"
A dust was even then arising ahead, and in a few moments a squad of
Confederates dashed up. The foremost one, a soldierly looking-man, with a
pair of keen, humorous eyes, halted beside the group on the hill-side.
"What are you detaining this gentleman for?" he asked, in a clear,
ringing voice; "we are not making war on citizens."
"Well; but, General, just see this circular," handing him one.
General Morgan took it, glanced over it, then with a shrug of his
shoulders and a "pshaw!" dropped it to the ground, and rode on. The
vidette followed him.
"Well; but, General, what must we do with the prisoner?"
"Do?" responded the General, "Do? Why, turn him loose. He is nothing but a
little constable."
Up to the moment Roberta heard the circular read, her sympathies were all
with Mr. Shanks, the poor man looked so terribly frightened. He had
started out with his circulars, not knowing the Confederates were within a
hundred miles; and he expected every moment to have a bullet put through
his brain, or be swung up to the nearest limb. When she heard the circular
read, the wind veered from another quarter altogether.
As the soldiers rode off, the released prisoner came swiftly towards
Squire and the children.
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