"I strove nobly for my liberty; but the perverse
spirit of rebellion has even lighted on their horses. The steed I
mounted carried me, greatly against my will, I acknowledge, into the
very center of Dunwoodie's men."
"And you were again captured," continued the father, casting a fearful
glance on the armed attendants who had entered the room.
"That, sir, you may safely say; this Mr. Lawton, who sees so far, had me
in custody again immediately."
"Why you no hold 'em in, Massa Henry?" cried Caesar, pettishly.
"That," said Wharton, smiling, "was a thing easier said than done, Mr.
Caesar, especially as these gentlemen" (glancing his eyes at the guides)
"had seen proper to deprive me of the use of my better arm."
"Wounded!" exclaimed both sisters in a breath.
"A mere scratch, but disabling me at a most critical moment," continued
the brother, kindly, and stretching out the injured limb to manifest the
truth of his declaration. Caesar threw a look of bitter animosity on the
irregular warriors who were thought to have had an agency in the deed,
and left the room. A few more words sufficed to explain all that Captain
Wharton knew relative to the fortune of the day. The result he thought
yet doubtful, for when he left the ground, the Virginians were retiring
from the field of battle.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165