The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-31

L l. 1870
our own affairs progress? 2"
"Ahl mam'selle, am happy to say that
the maps are all completed" he said, taking
a roll of parchment from the drawer of his
table and handing it to her." shut I really
must apologize for OBTAINING you SO long!"
SIT is matter of no consequence, mon
sieur; do not mention it. But how am l to
reach my destination, monsieur, since the
bridges are burnt?"
'Tndeed, nam elle, that ,OiH impede you
will it not p
81 had thought, monsieur lie general. of
changing my dress for youths, and, accom-
panied by my servant, strike across the coun-
try towards Jefferson City, on horseback.
What do you adviser"
REALLY, mam'selle, 1 should scarcely VEN
ture to give such advice but if you think of
adopting it, viii say think the plan an ad-
mirable one"
"Then, will trouble you to procure me
two fast horses-fast, mind, monsieur snd
| give me a pass for bearers pan and
youth-and will attempt it."
"The horses shall be at Jour door in an
hour. The pass, here 1t is; but 1 need
scarcely remind you, nam selle, that, if taken
| by iae enemy, those papers are our ruin!"
and the little general enforced his explanation
with an inimitable shrug of the shoulders.
"Neyer fear, monsieur, the papers shall be
well looked after" and, with graceful bow,
Zera, for the reader has already OWNED it to
be her, left the apartment and sought her car
rage.
'tBack to the hotel" she said, and sank
down upon the luxurious seats.
1t was but a moment before the carriage
pulled up at the hotel, and leaving the We
hicle, Zera mounted to her room, but not till
she had given Holden directions to follow her
at once. She had scarcely taken her seat
before her servant entered.
Holden" she said, 81 must leave here to-
night. am in possession of all came to
seek. In an hour there will be two horses at
the door; as soon as they arrive take them to
the foot of the hill beyond the branch, and
there await my coming must change this
apparel for boys attire again-by the time I
have mentioned can escape from the house
unobserved. Now go and see that there is no
mistake"
al will make no blunder my ladyl"
"You never dol but spoke in caution"
eyes. my lady," and the man retired.
An hour later might have been seen youth
stealing cautiously out of the house, and hur-
rying in the direction Holden had repaired
with the horses When he reached the branch
he found everything in readiness for an i'm
mediate start. He waited for no leave-taking
Vaulting into the saddle his servant followed
him. They rode slowly until the outermost
picket was passed. And now, with loosed
rein, the horses stretch forward at their swift
est speed.
Mile after mile fades behind them-hour
after hour sinks into night, and still that un-
firing gallop is maintained. Far over hill and
valley until the dawn of another day sheds its
light upon the world, rushed the dark horse
men towards the end of their journey. No
words were spoken-save some inquiry ad-
dressed by the smaller of the two to his CON-
panion touching their route, in short, peremp-
tory language, and the reply, given in the
same concise and explicit manner. And again
the rapid pace and the stern silence as before.
Like messengers of fate and fear they dashed
along, in their wild career.
But the course they are goingdoes not tend
in the direction of the capital Fer from it.
The direction they are now pursuing is in
precisely an opposite course. But few
miles further on and the spires of the little
city of Springfield will break upon their
vision.
"We are almost there, are we not, Holden?"
Yes, my lady, the distance cannot be
great.
81 am glad of it; for to tell you the truth
this mad gallop has wearied me beyond all
endurance"
cit has, indeed, been long ride my LADY,
and again they relapsed into silence, and
several miles were passed over without word
being said on either side. The youth whom
his companion had addressed as my lady"
at last broke the stiffness.
"Holden, as soon as this business is through
with we must hasten to the city, 1 heard
news from them to-day, or rather yesterday,
which surprised me beyond measure"
"Indeed, my lady, what was it?
"0ur captains uncle, old Col. Taylor, has
been arrested and thrown into prison for some
imaginary offense against the government at
Washington"
"But what do they charge him WITH"
"That could not ascertain; but whatever
it may be, the charge in itself is a mere pre-
text, for the good old man has done nothing
1 am sure, to justify them in pursuing such a
course towards him."
cit is not likely, since he is very old, is he
not ?"
"Yes, ce monde est plein de fouS?"
"You may well say that; but 1 should
judge that this thing is attributable more to
malignancy than to fool"
Z" 1t may be so! Where is Warren Hayes,
now?"
al learned at Rolla that he had returned to
the CITY and If NAV be that he has had como