THE REBEL Major accepted the unexpected turn of events with soldierly philosophy. Tuggers, captured in a blue uniform, saw the ignominious1 fate of a spy loom2 up before his eyes. His face grew very white and set. He sat down on a log, looked far away, and seemed oblivious3 to everything around him.
Jeff Hackberry and Sol Simmons were frightened into nerveless terror, and occasionally sighed and groaned4 audibly. Their men huddled6 together like frightened sheep, and looked anxiously at every move of their captors.
'Squire7 Corson had ventured two or three remarks in a judicial8 and advisory9 way, but had been ordered by Capt. McGillicuddy to sit down and keep quiet. He took a seat on a stump10, pulled a large bandana out of his beaver11 crowned hat, wiped his bald head, and anxiously surveyed the scene as if looking for an opportunity when the power and dignity of the State of Tennessee might be invoked13 to advantage.
Only Mrs. Bolster14 retained her aggressiveness and her tongue. If anything, she seemed to be more savage15 and virulent16 than ever. She was wild that she had been outwitted, and particularly by Si, whose fluent speech had returned the moment the224 firecrackers went oif. She poured out volleys of scorching17 epithets18 on all the Yankees from President Lincoln down to Corp'l Si Klegg, and fervently19 invoked for them speedy death and eternal torment20 where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched21.
Capt. McGillicuddy rounded up his prisoners, took arms from those who still retained them, had Si and Shorty do what they could toward dressing22 the Major's wound, and then began an examination of the house.
He found abundant evidence of all that he, Si and Shorty had believed of it. It was a rendezvous23 for spies, both great and small—both those, like Mrs. Bolster, who infested24 our camps, and got news of whatever was going on there, and those who operated on a larger scale, passing directly from the Headquarters of the rebels to the Headquarters of ours, and to the rear, and the sources of information at Nashville and Louisville. It was an important station on the route for smuggling25 gun-caps, quinine, medicines and other contraband26 from the North. Quantities of these were there waiting to be forwarded. As the source of the fighting whisky introduced into the camp of the 200th Ind. too much was known of it to require any further information. And it was more than probable that it was the scene of darker crimes—union soldiers lured27 thither28 under some pretext29, murdered and robbed.
"How in the world am I going to break this infernal nest up?" said Capt. McGillicuddy, with a puzzled air, after he had ordered the whisky destroyed and the other things gotten in shape to send225 back to camp. "By rights, I ought to burn that house down, but that would leave all these children without shelter. By the same token, I ought to shoot or at least send off to prison that old she-catamount, but that would mean starving the children to death. I declare, I don't know what to do."
He had drawn30 apart a little with Si and Shorty, to whom he spoke31 confidentially32, while casting his eyes about him as if seeking some solution of the problem.
"If you'll allow me. Captain," said Shorty, "I've an idee. Now that we've got the trap, let's set it agin, and see if we can't ketch some more."
"Splendid idea. Shorty," said the Captain, catching33 on at once.
"And my idee," said Shorty, emboldened34 by the reception of his first suggestion, "is that you take all the company but me and Si and four or fire of the boys back to camp, leavin' us here until to-morrow at least. There'll probably some very interestin' men happen along here to-night, not knowing what's happened, and we'll jest quietly yank 'em in."
"That's good," assented36 the Captain.
"In the meantime," continued Shorty, "you kin12 be considerin' what you'll do with the house. It may be best to let it stand, and watch it. That's a good way to do with a bee-tree or a woodchuck hole.
"I believe you are right. I'll do as you say. Si, you and Shorty pick out as many men as you want to stay with you. I'll leave one of these horses with you. If you should happen to need any more, mount one of the boys and send him back for help. I'll come out with the whole company."226
Shorty and Si consulted together for a few minutes, picked out their men, gave their names to the Captain, and received his assent35 to the selection. Then Shorty said:
"Captain, you don't want to take that old woman, the 'Squire and that skunk37 they call Jeff Hackberry back to camp with you, do you? Leave 'em here with us. I've got a little scheme."
"The old woman and the 'Squire you can take and welcome," answered the Captain. "I'll be glad to have them oif my hands. But Hackberry is a rebel soldier. I don't know about giving him up."
"Leave him with us, then. We'll turn him back to you all right, and the old woman and the 'Squire, too, if you want 'em."
"No," said the Captain, with an impatient wave of his hand. "Keep them, do what you please with them. If you should accidentally kill the old woman I should not be unduly38 distressed39. But don't let Hackberry get away from you. I'll take the rest back to camp, and I must start at once, for it's getting late, and we didn't bring any rations40 with us. Do you suppose you can find enough around the house to keep you till morning?"
"O, yes," said Si. "There's a sack of meal in there and some side-meat. We gave the old woman a lot of coffee. We'll make out all right."
The prisoners had been watching the Captain and his men with greatest anxiety. They now saw Si with his squad41 take the 'Squire. Mrs. Bolster and Hackberry off to one side, while the Captain placed the remainder of the prisoners in the center of his company and started back to camp with them.227
There was something in this separation that terrified even Mrs. Bolster, who stopped railing and began to look frightened.
"What are yo'uns goin' to do with we'uns?" she inquired hoarsely42 of Si.
"You'll find out soon enough," said Si significantly. "Set down there on that log and think about what you deserve. You might put in any spare time you have in doing some big repentin'."
Hackberry began to whine43 and beg for mercy, but Shorty ordered him to keep silent.
"I want you to understand," said the 'Squire, "that I'm a regerlarly elected and qualified44 Magistrate45 o' the State o' Tennessee; that I'm not subjeck to military laws, and if any harm comes to me you'll have to answer for it to the State o' Tennessee."
"Blast the State o' Tennessee," said Shorty contemptuously. "When we git through there won't be no State o' Tennessee. It'll be roasting in the same logheap with South Caroliny and Virginny, with Jeff Davis brilin' in the middle."
"Boys," ordered Si, "a couple of you look around the house and see if you can't find a mattock and shovel46."
Terrible fears assailed47 the three unhappy prisoners at this. What could a mattock and shovel be wanted for but to dig their graves?
Shorty stepped over a little distance to a large clump48 of "red-sticks." These grow in long wands of brilliant red, as straight as a corn-stalk, and slenderer. They are much used about the farms of the South for rods for rough measurement. He cut one off about six feet long and stripped off its leaves.228
The anxious eyes of the prisoners followed every movement.
Two of the boys appeared with an old mattock and shovel.
"Guess you'd better dig right over there," said Si, indicating a little bare knoll49.
"Nothin' else's ever bin50 planted there. At least nothin's ever come up. The chances are agin their comin' up if we plant 'em there."
"Stand up," said Shorty, approaching Hackberry with the bright crimson51 rod in his hand. "I'm goin' to measure you for a grass-green suit that'll last you till Gabriel blows his horn."
Hackberry gave a howl of terror. The 'Squire and Mrs. Bolster began a clamor of protests.
"Don't fuss," said Shorty calmly to them, as he took Hackberry's dimensions. "I ain't goin' to show no partiality. I'll serve you both the same way. Your turns 'll come after his'n."
The children, aware that something unusual was going on, yet unable to comprehend what it was, stood silently around, their fingers in their mouths and their vacant eyes fixed52 in the stolid53 stare of the mountaineer youth. Even the dogs were quiet, and seemed watching the scene with more understanding than the children.
Mrs. Bolster's mood suddenly changed from bitter vituperation. She actually burst into tears, and began pleading for her life, and making earnest promises as to better conduct in the future. The 'Squire and Hackberry followed suit, and blubbered like schoolboys. Mrs. Bolster reminded Si and Shorty how she had saved them from being killed by the229 fierce Hackberry and the still fiercer Simmons. This seemed to move them. She tried a ghastly travesty54 of feminine blandishments by telling Shorty how handsome she had thought him, and had fallen in love with him at first sight. Shorty gave a grimace55 at this. He and Si stepped back a little for consultation56.
When they came back Shorty said oracularly:
"Our orders is strict, and we should've carried 'em out at once. But, talkin' with my partner here, we're reminded o' somethin'. We believe it's the law that when a man or woman is sentenced to death the execution kin be put off if they kin find anybody to marry 'em. Is that good law, 'Squire?"
"H-m-m," answered the Magistrate, resuming his judicial manner at once; "that is a general belief, and I've heard o' some instances of it. But before sayin' positively57, I should like to examine the authorities an' hear argument."
"Well, there hain't goin' to be no continuance in this case for you to look up authorities and hear arguments," said Shorty decisively. "We're the higher court in this case, and we decided58 that the law's good enough for it. We've settled that if Mrs. Bolster 'll marry Hackberry, and Hackberry 'll marry Mrs. Bolster, and you'll marry 'em both, we'll grant a stay o' proceedings59 in the matter o' the execution o' the sentence o' death until we kin be advised by the higher authorities."
"I'll do anything. Mister," blubbered Hackberry. "I'll marry her this minnit. Say the words, 'Squire."
"I've said I'd rather die 10 times over than marry yo', Jeff Hackberry," murmured Mrs. Bolster. "I've280 bin the wife o' one ornery snipe of a whisky-sucking sand-digger, and when the Lord freed me from him I said I'd never git yoked60 with another. But I s'pose I've got to live for my children, though the Lord knows the yaller-headed brats61 hain't wuth hit. They're everyone of 'em their dad over agin—all Bolsters62, and not wuth the powder to blow 'em to kingdom come. I'd a heap ruther marry Jeff Hackberry to make sure o' havin' him shot than to save him from shootin'."
"You hain't no choice, Madam," said Shorty severely63. "Law and orders is strict on that pint64."
"Well, then," said she, "since hit's a ch'ice betwixt death and Jeff Hackberry, I'll take Jeff Hackberry, though I wouldn't take him on no other terms, and I'm afeared I'm makin' a mistake as hit is."
"What do you say, 'Squire?" asked Shorty.
"I've bin studyin' on jest whar I come in," answered the Magistrate. "These two save their necks by marryin', but do you understand that the law says that the Magistrate who marries 'em gits his neck saved?"
"The court is not clear on that as a p'int o' law," said Shorty; "but in the present case it'll hold that the 'Squire who does the splicin' gets as much of a rake-off as the rest. This is not to be considered a precedent65, however."
"All right," assented the 'Squire; "let the couple jine hands."
With an air of glad relief, Hackberry sprang up and put out his hand. Mrs. Bolster came up more slowly and reluctantly grasped his hairy fist in her231 large, skinny hand. The 'Squire stood up before them in his most impressive attitude.
"Hold on," suddenly called out Tom Welch, who was the "guard-house lawyer" of Co. Q, and constantly drawing the "Regulations," the "Tactics," and the "Constitution and Laws of the United States," in which he was sharply proficient66, upon the members of the regiment67. "I raise the point that the 'Squire can't officiate until he has taken the oath of allegiance to the United States."
Si and Shorty looked at one another.
"That's a good point," said Si. "He's got to take the oath of allegiance."
"Never," shouted the 'Squire, who had begun to recover his self-confidence. "Never, as long as I live. I've sworn allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, and won't take no other oath."
"Grave for one!" called out Shorty to the boys with the pick and shovel, as if he were giving an order in a restaurant. "Full size, and hurry up with it."
He picked up his measuring rod and started to take the 'Squire's dimensions.
The 'Squire wilted68 at once. "I s'pose I've got to yield to force," he muttered. "I'll take the oath."
"Who knows the oath?" inquired Si. "Do you, Tom?"
"Not exactly," replied Tom, non-plused for once. "But I know the oath we took when mustered69 in. That ought to do. What's good enough for us is good enough for him."
"Go ahead," ordered Si.
"We ought to have a Bible by rights," said Tom.232
"Where kin we find your Bible, Mrs. Bolster, asked Si.
"We'uns air done clean out o' Bibles," she said, rather shamefacedly. "Thar hain't nary one in the house. I allers said we orter have a Bible. Hit looked 'spectable to have one in the house. But Andy allers wanted every cent to guzzle70 on."
"Here's a Testament71. That'll do," said Tom, handing Si one which some of the boys had about him. "Le's make 'em all take the oath while we're at it."
"You'll all raise your right hands," said Si, opening the book. "Place your left on this book, and repeat the words after that man there, givin' your own names." Si was as solemn about it as he believed everyone should be at such a ceremony. Hackberry and Mrs. Bolster were not sure which were their right hands, but Si finally got them started, and Tom Welch repeated slowly and impressively:
"You do solemnly swear to support the Constitution and laws of the United States, and all laws made in pursuance thereof, against all enemies and opposers whatsoever72, whether foreign or domestic, and to obey the orders of all officers duly appointed over you. So help you God, and kiss this book."
"And to quit liquor selling, smuggling, spying and giving aid and comfort to the enemy," added Shorty, and this was joined to the rest of the oath.
"I ought to have added that they wash their faces once a day, and put more shortenin' and fillin' in Mrs. Bolster's pies," said Shorty in an undertone to233 Si. "But I suppose we oughtn't to ask impossible things."
"Now go ahead with the wedding ceremony," ordered Si.
Again the 'Squire commanded them to join hands, and after mumbling73 over the fateful words, pronounced Thomas Jefferson Hackberry and Mrs. Sophronia Bolster man and wife.
"Now," said Shorty, who felt at last fully74 insured against a great danger, "I believe it's the law and custom for all the witnesses to a weddin' to see the bride and bridegroom in bed together. You'll go inside the house and take one of them beds, and after we've seen you there we'll consider your cases further. You're all right, anyway, until we hear from camp to-morrow."
Amid the grins of the rest the boys conducted the newly-weds into the house.
He and Si brought out the sack of meal, a few cooking utensils75, a side of bacon, and the package of coffee, which they gave to the other boys to get supper with. They closed the door behind them, excluding the children and dogs, and left the pair to their own reflections.
"Gentlemen, what air you gwine to do with me?" asked the 'Squire. "I'd powerful like to git on home, if you've no further use for me."
"We hain't decided what to do with you, you old fomenter76 o' rebellion," said Si. "We ought to shoot you for what you've done in stirring up these men to fight us. We'll settle your case to-morrow. You'll stay with us till then. We'll give you your234 supper, and after awhile you kin go in and sleep in that other bed, with the children."
The 'Squire gave a dismal77 groan5 at the prospect78, which was lost on the boys, who were very hungry and hurrying around helping79 to get supper.
They built a fine fire and cooked a bountiful meal, of which all, including the 'Squire and children, partook heartily80. A liberal portion, with big cups of strong coffee, were sent into the bridal couple. As bed-time drew near, they sent the 'Squire and the children into the house, and divided themselves up into reliefs to watch during the night.
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1
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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4
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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6
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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7
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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advisory
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| adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询 | |
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stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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11
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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13
invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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bolster
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| n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励 | |
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15
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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virulent
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| adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的 | |
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scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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21
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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24
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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smuggling
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| n.走私 | |
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contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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30
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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skunk
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| n.臭鼬，黄鼠狼；v.使惨败，使得零分；烂醉如泥 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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46
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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49
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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51
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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52
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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53
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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54
travesty
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| n.歪曲，嘲弄，滑稽化 | |
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55
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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56
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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57
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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58
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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59
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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60
yoked
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| 结合（yoke的过去式形式） | |
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61
brats
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| n.调皮捣蛋的孩子( brat的名词复数 ) | |
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62
bolsters
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| n.长枕( bolster的名词复数 )；垫子；衬垫；支持物v.支持( bolster的第三人称单数 )；支撑；给予必要的支持；援助 | |
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63
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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64
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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65
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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66
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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67
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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68
wilted
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| （使）凋谢，枯萎( wilt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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70
guzzle
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| v.狂饮，暴食 | |
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71
testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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72
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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73
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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74
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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75
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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76
fomenter
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| 挑唆者，煽动者 | |
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77
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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78
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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79
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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80
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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