The Portland daily press., 1868-04-04

cautiously forward until the sound OF morse
men moving rapidly came quite near, with
drew into the edge of the forest and awaited
their passage Nearer aud nearer came the
troop, and at once 1 thought there was too
much jingling and clatter for guerrilla band
on plight expedition, and presently came the
sound of deep, resonant voice
"Silence !-Close up! Steady, men, steadyp
How my heart leaped into my throat! 1t
was nv Junior lieutenant, with detachment
OF our own comrany Plunging into the
road at the risk of being shot down, stop
ped not to inquire how they came SO oppor-
tunely near, but, making myself known to
Lieutenant Winters, hurried them forward at
the same reckless speed at which had come.
Reaching corner of field some distance
IRON the house, we hastily threw down the
ienee and rode straight towards the door. A
shot or two from the frightened marauders
outslde greeted us as we dashed up, but, heed
less OF all save what might be passing with
I'D, 1 threw myself from my horse and lol-
lowed by half dozen sturdy troopers, burst
open the door.
Never shall forget the scene. On the
table, the moose about his neck, his arms pin
Toned tightly to his sides, his chest heaving
from his quickened breathing, his forehead
covered with sweat, pale, but erect and self
possessed even then, stood Captain Blake,
and little farther back, the " idow. with up
lifted finger and heaving bosom, with eager
eyes and parted lips and whole face aflame
with exulting light. while the sister, still
kneeling in the half shadow, with clasped
hands and uplifted face, sobbed "1hank God
oh! thank Godw
With one exception, the hangman, the
| guerrillas escaped in the darkness and con-
| fusion. This one was captured as he was
| climbing through arear window, and brought
| back at the moment was releasing the Cap
tain. A dangerous light cleaned for mo
ment in Blake's eyes as he saw him, but only
for moment, and waving his hand to the
inquiring trooper in charge of him, he said
| quietly: Conduct him safely to the post. and
turn him over to the proper officer.a Then
leaning heavily on my shoulder, he sale
family: "John, I'm faint and sick, See to the
ladies; get me canteen OF brandy or whisky
and let me lie down for half an hour"
Poor fellow, the tremendous mental straif
| of that forty minutes had almost broken hin
down. He had continued his forced decla
nation until terrified negro rushed in ant
reported to the guerrilIas that an apparitioI
as tall as forest tree had killed one of thei
guards and fled with his horse. A few min
utes' search disclosed the insensible, bleeding
body OF one OF their sentlnels, and, admOnish
ed 10y this, the wounded man was sent ava,
in care OF two OF their gang and the remain
der turned their attention to Captain Blake
who had remained, meanwhile, securely pin
toned. in the keeping of the subsequent
captured hangman, That functionary hat
already adjusted the moose, and was about t.
tip the table from under Captain Blake's feet
when his attention was arrested by shot o
two outside, and the trampling OF hoois a
tn, door.
Would you know how those hoofs happen
ed to be so near? Well, old Harry, trundle
so unceremoniously out OF doors. had gon
limping and grumbling away from the house
and making long circuit into the pas tur
below, had there caught an old horse, to
poor to tempt a guerrilla, and, without saddl
or bride, had ridden to the post through til
deep darkness with all the speed he coul
command, while had been crouching pare
lyzed in the loft OF the house.
|
Oil Harry is sitting this drowsy afternoon
in the shade of the willows down my garde
walk, Calmly watching little wicker carriage
in the contents of which the erewhile wild
ow and myself claim joint prorrietorsh:p.
Captain Blake and his wife live in tn
brown cottage over the way; and the cap
tain stoutly MAINTAINS to this day that be
was terribly frightened that night, otberwls
he could not have made SO long and vehe
ment speech.