The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-05-20

and seemed satisfied at last that he had sue
| ceeded.
.~"I saw him draw pistol from his belt,
and instinctively cry OF warning rose to
my lips.
"But IL was unnecessary.
There was flash from the young mans
pistol, and the ruffian fell, shot through the
brain.
snow was my opportunity, and, yelling
| at the top OF my voice, / broke from my
position, and rushed into the glade.
Come on, boys! cried, as though a
legion of warriors were at my heels, and
shooting down the first marauder who OBJ
structed my path, L reached the youths
| side. 49,
| "My onset surprised the rascals. and
| dropping their torches they scattered in ev-
| cry direction to escape the soldiers they
expected We're upon them.
This way, whispered, Selling the
boy by the arm.
| "He was quick-witted enough TO take
| advantage of the diversion L had made in
his favor, and an instant later we were
rushing through the wood toward the spot
where had left my horse.
The guenillas almost instantly recov-
cred from their alarm, and. finding that we
were but two, they picked up their scattered
| torches and followed, shouting furiously.
"They had lost two of their party besides
| their leader. If we now fell into their
hands the most horrible death they could
devise would be the result.
Suddenly my foot caught in root and
fell ut full length upon the ground. Oh,
the horror of that instant! l shall never
| forget it. But my companion turned and
| jerked me to my feet; and on we went, with
| the bushwhackers yelling at our heels.
ut has seemed strange to me since that
| they did not fire upon us-we were but
very short distance in advance--but in the
hurry of the chase they probably forgot that
they wore pistols.
Instinct led me in the right direction,
and as | saw the form of my horse beneath
the tree it infused new power into my
muscles.
"Reaching his side, tore the bride from
its fastenings and sprang into the saddle.
My fellow fugitive was behind me in an
instant, and l spurred the steed forward
with a reckless disregard of downfall.
away we went, brushing against the
limbs, and expecting every breath TO be
torn from the saddle. Our foes did not
give over the pursuit, but followed with the
persisteney of bloodhounds.
II can not tell you how long the chase
continued; but we ut last came to an open
space where had once been clearing.
1T was some relief to catch sight of the
sky over our heads for the storm had now
spent its force. and heard a glad cry rise
to my companions lips as We flew out into
the open space.
"But our triumph was soon changed to
despair. We could not ride ut n very rapid
pace through the woods, and the pursuers
had been close behind.
las we rapidly covered the level ground,
which was broad enough to allow the steed
TO display his swiftness of foot. the foes re-
allied Il at We should escape them.
Suddenly there came the crack of pis-
tolls. and the balls whiZzed about our heads
My companion gave vent to n heart
rending scream that l shall remember to
my dying hour. and, after clu,ching me con-
vulsively in his arms for an instant, he re-
leased his grasp and fell to the ground.
Il did not stop. knew that he was dead,
and it would bring no good to him if l lay
stretched at his side
"As / entered the wood ut the opposite
side of the clearing | looked back and saw
the guerrillas growing like wolves around
their victim.
"They did not pursue me further" said
the Colonel, after n moments pause, land
l reached the camp in safety. But never
could discover the brave youths name or
the regiment To which he BELONGED "