefully watching for an opening. 
 At last there came an opportunity for a downward 
 blow, a blow that if not parried would have cleft 
 Benton's skull in twain. 
 
 Benton saw the blow coming and just had time to 
 interpose his sword before it fell. But so powerful 
 was the blow that it beat down Benton's guard, and 
 the keen edge of Lawrence's sword bit into his head, 
 
LAWRKXCK MEETS BEXTOX SHELLEY 263 
 
 not deep enough to kill, but deep enough for the 
 blood to gush out blinding him for a time. 
 
 Just then Benton's horse was struck down by a 
 ball. But wounded as he was and one leg held fast 
 by his horse, Benton had no thoughts of surren- 
 dering. In fact he believed that Lawrence would 
 give no quarter. He blindly felt with his hand and 
 drew a revolver from the holster on his saddle. 
 But Lawrence sprang from his horse, struck the re- 
 volver from his hand, and with the point of his 
 sword touching his breast, ordered him to surrender. 
 
 " I surrender," said Benton with a growl, " for I 
 have no fancy to lie here defenceless, and be stuck 
 like a pig; but if you were here, and I where you 
 are, there would be no quarter." 
 
 " Bold words for one in your condition," said 
 Lawrence, " and if I stuck you like the beast you 
 are. I would only do my duty. But it will never be 
 said of me I murdered a wounded enemy. I will 
 let those in higher command deal with you as your 
 crimes deserve." 
 
 By this time the combat was over. A company 
 of Merrill Horse had come to the rescue, and the 
 whole squadron that Benton commanded was taken 
 prisoner. 
 
 Lawrence gave Benton in charge of two of his 
 men with orders to take him back and procure a 
 surgeon as quickly as possible. 
 
264 TEE SCOUT OF TEA RIDGE 
 
 The prisoners were then secured and the com- 
 mand fell back, for they were so close to the Con- 
 federate lines a large force could be sent against 
 them. They were not pursued, however, and com- 
 ing to a large plantation, where there was plenty 
 of forage, the whole command halted. The horses 
 were fed and the men prepared their frugal meal. 
 
 Lawrence thought he would go and hunt up Ben- 
 ton. For aught he knew he might be dangerously 
 wounded. He found him, his head swathed in 
 bandages lying on an improvised bed, and looking 
 pale and weak. Lawrence expected to find him sul- 
 len and not inclined to talk, but to his surprise Ben- 
 ton received him cordially. Holding out his hand 
 he said, " Middleton, I am glad to see you. The 
 fortune of war has placed me in your hands, and I 
 could not have surrendered to a braver or more 
 gallant foe." 
 
 What did it mean? Lawrence could not under- 
 stand. 
 
 Benton went on, " I want you to forgive me for 
 what I said when you captured me. I was ex- 
 cited, I did not realize what I was saying." 
 
 " It does not matter," replied Lawrence. " How 
 is your wound ? " 
 
 " Bad, you nearly finished me, but if I live, you 
 will see that I am used as a prisoner of war, will 
 you not? " 
 
"I surrender," said Benton, with a jrruwl 
 
LAWnFXCE MEETS BENTON SHELLEY 265 
 
 " \Miat do you mean? " asked Lawrence. " \\'e 
 are not in the habit of murdering our prisoners." 
 
 "I — I thought from what you said, you might 
 report me as a spy. I was taken prisoner in hon- 
 orable combat." 
 
 Lawrence's face hardened. " So you were this 
 time," he answered, " but will that atone for St. 
 Louis? How did you come out here? I thought 
 you were on the staff of General Price." 
 
 " So I am, but when the general heard of this ad- 
 vance, he sent me to find out what it meant. But 
 Middleton, you have not answered, you are not go- 
 ing to report me are you ? " 
 
 " What happened in St. Louis while you were 
 there I might pass by," answered Lawrence, and his 
 voice became harsh as he spoke, " but what have you 
 to say of leaving a pack of cowardly assassins be- 
 hind to murder both your step-brother and myself." 
 
 Benton's face grew ghastly. He tried to speak, 
 but for a time could not, but at last he managed to 
 gasp, "What do you mean?" 
 
 " Ask Jerry Alcorn. He can tell you, plotter 
 and would-be assassin that you are," said Lawrence 
 furiously, maddened at Benton's duplicity. 
 
 "Jerry Alcorn, what of him? What did he tell 
 you?" cried Benton. "He's a sneak, a deserter. 
 He deserted the army and I am told formed a gang 
 of robbers." 
 
L'tit) LIIE SCOUT OF PEA lilDGE 
 
 " A band of guerillas, you mean," retorted Law- 
 rence. '* Robbing and murdering in the name of the 
 Confederacy. If it will do you any good I will 
 tell you. I met Jerry's band the other day and 
 wiped half of them out of existence, but unfortu- 
 nately Jerry got away. But it was Dickey Holbrook, 
 not Jerry who gave you away. When we captured 
 Dickey he confessed the whole thing." 
 
 '"Dickey is a liar," cried Benton. " He told that 
 story to try and save his own neck. I had nothing 
 to do with that plot, knew nothing of it." 
 
 " Benton, you are a liar," said Lawrence coldly. 
 " You make your case no better by your denial. As 
 far as I am concerned, I should not inform on you, 
 but as a soldier I have a duty to perform. Whether 
 that duty should lead me to inform or not, I have 
 not fully decided. I will think it over. But re- 
 member you tried to get your step-brother hung." 
 
 Benton groaned and asked, "Where is Guilford?" 
 
 " If I knew I would not tell you. He is a wan- 
 derer, denounced by his father, and you are the 
 heir. That should satisfy you. But I see we are 
 getting ready to move. Can you ride a horse ? " 
 
 "No. I tell you I am badly hurt; and if you 
 carry out your intention of informing on me I hope 
 I will die." 
 
 Benton's haggard face bore out his statement, but 
 
LAWni:\CK MEETS BENTON SHELLEY 267 
 
 if Lawrence had known it was his fears, rather 
 than his wounds that made him shake and tremble, 
 lie would not have been so moved to compassion. 
 As it was he called an ambulance, had Benton care- 
 fully placed in it. and made him as comfortable as 
 possible. 
 
 All through the night they marched, for the cav- 
 alry had orders that after they pursued the enemy 
 as far as safety permitted they were to retum and 
 join the infantry under General Davis. 
 
 In the morning when the column halted for rest 
 and breakfast, Lawrence thought he would go and 
 see how Benton was getting on. To his great sur- 
 prise he learned that Benton was missing. He had 
 slipped out of the ambulance sometime during the 
 night. 
 
 " He pretended to be powerful bad," said the 
 driver. " He called for water and was that weak I 
 had to raise his head for him to drink. He kept 
 groaning and I thought he would surely die before 
 morning. Along about midnight he became more 
 quiet, and then I did not hear him at all, and I 
 looked to see if he was dead, and, by jiminy! there 
 was no Reb in the ambulance. He must have slipped 
 out, and escaped in the darkness. Say, Cap. I 
 wasn't to blame. You won't have me punished, 
 will you?" 
 
268 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " No, he fooled me as well as you," answered 
 Lawrence. " He must have been shamming." 
 
 The soldier thanked Lawrence with tears in his 
 eyes. For hours he had been in agony lest he be 
 court-martialled for letting the prisoner escape. 
 
 Lawrence could not say he was really sorry that 
 Benton had escaped. To have informed on him 
 and had him executed as a spy, was something from 
 which his whole being shrank. 
 
 But to satisfy himself whether Benton had been 
 shamming or not, or whether he crawled out of the 
 ambulance to die, free from the hateful presence of 
 the Yanks, Lawrence hunted up the surgeon who 
 had dressed his wound. When told the facts, the 
 surgeon burst into a hearty laugh. " He has put 
 one over on you. Captain." he chuckled. '' He had 
 a nasty cut, lost considerable blood, but his wound 
 was not at all dangerous. I took a few stitches 
 in his head, bound up the wound nicely and told him 
 he would be all right in a few days." 
 
 Lawrence had to bear with considerable chaffing 
 over the affair but he bore it with equanimity, for 
 the more he thought of it, the more he rejoiced over 
 the fact that Benton had escaped. Now his con- 
 science was clear. 
 
 As soon as his cavalry had returned. General 
 Davis marched his forces northward, for Morris re- 
 ported that another large body of recruits had just 
 
LAJVEEXCE MEETS nEMOX SHELLEY L'ti9 
 
 left Lexington. This force was met a few miles 
 north of Warrensburg, near a hamlet called Mil ford. 
 
 The front of the enemy was protected by a stream 
 called Clear Creek. The banks were steep, and 
 muddy and the water too deep to ford. There was 
 but one way across the stream, a narrow bridge. 
 
 " Boys, that bridge must be taken," cried Law- 
 rence. " Can we do it? " 
 
 " We can." shouted the men as with one voice. 
 
 "Then forward! Stop for nothing after I give 
 the command. Charge." 
 
 So swift was the charge that the defenders of the 
 bridge had time only for one volley, before the 
 Scouts were thundering across it and were into 
 them. Then they fled in confusion. 
 
 The infantry crossed. The lines were formed and 
 moved forward to the attack, but there was no bat- 
 tle. A white flag fluttered in front and the entire 
 force surrendered. 
 
 The prisoners numbered nearly thirteen hun- 
 dred, among them were three colonels. It was the 
 most notable victory yet won in the State. In his 
 gallant charge across the bridge Lawrence had one 
 man killed and eight w'ounded. 
 
 The object of the expedition now being accom- 
 plished, General Davis with his force returned to 
 Sedalia, and in just one week from the day he 
 started, he re-occupied his old camp. The fruits of 
 
270 THE SCOUT OF PEA TdVGE 
 
 this short campaign were fifteen hundred prisoners, 
 over one hundred wagons loaded with suppHes, a 
 thousand stands of arms and nearly one thousand 
 horses. 
 
 The news of this victory brought courage to the 
 hearts of a despairing army. 
 
 A few days after this, General Prentiss, north of 
 the river struck a body of recruits on their way to 
 join Price, and routed them with a loss of two hun- 
 dred killed and wounded and fifty prisoners. Thus 
 the year 1861 closed with brightening prospects for 
 the Federals as far as the State of Missouri was 
 concerned. 
 
 But the eight months of the war had been sad 
 ones for the North. Instead of ending the war in a 
 few months as every one thought, it was now seen it 
 had hardly commenced. In the East the Federals 
 had been driven back, and the Confederate flag 
 floated in sight of Washington. In Missouri there 
 had not been held all that Lyon had won. 
 
 During the first months of the war Missouri 
 could be called the dark and bloody ground of the 
 conflict. During the year 1861 there had been 
 fought on the soil of Missouri over seventy engage- 
 ments. Of these two at least were bloody battles, 
 Wilson Creek and Belmont. The capture of Lex- 
 ington was the severest blow inflicted on the Fed- 
 erals. 
 
LAWRENCE MEETS BENTON SUELLEY 271 
 
 So far no other State had felt the horrors and 
 ravages of war as had the unhappy State of Mis- 
 souri. Terribly was it paying for the disloyalty of 
 tiiose who tried to drag it out of the Union. 
 
 After the successful raid of General Davis and the 
 capture of the recruits, General Price, disheartened, 
 drew back his lines, and established his headquarters 
 at Springfield. The fifty thousand troops he had 
 called for had not been forthcoming, and the few 
 thousand that had responded had been captured or 
 dispersed. 
 
 Judging from the past, Price thought the Federal 
 commander would not attempt an advance in win- 
 ter, so he gave orders to his army to erect winter 
 quarters, as he expected to remain undisturbed in 
 Springfield until Spring. 
 
 Halleck was not disposed to let Price remain quiet. 
 The authorities at Washington had also seen their 
 mistake and were now anxious to retake what 
 Hunter had given up, so a winter campaign was de- 
 cided upon. 
 
 While the preparations for the campaign were 
 going on, Lawrence received a letter from Lola 
 Laselle, which contained the most extraordinary 
 news, news which filled him with amazement. What 
 the news was will be told in the next chapter. 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 RANDOLPH HAMILTON 
 
 THOSE who have read the first book of this 
 series, " With Lyon In Missouri," may wish 
 to know how Lawrence's young- friends who 
 went into the Southern army fare. One of these 
 young men, Benton Shelley, has already appeared in 
 this volume ; but Benton was the black sheep of the 
 boys with whom Lawrence associated. 
 
 There was another youthful companion of Law- 
 rence in the Southern army whom he had always 
 looked upon as his closest friend. This was Ran- 
 dolph Hamilton, the brother of Dorothy. Even the 
 bitter passions of war did not sever the friendship 
 which existed between Lawrence and Randolph, for 
 each respected the views of the other. 
 
 Randolph had shown great bravery in battle and 
 was now the First Lieutenant of his company. 
 
 While Randolph respected Benton Shelley as a 
 brave soldier, he disliked him, and after the battle 
 of Wilson Creek, that dislike grew. It was intensi- 
 fied when Benton returned from St. Louis. That 
 Guilford Craig was a traitor horrified Randolph ; 
 
EAXDOLPH HAMILTOX 273 
 
 bill when he saw ihat Benlon gloried in his astute- 
 ness in unmasking Guilford, rather than grieved over 
 his step-brother's disgrace, he hardly knew which he 
 despised the most. 
 
 Randolph was in Rains's brigade, and the day 
 Benton Shelley was captured he had earnestly asked 
 that his company be allowed to go to the rescue, 
 but his request was refused. The Confederate gen- 
 erals believed that it was a general advance of the 
 Federal army. Xor was that belief fully dispelled, 
 until two days afterwards when Benton Shelley ap- 
 peared, telling the story of his capture and escape. 
 
 The story of his combat was listened to with eager 
 interest by those who knew Lawrence. 
 
 Benton claimed that his defeat was due to his 
 horse being shot, and that Lawrence struck him over 
 the head with his sword after he was down. 
 
 " He meant to kill me," exclaimed Benton, " and 
 boasted afterwards he only spared my life that he 
 might see me hung." 
 
 A look of incredulity came over the faces of both 
 Edward Middleton and Randolph Hamilton when 
 they heard this. " I do n't believe one word of it," 
 said Randolph to Edward when they were alone. 
 " It was not like Lawrence." 
 
 " Neither do I believe that Lawrence stnick him 
 after he was down," said Edward. " Benton would 
 hate to admit that he was defeated in single combat." 
 
274 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 It was months before they learned the true story 
 of that fight. Soon after General Price had estab- 
 lished his headquarters at Springfield, and his army 
 was resting in fancied security, a letter came to Ran- 
 dolph (for secret communication was still kept up 
 with St. Louis) which filled him with dismay. The 
 letter was from his father and told him his mother 
 was very ill, and that she continually mourned the 
 absence of her son. 
 
 " The doctor thinks," wrote his father, " that if 
 she could only see you, it would do her more good 
 than all the medicine, and perhaps might save her 
 hfe." 
 
 Enclosed with the letter from his father was one 
 from Dorothy, and sad as his heart was over the 
 illness of his mother, he had to smile when he read 
 Dorothy's letter. 
 
 It told all about the accident that had befallen her, 
 and how she was rescued by Lawrence. The fol- 
 lowing is an extract from the letter : 
 
 I am just mad at myself. I don't see why if any- 
 thing happens to any of us, that odious Lawrence 
 aVIiddleton has to be around. He had to save you 
 from the Dutch mob, and now me from being trampled 
 on by a horse. Why could n't it have been some one 
 else? I hate him and would almost rather have been 
 killed than have him save me. ["Oh! no, you had n't. 
 Puss." this by Randolpb.] He was awfully nice anil 
 looked grand in his captain's uniform. That made mc 
 
EAXDOLPH HAMILTON 275 
 
 hate him all the more. Every time my ankle gives a 
 twinge 1 have to think of him, and that make? me 
 madder than ever. 
 
 P. S. Some of the girls have told me that Lola La- 
 selle boasts (you know I never speak to her) that she 
 corresponds with Lawrence Middlcton. Well, who 
 cares? I am sure she is welcome. They are both of 
 a piece, miserable Yankees. Oh ! how I hate them. 
 
 " Puss does n't hate Lawrence half as much as she 
 thinks she does," exclaimed Randolph as he folded 
 up her letter, " but if that Captain Middleton is n't 
 careful, I will have a bone to pick with him. Cor- 
 responding with Lola, is he? Now^ as a boy, I al- 
 ways had a friendly feeling for Lola. Believe she 
 will make one of the handsomest girls in St. Louis, 
 and what a kind little heart she has! But no use 
 worrying. Time enough yet. Lola is only a little 
 girl, and for me, I may get killed before this blamed 
 war is over." 
 
 Randolph now^ read his father's letter over again, 
 and thought no more of Lola or Lawrence but only 
 of his mother, and the tears came into his eyes as 
 he read. 
 
 "Poor mother!" he sighed. "Gladly would I 
 charge to the cannon's mouth, if I could but see her. 
 Curse this war! What fools we are. both North 
 and South. Killing each other, and for what ! " 
 
 Older and wiser heads than Randolph's often 
 asked that question during the war. 
 
276 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 Randolph remained in deep thought for some time 
 then started up, exclaiming, " I will try it." 
 
 He sought an interview with General Price, 
 showed him his father's letter and said, " General, 
 in all probability the Federals will let us alone until 
 Spring. Grant me a furlough to go to St. Louis 
 to see my mother." 
 
 The general shook his head. " My dear Lieuten- 
 ant, I would willingly do it, if St. Louis was within 
 our lines, but I cannot send one of my best officers 
 into the enemy's lines to be caught and executed as 
 a spy." 
 
 "" I know there are many passing in and out all 
 the time," replied Randolph. " What they can do, 
 I can do. Captain Shelley made it all right." 
 
 " But see what a narrow escape he had." 
 
 " That is because he went on a dangerous mission, 
 and then foolishly put his head in the lion's mouth, 
 so to speak. General, as you loved your mother, 
 grant my prayer. I will return a better and braver 
 soldier than I am, and will bless you till the end of 
 my life." 
 
 The general was deeply moved. " Go, Lieuten- 
 ant," he said in a husky voice, " and may God go 
 with you and bring you safely back." 
 
 Thanking him over and over, Randolph went to 
 make hurried preparations for his journey and 
 
EAXDOLFH HAMILTON 277 
 
 Started the next day. He rode a splendid horse and 
 made good time, hut dangers lay thick before hmi 
 and he had to be careful. 
 
 He nearly lost his life once. A guerilla captain 
 sought to trade horses with him, and became angry 
 when he refused. It was only his uniform that 
 saved him. 
 
 The country was also full of Federal scouting 
 parties chasing down bands of guerillas, and from 
 these parties he had many close escapes. 
 
 As he neared St. Louis, his danger became greater, 
 but he found stanch friends who guided him, and 
 when necessary concealed him. At last he came 
 into the hands of those who conducted the under- 
 ground railway, and one dark night he was guided 
 into the city, and up to the door of his father's 
 house. 
 
 He halted by the door for a moment with a beat- 
 ing heart. Glancing upwards he saw a light burn- 
 ing in his mother's room. He could see shadows on 
 the curtains as the inmates passed to and fro. His 
 heart stood still ; it was late, past midnight. Was 
 his mother dead or dying? 
 
 Mustering up courage he knocked gently on the 
 door. As light as the rap was, the door was at once 
 opened by a gray-haired negro, one who had been 
 a servant in the familv for manv vears. A\'hen he 
 
278 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 saw Randolph he started back in surprise, and his 
 eyes rolled in terror. 
 
 '' Shut the door, quick ! What are you staring 
 at? Do you think I'm a ghost?" whispered 
 Randolph. 
 
 Then the old negro found his voice and raising his 
 hands exclaimed, " Bless de Lawd ! It 's Massa 
 Randolph, suah." 
 
 " Hush, not so loud," said Randolph. " How is 
 mother? " 
 
 " Missy bad, pow-erful bad. Had a bad spell to- 
 night. Doctah went away a little while ago. Said 
 he would be bak. Dat 's de reason Tse heah by de 
 do'. Reckon Missy goin' to die," and the tears 
 streamed down the cheeks of the old negro. Then 
 he went on, " Missy want to see yo' powerful bad. 
 Keeps callin' for Dolph, her honey boy." 
 
 Randolph staggered as if from a blow. His 
 mother dying, calling for him. He was glad he had 
 come. A score of bayonets could not keep him from 
 her now. A dangling noose would be brushed aside. 
 By a great effort he pulled himself together. 
 
 " Sam, it will not do for me to startle mother. 
 Can you get me to my old room without anyone see- 
 ing me? " 
 
 " Yes, Massa Dolph. Room jes as yo' left it. 
 Missy would never hab anything touched. Said she 
 
EAXlWLrn HAMlI/rOX 279 
 
 wanted ebbery thing jest as it was when yo' went 
 away." 
 
 " Does she go into the room often? " asked Ran- 
 dolph, his voice shaking. 
 
 "Good Lawd! Yes. Ebbry day, befo' she got 
 sick, an' stay in a long time. She would shut the 
 do' and more dan once I hab heard her prayin' an' 
 cryin' for — " 
 
 *' Stop! I can't bear it," cried Randolph, and a 
 great sob shook him from head to foot. Then he 
 cried passionately, ''Oh, this war! This war! It 
 is not we who are in the field that suffer most. It is 
 those who stay at home, weeping and praying." 
 
 Controlling himself Randolph sought his room. 
 How^ familiar everything looked! As Sam said, it 
 was just as he had left it. It seemed as if he had 
 only stepped out of it for an hour. Even a gar- 
 ment that he had carelessly thrown across the back 
 of a chair was left as it was. 
 
 Randolph looked around with swimming eyes. 
 He began to realize how great the love was that his 
 mother bore him. 
 
 " Sam, go and tell father there is some one here 
 to see him. Do n't tell him who it is." 
 
 Sam softly went to the door of the sick room, and 
 motioned to Mr. Hamilton who was sitting by his 
 wife's side. 
 
280 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 " What is it, Sam? " he asked as he came out. 
 
 " Gent'man in Massa Randolph's room want to 
 see yo*." 
 
 " In Randolph's room," angrily exclaimed Mr. 
 Hamilton. "How dare you?" 
 
 " Massa, he would go thar," cried the trembling 
 negro. 
 
 " My God ! can it be ? " he gasped, and with hasty 
 steps he went to the room, and in a moment more 
 father and son were locked in a loving embrace. 
 
 " My son ! My son ! How did you come ? Oh ! 
 this is too good to believe, but — " 
 
 "But what, father?" 
 
 " The danger! The danger! " 
 
 " Let us not think of that. How is mother? " 
 
 " Near unto death. But your coming may save 
 her life. The doctor said if she could see you it 
 would do her more good than anything he could do. 
 She had a bad spell this evening, but she is resting 
 easier now. The doctor said he would drop in 
 again. We are expecting him any moment. I must 
 hear what he says before you see her. Ah ! I hear 
 him coming now. Wait in patience, my dear boy, 
 until I see him." 
 
 " Will it be safe for Doctor Strong to know I am 
 here?" asked Randolph. "You know at the be- 
 ginning of the war his loyalty was somewhat 
 doubted." 
 
RANDOLFH HAMILTON 281 
 
 '* Perfectly safe. The South has no more faith- 
 ful son now. But to think you must hide as a crim- 
 inal! It embitters the joy of your coming." Thus 
 saying, his father went out leaving Randolph to his 
 own reflections. 
 
 Yes, if it was known that Randolph Hamilton was 
 in St. Louis, he would be hunted like a criminal, 
 hunted more eagerly than a red-handed assassin. 
 
 It seemed a long time to Randolph before his 
 father returned bringing the doctor with him. Dr. 
 Strong, an elderly man with a kindly face, greeted 
 Randolph warmly. 
 
 " I am glad to see you, my boy," he exclaimed. 
 " Yet I fear you are running a great danger. The 
 Yankees are especially vigilant now, and keep a 
 sharp lookout for any Confederate who may be 
 smuggled in." 
 
 " I got in without much trouble," replied Ran- 
 dolph, '' and now I am in, all I have to do is to lie 
 low." 
 
 " And low it should be," said the doctor. " The 
 fewer who know you are here the better." 
 
 " Never mind me now. Doctor. How is mother? 
 Can I see her? Doctor, I must see her. I cannot 
 wait." Randolph's plea was almost a wail. 
 
 " I will see. I will see," replied the doctor. 
 " She has been so sick, she may not fully realize the 
 danger you are in, and take your being here as a 
 
282 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 matter of course. It is so sometimes with sick peo- 
 ple. Your coming may have a happy effect on her. 
 I hope so. Be patient. I will go now and see if 
 I can prepare her for your coming." 
 
 Had there in some mysterious way been com- 
 municated to the mother the knowledge that her son 
 was near? It would almost seem so; for when the 
 doctor spoke to her she opened her eyes and mur- 
 mured, " I thought Randolph was here. I must 
 have dreamed it. Why do n't he come? " 
 
 "Would you like to see Randolph?" asked the 
 doctor kindly. 
 
 "Yes, yes," she whispered. "Where is he?" 
 
 " I will go and see if I can find him," said the 
 doctor. " Now try and sleep, and when you wake, 
 perhaps he will be here." 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton closed her eyes, and seemed to be 
 content. 
 
 The doctor returned to Randolph and found him 
 pacing his room like a caged lion. To his look of 
 anxious inquiry, the doctor said, " Yes, you can 
 see her, but on this condition. Show no feeling, no 
 excitement. Meet her as if you had just stepped out 
 of the room and returned. Can you do it? " 
 
 " I can do anything so I can look on her face 
 once more." 
 
 " Then come." 
 
 Randolph started when he saw the wan pale face 
 
BANDOLPH HA MILTON 283 
 
 of his mother. She lay as if sleeping", yet so still 
 and white was she, it might well have been taken 
 for the sleep of death. 
 
 Choking back a sob Randolph by a powerful etYort 
 drew himself together. The doctor motioned him 
 to a chair standing by the bed. 
 
 Randolph sat down, gently taking one of his 
 mother's hands in his. She opened her eyes and 
 saw him bending over her. " Is that you, Dolph? " 
 she whispered. 
 
 " Yes, mother," and he kissed her hand. 
 
 " Have n't you been away for a long time, Dolph ? 
 I have wanted you so." 
 
 " Not so very long, mother, but do n't try to talk. 
 You have been very sick. I will not leave you." 
 
 The mother smiled, closed her eyes and soon was 
 sleeping quietly, Randolph still holding her hand. 
 
 The doctor turned to Mr. Hamilton, tears glisten- 
 ing in his eyes. " Thank God," he whispered. 
 " The crisis is over. She will live." 
 
 A great joy came into the heart of Mr. Hamilton, 
 followed by the terrible thought, what if the boy 
 has given his life for his mother. 
 
 Dorothy did not know that her brother had re- 
 turned until morning, and when she learned that 
 not only was her mother better, and would live, but 
 that Randolph was at home, she nearly went wild 
 with joy. Forgetting her lame ankle she rushed 
 
284 TEE JSCOVT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 into her brother's arms, crying and langliing at the 
 same time. 
 
 After the greetings were over and things had 
 quieted down, Randolph asked, " How is that lame 
 ankle, Puss? " 
 
 " Most well, thank you. See," and Dorothy 
 commenced to pirouette around the floor, but with 
 an " ouch " she sank into a chair. 
 
 " Must have twisted it," she moaned. 
 
 "Does it hurt much?" asked Randolph sympa- 
 thetically. 
 
 " It did, but it has quit now," replied Dorothy. 
 
 With a gleam of mischief in his eyes, Randolph 
 said, " My, that must have made you think of Mid- 
 dleton strongly." 
 
 " What do you mean? " cried Dorothy, flaring up. 
 
 " Now do n't get mad. Puss. Did n't you write 
 me that every time your ankle gave a twinge it made 
 you think of Lawrence Middleton? " 
 
 " I do n't want to hear his name ever again," al- 
 most sobbed Dorothy. " Why could n't some one 
 else have dragged me from under the horse? Any 
 man with a particle of courage would have done it. 
 He just happened to be there, that's all. If he 
 had n't been there, in all probability some other man 
 would have been, and I only wish there had." 
 
 " That 's a little bit ungenerous." 
 
 " I do n't care if it is. I only wish it had been 
 
E AX DO LP U Ji AM I WON 285 
 
 Lola Laselle he rescued. Xo doubt she would have 
 fallen on his neck and kissed him." 
 
 " Gee! Do n't I wish that could happen to me. i 
 have a grudge against Middleton myself, he is get- 
 ting too thick with Lola." 
 
 " You do n't mean to say you care anything for 
 Lola Laselle ? " asked Dorothy in astonishment. 
 
 "Why not? She is a mighty fine girl, and as 
 pretty as you are, my sister," replied Randolph 
 banteringly. 
 
 " Randolph, you are fooling. Do n't you know 
 her sister is engaged to a Yankee major? " 
 
 '• That settles it," laughed Randolph. " To think 
 of marrying into a family that harbors a Yankee 
 major. Horrible!" 
 
 "Horrible! It's treason to the South," cried 
 Dorothy, " and Randolph, if you ever speak to that 
 chit of a Lola Laselle, I will disown you as a 
 brother." 
 
 " That 's consoling, but do n't worry. I shall not 
 speak to her this time. It 's a little too dangerous. 
 I suppose I will have to leave Middleton a clear 
 field," and Randolph heaved a mock sigh. 
 
 As if to change the subject, Dorothy suddenly 
 asked. " Have you seen Benton Shelley since he re- 
 turned to the army? " 
 
 " Ah ! I forgot," said Randolph, " Middleton and 
 Benton met in single combat a couple of weeks ago." 
 
286 THE SCOUT OF FEA FJDGE 
 
 Dorothy turned pale. " Was — was either of 
 them killed? " she asked. 
 
 Randolph laughed outright. " I caught you tliat 
 time, my sister. Do n't want Lawrence killed as 
 bad as you thought you did, do you? " 
 
 For answer Randolph received a smart slap on the 
 cheek, and Dorothy burst out crying. "I — I was 
 thinking of Benton," she sobbed. 
 
 " Well, neither one was killed," answered Ran- 
 dolph, and he gave her an account of the fight. Then 
 he said, " There, Dorothy, I am sorry I teased you. 
 You are a true daughter of the South, and I am 
 proud of you. I am going to look around and pick 
 out the handsomest, bravest, and most gallant officer 
 in the Southern army for you. But do n't think of 
 Benton Shelley, he is brave enough, but I do n't like 
 him. Let 's see, there is Edward Middleton. brave 
 as a lion and as gallant a gentleman as ever drew 
 sword. If this war continues long he will be a gen- 
 eral. To be sure he is older than you, but that 's 
 nothing. You will be a young lady before the war 
 is over. Better think of it, Puss, whenever — " 
 
 "Whenever?" asked Dorothy. 
 
 " Whenever that ankle gives you another twinge 
 and makes you think of — " 
 
 Randolph did not finish the sentence; he had to 
 dodge to escape another slap, and then a truce was 
 declared. 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 
 LOLA TO THE RESCUE 
 
 MRS. Hamilton continued to gain, and it wa* 
 with joy that Randolph saw the color begin 
 to come back into her face. But as she 
 grew better, she began to realize the danger her son 
 was in. and what he had braved that he might see 
 her. She begged him not to linger longer. It was 
 true his presence was known to few, and these few 
 stanch, true friends, but it was impossible to keep 
 his presence unknown to the servants. Each one 
 was sworn to secrecy, and the most dire punishment 
 threatened if they ever divulged his presence. The 
 family rested easy, for Randolph was a favorite with 
 all the servants, and not one of them but declared 
 they would rather die than do anything that would 
 harm the young Massa. But it was destined to be 
 otherwise. 
 
 Dorothy had a pretty mulatto girl for a maid, and 
 the maid had a lover; and although the lover had 
 been forbidden the house, the two managed to meet. 
 At one of these meetings the maid boasted she knew 
 a great secret which was never to be told. Of 
 
288 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 course the lover was curious, and under the promise 
 that he would never tell, the girl told him. The 
 lover was rather a bright mulatto, one on whom the 
 chains of slavery rested heavily. He believed like 
 most of his race that a victory by the North meant 
 freedom; therefore he lost no time in informing a 
 Federal officer of what he had been told. 
 
 Just at this time, also, a newspaper published a 
 scare, saying that it had reliable information that 
 the Confederate amiies at Columbia, Kentucky and 
 in southeast Missouri were to move up the Missis- 
 sippi on St. Louis, and at the same time General 
 Price was to move up from Springfield, that the 
 two armies were to unite and capture the city. Not 
 only this, but the paper stated that Confederate offi- 
 cers had entered the city in disguise, and were se- 
 cretly organizing the disloyal element, so as to help 
 when the opportune time came, and it behooved the 
 Federal authorities to be vigilant. For these rea- 
 sons the story of the mulatto was at once acted upon. 
 
 Randolph's stay in the city was necessarily short, 
 his furlough giving him only two weeks, and he was 
 to start back the next day. So far he had not been 
 out of the house, and he longed to walk around the 
 city and see what was going on. Both his father 
 and Dorothy pleaded with him not to incur the 
 danger. 
 
 " Father, I have been cooped up here for two 
 
LOLA TO TEE HESCUE 289 
 
 weeks," said Randolph. " Do let me get a breath 
 of fresh air, and have a look at the city. I want 
 to see what the Yankees are doing. The day is cold 
 and disagreeable, and I can muffle up, so no one will 
 know me." 
 
 jMuch against his better judgment, Mr. Hamilton 
 gave his consent. Little did he think that Ran- 
 dolph's going would prove his salvation. 
 
 He had been gone but a short time, when to the 
 consternation of j\Ir. Hamilton a body of Federal 
 troops appeared and fonned a cordon around the 
 house. 
 
 " All is lost! My poor, poor boy! " he groaned. 
 Then he realized that Randolph was not at home, 
 and that he might escape. Surely he would not try 
 to enter the house when he saw the soldiers. The of- 
 ficer in command of the soldiers was now thunder- 
 ing at the door. 
 
 yiv. Hamilton cautioned the servants not to get 
 excited, go about their duties as usual, and if ques- 
 tioned, deny all knowledge of Randolph. 
 
 He then opened the door. " Good day, gentle- 
 men," he exclaimed coolly. " May I ask the mean- 
 ing of this intrusion? " 
 
 The officer was somewhat taken aback at this 
 coolness, but recovering himself quickly said, " I am 
 sorry, Mr. Hamilton, but we are under the necessity 
 of searching your house. We have reliable informa- 
 
290 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 tion that your son, an officer in Price's anny, is in 
 hiding here. Has been here for several days gath- 
 ering information." 
 
 Mr. Hamilton drew himself up proudly. " H my 
 son were here you could not expect me to give any 
 information, but, Thank God! he is not here. Of 
 course you will search the house." 
 
 " Certainly," replied the major. 
 
 " Then I have one request to make. Search as 
 thoroughly as you please, but as quietly as possible. 
 My wife has been very sick, and any excitement 
 might prove fatal. As you have loved ones at home 
 do not let her chamber be invaded by a squad of 
 noisy soldiers, and let me go to her." 
 
 " That room may be the very one we wish to 
 search the most," replied Major Crosby, " but I will 
 heed your request all that I possibly can. Here 
 Lieutenant Campbell," turning to a young officer, 
 " accompany Mr. Hamilton to the chamber of his 
 wife; remain there and see that no one enters or 
 leaves the room until I come." 
 
 Lieutenant Campbell saluted, and then said to Mr. 
 Hamilton, " Come. Understand you are to go 
 straight to your wife's chamber and remain there." 
 
 " I understand," replied Mr. Hamilton. Then 
 turning to Sam, who stood by open-mouthed and 
 trembling, he said, " Sam. show these gentlemen 
 through the house; show every nook and corner. 
 
LOLA TO THE RESCVE 291 
 
 every closet, the basenicnl. let not a place where a 
 rat can hide escape. 
 
 " I am ready now," to the licntenant. 
 
 Lieutenant Campbell had a sharp eye, but his 
 countenance was open and frank. When he entered 
 the sick chamber, and saw the pale countenance of 
 Mrs. Hamilton, remembrance of his own mother 
 flashed through his mind. He would treat her as 
 he would have his own mother treated in like cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 As Mr. Hamilton entered he gave his wife a l(Xjk 
 which meant much. " Dear, this is Lieutenant 
 Campbell, a Federal officer, but a friend." he said. 
 " Do not be alarmed, he will remain a while. I will 
 explain later." 
 
 Lieutenant Campbell's quick eye took in the room. 
 He saw there was no possible place for anyone to 
 hide, and he withdrew to the door. Mr. Hamilton 
 talked to his wife to allay her fears and afterwards 
 wannly thanked the lieutenant for his courtesy. 
 
 " It 's nothing," said Campbell. '' All Yankees 
 are not l>easts." 
 
 Mr. Hamilton looked at the lieutenant wonder- 
 ingly. " You called yourself a Yankee," he said, 
 " with us no fouler name can be applied to a man." 
 
 The lieutenant smiled. " The grandest names on 
 the pages of American history," he answered, " are 
 names of Yankees. I am proud to be called one," 
 
292 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 Mr. Hamilton did not answer. To him it was al- 
 most like a man being proud of having African 
 blood in his veins. 
 
 The search was over, and of course fruitless as 
 far as finding Randolph was concerned. But Major 
 Crosby said to Mr. Hamilton, " I shall be under the 
 necessity of leaving a guard around your house. 
 While we are convinced your son is not on the prem- 
 ises, we found one room that had all the appearances 
 of being lately occupied, and that by a man. You 
 or any inmate of the house are forbidden to leave 
 it until further notice." 
 
 Mr. Hamilton bowed and said, " As you please. 
 Your commands shall be obeyed." 
 
 While the father's heart was full of fears, he 
 hoped Randolph would see the guard, and not try 
 to enter the house, but hardly had he turned and 
 shut the door when a great hubbub arose in the 
 street. He heard sharp commands, the sounds of 
 running feet, the shouts of the multitude, and then 
 two or three shots rang out. He rushed to the 
 door, but all he could see was the crowd surging 
 down the street, and he was quickly ordered to shut 
 the door. 
 
 Randolph all unconscious of what was occurring 
 took his walk around the city without interruption. 
 He kept his eyes and ears open, and was convinced 
 that the Federals were in mortal dread of a move- 
 
LOLA TO THE BESCUE 293 
 
 mcnt being made on the city, and his hopes were 
 high that their fears were not in vain. 
 
 After walking as long as he thought prudent, he 
 started to return, but as he neared home he was 
 startled to see a crowd in the street and to his dis- 
 may saw the house was surrounded by soldiers. His 
 heart gave a great bound, his enemies were after 
 him; in some way it had become known he was in 
 the city. Then a feeling of exultation came over 
 him, his walk had saved him. What safer thinsr 
 could he do than to mingle with the crowd and look 
 on? Muffled up as he was, he did not believe he 
 could be recognized, and he would have the satis- 
 faction of seeing his enemies baffled. He chuckled 
 to himself when he saw the soldiers leaving, but the 
 smile died when he saw a guard was being left 
 around the house. He would now have to go with- 
 out seeing his mother again, and with a heavy heart 
 he turned away. 
 
 It was now common talk among the spectators 
 that it was Randolph Hamilton the soldiers were 
 seeking, and they, being mostly Southern sympa- 
 thizers, were not backward in expressing their joy 
 over the fact he was not found. But Randolph did 
 not make himself known, and began to make his way 
 out of the crowd. 
 
 Mingling with the throng was a little colored boy, 
 a slave of a near neighbor of Mr. Hamilton's. As 
 
294 THE scour OF FEA RIDGE 
 
 Randolph Uirned to go his sharp eyes caught a 
 ghmpse of his face. Hearing the people saying it 
 was Randolph Hamilton the soldiers wanted, and 
 hardly realizing what he was doing, he pointed to 
 Randolph crying, " Massa Dolph Hamilton? Why, 
 dar he be." 
 
 Hardly were the words out of his mouth when he 
 was seized by the collar and hurled to the pavement 
 with such force that he lay senseless. But the mis- 
 chief had been done. There were Union men in the 
 crowd as well as secessionists, and they attempted 
 to hold Randolph but were hurled back by his 
 friends. 
 
 The soldiers had heard, and with fixed bayonets 
 charged through the crowd, scattering it right and 
 left, and with exultant shouts pursued the fugitive. 
 At first they did not fire on account of the crowd, 
 but soon began shooting. 
 
 Randolph had the advantage of knowing every 
 inch of the ground, and he dodged across yards and 
 through alleys, but close behind came the soldiers. 
 His breath began to come in gasps, he felt he must 
 soon find refuge or all would be over. He turned 
 into another street, when suddenly about a block in 
 front of him appeared a file of soldiers. There 
 seemed no way of escape. Like a hunted hare he 
 glanced around and saw he was in front of the home 
 of Mr. Rockwell Laselle. Well did he know the 
 
LOLA TO THE RESCUE 295 
 
 place. J\Ir. Laselle's son Leon was his favorite 
 childish i)laymale, the closest friend of his boyhood, 
 but the war had severed the friendship. 
 
 Air. Laselle's lot ran through to the next street, 
 where it was protected by a brick wall, surmounted 
 by iron pickets. But Randolph knew that during 
 the day the gate was usually left open. It was his 
 only hope, and he dodged into the yard and around 
 the house. His heart stood still, the gate was shut, 
 probably locked. Just then the rear door opened 
 and Lola came out. Randolph saw her and like a 
 drowning man grasping at a straw cried, " Lola, 
 save me ! For God's sake, save me ! " 
 
 The girl scarcely comprehended, but she knew 
 Randolph was in some great danger. She forgot 
 there was a war, that a great gulf had sprung up 
 between them, that Randolph's sister looked upon 
 her with contempt ; she only remembered that Ran- 
 dolph was her childhood playmate, her boyish ad- 
 mirer, the friend of her brother. 
 
 Quick as a flash she opened the door and Ran- 
 dolph dashed in. She closed and locked the door, 
 none too quickly for the soldiers were already pour- 
 ing around the house. 
 
 Just at this time Mrs. Laselle and daughter Elsie 
 drove up to the rear gate, and the footman threw it 
 open, they driving into the yard just as the soldiers 
 came around the house. 
 
296 THE scour OF FEA FIDGE 
 
 Mrs. Laselle much amazed, demanded the mean- 
 ing of the intrusion. Now it happened that Major 
 Crosby, who was in the command of the soldiers, 
 was the accepted lover of Elsie Laselle. He would 
 rather lose his right hand than offend mother or 
 daughter, and it took him some little time to ex- 
 plain the situation. 
 
 Meantime Lola stood in the house, thinking hard. 
 She heard the soldiers, then the coming of her 
 mother and sister and knew that in a moment her 
 mother would demand admittance. Turning to 
 Randolph she said, " Go to Leon's room. You 
 know the way." 
 
 Randolph lost no time in obeying, for j\Irs. La- 
 selle was already knocking on the door, demanding 
 admittance. Lola unlocked the door and Mrs. La- 
 selle's first words were, " Why is the door locked ? 
 Where is Dinah or Jennie? " 
 
 She stopped suddenly and looked at Lola. The 
 girl was pale as death, and trembling like a leaf. 
 "What is it, mother? What is the matter?" she 
 gasped. " Dinah and Jennie are both out, and I 
 was afraid, so afraid," and Lola threw herself into 
 her mother's arms. 
 
 ** Poor child." said her mother kissing her, " she 
 is nearly frightened to death. No wonder." 
 
 All traces of Randolph were lost. It looked as 
 if he must have in some way got into the house. 
 
1 
 
 c 
 
 1 ■ 
 
 t 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 i 
 
 J^ 
 
 '1 
 
 
 
 il 
 
 
 ^ HHm. ^P %.<•■' 
 
 H^^^*ssfa - ^ 
 
 i»^ 
 
 
 -^B^^v( 
 
 She closed and lucked the door, none too quickly 
 
LOLA TO THE FESCUE 297 
 
 Lola was questioned, hut her only answer was, 
 " How could he when the door was locked? " 
 
 Major Crosby was loath to search the house; he 
 feared he might offend, but he gently broached the 
 subject to Mrs. Laselle, asking if he might put a 
 guard around the house, and a^\•ait the return of 
 Mr. Laselle. 
 
 Yes, she was willing. 
 
 The guard was placed, but ]\Lajor Crosby did not 
 give up the search. The whole neighborhood was 
 scoured, but of course without results. So the ma- 
 jor went away, leaving a guard and saying he would 
 be back at eight o'clock. 
 
 \\'hen ]\Ir. Laselle returned home he was greatly 
 astonished to find the house guarded, and still more 
 so when he learned what had occurred. He laughed 
 at the idea of any one being concealed in the house, 
 especially as Lola said all the doors were locked, 
 but when he knew it was Randolph Hamilton the 
 soldiers were after he looked grave and seemed to 
 be troubled. 
 
 At eight o'clock Major Crosby returned, and re- 
 ported not a single trace of the fugitive could be 
 found, so there was nothing left but to search the 
 house. 
 
 Lola heard of the contemplated search, and her 
 heart stood still. What could she do? She thought 
 of a dozen things, and dismissed each as not feasible. 
 
208 THE SCOUT OF FEA EIDGE 
 
 At last she thought of Dinah, the cook. She had 
 returned from her afternoon out, and was as much 
 surprised as anyone over what had occurred. She 
 had been in the family for years, and Lola was to 
 her her blessed child. She would have given her 
 heart's blood for Lola and counted it a joy. 
 
 To Dinah Lola took her trouble and sobbed, " Oh ! 
 Dinah, it 's Randolph. They will hang him if they 
 get him." 
 
 "Hang Massa Dolph?" cried Dinah. "It's 
 many a cookie I hab made fur him, bress his heart. 
 I tell you, honey, yo' watch yo' chance an* bring 
 Massa Dolph to my room. I like to see dat sojer 
 who dare sarch Dinah's room." 
 
 *' Do you mean it?" asked Lola with open eyes. 
 
 " Suah, honey, I mean it. Watch yo' chance an' 
 get him heah quick." 
 
 The chance was now, for the whole family was 
 in the parlor talking with Major Crosby. Lightly 
 the girl ran to the room where Randolph was and 
 explained the situation to him. 
 
 " God bless you, Lola," said Randolph swallow- 
 ing a great lump in his throat. " I '11 never forget 
 you," and taking her hand he raised it to his lips 
 and kissed it as reverently as if it had been the hand 
 of a queen. 
 
 Lola blushed scarlet. " Do n't, Dolph, do n't. 
 You know I could n't see you hung," she murmured. 
 
LOLA TO THE HESCUE 299 
 
 Conducting him down the back way, Lola placed 
 l)im in the hands of Dinah and fled to the parlor for 
 fear her absence might be noticed. 
 
 *' Come, chile," said Dinah to Randolph as she led 
 the way to her room. " In the closet dar, an' do n't 
 yo' dare make a noise." 
 
 Randolph stepped into the closet and Dinah 
 pushed him into a corner and hung some old clothes 
 in front of him, and piled some old trumpery around 
 his feet. " Dar, yo' stay dar till Dinah tell yo' to 
 come out," she exclaimed. 
 
 By this time Major Crosby had called in a squad 
 of soldiers and the house was being searched from 
 top to bottom. While the search was going on, Lola's 
 heart beat like a trip-hammer. But at last the 
 search was over, and nothing discovered. 
 
 " It 's queer where that fellow could have gone," 
 said the major. " Have we searched every room? " 
 
 " Every room," replied Mr. Laselle. " Hold on, 
 there is Dinah's room. Dinah is an old servant and 
 our cook. It 's not possible he is there, for Dinah 
 was away and she keeps her door locked. Dinah 
 is a crank on that subject. Her room is her castle, 
 and even her mistress approaches it with care. Still 
 we had better look in." 
 
 Lola heard this and grew faint. It was well that 
 all were so intent on the search that her agitation 
 was not noticed. 
 
300 TUE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 Dinah was in her room and the door locked. Mr. 
 Laselle rapped gently. 
 
 " Who 's dar? " asked Dinah in a gruff voice. 
 
 " Your master, Dinah. Open the door." 
 
 " De good Lawd, Massa, I'se jes' goin' to bed." 
 
 " Never mind, Dinah, sHp on your clothes and 
 open the door. I must see you." 
 
 With much grumbling Dinah was heard bustling 
 around, but at last the door was opened. When 
 she saw the soldiers she started back as if in 
 amazement. 
 
 " What da' heah f o' ? What the sojer man heah 
 fo? Ole Dinah hain't done nothun," she cried 
 shrilly. 
 
 " Of course not, Dinah," answered Mr. Laselle. 
 " Do n't be frightened. You know that Rebel spy. 
 Well, Major Crosby thinks he might in some way 
 have slipped into the house, and taken shelter in 
 your room." 
 
 " What da' yo' say ? " cried Dinah in apparent 
 terror. " White man in ma' room an' me goin' 
 to bed. Oh, Lawd, Lawd ! whar will Dinah's 
 krack'ter be ? " She sank into a chair, threw her 
 apron over her head and sobbed violently, rocking 
 back and forth. 
 
 Major Crosby and his men simply doubled up 
 with laughter. 
 
 " There, there, Dinah," said Mr. Laselle sooth- 
 
LOLA TO THE lUiSCUE 301 
 
 ingly. " This is nothing against your character. 
 Every room — ," l)iit he got no fartlier. 
 
 " ^\\s, it be," wailed Dinah rocking more vigor- 
 ously. " Yo' jes 'spected ole Dinah of habing white 
 man in her room, an' me a Methody fo' forty years. 
 AMiat will Passim Johnsing say?" and she wailed 
 louder than ever. 
 
 " It is evident there is no one here," said Mr. 
 Laselle. " I simply showed you the room so you 
 could be certain of searching the whole house." 
 
 " I am satisfied," replied the major, still holding 
 his sides. 
 
 " There. Dinah, we are going," said Mr. Laselle. 
 " You are all right, and if I were in your place I 
 should say nothing to Parson Johnson about it. 
 Major Crosby simply had to do his duty." 
 
 No sooner were they gone, than Dinah took her 
 apron from her face and laughed as heartily as she 
 had pretended to cry. " Fool 'em dat time," she 
 gurgled. 
 
 Major Crosby now ordered the guard around the 
 house to be withdrawn, and for himself was not 
 slow in accepting an invitation to stay a while. He 
 v.-as profuse in his apologies, but Mr. Laselle 
 stopped him saying, " Now that it is all over. Ma- 
 jor, I can truly say I am glad you did not find the 
 young man. I know Randolph well and a fine fel- 
 low he is. I suppose if he had been caught he would 
 
302 THF SCOUT OF FEA BIDGE 
 
 have been considered a spy. I am sure he is no spy. 
 His mother has been lying at the point of death, and 
 no doubt he stole into the city to see her." 
 
 " If that is the case," replied the major, " I do n't 
 think I will worry much over his escape." 
 
 If Lola could have heard this she w^ould have 
 felt much better, but pleading a headache, she had 
 gone to her room. She was glad Randolph had 
 escaped, but her conscience troubled her. It was the 
 first time she had ever deceived her parents, and she 
 thought she must be a very wicked girl. What 
 made it worse, she could not feel sorry for wdiat she 
 had done. It was little sleep she got that night, and 
 in the morning she had a headache in earnest. 
 
 " It was the excitement of last night," said her 
 mother. " No wonder, here all alone, and all that 
 hullabaloo." 
 
 Her mother's pity did not ease the girl's troubled 
 conscience and she decided to write to Lawrence. 
 She just had to tell somebody. 
 
 " I just could n't help it," she wrote. " To think 
 that if they caught Randolph they would hang him 
 made me wild. I feel awful sorry about deceiving 
 papa and mamma, but I am not sorry for what I 
 have done. I would do it right over again if I had 
 to." 
 
 It was this letter which so surprised Lawrence, 
 and he made haste to answer it. 
 
LOLA TO THE RESCUE 303 
 
 Three or four days a tier the escape of Randolph 
 Lola met Dorothy on the street. She was about to 
 pass her as usual with head high, when to her sur- 
 prise Dorothy caught her by the arm and whispered, 
 " Come, walk with me. I want to tell you 
 something." 
 
 " I have n't changed my colors," replied Lola a 
 little sharply, for the way Dorothy had snubbed her 
 rankled. 
 
 " I know," replied Dorothy, " and I do n't care. 
 Yell for your old Union all you want to, and I will 
 yell for Jeff Davis; but let 's be friends again. Lola, 
 dear Lola, forgive me for the way I have treated 
 you. Father says you are the bravest girl in St. 
 Louis." 
 
 "Who told you about it?" asked Lola. "Did 
 Randolph come home? " 
 
 " No, he dare not, but he wrote a long letter which 
 we got, and told all about it. I tell you he praised 
 you. He wrote you a letter too, here it is," and she 
 slipped a letter in Lola's hand. 
 
 The girls then talked over their differences, and 
 concluded to be good friends again, even if one was 
 L^nion and the other " Secesh." 
 
 It would have been better for the country if older 
 people had come to the same conclusions. 
 
 As soon as Lola got home she went to her room 
 to read Randolph's letter. As she read her cheeks 
 
304 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 grew rosy, and her breath came quicker for Ran- 
 dolph was rather extravagant in his praise. 
 
 In due time a letter came from Lawrence in an- 
 swer to her own. It was rather a bulky one, and 
 when she opened it she found it was really two let- 
 ters. One was written in his usual way, telling of 
 his experiences in camp and on march, and which 
 the whole family enjoyed with Lola, for Lawrence 
 was an interesting letter writer. The other en- 
 closure was marked " Private." 
 
 Lola hastily concealed it, and at the first oppor- 
 tunity went to her room to read it. Her heart beat 
 fast, for what would Lawrence say? As she read, 
 her face lighted up, and a happy laugh escaped her. 
 Lawrence approved of what she had done ; in fact 
 praised her almost as extravagantly as Randolph 
 had. But when she read the close of the letter her 
 countenance fell a little, for he wrote : " At the time 
 you could not have done differently, it would not 
 have done to have told your father while the sol- 
 diers were searching for Randolph. But when it 
 was over and Randolph safe, you should have told 
 him. Tell him now, Lola, and that conscience will 
 not trouble you, for I see by your letter that it does." 
 
 With many misgivings Lola concluded to take 
 Lawrence's advice and went to her father and con- 
 fessed all. 
 
 Mr. Laselle was astonished, but to Lola's surprise 
 
LOLA TO THE EESCUE 305 
 
 she was not scolded. Instead her father kissed her 
 and said, " Lola, I am glad, very glad you told me, 
 but do not tell anyone else. Let it be a secret be- 
 tween us. And, Lola, I will tell you my secret now. 
 I am very, very glad Randolph got away. But that 
 Dinah ! So Randolph was in her room all the time. 
 Well, I reckon her ' krack 'ter ' will never suffer 
 for it." and Mr. Laselle laughed until the tears ran 
 down his cheeks. 
 
CHAPTER XXI 
 
 A RACE FOR LIFE 
 
 IT is remarkable what General Halleck accom- 
 plished in a few weeks after he took command. 
 He found an araiy discouraged and dissatisfied, 
 a number of the regiments mutinous. Emissaries 
 had gone among the German regiments, and told 
 them that if they would not obey the commands of 
 General Halleck, either Fremont would be restored 
 or Sigel given the command. But the discontented 
 soon found that Halleck \\as a general who would 
 see that his orders were obeyed. 
 
 The Charcoals and Conservatives were also mak- 
 ing the days wearisome for the general, each fac- 
 tion claiming that they represented the Union senti- 
 ment of the State. 
 
 Added to Halleck's other troubles was the ever 
 present negro question. He was savagely attacked 
 by the German papers saying he was sending the 
 slaves of disloyal masters back into captivity. 
 
 Halleck was not the only one having trouble with 
 the negro question. Lincoln's course during the first 
 years of the war in refusing to free the slaves 
 
 306 
 
A RACE FOR LIFE 307 
 
 brought down upon Iiini the wrath of thousands of 
 people. 
 
 It was in answer to a letter from Horace Greeley, 
 saying that if he would free the slaves, twenty mil- 
 lion people would applaud him, that Lincoln wrote 
 that memorable answer: 
 
 " If I can save the Union by not freeing the slaves, 
 I shall not free them; if I can save the Union by 
 freeing half the slaves, I shall free them; if it be- 
 comes necessary to free all of the slaves in order to 
 save the Union, I shall free them." 
 
 This answer shows the preservation of the Union 
 was the great, the burning question with Lincoln; 
 all other questions were subsidiary to that. 
 
 Like Lincoln, Halleck did not let popular clamor 
 influence him and firmly pursued the course he had 
 marked out. He quickly saw the great mistake that 
 had been made in falling back from Springfield and 
 at once took measures to rectify it. He reorganized 
 the army in the field, calling it the Army of the 
 Southwest, and placed it in command of General 
 Samuel R. Curtis. Curtis was a West Point gradu- 
 ate, but for years had been in private life. At the 
 commencement of the war he organized the Second 
 lovi^a, and went out as its colonel. After events 
 showed that Halleck had made no mistake in giving 
 him command of the army. 
 
 By the middle of January the army was ready to 
 
308 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 advance. General Price was resting in fancied se- 
 curity, in his winter quarters at Springfield with a 
 diminished army, but with the fond hope that Mc- 
 Culloch would join him in the spring and help him 
 save the State. 
 
 The news of tlie advance was received with hilari- 
 ous joy by the Union soldiers. The Winter of 1861- 
 62 was a very severe one in Missouri. The roads 
 were rough and frozen, and when thawed became 
 quagmires. The rivers and streams, many of which 
 had to be forded, were filled with floating ice. But 
 nothing daunted the brave hearts of the soldiers; 
 their faces were turned towards the South, it was 
 all they asked. 
 
 In vain the snow buffeted them, or, what was 
 worse, icy rains beat upon them, they pressed forward 
 without murmur or complaint. They were after Pap 
 Price; they had many an old score to settle with 
 him and ached for an opportunity. Back over the 
 dreary miles they had already traversed four times 
 they marched with hearts full of hope. 
 
 Price, thinking it was impossible for the Federal 
 army to move in such weather and over such roads, 
 was resting easy, but he received a rude awakening, 
 and beat a hasty retreat, leaving a large amount of 
 stores behind him. 
 
 Springfield was occupied on February thirteenth 
 
A RACE FOE LIFE 309 
 
 and the Stars and Stripes for the third time floated 
 over the court house. 
 
 To no soldiers did the news of an advance come 
 more welcome than to Lawrence's troop. The 
 Scouts were made a part of Major Bowen's com- 
 mand, which had the advance. When Springfield 
 was reached, it was rumored that General Price with 
 his whole army was on the old battle ground of Wil- 
 son Creek, and was there to make a stand and give 
 battle. 
 
 To ascertain the truth the Scouts were ordered to 
 make a reconnaissance. They did so, but found no 
 enemy. As Lawrence looked over the battle field 
 all that happened that eventful day came thronging 
 to his mind. Here was where Lyon fell. Lawrence 
 stood on the sacred spot, and his tears fell thick and 
 fast, as he thought of his beloved chieftain. He 
 found the place where he fell when the bullet from 
 the pistol of Benton Shelley came so near ending his 
 career. Xear by in a bramble lay a grinning skull. 
 Lawrence shuddered as he looked at it. The hill 
 now lay bleak and the leafless trees and bushes 
 showed the awful effects of the iron and leaden 
 tempest which swept against them. With a sinking 
 heart Lawrence noticed that amid the scrub and 
 bushes, the bones of many of the soldiers who had 
 fallen lay bleaching. Uncofifined and unburied they 
 
310 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 lay where they fell, a part of the unknown dead, who 
 gave their lives for their country. 
 
 General Curtis made but a short stop at Spring- 
 field, only long enough to concentrate his army, and 
 then he pushed on after the fleeing enemy. There 
 was to be no backward step this time. Price must 
 give battle, or leave the State. 
 
 Bowen's command was still in advance, and after 
 leaving Springfield it was almost a continual skir- 
 mish with the rear guard of Price's army, and the 
 Scouts found plenty to do. At Sugar Creek just 
 before the Arkansas line was reached, the Confed- 
 erates made quite a determined stand. The Scouts, 
 however, charged, scattering them, and taking quite 
 a number of prisoners. 
 
 Among the prisoners to Lawrence's surprise was 
 Dickey Holbrook. When Dickey saw Lawrence he 
 suddenly drew his hat over his face and drew back 
 behind the other prisoners, but it was no use. Rid- 
 ing up to him Lawrence said, " Hello, Dickey, you 
 do n't seem glad to see me." Dickey stood silent, 
 trembling with fear. Lawrence continued merci- 
 lessly, " You do n't expect to be treated as a pris- 
 oner of war, do you, Dickey? Why should I not 
 take you and have you hanged at once? " 
 
 Then Dickey found his tongue. How he begged 
 for his life ; he fairly grovelled in the dust. Great 
 drops of sweat ran down his cheeks, and his face was 
 
A BACE FOB LIFE 311 
 
 ghastly. Lawrence looked at him a moment in con- 
 tempt, then said to the guards, " Take him back with 
 the other prisoners. I will attend to his case later." 
 
 The next day Law-rence went on a scout and was 
 gone two days, and when he returned he learned 
 Dickey had escaped. " Of all the slippery fellows! " 
 exclaimed Lawrence. " He is as hard to hold as a 
 greased pig. But if I get him again, I will see he 
 does n't get away." 
 
 At Cross Hollows, which is just over the Missouri 
 line in Arkansas, it was expected that Price and 
 McCulloch would make a desperate stand, but the 
 position, which naturally was a very strong one, w^as 
 evacuated after a slight skimiish. The cavalry 
 pushed on, and captured both Bentonville and Fay- 
 etteville, important towns in Northwestern Arkansas. 
 
 Price had been driven not only from Missouri, 
 but from N'orthw^estern Arkansas as well. Though 
 the success of General Curtis had been great, the ob- 
 ject of his campaign had not been achieved, — the de- 
 feat and destruction of Price's army. That army, 
 still intact, was hidden away among the Boston 
 mountains, ready to make a tiger-like spring at the 
 first opportunity. 
 
 It was imperative for General Curtis to find out 
 wdiat was going on among those mountains, and the 
 dangerous duty was given to Lawrence and his 
 Scouts. During the advance the Scouts had per- 
 
312 TEE SCOUT OF PEA mDGE 
 
 formed the most valuable service, and General Cur- 
 tis had come to rely upon them for most of his 
 secret information. Always in front, or on the 
 flanks of the army, they met with many exciting ad- 
 ventures, breaking up guerilla bands and capturing 
 stragglers from Price's army. 
 
 Much of the scouting was done at night and much 
 was done that could not have been done, if it were 
 not for the dog, Bruno. He seemed to fully under- 
 stand that his duty was to hunt men instead of 
 birds or animals, and well did he perform it. More 
 than once he saved the Scouts from being surprised, 
 or of running into some trap which had been set 
 for them. So valuable had the dog become that 
 Lawrence would have as soon thought of going on a 
 scout without ammunition as without Bruno. 
 
 Lawrence knew he was now called upon to ren- 
 der a service which might mean death, but neither 
 he nor a single one of his men hesitated. All were 
 ready and eager to undertake the service. 
 
 The plan was to ride as near the Boston moun- 
 tains as prudent, then wait for night and push on. 
 If parties of the enemy were met they hoped in the 
 darkness they could pass themselves off as Confed- 
 erates. If discovered, a fight and a flight would be 
 their only safety. 
 
 This plan was followed out and proved success- 
 ful. Several small parties of the enemy were met, 
 
A EACE FOE LIFE 313 
 
 generally foraging parties, absent without leave. 
 After gaining all the information from these parties 
 that he could, Lawrence would roughly order them 
 back to their commands, threatening them with ar- 
 rest if ever found absent again without leave. They 
 were then allowed to go, much to the disgust of 
 Bruno, who could not understand it. 
 
 ]\Iorris, who was the guide of the party, at last 
 informed Lawrence that they had penetrated into 
 the mountains as far as prudent and they had better 
 find a suitable hiding place, and wait until morning. 
 They w^ere following a road in a gorge, and it was 
 some time before they could find a place where they 
 could leave it. At length they came to where a ra- 
 vine opened on the gorge and into this they turned. 
 It was very dark, the way rough and rocky, and they 
 had to advance feeling their way, foot by foot, the 
 men leading their horses. They soon came to a cliff 
 that barred all further progress, and although they 
 were only a short distance from the road, they con- 
 cluded to stay where they were and make the best 
 of it. And there in the darkness, each man, with 
 his back against a rock or a tree, the bridle of his 
 horse looped around his arm, tried to get what little 
 rest he could. 
 
 The morning at length came and gladly the Scouts 
 hailed it, for they were stiff and sore and shivering 
 with the cold. Their breakfast consisted only of 
 
314 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 army crackers and raw bacon, for they did not dare 
 to light a fire. Their horses fared better, for they 
 had brought with them a Hberal feed. The moun- 
 tains rose round about them shutting out the world. 
 
 " This seems a safe place to stay," said Morris. 
 " I will look around a little. If I am not back in an 
 hour you may know something has happened." 
 
 '' Do you go alone ? " asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, I prefer it. I do not expect to be gone 
 long." Thus saying Morris rode away. He was 
 roughly dressed and might easily be taken for a na- 
 tive, and he could act the part of one to perfection. 
 
 Lawrence was very uneasy, but to his relief Mor- 
 ris appeared sooner than he expected. All crowded 
 around to hear his report. 
 
 " I followed the gorge about a mile," he said, 
 " when I found it opened into a narrow valley, 
 through which a main road ran. Over the tops t)f 
 the mountains beyond the valley, I could see the air 
 looked smoky, as if a large army was encamped 
 there. That is what I must find out, and while I am 
 finding out, the troop may as well stay here. This 
 spot is close to the road, but entirely concealed. Not 
 only this, but by ascending the mountains in front, 
 you will not only have a fine view of the whole val- 
 ley, but of the mountains beyond." 
 
 " Then you think the whole Confederate army is 
 
A nACE FOE LIFE 315 
 
 encamped just over the mountains in our front?" 
 asked Lawrence. 
 
 " Yes, but I must be sure. There must be no 
 guess work." 
 
 " Why not take the troop with you ? I see the 
 boys are aching to go." 
 
 Morris laughed. " You would be discovered be- 
 fore you got across the valley," he answered, " and 
 then good-bye to the Scouts. No, I must go alone 
 unless I take Bruno. I would take him if I thought 
 I could make him do just wdiat I wanted." 
 
 " Why not take me with you? " asked Harry Se- 
 mans. " You know' I can make Bnmo do most any- 
 thing. What is it you want him to do? " 
 
 " Keep out of sight, without he is called." 
 
 " That is easy. Take me, I^.Iorris, you know you 
 and I have been on many a scout together, and I 
 make a capital native boy. The old coat and pants 
 I w^ear on such occasions are done up behind my sad- 
 dle now. There is nothing to hinder." 
 
 Morris thought a moment and then said, " Harry, 
 I would really like to have you and Bruno go, but 1 
 hate to lead you into danger. I could never forgive 
 myself if you should lose your life." 
 
 " You would n't have to worry over it long." re- 
 plied Harry with a grin, " for if I lose my life you 
 will be sure to lose vours." 
 
316 THE SCOUT OF PEA FIDGE 
 
 " Boy, you can come, you are made of the right 
 stuff," answered Morris. 
 
 The troop started to raise a cheer, but was quickly 
 silenced by Lawrence. " Boys, are you crazy ? " he 
 exclaimed. 
 
 " Most," spoke up one. " We all want to go so 
 bad." 
 
 It was but the work of a moment for Harry to 
 slip on his old coat and pants, then ruffling his hair, 
 and borrowing the most dilapidated looking hat in 
 the troop, he looked the typical mountain boy — to 
 the manor born. Before starting Harry called 
 Bruno aside and gave him his orders. 
 
 " It 's remarkable how that dawg understands," 
 drawled one of the men. " Dawg-gone if it ain't." 
 
 " Hang him," chorused a dozen. " That is at 
 least six times Ben has perpetrated that on us." 
 
 Ben was seized and made to promise he would 
 never do the like again. 
 
 As Morris and Harry rode away, Bruno did not 
 immediately follow, but waited a while, and then 
 trotted off down the road, as unconcernedly as if he 
 was going on his own business. 
 
 Lawrence concluded to climb the mountain and 
 act as sentinel, leaving the troop in command of 
 Dan. His orders were strict; the road was to be 
 carefully watched, but no Confederates were to be 
 molested, if any should pass along. The troop was 
 
A 'RACE FOU LIFE 317 
 
 to be held ready to mount at a moment's notice, 
 and Dan was to look up a way to retreat, if the 
 mouth of the ravine should be blocked by the enemy. 
 
 Lawrence took three men and stationed them at 
 intervals up the mountain side, so he could more 
 readily communicate with Dan, if he found it 
 necessar}\ 
 
 It was a stiff climb but when Lawrence reached 
 the top a glorious panorama burst upon his vision. 
 The sun had risen and was flooding the mountain 
 tops and the valley with its light. The valley must 
 have been a fertile one, for there were a number of 
 farm houses in sight, but there seemed to be but little 
 life around them. Stock and forage had been swept 
 away; armies had to be fed. The valley now lay 
 bleak and bare beneath the March sky. 
 
 Across the valley there was a break in the m.oun- 
 tains, and Lawrence knew that a road ran through 
 that break to the other side of the mountains, where 
 a smoky haze lay along the horizon. Yes, Morris 
 was right, an anny must lie encamped there. 
 
 As Lawrence looked, a regiment of cavalry came 
 riding along the road leading through the valley, 
 and disappeared in the west. Where were Morris 
 and Harry? Had they already crossed the valley 
 or were they waiting? Lawrence had a good glass 
 and with it he swept the valley and the sides of the 
 mountains beyond, but he could see no signs of them. 
 
318 THE SCOUT OF PEA FIDGE 
 
 He fervently prayed that they had crossed the valley 
 in safety. 
 
 Morris had told Lawrence to have the troop wait 
 for him until midnight, if he did not come then to 
 wait no longer, for it would mean either he and 
 Harry had been captured, or been obliged to seek 
 some other way back. It was lonely watching for 
 Lawrence, During the day several squads of cav- 
 alry passed through the valley, all headed west. 
 Midday came and went, still no signs of Morris and 
 Harry. Suddenly from over the mountain tops 
 came the boom of a cannon. The distant thunder 
 sounded again and again. What did it mean? 
 
 Lawrence was all alert. He counted the distant 
 reports as they came, one after the other, until he 
 counted forty, then all w-as silent. He was puzzled, 
 but suddenly exclaimed, " I have it. Forty guns fired 
 one after the other is a major-general salute. The 
 Confederate army must have another commander." 
 
 The sun was half-way down in the west, and still 
 no signs of Morris. Lawrence thought it about 
 time to give up his vigil, but before he left he would 
 take one more look. His glass once more swept the 
 mountain side. Was that some animal running 
 through the scrub? Yes, it was an animal running 
 as if death was after it. It cleared the mountain 
 side and came across the valley in great leaps. 
 
 Lawrence's heart stood still. It was Bruno, Bruno 
 
A BACE FOB LIFE 319 
 
 coming to tell him Morris and Harry were in peril. 
 He rather rolled and slid down the mountain side 
 than ran; but quick as he was, Bruno had beaten 
 him. The men had gathered around the dog in 
 great excitement, and Bnmo seemed fully as ex- 
 cited as they. He bounded and leaped, he would 
 run a short distance, then stop and look back to see 
 if they were following. When Lawrence came he 
 caught him by the clothes and tried to pull him 
 along. 
 
 " Boys, Morris and Harry are in peril," said Law- 
 rence. " Bruno has come to tell us. What shall we 
 do? For myself, I am willing to follow the dog, if 
 needs be into the heart of Price's army, to try and 
 rescue them." 
 
 " Lead on and we will follow," cried the men as 
 with one voice. 
 
 There was no attempt at concealment now. 
 Through the gorge and across the valley the troop 
 thundered, Bruno leading. Into the mountains on 
 the other side they rode, going they knew not where. 
 but never doubting that the trusty Bruno would lead 
 them right. 
 
 The dog kept the main road for about a mile, then 
 turned into a gorge where the way was narrow, 
 rough and rocky, but the troop did not check their 
 headlong speed. Nearly two miles up the gorge 
 Bruno led them, then he stopped and looked up in 
 
320 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 Lawrence's face with a low whine. Lawrence knew 
 that meant there was danger ahead. 
 
 Halting the troop, Lawrence crept cautiously to 
 the front, and had gone but a few yards when the 
 gorge suddenly opened into a long narrow valley, 
 and what he saw there filled him with horror. 
 
 In the centre of the valley not two hundred yards 
 away were forty or fifty horsemen, but most of 
 them were dismounted and seemed to be greatly ex- 
 cited, for they were all talking loudly and gesticulat- 
 ing violently. In their midst stood two men with 
 their hands bound behind them. Quickly Lawrence 
 brought his glass to bear. As he expected the pris- 
 oners were Morris and Harry. A few paces away, 
 under a lone tree, two soldiers w^ere scooping out 
 what seemed to be a shallow grave and near the 
 grave lay a still figure shrouded in a blanket. 
 
 Three officers stood near by engaged in earnest 
 conversation, and at last one turned away with an 
 impatient gesture, as if to say, " Do as you please." 
 
 One of the other officers walked up to where the 
 soldiers w^ere grouped and said a few words. Imme- 
 diately a wild " Hurrah " was heard, and two of the 
 soldiers rushed to their horses and began to untie 
 a couple of lariats. Lawrence saw and knew what 
 it meant. There was not a moment to lose, and he 
 rushed back to the troop. 
 
 " Quick, boys, your blankets ! " he cried. " Throw 
 
A BACE FOE LIFE 321 
 
 them around your shoulders to conceal your uni- 
 forms. By fours ! Forward ! Follow me ! " 
 
 The Scouts understood. In a trice their blankets 
 were around their shoulders and they were ready. 
 " Forward trot ! " ordered Lawrence. He knew he 
 must not alarm the Confederates with undue haste. 
 When the valley opened up before them they saw 
 Morris and Harry had already been led under the 
 tree and the ropes were being placed around their 
 necks. The noise of the approaching Scouts at- 
 tracted the attention of the Confederates and look- 
 ing about they saw the gray-blanketed horsemen 
 coming. 
 
 " ^^'ait a minute," sang out one of the number. 
 " Heah comes another company to see the fun." 
 
 " Wait nothing! Swing them up," roared an of- 
 ficer. Hardly had the words left his lips when Law- 
 rence's voice rang out " Deploy on left ! Charge." 
 
 Like a thunderbolt the Scouts were on them. 
 Taken completely by surprise, half of them raised 
 their hands in submission, the rest fled in terror. 
 The fight, if fight it could be called, was over in two 
 minutes. Some half dozen who had tried to escape 
 had fallen; the rest of the forty were either prison- 
 ers or had escaped. 
 
 Morris and Harrj' were quickly released, but 
 hardly had this been done when they heard cheering 
 and the thunder of horses' hoofs, and looking, they 
 
a22 THE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 saw a full company of Confederate cavalry coming 
 at full speed. 
 
 " Back to the gorge," shouted Lawrence. Mor- 
 ris and Harry sprang on two of the captured horses, 
 and the whole troop fell back into the mouth of the 
 gorge where they halted to await the attack. 
 Swiftly it came, but two or three volleys sent the 
 Confederates staggering and bleeding back into the 
 valley. 
 
 " It is no use following," said one of the Confed- 
 erate officers. " Fifty men can hold a thousand in 
 that gorge." So the pursuit was given up. 
 
 At the head of the company that appeared so 
 opportunely for the Confederates was Benton Shel- 
 ley. He was on his way to General Pike with im- 
 portant orders, and the company was his escort. 
 When he learned the full history of the affair, and 
 who the escaped prisoners were his fury knew no 
 bounds. 
 
 " Fools ! Dolts ! Idiots ! " he cried. " The only 
 one among you who had any sense was Lieutenant 
 Pelham. Had you followed his advice and taken 
 the prisoners to General Price, there would have 
 been no reward too great for you. Do any of you 
 know who the officer was who led the rescue 
 party? " 
 
 No one seemed to know until a soldier, one who 
 had surrendered at the first onslaught, spoke up, " I 
 
A FACE FOE LIFE 323 
 
 am almost sure I heard one of his men call him Cap- 
 lain Middleton." 
 
 " That 's the one. I knew it." screamed Benton, 
 almost beside himself. Turning to the cowering 
 officers who had wanted to hang Morris and Harry, 
 he shook his fist in their faces and roared, "If Price 
 do n't hang you for this, I am mistaken." 
 
 Gladly would Benton have pursued the Scouts, 
 but they had such a start he felt it would be useless, 
 besides his orders were imperative to find Pike as 
 quickly as possible. 
 
 It was fortunate the Scouts were not pursued, for 
 their horses were badly winded in the furious ride 
 to save Morris and Harry. 
 
 All through the night they rode and just as day 
 was breaking they heard the welcome challenge of 
 the Federal picket. 
 
 Lawrence lost no time in making his report to 
 General Curtis. It was that General Earl \''an Dorn 
 had been appointed commander of the combined 
 armies of McCulloch, Price, and Pike; that the 
 strength of the combined armies was estimated at 
 from 20,000 to 30,000: and that Van Dorn had al- 
 ready issued orders for the armies to concentrate 
 for the purpose of attacking the Federals. 
 
 It was not until they had slept and rested that 
 jMorris gave Lawrence a full account of what had 
 befallen him and Harry. " At first," he said, " we 
 
324 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 had little trouble. As I expected we met several 
 small parties of Confederates, but we passed our- 
 selves off as refugees from Missouri, going to an 
 uncle who lived down on the Arkansas River. From 
 those w^e met we learned that the armies of McCul- 
 loch and Price were encamped just over the moun- 
 tains, and that Van Dorn had been appointed 
 commander in chief. 
 
 " At the first opportunity we concealed our horses, 
 and climbed the mountain, from the top of which 
 we had a fine view of the armies, and could form 
 an intelligent opinion of their numbers. It was 
 while we were on top of the mountain that the sa- 
 lute was fired in honor of Van Dorn. 
 
 " When we came down we unavoidably fell in 
 with a party of about thirty Rebels under the com- 
 mand of a Captain Bostick. When he found we 
 were from Missouri he was very talkative, and 
 asked me lots of questions, and wanted me to enlist 
 in his company, saying that Van Dorn had issued 
 orders for the army to concentrate, and that before 
 three days the Yankees would be swept from the 
 face of the earth. I told him it was impossible for 
 us to enlist before we saw our uncle. 
 
 " He kept us so long I began to get uneasy and 
 was inventing some excuse to get away when to my 
 consternation, another party numbering about thirty 
 came up. They were commanded by a big brutal 
 
A RACE FOE LIFE 325 
 
 lieutenant by the name of Peters. He saluted Bos- 
 tick with a ' Hello, Captain, better get to your regi- 
 ment ; there is fun ahead. Van Dorn means 
 business! ' 
 
 " Then noticing us he asked who we were. Bos- 
 tick explained, and said he had been trying to get us 
 to enlist, but we had refused. 
 
 " ' Make them enlist,' roared Peters. ' Here, boys, 
 you git in my company, and that quick,' he said 
 with an oath. ' I will make soldiers out of you.' 
 
 " This drew the attention of the whole company 
 to us. One of them rode up and looked me squarely 
 in the face. My heart stood still for it was Dickey 
 Holbrook. I knew my time had come. 
 
 " * Hello. Guil — ' He never said more. As quick 
 as a flash I drew my pistol and shot him dead. 
 
 " Of course all was pandemonium. I expected, 
 and it was what I wished, that the soldiers would 
 kill Harry and me at once. But they did n't. I 
 think they were too surprised at what had happened. 
 Then they demanded why I had killed Dickey Hol- 
 brook. 
 
 " I told them he had wronged my sister up in Mis- 
 souri. The story of going to my uncle was a sub- 
 terfuge. I had followed Holbrook with the inten- 
 tion of killing him on sight. I had done so. 
 
 " Then things broke loose again. I was de- 
 nounced as a liar, and some wanted to hang me right 
 
326 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 away; and others were for looking into my story, 
 and finding whether true or false. 
 
 " The argument grew warmer and the wrangling 
 lasted for some time. Then it was that Lieutenant 
 Pelham of Bostick's company spoke up. He told 
 them he believed I was a liar, but in his opinion they 
 had drawn a prize and not to hang us, but take us 
 to General Price ; and pointing to me said he believed 
 I was Guilford Craig, the notorious traitor and spy, 
 on whose head a big price was set. 
 
 " But the men would not hear it, it was only a 
 trick to get me away, and there came nearly being a 
 fight between Bostick's men and Peters' command. 
 At last Bostick gave in and told Peters to do as he 
 pleased. It was this wrangling that saved our lives, 
 and gave you time to get to us." 
 
 "But Bruno, where does he come in?" asked 
 Lawrence. 
 
 " Let Harry tell, that is his part," answered 
 Morris. 
 
 " I gave Bruno orders." said Harry, " to keep 
 near us, but not to come to us unless called. You 
 know how faithfully he obeys. When Morris shot 
 that fellow I thought it was all up with us, but I 
 had presence of mind to whistle for Bruno. He 
 was hiding near the mouth of the gorge and came 
 bounding to me. When near enough to hear I 
 shouted * Back, Bruno, back ! Home quick ! ' 
 
A HACK FOU LIFE 327 
 
 " He understood, and turned and was away like 
 a shot. Owing to the excitement over the shooting 
 of Holbrook I think the dog was hardly noticed. 
 Bruno did his work well. I hardly know yet how 
 he could have brought you so quickly." 
 
 " He must have gone through that gorge through 
 which we retreated," said Morris. " But how did 
 he know it was the short route ? It w^as not the way 
 we came." 
 
 " It was the way he brought us," said Lawrence. 
 " Come here, Bruno, old fellow, and tell us how you 
 know so much." 
 
 The dog came and laid his head on Lawrence's 
 knee, but he limped as he came. Lawrence gently 
 raised the foot, which had been cruelly cut. 
 
 " Look ! " said Lawrence. " He must have cut 
 his foot in his mad race. Poor Bruno! " 
 
 But Bruno did not look as if he needed pity, in- 
 stead he gave a bark of delight, and then went to 
 sleep with Lawrence patting his head. 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 PEA RIDGE 
 
 THE Army of the Southwest had fought its 
 way from Rolla to Pea Ridge, a distance of 
 two hundred and forty miles. It had fol- 
 lowed Price all these miles hoping to force him to 
 give battle; but now he was well out of the State, 
 and his army still intact. Not only this but the 
 quarrels between him and McCulloch were to cease, 
 for a new commander had been appointed over both, 
 one that both willingly obeyed. 
 
 To the combined armies of Price and McCulloch 
 was to be added the amiy of General Albert Pike 
 consisting of two regiments of Texas cavalry, and 
 a horde of Indians. It looked as if Curtis had been 
 lured all of these miles from his base, only to be 
 destroyed by an overwhelming force of the enemy. 
 
 Curtis had been promised a reinforcement of five 
 thousand men from the Department of Kansas, but 
 General Hunter became involved in a quarrel with 
 General Jim Lane, and the men were never sent. 
 Curtis now only had his own little army to depend 
 on; there was no hope of any aid. As Lyon was left 
 
 328 
 
PEA niDGE 329 
 
 on his own resources at Wilson Creek, so now was 
 Curtis left at Pea Ridge. 
 
 The position of the amiy was a most perilous 
 one. Not only was it confronted by a vastly superior 
 force, but it had mostly to depend for sustenance on 
 a thinly populated country, a country that had al- 
 ready fed AlcCulloch's army for months. 
 
 For the army to be defeated meant annihilation; 
 but General Curtis never faltered, the hearts of his 
 soldiers never grew faint. They had not followed 
 Price all these months to retreat without giving 
 battle. For months they had longed for the oppor- 
 tunity now presented; the enemy was before them, 
 they would win or perish. 
 
 To Lawrence General Curtis gave his warmest 
 thanks for the important service he had rendered, 
 but when Lawrence informed him it was to Morris, 
 now known under his true name of Guilford Craig, 
 that he was indebted more than to him, the general 
 was astonished. 
 
 " So you are Guilford Craig," he said taking him 
 by the hand. " I am glad to meet you and to know 
 you. I have heard of the great service you rendered 
 Blair and Lyon, and have often wondered what had 
 become of you. More than once I have wished I 
 had you with me and here I have had you all the 
 time. I now understand why Captain Middleton 
 has been so successful in giving me information." 
 
330 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EID6E 
 
 " Captain," he said turning to Lawrence, " I want 
 you to take this praise to yourself also. Hereafter 
 I want your troop to act as my body guard, and also 
 do the scouting and secret work." 
 
 " General, you do nie too much honor," replied 
 Lawrence, " but what I can do, that will I do right 
 willingly." 
 
 General Curtis lost no time in preparing for the 
 coming battle. He selected a strong position on 
 Sugar Creek which he fortified. Lawrence was or- 
 dered to scout well in front, so as to give the earliest 
 information of the advance of the enemy. 
 
 When Lawrence was ready to go on the scout, to 
 his surprise Guilford said he was not going. Since 
 it had become known that he was Guilford Craig a 
 great change had come over him; he was silent and 
 morose and seemed to take no interest in anything 
 that was going on. Lawrence thought it best not to 
 press him for his reason in acting as he did, and 
 went on the scout without him. 
 
 On the evening of the fifth, Lawrence came in 
 with the word that Van Dorn was rapidly advanc- 
 ing, and that a battle could not be delayed more 
 than a day or two. 
 
 After Lawrence had made his report he went to 
 hunt up Guilford. He found him sitting alone in 
 his tent, silent and brooding. 
 
 " There is going to be a big battle," said Law- 
 
PKA TilDGK 331 
 
 rence. " It will be fought wiihin the next day or 
 two." 
 
 " I know it," replied Guilford. " That is what 
 kept me. When you went on your scout I had fully 
 made up my mind not to be here when you came 
 back, but, Lawrence, I could not leave you that way. 
 I will stay until after the battle, and then, if I do 
 not fall, you and I must part." 
 
 Lawrence tenderly placed his hand on his shoul- 
 der saying in a voice trembling with emotion, 
 " Guilford, you and I have worked together for a 
 long time. I do not see how I can give you up. I 
 have no brother, you have become one to me. Will 
 you not confide in me and tell me what is troubling 
 you? " 
 
 Guilford remained silent for a moment, then said, 
 " Yes, I will tell you ; it is your due, and it will be 
 for the best. You know when I left my father's 
 house, it was with the full intention that the name of 
 Guilford Craig should be dead and buried. In a 
 weak moment I consented to come with you, for I 
 loved you. You were the only link which bound me 
 to the past. You promised to shield my identity, 
 and you have kept that promise. 
 
 " Through no fault of yours, it has become known 
 who I am. This army knows ; the soldiers stare at 
 me and gather around the tent to try and catch a 
 glimpse of me. I hear them talking of the fellow 
 
332 TEE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 who fooled Frost, Price and Jackson. Before this 
 time Price knows I am with Curtis; Benton knows 
 it and before long my father will know it and curse 
 me anew. 
 
 " After this battle, if I survive, Charles Morris 
 will disappear as completely as I hoped Guilford 
 Craig would. No one, not even you, will know 
 where I am or what name I bear. Do n't try to per- 
 suade me differently, Lawrence, my friend, for it 
 wall do no good, and only make it harder for me to 
 
 go- 
 Lawrence was deeply moved. " Guilford, I will 
 not try to detain you," he answered huskily, " but 
 to have you lost, buried as it were, not to know 
 whether you are living or dead — it 's terrible. 
 Promise me that in the years to come, if we are both 
 living, you will let me know." 
 
 " I cannot promise," replied Guilford sadly, 
 " Better leave it as it is. Forget me." 
 
 " I never can forget you, Guilford. If you must 
 go, all I can say is, may God go with you." 
 
 There in the darkness, with the clouds of the com- 
 ing battle hanging over them they clasped hands, 
 each too full of remembrances of the past to say 
 more. 
 
 Sigel's division occupied an advance position near 
 Bentonville, some twelve miles in front of the main 
 army. When it became known that Van Dorn was 
 
PEA lilDGE 333 
 
 advancing, Curtis seni word to Sigel to move that 
 night at eleven and fall back to tlie main army. 
 
 But Sigel was always slow to obey orders and 
 liked to have his own way, and fight as independ- 
 ently as possible. So instead of moving at eleven he 
 did not move until two o'clock in the morning, and 
 then stopped with six hundred of his men in 
 Bentonville. 
 
 During the forenoon the enemy swarmed into 
 Bentonville by the thousands. Sigel now com- 
 menced one of his masterly retreats. Sometimes it 
 looked as if Sigel put himself in a perilous position 
 just to show how skilful he was in conducting a re- 
 treat. He certainly conducted this one with the 
 skill of a master. Although beset by five times his 
 number, he kept the enemy at bay, and slowly made 
 his way toward the Union lines. 
 
 The sound of the conflict alarmed General Cur- 
 tis and he sent a division to Sigel's relief. The 
 division met Sigel nearly four miles from camp, 
 fighting bravely but nearly surrounded. \\'hen the 
 Confederates saw reinforcements had come, they 
 sullenly fell back, and Sigel was left to continue his 
 march in peace. He came in, took his place in line, 
 and Curtis now had his whole anny in hand for the 
 coming battle. 
 
 General Curtis's position was strong; his men 
 eager for the fight, and he was confident that he 
 
334 TEE SCOUT OF FEA BTDGE 
 
 could hold his own in spite of the force that Van 
 Dorn was bringing against him. But during the 
 night Lawrence brought startling tidings to the gen- 
 eral. It was that Van Dorn, leaving his camp fires 
 burning to deceive them, had divided his force. Mc- 
 Culloch and Pike were marching around to attack 
 the right wing on flank and in rear; while Price with 
 his Missourians was taking a road that would bring 
 him squarely in the rear of the left wing. 
 
 Curtis could hardly believe the report; if true all 
 his preparations for the battle had been in vain. 
 The position which he had chosen with so much care 
 would have to be given up. He could only hope that 
 the report was not true, btit when morning came his 
 worst fears were realized. 
 
 The army was promptly about-faced and a posi- 
 tion some distance in rear of the first was taken. 
 Hardly was the new alignment made when the storm 
 burst. 
 
 The battle opened on what was now the left of 
 the army, by Osterhaus sending out a force of five 
 hundred cavalry and a flying battery of three guns 
 to try to locate the position of the enemy. This 
 force suddenly ran on two regiments of Texas cav- 
 alry and three regiments of Indians of Pike's com- 
 mand. The Texans charged, scattered the cavalry 
 and captured the gims. 
 
 The Indians went wild. They rushed to the can- 
 
PEA BIDGE 335 
 
 non, clambering over them, riding around ihem, 
 yelling and whooping and brandishing their arms. 
 All discipline was lost; orders could not be heard. 
 In the midst of this rejoicing two shells from a 
 Union battery fell in their midst. The effect was 
 not only remarkable, but ludicrous. Shrieking with 
 terror, the Indians fled back into the woods and from 
 that time were of no more use in the battle than an 
 army of women with brooms. 
 
 McCulloch's army was composed of what might 
 be called veteran troops. They had been drilled for 
 months, and great things were expected of them. 
 Again and again were they hurled against the divis- 
 ion of Davis and Osterhaus only to be sent reeling 
 back, bleeding and torn. Both McCulloch and Mc- 
 intosh, the second in command, were killed, and the 
 third in command, Colonel Herbert, taken prisoner. 
 This left General Albert Pike in command, and he 
 was worse than no commander. In fact it appears 
 he was never nearer to the battlefield than where the 
 flying batter}^ had been taken. 
 
 Without officers McCulloch's army fell back in 
 confusion and fled from the field. So great was the 
 panic that of the thousands in McCulloch's and 
 Pike's army, only three thousand could be rallied 
 when night came. 
 
 The battle in this part of the field was practically 
 over by three o'clock ; but on the right it raged with 
 
336 TEE SCOUT OF PEA RIDGE 
 
 fury. Here the Missourians under Price struck 
 Carr's division and they fought with the greatest 
 courage and gallantry. Carr was pressed back until 
 he had lost over half a mile of ground, and he sent 
 to Curtis saying he must have reinforcement, or he 
 would be compelled to leave the field. 
 
 The general had but few to send. He turned to 
 Lawrence, "Will you go with your Scouts?" he 
 asked. 
 
 " I will," replied Lawrence. As he rode away the 
 general shouted after him, " Tell Carr to persevere, 
 and I will send reinforcements as soon as possible." 
 
 Lawrence gave the message to Carr, and then 
 plunged into the thickest of the fight. Carr did per- 
 severe and after one-fourth of his men had fallen, 
 reinforcements came, and the field was saved. 
 
 Night came and the weary soldiers sank down 
 where they had fought. General Curtis was full of 
 hope. The Confederate left had been crushed, and 
 although Price had gained ground, he believed the 
 force of his attack had been spent, and that victory 
 awaited the Union forces in the morning. 
 
 All the Union officers did not feel so, however. 
 General Asboth wrote to Curtis as late as two o'clock 
 in the morning, advising him to mass his forces and 
 cut his way through the Confederate army, and thus 
 save as many of his own army as possible. It was 
 advice that was never followed. The soldiers were 
 
PEA KIDGE 337 
 
 as full of fight as ever and anxiously awaited the 
 coming of another day. 
 
 During the night and morning General Curtis 
 brought over the divisions of Sigel and Asboth from 
 the left; and when all was ready the entire army 
 moved forward. The advance was irresistible; 
 nothing could stay the ardor of the Union troops. 
 Over hill, through valley and up mountain side they 
 rushed. 
 
 By eleven o'clock the field was won, and the Con- 
 federate army was in utter rout. They fled in every 
 direction and did not stop until they were forty 
 miles away. 
 
 So great was the demoralization that one regi- 
 ment of fi\'e hundred men. threw their arms in a 
 ravine and then each man lit out for himself. These 
 arms were afterwards found by the Union cavalry. 
 So great a victory over so superior force was sel- 
 dom achieved during the war.* 
 
 The gallant Army of the Southwest had met and 
 
 *For the number engaged the battle of Pea Ridge was not 
 nearly as bloody as most of the great battles of the war. 
 General Curtis fought the battle with a force of 10,000 men, 
 and of these he lost nearly 1,400. or about 14 per cent. Gen- 
 eral Carr's and General Jeff. C. Davis's divisions suffered the 
 most. A few regiments sustained heavy losses. The Ninth 
 Iowa lost 218; the Fourth Iowa 164; the Thirty-Seventh 
 Illinois 137; and the Thirty-Fifth Illinois 113. 
 
 The exact strength and loss of the Confederate army will 
 never be known. In all probability Van Dorn had nearly or 
 quite 25,000 men at or near the battle ; but thousands of these 
 
338 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 conquered their foe. Wilson Creek and Lexington 
 were at last avenged. 
 
 During this battle the Scouts added to their lau- 
 rels. In the pursuit of the fleeing army they were 
 foremost; especially did Guilford Craig distinguish 
 himself. He appeared devoid of fear and at times 
 actually seemed to court death. 
 
 At one time during the pursuit a company of Con- 
 federates under a gallant officer made a most deter- 
 mined stand. Lawrence charged them, and in the 
 melee he came face to face with the officer in com- 
 mand. To his surprise it was Randolph Hamilton. 
 Listead of engaging in mortal combat, both raised 
 their swords in salute and parted. 
 
 Just then Benton Shelley at the head of a com- 
 pany came charging down, and the Scouts were 
 forced back. The charge brought Benton face to 
 face with Guilford. When he recognized him a look 
 of hate and of triumph came over his face, and he 
 dashed at him revolver in hand. 
 
 men, especially the Indians, proved absolutely worthless in 
 the fight. 
 
 Van Dorn made two reports. In his first report he says he 
 took 16,000 men into the fight, and lost from 800 to 1,000, in 
 killed and wounded. In his second report, made a few days 
 after the first, he says he fought the battle with 14,000 and 
 that his loss was only 600 killed and wounded. It seems 
 incredible that an army of 14,000 men would flee in utter rout 
 from a battlefield in which they had suffered a loss of only 
 six hundred. The Southern soldiers were not made of such 
 material. 
 
Benton Kred, aiming squarely at his breast. " At last, traitor- 
 at last!" he said 
 
PEA BIDGE 339 
 
 Every chamber in Guilford's revolver was empty, 
 but he disdained to tly from his enemy and prepared 
 to meet him sword in hand. Wlien within a few 
 feet of Guilford, Benton fired, aiming squarely at 
 his breast. 
 
 "At last, traitor! At last! " he cried. 
 
 Guilford's sword fell from his hand; he sank 
 down in his saddle, then slowly fell forward and 
 rolled from his horse. 
 
 But the Scouts had been reinforced, and the Con- 
 federates were put to flight. Lawrence did not 
 know that Guilford had fallen and kept up the pur- 
 suit, until night. 
 
 On his return the news of Guilford's death was to 
 him like receiving the stab of a sword. The next 
 morning early he went to look for the body, but it 
 could not be found. 
 
 With the hope that after all Guilford might 
 have been wounded and not killed, Lawrence began a 
 search of the hospitals, but not a trace of him 
 was discovered. 
 
 As Guilford was not in uniform, it was thought 
 that he might have been buried as a Confederate and 
 was resting in an unknown grave. 
 
 All believed this except Lawrence. He still in- 
 dulged in a faint hope that Guilford might not be 
 dead, but when one of his company told him that he 
 saw Guilford after he was shot, and that he was 
 
 ^ 
 
340 THE SCOUT OF PEA EIDGE 
 
 lying on the ground, inert and motionless, his breast 
 covered with blood, and as dead as any man he ever 
 saw, even Lawrence had to give up and mourn him 
 as dead. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 AFTER THE BATTLE 
 
 ALTHOUGH Lawrence's search for Guilford 
 among the wounded was without resuU, he 
 met with a pleasant surprise. In a Confed- 
 erate hospital, where many of the more severely 
 wounded had heen left, he thought he saw a familiar 
 figure. As he came nearer he saw he was not 
 mistaken. 
 
 " Doctor Goodnow, as I live," he cried, rushing 
 forward with extended hand. " I am glad to see 
 you." 
 
 The doctor straightened up from the wounded 
 man over whom he was bending, a smile came over 
 his good-natured face, but he exclaimed roughly, 
 " Glad to see me, eh ? Well, I 'm not glad to see 
 you. I am here against my own free will and 
 volition." 
 
 This, however, did not prevent the doctor from 
 grasping Lawrence's hand and nearly wringing it 
 off. When the doctor had sufficient leisure. Law- 
 rence introduced him to the officers of the army and 
 told the story of how he had defended his father 
 
 341 
 
342 TEE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 and himself from a Missouri mob, and he was re- 
 ceived with open arms. His droll manner, even his 
 rough speech, made him a favorite, and when at the 
 end of two weeks he was exchanged, it was with sin- 
 cere regrets that they saw him go. 
 
 The battle of Pea Ridge brought great changes to 
 both armies. It ended for nearly two years the ef- 
 forts of General Price to wrest Missouri from the 
 hands of the Federals. Price was appointed a 
 major general in the Confederate army ; but in spile 
 of his frantic appeals, of all the thousands who had 
 rallied to his standard, but six thousand could be in- 
 duced to enter the Confederate service. The rest 
 preferred to stay at home and become guerrillas, 
 bushwhackers or independent rangers. 
 
 The six thousand who did enlist were the flower 
 of Price's amiy. Believing in the righteousness of 
 the cause for which they fought, but scorning to be- 
 come guerillas or bushwhackers, they entered the 
 regular Confederate service, and well and bravely 
 did they serve. 
 
 The Missouri brigade was soon removed east of 
 the Mississippi, and there its flags floated on many 
 a bloody field among the bravest of the brave. No 
 troops in the Confederate service gave up more, sac- 
 rificed more, than that lone Missouri brigade. Far 
 from home, knowing that their State was being 
 devastated by friend and foe alike, they remained 
 
AFTER THE BATTLE 34S 
 
 true to the last, and it was not until the last hope 
 was gone, and the last shot fired that they grounded 
 arms. 
 
 The remnant of the brigade returned to ruined 
 fields and wrecked homes. But with hearts as brave 
 as when they met tlieir foes, they went to work to 
 build up the waste places. Those who had been their 
 foes became their friends, and hand in hand they 
 worked, making of ]\Iissouri one of the great States 
 of the Union. 
 
 Great as the changes were that the battle of Pea 
 Ridge brought to the Confederate army, it WTOUght 
 fully as great in the Federal army. 
 
 The Scouts, which Lawrence commanded, had 
 been acting as State troops under a commission by 
 Fremont. Those of the band who had been regu- 
 lar enlisted soldiers w^ere ordered back to their regi- 
 ments, and the " Lyon's Scouts " like Fremont's 
 famous body guard, became a thing of the past. 
 Lawrence did not try to reorganize the Scouts, his 
 heart was too sad over the loss of Guilford. He felt 
 that without him, he could never make another com- 
 pany become what the old one was. 
 
 Harry Semans and Bruno returned to Missouri, 
 and in the guerilla warfare which still continued to 
 curse the State and which grew more bitter with the 
 years, we may hear of them again. 
 
 Dan Sheniian refused to leave Lawrence. 
 
344 THE SCOUT OF PEA BIDGE 
 
 " Where you go, there will I go/' he said, and Law- 
 rence was glad, for with Dan gone it would seem 
 to him that everything connecting him with the past 
 was gone. 
 
 Lawrence, too, was transferred to other fields, 
 and in the great campaigns which resulted in the 
 opening of the Mississippi, he bore a most honorable 
 part. 
 
 The End 
 
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