“A company of Federal cavalry were firing at me,” answered Calhoun. “My horse fell, and I had to run, or be captured.”
“Were you all alone?” she queried.
“Yes, all alone.”
“Then I forgive you for running,” she answered, [pg 51]with a ringing laugh, “otherwise I should not. But how came you here, and all alone?”
In a few words Calhoun told her who he was and his business.
“Come with me,” she cried, quickly. “Let us gain the house before the Yankees come, as no doubt they will. Father will let you have a horse. If no other be forthcoming, I will give you my Firefly here, although it would almost break my heart to part with him,” and she lovingly patted the neck of her gallant steed.
“I sincerely hope such a sacrifice will never be called for,” replied Calhoun.
“No sacrifice is too great to aid our beloved cause,” she answered; “but come, we are losing time, the Yankees may be here any moment.”
If Lieutenant Haines had not stopped to read the captured letters, Calhoun and his fair guide would not have reached the house undiscovered. As it was, they had hardly entered it when the Federals hove in sight.
“There is that Yankee officer riding my horse!” exclaimed Calhoun. “How I should like to meet him alone.”