Chapter XX - The Meeting Of Friends

Mara uttered a low cry at the scout's startling announcement.

"Cannot we go some other way and thus escape them?" she asked, tremulously.

"Not without turning back," replied the Wizard Scout, "and that would cost us hours of valuable time without throwing them off our track. No; 1 see no better course for us than to keep on. Ha! 1 have a plan.

Landaff, whose countenance had brightened at the sound of the approaching horseman, turned to his captor with a look of surprise.
" I should like to know what all this means, old man," he exclaimed, speaking for the first time.

"Hey," said the scout, "ye see my darter and I hev been turned outen house and home by 'em cursed grays. We ain't got no whar to lay an ear. So ye see we kem over the mountins to go to my t'other darter's. Ann Mayhesters. Mebbe ye know her. She's a rebel. So's my darter, Mollie, here. Their ma was a Southern woman. I am a Union man twenty-four hours every day and not afeerd o' Stonewall Jackson au' all his army. Mebbe my mulishness got us inter this difficulty. 'Tain't fer myself I keer. It's the gal."

" But ye're trapped at last, old man," retorted the Confederate, smiling triumphantly.

" I'm not so sure o' thet."

"But those troops coming beyond no doubt belong to Johnston's forces. Hark! they will soon be here. You had better free me, old man. It is for your interest."

" That's just what I'm going to do. But afore I set in I'm going to lay down a bit a law. Ye see thet shooter, man; it is loaded to kill. An' the lead it carries is fer you unless you do just as I tell you. I don't look like a man who eats his words, do I? Wal, I'm goin' to set you free. Then I want you to ride forward with us just as if you were doing it willingly. If the party are a Northern squad, I'll make it all right with them. If they are grays, as I expect, you are to tell them that you are escorting the gal and I to our relative's in Macon, an' that we are true blue—I mean in this case gray. Remember I shall watch your every movement and if you dare to betray me by word or sign I'll shoot you at the moment. My hand will be on this weapon all of the time. Do you understand?"

The man winced but did not offer to speak.

" To prove to you that I will do as I say, I will tell you that I am Old Fatality, the Wizard Scout!"

A groan from the other told that the mention of that dreaded name was not without its effect.

By this time the clatter of horses' hoofs was near at hand, and without further delay the scout freed the captive.

" Don't forget my warning!" he hissed in the trembling wretch's ear.

''Come, ride forward and do as I have told you to the letter."

Without daring to disobey, while hoping that fortune would turn in his favor, the Confederate rode ahead a little in advance of his captor, whose eagle eyes never for an instant left him.

Mara followed a little behind them.

By this time the oncoming cavalcade was near at hand, and a minute later it dashed into sight.

We need not say that they were an anxious trio, though outwardly the Wizard Scout appeared as calm as if expecting to meet friends.

As the horsemen drew nearer his countenance lightened and then he said, half aloud: " It is he! we are saved."

Mara heard the words and she supplemented them with a cry of joy.

At the head of the approaching squad she recognized the form of her lover, Cavalry Curt!

He seemed scarcely less surprised than they and his pleasure was as great.

"You have escaped in safety, "she said, as he clasped Mara's hand.
"Yes; though it has been a fearful ordeal."

"Well, have courage now, for the worst of your journey is over I think. You are going to your relatives to stop I suppose?"

"Yes; poor grandpa is no more. And Harry! can you tell me ought of him?"

" Only that he was alive and well yesterday. Please bear no unnecessary alarm on his account. And as you shall lose little in distance we will keep you company ten miles or so on your journey."

Mara murmured her thanks.

"Whom have you here," asked Curt of the Wizard Scout, pointing to Landaff.

" One of our gray coat friends," replied the other. " And as he seems a little uneasy, mebbe we had better secure him."

Landaff had waited for an opportunity to escape but his captor had been too vigilant for him to make the venture.

In a few minutes the united parties were moving on their journey.

Curt rode beside Mara to give her a succinct account of his escape from Dalton and the succeeding events, while she told of all which had befallen her, and in an unguarded moment dropped a word which apprized him as to who his rescuer had been.

" So you risked your life for me," he said, tenderly. " How can I pay you for all you have done?"

" I feel amply paid to know that you are safe."

The naive confession sent a thrill of joy to his heart.

But the time had come for them to part again and he held her hand which trembled in his while he saw the tear-drops glisten in her eyes. He knew there were several in his own.

" Have courage, dearest," he whispered. " The war will soon be over and then I will come to you, loving and trusting."

She tried to speak in vain, but when his lips pressed hers they felt the thrill of love's sweet kiss.

"Till we meet again, darling, be of good cheer."

"Be careful of yourself, for my sake; and remember me to Harry,"

[Kind readers we will bid you adieu for a short time, when we will continue this thrilling story under the title of " Under Two Flags," and will follow the fortunes of all the characters through the various scenes through which they passed. The sequel to " Cavalry Curt " will be as interesting and as full of adventure as this has been. Harry Morland, Cavalry Curt, Mara and the Wizard Scout will be followed to the end of the war. Don't fail to buy this; you will be well pleased with the ending.—ED.]
THE END.

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