“Molly. She is the only one that was here,” replied Andy.
Abruptly, the colonel rose from his chair, threw his hands up, and snapped, “In heaven’s sake, that girl! Sergeant, if you have any hope of getting out of this mess, don’t permit that girl to appear in your defense. Her appearance alone would convict you. It is known throughout the Union army that she is the most active, the most bitter, the most daring, and the most impertinent Rebel in Western Virginia. I should add, the most notorious spy and the most dangerous spy to the Union cause in all these mountains. She’s a prisoner now, but she’s liable to escape some way, for she is the most exceedingly resourceful woman in these parts. Before leaving, I am to give her a final warning. If she even makes an effort to escape, or any other suspicious move, I propose to transport her someplace for safekeeping. They tell me she begged Captain Bloome to stay here and nurse you. I am sorry he was so softhearted and consented to do such a thing. She plans something else other than nursing you. It’s unfortunate that you have had anything, whatever to do with her. I warn you, Sergeant, don’t fall for any of her schemes and get into any further complications with her.”
“Colonel Hayes, I told you I was only protecting her from those passionate animals. Wasn’t I justified in doing so?” asked Andy.
“Yes, I would say so,” answered the colonel. “If we can prove your story to be true, I would recommend a commission and shoot the surviving members of the trio you fought with. I would do that as much as I despise and distrust that damn little Rebel. Frankly, no one believes your story. Everyone in camp is set against you. When your own outfit is against you, it’s hard to present evidence in your favor. For some reason, I believe your story. We’ll not deny you a chance. We’ll give you every opportunity to clear yourself. In a few days I will set a time for your hearing, and I trust, by God’s grace, you fare better than we think. Good-bye.” He shook the dragoon’s hand and walked out of the room.
Sergeant McKinley, taking Andy’s hand in his and looking directly into his eyes, said, “We are both sergeants in the same army, fighting for the same cause, and we need to find some way to help you. I believe you also. I cannot believe you to be dishonest and disloyal. You have a good, honest face, and your story rings true. If I can be of service, let me know.”
“Say to Colonel Hayes what you have said to me,” Andy requested.
“As sure as there is a God in heaven, I will do so,” promised McKinley.
They saluted each other, and Sergeant McKinley slowly turned away and left the room. Andy was left alone in silence and to ponder his situation.
2
3
CHAPTER X
Late in the afternoon, Molly returned to the Pines after doing her shopping and being detained at the Tyree Inn by Colonel Hayes, who demanded her version of the story. She described, in detail, what happened, nearly matching to the letter the one related by Andy.
Swiftly she darted into the room where Andy lay dreaming. Startled, Andy bolted upright in the bed, his eyes looking at her smiling face and flushed cheeks. At first he thought an angel had come to minister unto him.
“Molly! I’ve had a bad dream,” he said, as she seated herself on a chair beside the bed. “I dreamed that we were court-martialed—you as a spy and me as a traitor to my country. Colonel Hayes had just ordered me shot, and we, uh—”
“That’s a fact to be. It’s no dream. Your colonel Hayes was not tactful in telling me,” interrupted Molly. “He warned that I would be shot, but there may be a ray of hope for you. I guess we are in for it. It certainly looks bad just now—on with the dream now, Sergeant.”
“Oh, yes, well, they took us by the arm. As we were being escorted outside to face the firing squad, you looked at me and said, ‘Sweetheart, have courage.’ I held your hand in mine, as I am doing now.” Somehow during the conversation, their hands had met. “The command was given, ‘Make ready,’ but before the gun locks clicked, your general Lee rode between us and the firing squad. There he was astride that beautiful horse in a spotless gray uniform. He looked like a general of the gods. His face was so kind, so calm, yet so firm that I wondered what type man is this Rebel general.”
“Andy! Awake to reality. It’s no dream. It’s a fact to be.” That is the first fact, but for the second fact, she smiled and said, “Or maybe he will, yes, he will come—I haven’t been for three weeks. He must know something is wrong.”
“He does not know, Molly. There is no way you could leave here now. Colonel Hayes would know and then all would be lost. Promise me that you will not try!” pleaded Andy.
“How can I do anything these days?” she answered. “I will not even make promises.”
“Molly!” he said, with a lump in his throat as he drew her close to him. Almost speechless, he continued, “Molly, in my dream you called me sweetheart. Could, could—do you think—do you, “he hesitated, thinking what a fool he was, when she turned and asked, “Don’t you believe in dreams?” She resisted only slightly as he drew her closer to him, whispering, “I believe in this one,” as their lips met and he circled his arms around her.
Black Nanny paced back and forth from the kitchen to the closed door. She had tiptoed to the closed door and ventured to listen on several of her paces, but there was no movement. Supper had been waiting nearly an hour when Molly appeared in the kitchen. Black Nanny rose, throwing her arms around her, and tears clouded the eyes.
“Deh’s tears on yo’ cheeks—tears in yo’ eyes,” said Nanny.
“Yes, Nanny,” Molly replied, embracing the black servant, whom she loved and confided in as a mother. “But they’re tears of joy. I’m so happy!” With her head lying on Nanny’s shoulder, she cried heartily.
“That Yank, he’s done gwine t’ take yo’ ‘way from me. He’s done—done take yo’ ’way. Ah knowed it—I knowed it all de time,” she said, crying hysterically.
“No, Nanny. He will not do that,” said Molly, trying to console the black servant. “Where I go, you will go also, unless you wish it otherwise. Unless the North should set you free—”
“No—no! I still be yo’ slave. An’ don’ want to be no free niggah, neber—neber—neber,” cried Black Nanny. “I’s do’s want to be wid yo’.”
“That will be always,” Molly said, trying to assure her. “So dry your tears and forget it. When this awful war is over, we’re going to be very happy. It will soon be over—a few months at the most.”
“Ah dunno—ah dunno, but I pray de Lawd you’s right,” whimpered Nanny.
A few days later, Molly slipped Andy’s blue uniform out of his room and into hers. Just before dark she had Rubin to mix up some whitewash and leave it in the barn. That night, while everyone was asleep, she stole quietly out of the house through the windows of her bedroom, slipped by the guard. She led Black Demon slowly and quietly from the barn and down the hill to the Ramsey Road before she mounted him for her ride to General Lee’s camp on Big Sewell Mountain. She exercised every precaution, taking a circular route out the Clifty Road and then a small trail that took her to the Kanawha Turnpike, a few yards beyond the Old Stone House. At times she rode through fields to avoid contacts with guards that she knew were stationed at various points. She was challenged by Union pickets twice between the Old Stone House and General Lee’s camp. Her uniform and learning of the interpretation of passwords and her knowledge of Federal positions in Western Virginia took her safely through. Black Demon was camouflaged with white spots and streaks of whitewash before she left the barn so that the night prevented detection.