Jennie turned to flee, but he caught her roughly by the arm. Just as he did so, he was struck a terrific blow in the face, which sent him rolling in the gutter.
“Take my arm, Jennie,” said Calhoun, for it was he who struck the blow, “I will see you safe home.”
The trembling girl took his arm, saying: “Oh, Calhoun, how glad I am you came! How can I thank you enough! Do you know that dreadful man?”
“Yes, I am sorry to say he is a captain in Morgan’s command. His name is Conway. We left him back in Tennessee wounded. But he was able to follow Bragg’s army, and he joined us only yesterday. By the way, it was Fred Shackelford who shot him. He shot him when he got Prince back. Conway was riding Blenheim.”
“Oh, Fred told me all about that. Wasn’t that just splendid in him, getting his horse back!”
“Where is Fred now?” asked Calhoun.
“I don’t know. Did you know General Nelson was shot?”
“Shot? Nelson shot?” cried Calhoun. “Where? How?”
Jennie had to tell him what little she knew about it. All that she had heard had come from Confederate sources.
“Well, Jennie, here you are at home. I feel [pg 135]ashamed. It is the first time I ever knew one of Morgan’s men to insult a woman.”