A Daughter of Maryland — page 174: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

” ae es ~* ae ; : a ‘8 ~ A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. 151 right are many and richer ones.’* He said this, as he knew, at imminent risk to himself. ‘*Unless I have been misinformed, this one plantation is worth more than all the others, notwithstanding your statement. I reckon when I want any information from you I will ask for it, and you will be in command.’’ Lieutenant Berners relapsed into silence, noticing that they were nearing the collection of negro huts, which bore now a deserted appearance. A little further on he saw his own home, standing desolate in the starlight. A minute later the lights of Sylvan Manor could be seen through the trees. ‘‘It looks like a rich old estate,’’ said the leader, ‘‘and what is better, boys, for our consciences, it belongs to an ally of the Yanks. A word to the wise is sufficient. ’’ Esten Berners knew only too well what that hint meant, but he realized equally as well that it would be madness for him to speak. Thus with an aching heart he saw the little cavalcade turn into the broad driveway between the beeches he had known as long as he could remember. ‘‘There are promising stables, boys; take your pick, while the rest of us see what rations they feel like bringing on at the house. ’”’ Aurian and Mrs. Ralston, with half a dozen faithful negroes, S’posen Jones and Furah among them, heard the approach of the horsemen, and trembling with surprise and fright they peered out to see who their late visitors could be. ‘‘Tt is a body of soldiers!’’ exclaimed the housekeeper. “The army is comihg to capture us and——’’ ‘‘Hush, Mrs. Ralston; it looks like Confederate troops. They can not.mean us harm. I am going to the door. See! some of them are dismounting.’”’ Despite the protestations of her companions, Aurian boldly opened the door, when she found herself confronted by the leader of the party, while she could see a seis of the band nearing the stable. Eomicboo cS co