The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-01-17
IA WILD RIDE.

Mechanically I gathered up the reins,
nodded to McCausland, for Twas too stu
pefied to reply in words, and started up
on my wild ride. Three hours hence
and the water would be pouring down
the valley through which my course lay.
No wonder had to ride for my life, and
perhaps the lives Of hundreds Of my tel-
low-creatures depended on mine. Am
mering Junction was some miles away.
Ny route lay through an unknown coun-
try, across moorland intersected by
flooded streams and swept by the fierce
wind and rain.
must do it, I thought, as my horse
picked his cautious way amid the loose
stones down the steep by-road We had
ascended the previous day. 1 should
need all my strength, though, to execute
my task, so pressed on. A valuable
slice out of my time had been expended
when I reached the broad highway and
urged nv horse to speed. I had to turn
off again, I knew, but I fancied I should
easily find the path. Besides, was there
not a sign-post? d? Therefore, urged by
dreadful tidIngs, and with the fierce wind
and biting rain by turns and all together
assailing me, I urged my horse onward.
[ reached the turning, and pulled MP 70
read the direction 1 should take. !
nearly tainted with horror as 1 read.
The fatal finger pointed up the cross
road I was pursuing-IO HOLnlc8ddh
and Seahan7. The opposite index point
edo RudddU and A7llD1ertllg.
could scarce credit my senses. GSurely,
T was right We had come up the pre-
vious day, and up the hill to the Reser-
yoirs. l had merely to TeUeT8e the route
we had travelled. At that moment, II
YOU will believe me, the true state OF the
case, and my own stupidity, flashed upon
me. We had come from Holmesdale ;
[ was now bound for Ammering, which
lay at the opposite side.
Aswe gained the more open groUnO,
the blast came down with such violence
as to stagger us. 1t tore across the hill
! side and whizzed and hissed amongst the
rorse and swaying grass. The rain came
| Jown more determinedly than ever. At
| length I reached a small cluster Of stone
cottages. and halted under the lee OF the
! last one TO take breath for a fresh strug-
Gle over the moor-which lay before ma.
| a straight road lay over it-a good road,
but crossed at intervals by rapid streams
which had overdowed their limits, and
sweIled over their boundaries In all the
pride of " spate " across the hinty stones
which had defed them all the summer
long. The submits Of the neighbOring
/ hills we're shrouded in a veil OF mist, but
far in advance, on the level, 1 could trace
the channel of the Apps River down the
valley, and could guess the spot at which
the flood would strike the railroad, anc
the branch line over the spur Of the hill
7 could lust distinguish the junction II
tbe middle distance. A dark smoke ap
peared to be rising from it; an engine
perhaps waiting to start with train, anc
I was lingering on the hill. All this
and more, I could perceive as 1 rested OF
the summit. Somewhat refreshed,
rode manfully forward into the storm.
How nv horse kept his feet 1 do no
TO this hour understand. The wind
which had been high before, appeared t
have gathered new force while we halted
and it rushed across the track terrihcally
Pebbles were frequently blown acrOs
the road, and every pool had its waves
ike a miniature sea. Some helples
crows were blown over my head, and
sinister-looking raven skinned the moo
/ close ty, uttering a weird CIoak whicl
! fell upon my ears like a knell, and chill
ed my blood. was quite alone, not
) human being in sight, but suddenly th
whistle of locomotive was. carried to m,
ears. An engine moved out Of the sta
tion. Another whistle shortly afterwards
The train was safe. watched it glid
away over the viaduct. Five minute
later rode into the station, and callet
for the statiOn-master. As I dismouni
ID the clock struck eight The time wa
| up, and no signal from McCapsland
Telegraphing would now be easy.