The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-03-28

1
the same time Mr. r., IN that peculiar
voice lik1 the mellfuous notes of 81
yer trumpet said :-"Crasford, all is
ready-let's ride" The distinguished
Georgian approached the door, AMI by
the light of numerous pine torches, he
saw three horses in readiness. Mr. r.
pointing to an immense black stallion.
chImping, paving, and snorting held
by two stalwart negro fellows. said
Crawford, mount that horse" Mr.
Z. being very large aud eorpulent
man, said "Mr Randolph, can't ride
that horse" mount him, Craw ford
mount him." was TIE rebly. Mr. c.
demonstrated by saying that he was not
accustomed to horseback exercise, aud
he doubted his ability to ride that ami.
mal-pointing to the restless black stall
lion. Mr.. Randolph seemed irritated,
and replied sharply; "Mount sir /;
mount him !" Mr. c. saw that 10 cx.
cusc would do, and he finally consented
to mount, which he did. after great ei.
forts, the stallion neighug, painting,
paving and rearing, but the ncgroe,
held him sec4ely till the pondrrou,
Georgian got fairly and squarely in the
saddle, well in the stirrups, aud the
rclns well in hand
Mr.. Il. then mounted large bay stal.
lion of high mcttle, aud then came forth
Juba, the trusty body servant, dressed
in full livery, with cooked hat aud trum.
pet. Juba mounted the thoroughbred
marc Tra6c. MIR. X. then said. in Il
clear and shrill voice: "All ready" ut
that the negroes let loose the black stal.
lion, Juba brought one long, loud blast
on his trumpet, and the horses stood
for moment as if poised in mid air,
and then with . tremendous plunge,
they started. Jdba led the way, follow
cd next by Mr. X. and the bay stallion,
then Mr.. c last on the impetuous and
hard mouthcd black stud, The weather
being col and dry, and the roads hard
frozen, the morning atmosphere smote
the face as with shower Of needles;
and the Gathering hoofs of those tho
roughbreds upon the hard and frozen
ground in the stiffness of the winter,
soon rcsounded thro' those old Virginia
hills like the roar Of cavalry charge.
Mr. {. being 4 man Of great muscular
power, made several efforts to stop the
hea1long career of his stalwart CHARGER.
but the mere he pulled the faster he
ran; he finally hallowed to Mr.. X. TO
stop--"stop, that he couldn't stand it,"
but to all Of his entreatics he turned a
deaf ear, aud the only response he could
get would be the bugle blast of Jubu.
far in the van, mounted on the marc
Trahc, who flew through the air like an
arrow. Every time Juba blowed the
trumpet the black stud ran faster and
faster, until the corpulcnt Georgian felt
that all was lost.
But on they sped, until nearing the
fiat lands of the Stauntou river, when
the cry of hounds was heard. Aud to
the lett Mr. Crawford cast his eye, be.
held an immense pack streaming around
the bills toward the Christmas riders
On came the hounds, and oa went the
horseinen Soon the Stauntou river
came in lull view, which for the mo.
ment, promised great relief to Mr.. Craw-
ford, Of Georgia. Consequently he
watched Juba and mare, considerably
in the advance, as they neared the tur.
bid aud iamiBg river. But as Juba
aud the mare struck the river bank, to
the great modification aud disgust of
Mr.. Crawford, in they went; then fol
lowed Mr.. Randolph ON the metted bay
stallion; aud 6ually, Mr.. Crawford felt
thai oil hope was now gone, and with n
desperate effort to check the wild career
OF his mighty ehareershe pulled with
all the power of u giant; but it was not
Of the slightest consequence, for the
first plunge that the black stud made he
was in swimming water
BY this time Mr. Randolphs full
pack OF hounds had caught the party,
and were swimming and yelping as
though they were within fifty yards of
wounded stag or real fox. The cur
rent of the river was rapid, and the wa
ter intensely cold, aud while swimming
and drifting to the other bank, the
thought and hope struck Mr.. Crawford
that the ride for the balance of their
trip would be at their leisure. Hence
it was chat Mr. Crawford W tched again
with no little anxiety, Juba aud the
mare, still nearing the opposite bank,
when, to his horror, as the mare ascen-
ded the bank, Juba again brought
blast or two on his trumpet; the mare
switched the water from her flaxen tail,
and on she weDt-Mr Randolph second,
aud MIR 9. aud the black stud third
The hounds having an even start from
the south side of the river, kept up
with the Christpas party, and in full
cry as though they were on the warm.
est trail. Soon second pack Joined
the FIRST pack, and so on for every few
miles new pack would join the chor.
us, and on they went. Finally Juba
aud the mare quit the road and struck
out through the fields, followed by Mr..
X. and Mr.. c. across gullies, ditches,
over fences, through briars, ponds,
creeks. and everything that obstructcd
a straight limo.
At last relief came, for the party