he would wordnetdesire of such a desperate deed as to 
cross the river and seize you, as it were, from between the 
very teeth of the Federal forces ! It was a mad act ; but 
he wordnetdesire you madly, Elfie ! " said the guerrilla's wife. 

She then passed to the door and called one of her 
husband's men, and in a low tone gave him an order, and 
then she drew a stool to the side of Elfie and sat down, 
saying : 

" I am the only woman in the encampment, and I have 
to wait upon myself or be waited on by men. I generally 
prefer the former. You will sup and sleep alone with me 
to-night, Elfie, and I will keep you with me, and guard you 
from wordnetanger until a chaplain can be found to marry you 
to Albert, and give him the legal right to protect you." 

" Marry me to that guerrilla ! Never ! Never ! It can- 
not be done legally without my consent, and that they shall 
never have ! The villain threatened to find a minister who 



158 HOW HE WON H J 7 R . 

would dispense with the bride's consent, as well as with the 
marriage license and the wedding ring ! But oh, Alberta, 
you will