‘I belong to Staunton,’ answered Lucius. ‘My fa——I have a relative in this army.’
‘Who may that be?’ inquired the captain, for it was no uncommon thing for different members of a family to be fighting on opposite sides of the line.
‘I’d rather not say,’ answered Lucius. ‘Oh, captain, let me go. I am sure that the General will tell you you have done right if you do.’
‘Corporal,’ said the captain, after another moment’s reflection, ‘take this fellow to headquarters. Report the affair to the adjutant, and hear what he has to say.’
A candle was burning on a table by the window. ]
Lucius thanked him gratefully, and presently started for the village between two men, the corporal leading the way.
‘Hi!’ shouted the captain after him. ‘Was there any sign of movement on the part of the enemy when you left?’
‘No,’ answered Lucius; ‘all was quiet. It was me they were after.’
To all the numerous questions of the corporal, as they marched along, he maintained a rigid silence, and at last they reached the house where General Jackson had taken up his quarters for the night.
Leaving Lucius in charge of the two soldiers, the corporal slipped past the sentry and rapped up the adjutant-general, who occupied a room in the same house, and who at once rose and came down-stairs on hearing what was the matter.
To him Lucius repeated his story, winding up with a supplication that he might be allowed to give his message to the General himself.
‘Corporal, remain on guard here.—You, fellow, follow me,’ said the adjutant.
The corporal saluted, and Lucius, his heart thumping with excitement, followed his guide upstairs.
The adjutant paused at a door and knocked softly. As there was no reply, he turned the handle, and entered the room with Lucius at his heels.
A candle was burning on a table by the window, and by its light Lucius discerned the figure of an officer, fully dressed, even to his sword and jack-boots, lying face downwards across the bed. He stirred uneasily at the noise, turned over, and then sat up, yawning and rubbing his eyes. It was General Jackson.
‘Pendleton!’ he exclaimed, starting from the bed and standing erect upon the floor. ‘You! What is the matter?’
‘All is quiet, General; and I would not have ventured to disturb you; but this fellow here avers that he brings important news of the enemy, which he will communicate to no one but you. So far as I can judge, he is telling the truth, so I brought him up.’