Transcriber’s Notes: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. * * * * * A GREAT WAR STORY OF SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA. The Gem Library. Copyright 1892, by CHAS. D. SIBLEY & SON. Entered as second-class mail matter at the New York post-office. Vol. I--No. 11. New York, January 9, 1892. Price 5 Cents. CAVALRY CURT; OR, The Wizard Scout of the Army. By G. WALDO BROWNE, _Author of “The Swordsman of Toledo,” “Border Knights,” Etc., Etc._ [Illustration: “HOLD UP THERE, YOU YANKEE DEVIL! WILL YOU SURRENDER!” SHOUTED THE REBEL LEADER. “NEVER!” CRIED CAVALRY CURT, DASHING MADLY ON.] * * * * * CAVALRY CURT; --OR,-- _THE WIZARD OF THE ARMY_. BY G. WALDO BROWNE. CHAPTER I. RUNNING THE GANTLET. “Halt! who comes there?” Time: Daybreak on the morning of May 6th, 1864. Scene: A wild, broken area of country in northern Georgia. Actors: In the foreground, a horseman and a drowsy sentinel roused to a sense of his duty by the sound of the approaching rider; in the background, a score or more of Confederate cavalry--men springing from their blankets at the warning of danger. A rifle had sprung to the shoulder of the startled sentry, and the sharp click of a lock followed his ringing challenge. The foam-flecked steed of the on-comer was hurled back upon its haunches by the iron hold laid upon its bit. “Who comes there?” repeated the ominous tone of the man in gray. “A friend to the loyal,” answered the horseman. “Advance, friend, and give the countersign.” “Freedom!” As the single word left the stranger’s lips, he plunged the rowels deep into his horse’s quivering flank, when like an arrow shot from a bow he bounded forward. The movement was so sudden that before the surprised sentry could discharge his weapon the rider was upon him. The report of his rifle followed, but the bullet flew wide of its mark, and he was hurled to the earth. “On, Wildbird, on!” cried the reckless rider, his words drowned by the sounds of his flying steed’s iron heel. The amazed cavalrymen had gained their feet. “Stop him, boys!” cried their leader. “’Tis one of Sherman’s scouts!” The valley was narrow here. Upon the right, looking south, rose abruptly the rugged heights. On the left, a spur of the mountain range had a more gradual ascent. The escaping horseman was forced to pause within a short distance of his enemies--so near in fact that his white face shone plainly in the starlight. “Fire!” rang out the cavalry chief’s wild command. A volley of bullets whistled around the fugitive’s head. He was seen to reel in his saddle, but his flight was unchecked. “S’ death! there he goes!” exclaimed the Confederate leader. “Quick! follow me!” As one the twenty men sprang forward to intercept the fugitive’s flight. Owing to a curve in the valley the horseman could not pursue a straight course.