The New Orleans crescent., 1868-05-03

together. At what hour do you tnlnk IL moss
advisable to set out ?" asked Zera of her new
friend, whose frank manners and open in
genuous features were fast winning upon her
confidence.
Gas soon as IT is clearly night; but you have
a long ride before you, and you must look
well to your horses. II they have been ridden
far to-day they ought to be well attended to-"
''They have been thoroughly groomed since
our arrival here" said Holden, ''and are now
enjoying plentiful supply of provender."
LET us all sleep then until sun down,
while our friend Mr.. Payne watches for
signs of danger. We viii need rest before
the dawn, take my word for it," and fol-
lowing his precept by example he stretched
himself on the ground, followed by the
rest, and they were all soon enjoying deep,
dreamless sleep. The approaching shadows
of evening fell lower and lower in the west
ern sky, and still they slept The lowing Of
the kline, the shock of rafting harness, as the
laborers, coming in from their daily toll
stripped their teams, walked them not. Long
habit enabled the one to snatch at intervals
needed repose, whilst WEAKNESS and great
fatigue combined to supply Zera and her fol-
lower with the ability to obtain requisite rest
in similar way. They slept long and
soundly, and awoke at last refreshed in body
and mind, and ready to push forward on their
journey.
Sand now, my men, let US tarry no longer.
1t is time We were away"
"Yes, it is time we were off, replied Young
Gibson. Look well to your arms, gentle-
men. We may need them before we get to
our journeys end" at the same time examin-
ing his own.
The horses were now brought to the gate,
and looked as fresh and jaunty after their
hard gallop as if they had spent the whole
time in Mr. Payne's hospitable barn. They
were again ready for the road.
Bidding their kind old friend and his gener-
Gus dame farewell, and receiving from each
much good advice and many injunctions to
look well to their safety, they mounted their
horses and set forward to the Southern camp.
They crossed the river and, rising the long
ascent that lay beyond, skirted the prairie
that came up TO its brow, and keeping well
under the shadows of the trees, pursued their
journey, slowly at first, and then more rapidly,
until finally their horses were stretching for
ward in full gallop.
But suddenly there came a sound on their
ears which caused them to draw upon their
brides so strongly that their steeds fell back
upon their launches. Just before them the
road they were pursuing was crossed by an
other at right angles. They had left the tim
Der and were out upon the wide prairie;
and coming up the intersecting road they soon
discovered file of Union cavalry. At almost
the same moment the two parties discovered
each other.
"We must trust to our heels for safety"
said Zera, in a low, quiet voice. "Do you,
Gibson, lead the way, just as if no enemy
were pursuing us. If we are taken do nei-
ther of you say word, but trust all TO me.
Now set forward and do not forget my instruc-
tons. We surely can outrun yonder heavy
cavalryl"
AS the heroes of our party began to move
the enemy seemingly at once OWNED their
intention.
Halt there, on your lives!" came swelling
across the prairie. ''Halt, or we fire !" again
was repeated still fercer than before, and the
ranks began to form into line.
Away" commanded Zera
There was a moments silence, and then,
like arrows launched from the bow, the horses
darted away. There was one loud, ringing
report, and then a succession Of quick, sharp,
reverberating echoes, as the shot rained like
hail about their horses feet. 1t was but for
one instant; and then the widening distance
between them gave assurance that the expert
ment would not be repeated. But now the
chase was fairly up. 1t led directly over the
prairie. The heavy horses of the dragons
sank deeply in the soft, moist earth, while the
lighter animals of Zera's party bounded away
like hares-they were distancing them; when
suddenly some half dozen of the enemy forged
suddenly in advance of their companions, and
seemed bent on contesting with the fleeing
party the superiority and feetness of their
steeds. The race had become exciting. Each
party was now going at their utmost speed.
Both pursuer and pursued were on their met
tie; bat now, q wheatfeld, guarded by its low
zigzag fence, was before them, and as they
sprang over the frail barrier and entered the
wet heavy ground, again Zera's party ran far
in advance.
When nearly through the field some
thing ahead began TO dance and glisten
like water. 1t was a wide drain or ditch for
irrigating the field and running transversely in
its course. Instead of turning either to the
right or left Zera's party headed their horses
at the canal, and the noble creatures, rushing
forward, rose like birds upon the wing clear
ing it with ease, though nearly twenty feet in
width. The pursuers were about three hun
dred yards in the rear; they had no time to
expend in admiring the feat; they hastened to
initiate it. They cleared it at a bound, and
again set forward in the race at their swiftest
speed. And now grassy plain, a broad