Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/257

A RECONNAISSANCE easily guessed at in the gloom. All else was sheer luck and audacity. I was within five feet of the fellow before he even saw me, and the ludicrous manner in which he leaped backward, clawing for the revolver in his belt almost caused me to laugh outright. Yet, before he could draw the weapon, I asked hurriedly,

"Is this Captain Dodd?"

"N—no; I am an officer of Johnston's staff," peering forward in a vain endeavor to decipher my face. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"I have been sent forward by Captain Theilen. He wants to know where he is to bring his men."

The Lieutenant stiffened up, the slight faltering of his voice vanished in an effort at command.

"Oh, I see. Well, I am technically in command here, being of the regular service. Where is Theilen?"

"Back yonder on the creek; he's waitin' for orders, an' a guide."

"Well, hurry back and bring him up—you know the way, don't you?"

I stared off into the black night, as though it hid a thousand mysteries.

"Well, I don't exactly know," I confessed unwillingly. "I got here all right because the firing from the house sorter guided me; but them weeds is mighty confusin', an' I reckon it will take me a right smart while to find my way back again. You could n't go along, could you?"

There was nothing in the request to arouse suspicion, yet he hesitated, apparently at first inclined to refuse, perhaps considering such a service beneath his dignity. [ 243 ]