Welcome to PhiloLogic |
home | the ARTFL project | download | documentation | sample databases | |
Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886 [1869], Hilt to hilt, or, Days and nights on the banks of the Shenandoah in the autumn of 1864. (G. W. Carleton, New York) [word count] [eaf512T]. To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
In the new-comer I recognized the officer whom He was about twenty-six, tall, imposing, and But he came fully armed, and the sound of From my hiding-place I witnessed what followed. The young lady remained quiet and did not “Good-evening, Miss Adair,” he said; “my The young lady did not reply.
“You doubtless regard me as an intruder?” No response. “Ah! my uniform is hateful to you; or is it I, A growl accompanied the words. Captain Ratcliffe “Speak, I beg, madam!” he exclaimed, “unless Miss Adair's eye flashed at the scornful tone of “I do not reply to you,” she said, “because this Ratcliffe flashed a dark look at her. Then, with “I have only dropped in to enjoy the smiles of “I was near,” said Miss Adair, with extreme
“You!” exclaimed the Federal captain. “Yes, at the Chapel, sir, and I witnessed the whole The calm voice, full of pride and defiance, made “Then we are babies! cowards!” he exclaimed, In the intonation of these words, I recognized a “I am a coward! afraid of him! Come, acknowledge, She glanced through the window. “Do you always go guarded in visiting ladies, Ratcliffe started with rage. “Curse the guard!” he exclaimed, rudely. “I The young lady's lip moved slightly. “And yet you Federal gentlemen always come Ratcliffe scowled at the speaker, and said: — “Do you think I am afraid?”
“You are the best judge of that, sir,” was the Ratcliffe uttered a species of growl, and, turning “Orderly!” A boy of eighteen appeared at the door and “Order the men to retire to camp!” exclaimed The boy saluted, but stood still, his eyes fixed “What are you staying for?” growled the officer. “Shall I go too?” said the boy in a voice full of “You? — certainly!” “I thought as I was your orderly, Captain —” He paused; they exchanged a glance; and Ratcliffe “Well, remain; but send the company back to The boy disappeared, and in five minutes I heard Then the young orderly again made his appearance, “The men are gone, captain.”
As he spoke, I observed again the strange expression “Good!” said Ratcliffe; “wait outside.” And he made an imperious gesture. In spite of The officer turned to Miss Adair. “I am alone now, madam,” he said, frowning. “With a young girl only,” she replied. “A young girl and a gentleman!” I laid my hand upon my pistol. “Your beloved Landon,” Ratcliffe sneered, “and “Here!” a voice said. And, limping forward on his crutch, the old cavalier, He advanced straight toward Ratcliffe, who “Call St. Leger Landon a coward in my presence Ratcliffe recoiled, and made a movement to draw Before he could grasp it, I reached his side at one
“Surrender, or you are dead!” Never shall I forget the expression of his countenance, “Unbuckle your belt,” I said. He ground his teeth and obeyed. “Throw your arms on that floor.” Without a word he threw down sabre and pistol, Suddenly, as the sound echoed through the house, “Surrender!” I said, pointing my pistol at his His reply was a military one. He drew his pistol There was now but one course left me, — to get My horse was quickly brought. I directed
I held Ratcliffe's bridle in my left hand; with the He made no sort of resistance, and we went on at
Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886 [1869], Hilt to hilt, or, Days and nights on the banks of the Shenandoah in the autumn of 1864. (G. W. Carleton, New York) [word count] [eaf512T]. |