"What is it you want me to promise, Agnes? You know anything in my power will be granted," Jerry replied, his voice showing the depth of his passion. "That you will let me dress as a man and ride by your side; that you will never order me away, however great the danger; that where you are, I may always be." "For you to ride at my side would be bliss," said Jerry; "but, oh! Agnes, to lead you into danger--how can I do it?" "It must be as I say, or I can never be your wife," was her answer. Jerry promised, and side by side they rode away to the home of a minister. It was near midnight when they reached it, and there, amid the clashing of the elements--for a fearful storm had arisen--the words were spoken that made Agnes Templeton the bride of Jerry Alcorn, the guerrilla. Sacrificing everything feminine, except her luxuriant hair, which she coiled tightly on top of her head and concealed under a wide sombrero, she rode by the side of her husband throughout his career. No Federal thought the smooth-faced, handsome young man who was always with Jerry was a woman. The band became known as one of the most cruel and merciless in the State. It revelled in deeds of bloodshed, and of all the band, the young man with the angel face and the heart of a demon, who rode by Red Jerry, was known as the most merciless. CHAPTER XI THE STORY OF CARL MEYER "Of all outrages!" exclaimed Dan. "That girl! Wasn't she splendid?" answered Lawrence. "She made me think of some great tragic queen. What a scene for the stage!--and we saw it in reality." "Wasn't thinking of the girl," sputtered Dan. "I was thinking of the outrage of sending us back under arrest." "He had a right to, Dan. We could be court-martialed and shot." "What! For interfering with the hellish work of that murderer? He is as bad as a guerrilla," angrily responded Dan. "For drawing a weapon and interfering with his orders," replied Lawrence. "Good God! I could almost afford to be shot for the pleasure of putting a bullet through the black heart of Jennison. That girl--I wonder what will become of her!" "Girl again!" growled Dan. "And don't blame Jennison too much. He had great provocation. No doubt that old scoundrel had been shielding Jerry." But Lawrence did not answer. He knew Dan's aversion to girls, and little was said as they rode on, mile after mile. Both Lawrence and Dan bitterly felt the disgrace of reporting back to Lexington under arrest. Lawrence knew that the case would have to go to Schofield. If there was any court-martial, Schofield would have to order it, and Lawrence felt that the General would deal leniently with him.