Cloverdale Union High School - Spectator Yearbook (Cloverdale, CA)

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“I know your husband well and would be the last to sus¬ pect one of his family of knowingly concealing a Northern spy. Never the less he might be hidden here without your knowledge. Therefore I can not leave until I have thoroughly searched your out-buildings and negro quarters.” “Certainly, you are at liberty to look in the barns,” said Mrs. Carew, a good deal mollified by the assurance that her loyalty to the south was not brought into question. The officer bowed and turned to give orders to his men. Marjory remained at the window, and with fast beating heart, watched the flashing of lights among the buildings as the soldiers conducted their search with a great burden lifted from her, she saw them return without the fugitive, mount and ride away. When the jingling of spurs and the clatter of hoofs had died away, the girl turned and went down stairs to the even¬ ing meal. As she had expected, her mother made many inquiries as to where she had been. She evaded going into detail by saying that she had been walking in the woods and had since been in her room. The old lady immediately plunged into an account of the visit of the soldiers which lasted through supper’. All the evening Marjory was nervous and preoccupied, waiting for the time to arrive when she might carry food to the concealed spy. At last it came, her mother closed her book and went up stairs leaving Marjory pretending to read. The girl waited im¬ patiently until she thought her mother must be asleep. Then, first filling a basket with food, she stole from the house and swiftly crossed the space to the old barn. She opened the door. All was still within. The moon shining brightly outside, filtered in through the cracks and lighted the great building dimly. Half frightened by the shadows and the stillness she hesitated an instant and then quickly crossed the floor and pulled away the tobacco that hid the loose plank. She raised this and saw the man lying on his side asleep. The girl knelt and touched his ragged sleeve saying, “Wake up, it’s time to fly.” He started up with an exclamation. He looked around dazed, 12

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She turned as she spoke and ran toward the large tobacco barns at the back of the house, which concealed them from the Confederates. Marjory pulled open the door of the largest. The daylight was fading fast and it was very dim within, but the girl, familiar with the place from childhood, found her way easily to the spot she sought. This was a loose board in one corner. She pushed it aside disclosing an opening about eighteen inches wide leading to the space under the floor. In happier days before the war it had been a place of conceal¬ ment during games of hide and seek. Now it was to save a man’s life. Marjory pointed to it and said, “There, you can lie safely until they are gone then I will bring you food and help you to get away. ’ ’ Thanking her for her help he slid into the opening, she pushed the board back into the place leaving him in total dark¬ ness. She next pulled some bunches of tobacco leaves over the place and left the building. As she came into the open air, Marjory heard angry voices at the front of the house. She entered by the back way and flew up the stairs to her own room, which commanded a view of the front of the house. Raising the sash softly she looked down. In the dim light she saw a group of men and horses gathered about the steps. One of the men, with his foot resting on the lower step and his bridle over his arm, was speaking to a person hidden from Marjory’s sight right by the roof of the porch. “I tell you madam he must be here, for we saw him and another person go behind your house not five minutes ago and he could not have reached the woods before my men surrounded the place.” “How dare you accuse me of hiding a Yankee, sir?” came to Marjory in her mother’s voice. “Me! the wife of Colonel Carew, one of the most loyal Southerners in Lee’s army. You insult me sir! Leave the place instantly! ’ ’ “Madam, you mistake me,” said the officer politely but firmly. 11

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then the sight of the girl brought hack the memory of what had happened. 4 ‘Have I been asleep. The last I remember the soldiers were here looking everywhere, then they went away. After that I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion. “Yes,” she said. “I have brought you food, you must eat and then I will direct you on your way.” Little was said during the meal. When it was finished they left the building together. The Northerner greatly revived by rest and food. Once outside Marjory pointed northward. A mile be¬ yond those trees is the river. Once beyond it you will be com¬ paratively safe, but do not stop an instant until you reach your army.” He took her hand saying simply, “Good bye.” “Good bye, and may you reach your army safely.” He turned and walked away. But his mind was not on his journey. It was occupied by a vision of a fair girl standing in the moonlight by a garden gate. A vision that would stay with him through the years and if he lived, bring him back to the sunny south. Marjory watched him out of sight and then stole into the house. Often in after days her thoughts strayed to the man she had saved. 13