The Irish standard., 1888-09-29
CHAPTER IN.
CdA1IEEt 1V.
THE sTQRMING OE FREDERICKSBURG.

to repair to the headquarters of his cola.
manding officer.
II have sent for you, Winthrop" sale
Colonel Lichfeld, gravely, q on {, matter OF
life and death; for this dispatch must reach
General Burnside, who has succeeded Nc
Clellan and now lies in front CT Fredericks-
burg, within twenty-four hours"
And you wish me to carry it, sir1"
"I do. II is service Of no mean DANGER
which dare not intrust to younger SOL
der. You have sixty miles to ride over
billy country with the woods full OF the
enemy. Be wary lad; do not needlessly run
into danger, and above every thing, de-
liver YOUR dispatches into the Generals
own hands"
"And start at once, sir2"
Yes, without even an orderly. Say, ara
you we'll mounted?"
"No better horse than mine in the regi-
ment, Colonel,'' was the proud reply. My
father bred him from the best strain Of the
Blue Grass lands of Kentucky
"Weu, you will have to try his nettle
to-day; so, now, be off, and luck go with
you"
There is nothing SO inspiriting to soldier
as being employed on special dnty, with the
conviction that be has been selected for It
as compliment to his skill and daring Ac-
cordingly Harry rode away with light
heart and longing desire for further dis
tinction, though occasionally thoughts OF
home would fit like shadows across the
bright landscape Of his present prospects.
He could see his mother wipe her glasses
and read the story Of his rapid promotion; ho
could fancy sister Nell's eyes sparkling with
enthusiasm al. the kind words the Michigan
newspapers had used in describing gal
liant raid he had shared against Mosby's
men, and he could hear the tremulous words
Of his father: "My boy HarryF'
The country through which he journeyed
was wild and romantic enough. AS far as
he could ne avoided villages and crept
along the rugged lanes Of the endless
woods, guided only by a pocketreompass
and the never-failing instinct Of locality
which is essential to good soldering. But
these detotlls heightened the journey sad
IL, and the long rest Of midday beside
mountain stream had greatly delayed him,
so that the shadows Of night were closing
over the short day, when be approached
the worst part Of the road-a stony path
leading through q glen, whose frowning
mills were clothed IN somber trees.
a little to his left he saw twinkling G,
light in q cottage window. Should he press
Gil III uuCC. AIlo SoAesA ASa@1S
or seek information at the humble dwellingf
Either alternative was fraught with
danger Suddenly the deep baying Of
dog was heard and in q moment the cot
tage door YVES opened and an old woman,
shading the light of candle by her hand,
peered into the darkness, while mastih
bounded from her side in fierce fury down
the slope to where his horse was standing.
a moment more and the crack of rife
rang in the air, the kissing bullet snapped
the branches of trees close to Harry's head.
In front Of him, up the dark road, he saw
the glimmer Of lights and heard angry
voices. he turned to fee, but the road be-
hind him was barred; for the tramp Of
horses hoofs was coming In mad haste
upon him. One chance alone lay open to
him-to make a dash down the bed Of
little stream, which lay between him and the
cottage, and run the gauntlet Of the men
On the road above. The dog he sent howl
ing horneward with q bullet in his leg, and
then setting spurs to his horse, bounded
over the bushes into the brook. It was q
mad ride. Almost dark as pitch, trusting
only 10 his horse to find the way, torn by
the overhanging brambles, now nearly flung
from his saddle as the gallant beast half
fell over some big bowlder, with Ene crash
of bullets ringing round him, and threaten
ing cries echoed on all sides, he reached at
last broad, open swamp, into whose black
slime his chargers legs sunk kaee-deep
Here he thong he was comparatively safe,
and when he had got out of the shadows
Of the trees it WAS lighter, so that he could
$50 something Of the way he was going,
and, with sigh of relief, he turned his
horses head away from the stream.
~ 4 AT al,
gone be in dom quick-san's," cried q voice
within a dozen yards Of hum, aud the wool
iy head OF g negro lad peered from c1ump
Of reeds.
Instantly Harry drew the bride.
(which way, then, boy, to the Fredericks-
burg pixies Five dollars, il you will guide
me there"
He could see the lads teeth cleaning in
the twilight.
cellar to goodness, boss" he cried, ssI
dassent De road am full Of rebs.''
"And the Union troops--ha7e you seen
them?"
sNaw," was the unsatisfactory response.
"Dere amt none roun' desc parts.n
However, with the lads help he reached
the uplands, and once more set his horses
head toward Fredericksburg. Then night
came on in pitchy darkness. Twice be es-
capped bya miracle the bullets Of the enemy's
pockets Then the highway became impass-
able, and he was driven to skirt the fields
and woods again. Thus the long night
passed, wandering he knew not whittier,
but ever hoping to sec the bivouac fires of
his own people. To add to his distress rain
fell in torrents. drenching him to the skin
and chilling him 80 that he was obliged to
walk on foot to stir the circulation in his
nunbed veins.
Then he mounted O. little hill, and in the
valley beneath saw lights Pickering to and
fro; he heard the hoarse challenge to sen.
tries and knew that he was on the verge Of
camp-perhaps Of Union men, but far
more likely Of the enemy
Dazed with exhaustion he led his horse
forward with blind trust that he would be
right.
"Who goes there's" rang out voice in q
rich Irish brogue.
"a FRIEND" he called.
"Advance friend and give the counter.
slgnF' was the stern demand.
But Harry's limbs refused to move. With
dull groan he sank to the earth-yes, this
big, strong soldier lad--in as helpless a
swoon as ever stole the senses of tender
&ABHI~ -1 ~AvS