CHAPTER III.
_The Proposal—The Interruption—The Indian —The Rescue—The Wounded Man—The Mystery._
NEAR the village of Ozark, at the base of a ridge of mountains of thatname, runs a most beautiful stream or river, which bears the name of thevillage, and is one of the tributaries of the north fork of theGasconade. Its banks are high, and covered with a thick but small growthof the “scrub” oak, peculiar to that portion of Missouri. The bed of theriver sparkles with brilliant white and yellow pebbles, polished by therush of waters for thousands of years. A fine bridge spans the streamalong the main road, that runs through the only opening in the forestfor miles around. After crossing this bridge, and ascending a sharphill, the village of Ozark is reached. This consists of about twentyordinary-looking dwellings, a court-house, and a rough building,dignified by the name hotel. Beyond the village, and higher up themountain, is a line of rolling hills, which overlook the country formiles around. On one of these, and near the edge of a grove, were to beseen a cluster of tents, and, from the number of horses picketed but ashort distance away, it would at once be supposed, from a distance, tobe a cavalry camp, with, perhaps, a section of artillery.
On a sloping point, extending from the side of the bridge to the stream,and reclining upon the turf, were two persons. The one a young man ofmarked appearance, and the other a female of much beauty, although herdress bespoke her a native of that portion of the country.
“Nettie, when do you expect your sister to return?”
“It is difficult to answer, Charles, but I trust very soon.”
“Have you not heard from her recently?”
“No. There is no way in which she can communicate with me. The mailshave been discontinued, you are aware, from Rolla to Springfield.”
“If you can _visit_ the army, I presume you can both dispatch andreceive letters. Are you not very anxious to learn how she is treatedamong the Federals?”
“I am most anxious; still I have no fears.”
“I can not feel as you do upon that subject. I would not awaken uselessfears in your breast, but _I_ have not so much confidence in theirmagnanimous natures.”
“Charles, you told me to-day for the first time, that you loved me, andasked me if I could not address you as _dear_ Charles. You have beenvery kind to me, and, on one occasion, you rescued me from the hands ofa villain. I feel grateful—truly so. But, whatever my feelings may be, Inever can wed my country’s enemy. Look yonder. You see that whitecottage. Once it was beautifully adorned with creeping vines, and thelawn before it bloomed with flowers and shrubbery. But, dearer than all,within its walls lived my father and my sister. Look at it now! Itsbeauty has departed—it is a _wreck_; father and sister have been drivenfrom it, while I have been detained here by _force_. You profess to loveme. If you do so, _prove it_! We are now more than a mile from the rebelcamp, and you can escape with me to Springfield.”
“I will assist _you_ to escape; indeed, I will accompany you a portionof the way to Springfield. But _I_ must return to my own people andfight with them to the last. I _do_ love you, and I _would_ become yourhusband, gladly, if I could be satisfied you loved me for myself alone.But, I can not sacrifice one jot of honor or principle to win even you,dear Nettie.”
“And you will go with me, now?”
“Yes—stay, what is that? Did you not hear a low, moaning sound?”
“I heard nothing.”
“Well, perhaps I am mistaken. But I fancied I heard such a sound. Nomatter. I will go with you now to Springfield.”
“To what purpose, young man?”
The speaker was a powerful person, and had emerged from the bridge justin time to hear the last sentence of Charles Campbell.
“So, sir,” he continued, “you would desert us, and join the Yankees, andall for your foolish regard for this vixen!”
“Colonel Price, if you were not an officer I would make you _eat_ yourwords. I have served you faithfully, and you have no right to questionmy loyalty. I do _not_ intend to desert, neither is this lady a _vixen_any more than you are a _coward_.”
Price started, bit his lips, and frowned fiercely. At length he asked:
“Why did you propose visiting Springfield with this——lady?”
“I intended to accompany her a portion of the way, and then to return tomy duty.”
“Why does _she_ wish to visit Springfield?”
“Because her father and sister are both in St. Louis, and she wishes torejoin them.”
“Did not yonder cottage belong to her father?”
“It did.”
“He was one of the most bitter opposers in this section. And you lovehis abolition daughter?”
“I love his _daughter_, sir!”
“Enough. You will return to camp this moment. I will take charge of thisyoung lady. When I rejoin you, I shall put your loyalty and your_courage_ to the test. Do you see yonder boat?”
He pointed up the river. A small boat was seen floating down the stream,in which three men were sitting erect, and the form of a fourth, lyingprostrate.
“How do you propose testing my loyalty, Colonel Price?”
“That boat contains a Yankee officer. He is to be hung up by the neck.You shall perform the job.”
“Is not that man _wounded_, Colonel Price?”
“Yes, very badly so, I am informed.”
“_Then I will not perform the base thing you propose._”
Price drew a revolver, and pointing it to the head of Campbell,commanded him to start at once for camp. He had scarcely done so, when apowerful Indian sprung from concealment, and snatched the weapon fromhis hand. At the same time he seized Price, as if he had been a child,and hurled him into the water below. Without waiting to watch the resultof this sudden immersion upon the chivalrous colonel, he caught themaiden in his arms, and bounded off in the direction of Springfield. Ashe started, he beckoned to the young man and muttered:
“Come—follow—me save her!”
Price floundered about in the water for a moment, and finally succeededin reaching the shore just as the boat came up.
“Come—quick—join me in the pursuit!” yelled Price.
The three men leaped upon the bank, and, at the command of Price, alldischarged their pieces after the retreating Indian, but without effect.Pursuit was then ordered, but Price, observing that Campbell did notfollow, turned and asked:
“Are _you_ not coming, sir?”
“No!” was the prompt reply.
Price felt for his revolver, but finding it gone, he only muttered,“Curse you,” and then commenced the pursuit. For over a mile it was keptup. The pursuers gained upon the Indian, who was considerably obstructedin his flight by the weight of the female. At last Price exclaimed:
“By the eternal, there come the Yankees!”
Sure enough, just appearing in view upon an elevated point a littlebeyond, was seen a squadron of cavalry, and a section of flyingartillery rapidly advancing.
“To the hill! Give the signal for our guns—to the bridge—secure theprisoner in the boat!”
These commands were given by Price, as he commenced a rapid retreattoward the bridge. Pausing on the hill just before reaching it, heunfurled a small flag and made a signal. In an instant all was astir inthe rebel camp, and artillery and cavalry soon came dashing down thehill.
“Where is the prisoner?” yelled Price, as he came to the bridge.
“Perhaps the young man you left here has taken him to camp.”
“But the boat is gone! However, there is no time to be lost, now. Theyare upon us! Quick!”
Colonel Price started for the opposite end of the bridge, followed byhis three confederates. The rebel troops were still some distance fromthat end of the bridge nearest their camp, which it was evident theyintended reaching, if possible, in order to sweep the narrow passage, ifthe Union forces attempted to cross. The Federals, however, were thefirst to gain that point. But, h
ad a crossing been effected, as soon asthey reached the opposite side they would have been exposed to the mostgalling fire of the enemy, as there was a large space of flat, swampyground in front; and then a sharp bluff, upon which the rebel artillerywould, in such a case, be planted. The commander of the Federals,observing this situation at a glance, ordered a halt, and brought hissection of artillery into position. One piece was placed so as toenfilade the bridge, and the other upon a little rise of ground, in aposition where it could sweep their lines beyond. The rebels observingthis, threw forward two guns, amid a deadly fire from the Unionists, andsucceeded in taking a position upon the opposite end of the bridge.Several rounds of grape were hurled back and forth, but as the cover wasgood, but little damage was done. The cavalry attempted a crossing, butthe thick growth of oaks prevented. A charge was about to be orderedacross the bridge, when an explosion took place, and it was shattered tofragments. Taking advantage of this, the rebels made a rapid flight. Aspursuit was useless, the command was given to fall back to Springfield.
The Indian we have spoken of now approached the commander, leading thetrembling woman, and said:
“Me save—you save—white squaw!”
“Do you require my protection?” asked the commander.
Nettie told her story in an artless manner, of which the reader hasgleaned all necessary particulars. She was kindly provided for, and soonreached Springfield in perfect safety.
Soon after the arrival, a soldier came to the tent of the commandingofficer, presenting a bit of paper.
“Colonel, I picked up this scrap near the bridge, but did not look at ituntil this moment. It may be of importance.”
The colonel took the paper and read aloud:
“A suspicion of my fidelity to the Confederate cause has crossed themind of my commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Price, simplybecause I consented to assist Miss Nettie Morton to reach Springfield,from which point she might be able to rejoin her friends, who formerlyresided in Ozark, but are now in St. Louis. I was condemned, inconsequence, to be the executioner of a _wounded_ Federal officer. Atthis cowardly act my whole nature revolted. Chance has favored me, and Ihave determined to save him. In what manner I can not here write,fearing this paper should fall into Confederate hands, and my plans bethus interrupted. I can not learn who he is. I asked his name, and Ihave some reason to believe that Miss Morton may throw some light uponthe subject, as the only words he spoke were ‘Net—murdered—sister—.’ Hebore the rank of captain.
CHARLES CAMPBELL.”
The colonel turned toward Miss Morton, who was seated in his tent, andasked:
“Do you feel any _especial_ interest in any Union officer now with us?”
Miss Morton hung her head and blushed.
“Do not fear to speak, and frankly, too, Miss Morton. Perhaps thewelfare of one you love—perhaps his safety, may depend upon your candidconfession.”
“I—I—”
“Have you ever _met_ one of our officers?”
“But once. And then I only passed the evening in his society. He waskind, but he has forgotten me!”
“It is enough, you love him. But the short time he was with you couldscarcely have made an impression so deep that he would mutter your namein his delirium. And yet, the wounded man was near your residence. Andhe exclaimed ‘Net—’. Your name is Nettie, is it not?”
“It is.”
“And what is the name of him you refer to?”
“Captain HARRY HAYWARD!”
The officer was visibly affected. “‘Nettie.’ ‘Net—.’ ‘Nettleton!’‘_Murdered._’ ‘Sister.’ It is very strange. Harry Hayward’s body was notfound, but he was assassinated. Ah, I begin to fathom the mystery.” Hemurmured all this in words not audible to the astonished Miss Morton,and left the tent slowly, as if oppressed with the weight of a momentousthought.