CHAPTER VIII. - STIRRING SCENES.

Cavalry Curt was not long in recovering from his surprise at the appearance of the strange horseman.

The latter, however, had disappeared from view, and the sound of his horse's hoof strokes was growing rapidly fainter.

Pursuit would be in vain, he thought even if he cared to risk it. Then, too, more than likely he was mistaken in the other's identity, for it had been a long time since he had seen Harry Morland.

All this conjecture, however, did not solve the mystery of the other's peculiar situation, and it was little wonder if his mind was more unsettled than when he had left camp.

Before he had found it impossible to put from his mind's eye the image of Mara Morland; now coupled with it was that of her brother, pale and ghastly as the dead.

More anxiously than ever he looked forward to the time when he should meet the Wizard Scout and know the result of his assistance in her behalf.

Johnston retreated rapidly down the railroad to Cassville, and thence across the valley of the Etowah to the hills of Dallas, followed by the Union troops.

Here at New Hope Church just east of Dallas he entrenched himself for the third time, having stationed Hood on his right, Hardee on his left and Polk in front.

Sherman with the main portion of his army had hoped to cut off this retreat by a wide detour. But this astute foe saw through his designs and successfully reached the coveted goal.

However, the indefatigable Union commander began hostiles at once determined to get as near to his enemy as possible.

For three days the fight raged all along the line.

Geary's division assaulted Stewart's, of Hood's corps, at the Church, desisting only when compelled to leave the field on account of the stormy night.

McPherson was on Sherman's extreme right in an exposed position.

The keen eye of Johnston discovered him and seeing the great advantage of effecting his dislodgement he ordered Polk to attack him.

Cavalry Curt's cavalry still belonged to brave Mac's corp., occupying a skirmishing line in the woods to the south.

The firing was opened about ten o'clock when the enemy made a spirited dash upon McPherson's left.

Repulsed after a sharp engagement the Confederates withdrew.

Reinforcements coming to their assistance they stormed, in the afternoon, the southern breastwork.

The fight raged here hotter than at the previous assault, the Confederates centering all of their energies for this, their final effort.

It was a cloudy, dismal day and as the troops moved swiftly up the wooded bottom their appearance seemed more than usually fateful under the vanguard of the threatening storm.

" How are our men—ready?" asked the bronzed and bearded chief.

" Ready," was the subordinate's terse reply.

" And our extreme right?"

" Is supported by Remington's cavalry, as eager for the fray as ever. If that man don't come out of the army with more than a captain's commission then he'll never come out at all."

"He is a brave, dashing fellow who deserves all the honor he will get. Hark! I hear the bugle call to arms. The grays have opened the attack. I wish our reinforcements would come."

The battle had begun in earnest and as is usually the case if you want to see the brunt of the fight join the cavalry.

As ever, Cavalry Curt's troops bore themselves gallantly, and to them belonged much of the credit of repulsing the foe, for the Confederates were flung back with a heavy loss.

For three days there was constant fighting all along the line, and though the Federal loss was heavier than that of their enemy they were slowly but surely beating them back.

Weary from the incessant fighting Cavalry Curt had rolled himself in his blanket for a few hours' rest, and it might be sleep, on the night following the attack upon McPherson's division, when he felt a hand laid upon his shoulder.

Starting up with surprise he saw standing over him the tall, gaunt form of the Wizard Scout.
A glad cry escaped his lips as he grasped the other's hand.

" I need not tell you how glad I am to meet you," he said. " What news?" ' Both good and bad."

“ What of her—Mara Morland?" ' She is well."

“ And safe?"

“No; none are safe in these parts."

'You misunderstand me. She escaped from Dalton?"

"Yes."

In a few words the scout acquainted him with an account of what had transpired since their parting.

" May heaven bless you for your noble conduct," exclaimed Curt, fervently. " So she is at Woodsville now. How long will she be safe there?"

" A few days—possibly a week. Johnston is going to fortify himself at Kennesaw in front of Marietta——"

" You do not mean it!" exclaimed Curt, in surprise. " He——"

"You will see that I am a time prophet," broke in the strange man. " The two armies are going to move in
nearly a parallel direction, and Johnston is going to entrench at Marietta—Slier-man further up oil the railroad.''

"And Woodsville is nearly opposite Marietta," said Curt, still thinking of her who was uppermost in his mind.

"Correct, old man."

"What will become of her then when we march upon the rebel forces as we must. Woodsville will be hardly removed from the battle ground. Oh, I shudder to think of her fate, and I am here, helpless to save her."

"But you forget that I am my own man. I promised to return to her at my first opportunity. I thought you would be anxious to see me, so I returned as soon as possible."

" For which you have my heartfelt thanks."

" Oh, I had other business," returned the scout, carelessly. " The rebs have a plan afoot to burn a railroad bridge above here and capture the train of supplies which Sherman is expecting."

" Do you mean it?" cried Curt. " Then troops will have to be sent to its defense."

" J thought so, but there is plenty of time as the attack is riot planed to be made until to-morrow night. By the way, I have something to tell you that may not be pleasant. Harry Morland was shot at the fight at Wing Ridge!"

"Harry Morland shot," gasped his companion. " Was he killed?"

"Yes, instantly. He was leading the Confederate troops in a desperate charge to fall pierced by a dozeti bullets."

"Poor fellow! he was as brave as a lion. So another bright, young life has been sacrificed in this war of brother against brother. Does she know of this?''

" Yes; and she bore it better than I expected she would."

" Are you sure he was killed?" asked Curt, abruptly, as he suddenly remembered the horseman he had mistaken for his friend.

"As sure as we are of any report during these uncertain time. In fact I have no doubt of its truth. Why?"
Curt quickly told him of his strange meeting with the unknown rider.

The Wizard Scout shook his head.

"It could not have been Harry Morland."

"I see now that it could not have been, and even then I was not certain, as it has been so long since I have seen him. Must you go?"

"Yes; you need rest and I must find the commander."

" You never seem to rest."

" Not with unfinished work on my hands. Hal I came near forgetting a part of my errand. Here is a paper she sent you," banding the cavalry chief a missive as he spoke.

Curt took it eagerly and he was busily perusing its contents as the Wizard Scout stole away into the darkness of the night.