The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-17

pity or regret-the counterpart of that of
which Byron wrote
"Wbere e'er his frown of hatred darkly fell,
Hope whitening fed and mercy sgh'd farewell
But yet man of many noble traits of char
acter, and one who would scorn a mean or
cowardly action. We knew him well, and yet
retain the memory of many kindnesses of
which he made us the recipient To this gen.
tleman, then, Colonel Terner briefly intro
duced Lieutenant Hayes as Captain Ramey,
of the county militia.
care your men ready, captain?"
"They are in the saddle-we are waiting
only for you. Allow me to place at your SER
vice one of my horses"
"Thank you very much. 1 will not keep
you waiting-let us be of, am ready!" and
following his guide out of the room, he saw
before him troop of irregular cavalry or
mounted rifemen, whose looks at once pro-
claimed them 1T instruments for the accom-
plishment of any evil which promised plum
der or remuneration. The captain and heu-
tenant were quickly mounted, and the troop,
wheeling into line, moved off on trot
eff the party you are in search of, lieuten-
ant, are aiming for Prices army they will
strike for the high point of Tebo. In that
case our safest route is to go through Belmont
and cut them off in the timber beyond. In
fact, it is the only way we can head them of.
On this prairie they would see us five miles
away
81 believe you are right, captain, SO use
your own discretion and best Judgment, only
let us lose no time"
"Iassure you none will be thrown away"
and turning to one Of his men, splendidly
mounted, he said ALLISON, cross the prairie
until you strike the road leading from Bel
mont to Cole Camp, and see if you can dis
cover any thing of two mounted travellers going
enthusiastically, or indications of their hav-
ing passed and report to me before l reach
Belmont Be off with you, and let no grass
grow under your horses heels"
The man addressed darted Off like the wind,
and the magnificent strides of his thorough
bred, promised speedy accomplishment of
his mission.
The prairie on which Hayes and his COM
panions were on was the same passed over by
Zera and Holden. But they had merely
skirted the edge, keeping well under the
shadow of the timber which fringes Flat creek,
and had passed the Warren ford, crossing
some two miles further up at the Quinn
spring, thus reaching a road that stretched
across the prairie almost directly for the
high point of Tebo, the land mark which,
elevating itself from the bosom of the prairie
to the height of almost two hundred feet,
stood outlined against the horizon for many
miles around. Indeed, it was familiar
point of observation to the prairie traveller;
and many dark night has the tall, conical-
shaped hill, been the solitary guide of the
belated horseman or hurrying fugitive over
the grand, almost hmitless plane around it.
Taking, therefore, the road that led almost
in straight line for this promontory, Zera
and Holden succeeded in avoiding any scout
ing parties that might be lowering around the
military post of Sedalia, and also in eluding
the observation of Hayess party, who were
but few miles from them, when they
crossed the little stream of Flat Creek and
darted into the prairie beyond.
But, however successful in eluding observa-
ton and pursuit from the larger party, the
their track speedily detected the trail and
followed it as the sleuth-hound follows tho
track of the deer. Bending low from the
withers of his horse he riveted his eyes on
the fresh tracks impinged on the prairie, and
never slackened the speed of the hgh-mettled
animal he bestrode as he dashed along the
trail. He was scarcely q mile behind Zera
when he rushed through the waters of Flat
Creek and gained the high activity that lay
ON the other side. But the stunted growth
of the crab-apple and prairie hazel, that hero
covers the ground, hid the party he was pur-
suing from his eyes. But when he finally
rode clear of them the eminence he was ira
versing enabled him to see far beyond him
on the prairie the vanishing forms of the two
horsemen. Fast as was his own steed, he saw
| at ONCE, that he could not compete in a trial
of speed with the horses he was pursuing.
Involuntarily he pulled his rein. They
were heading for the timber beyond Tebo
that was plain; but long before he could
reach Belmont they would haYe passed under
its friendly shelter. What should he do?
His eye sought the ground and right before
him, almost under his horses feet, lay what
seemed to be letter. He dismounted and
picked it up.
"They must ha dropped it," he said to
himself "No one else has passed here this
mornin'. I'll take it to Capen' Bill, anyhow.
Wonder what the devil them fellers been
a-doin? But, it don't consarn me reckon
this ere letters bout all Capen Bills pwine
to git outn the chase this time, land Allison
again turned his horses head in the direction
of Belmont and gave him the spur. He no
longer cared to note the peculiarities of the
ground-his mission was done but he rode
with loosened reins and eyes eagerly scan
ming the horizon. lie was looking for his
troop. Suddenly, his face frightened, and
shaking his loosened reins his horse sprung
forward at the utmost speed.
Away ahead of him in the bend of the
road, their arms cleaning in the sun and
nocbirc, 1,ooI- rovo ,o-,, A. ,,,o,-;..x.