Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-02

! most up with 1t, and shall be past in a
r minute. "No! by jingo, they have
heard me-" [ hear their horses in the
: bush coming right from the road; the
! leaves crack beneath their tread.
, "Now for it, my lad, as swift as chain
! lightning, or we are LOST .,..
, On we go; the pace is tremendous,
but still l cannot pass them. They
know every inch of ground, and are
taking short cut to head me off III. ..5
"On, Punch, on" and then the spurs
60 to work, and the faithful creature
does his best. They are close on me.
Thank God | am even with them, and
if pace is to win the day, why, tired
and weary though you are, my boy, l
don't much fear the result. "Halt p'
cries an angry voice. "If you catch
me-" | reply; and then | lie low on
my saddle, just in time to escape half
a dozen balls that fly over my head, but
as lean my hand over my horses
shoulder, I feel something wet oozing
out. 1t is blood !! They have hit you,
my good fellow poor Punch! but Punch
only gives an angry snort, and dashes
on like the whirlwind. Rattle and clatE
ter, shouts and yells, hear behind and
know that the whole party are in pur--
suit. Bang! goes carbine, and the
bullet strikes tree. "You can't do
much damage, my FRIEND" | cry, Sun
less you pull up, and then where will 1
be?" .
My taunts were responded to by a
volley which swept harmessly over me.
A hundred yards only separated me
from the Rebs, but had the advan-
tage of the night, and if l could only
keep up the speed l felt safe; but not
wishing to encounter. such another eb-
ulition of Confederate wrath, laid low
and did not look around until another
mile was passed. Then l took peep,
and saw to my horror, close behind, an
officer. q could distinguish his rank
by the bright lace around his cap,)
mounted on large horse, every stride
gaining on me.
"HaltH" he screamed, "or I'll fire."
"Fire away-two can play at that little
game;' and suiting the action to the
word, | pointed the revolver right at
his horses chest and let fly. Down
went horse and rider, his pistol going
off as he fell. Bang. bang went their
carbines again, and on, on, flew, my
steed now showing signs of distress, and
requiring the spur to keep him up to
the mark. There is an open space ahead
perhaps they will shoot me there
No, I'm past the clearing. Right once
more Three miles more, my lad, and
then our pickets-and if they do their
duty, as you have done yours, Punch,
there will be many saddle emptied in
our rear.
Another look, hurrah I'm gaining
on them but still on they come There
is a splash, and then heavy thud-
one of them has fallen in the mud-hole
we have just passed. Here's the open
ing again. | know this part well and
across the corner and away we 90 over
the grass. A laugh behind.
"We've got him now!'' What, could
l be wrong? No, but few yards ahead
is a great yawning chasm. Bafled !!
Stuff "To the bottom, or over" Not
an inch swayed the little nag to the
right or left, but straight at it, and
with long bound we were across. A
hideous yell burst out, and l turned
in my saddle, and saw my pursuers hes
itating on the brink. One, two, three
are over; the rest ride round. Now
comes the rush. They know the pick
cts are near. By heavens! they are
gaining! My horse is done; not bit
faster will spur or voice urge him. z-
But surely our boys will hear the
shouts, aod they will settle with these
gentry for me. Yes, they have heard,
aud | see an opening in the woods, and
a bright barrel, which is instantly with
drawn, is flashing in the starlight be-
tween the trees. Saved, but yet no 10
challenge. Perhaps it is another rebel,
but it is too near camp for that. l gal
lop by and see party of our fellows.
An officer holds up his sword, and I
whisper softly as pass, 'The,, hounds are
close behind" "Then l will make saeur
kraut of them," answers the German
A minute more, and then the sharp
word, "Aim. fire p' Then a shout and
a yell, and tramp of horses feet, and I
know that our lads are upon them, and
that many "Butternut' has gone to
his last account
So pull my rein, but dare not walk
my horse lest he should drop. Here is
our second picket line. In front, upon
yonder slope, can just see the camp
fires. There on my right | hear the
heavy tramp of a cavalry sentinel pac-
ing up and down in front of a large
farm house, lighted with candles in ev-
cry room. | make right for it. The '.
guard halls me- An officer comes to the
door, 1t is the General himself. "Ihe -
dispatch p | alight and give it to him,
and as do l reel against the door and
looking round, see Punch laying on his
side, painting for breath Then comes 5z
a heavy boom through the midnight air. to
"What means that fring?" said he -s-
:.That the gunboats are running the
blockade, General" Then he looks at r
the dispatch again and reads in the 20
presence of several of his staff, ss9;15 P az
NJ" and then pulls out bis watch and -
says very coolly, "12:30; thirty miles I,
in three hours and fifteen minutes! Well
done Enolishman T eha1I NOT fnroot