The Irish standard., 1888-09-29

him, and he still has to stop at home and
take care Of the women"
While we play hide and seek on these
Wild mountains with Mosly's fellows. This
is not war; it is"
"Silence in the ranks! Halt!'
The command cut off the boy's complaint.
In g. moment each horse and noan was as
still as q statue.
The lads quera!ousness was not alto
gether gronndless; tor, until Hooker's ar
rival, the cavalry had simply done duty in
scouting and tianEing. There had been q
tedious time of drill when camped on Ne
ridian Hill, weary march through Alex
andria to Cuipeppsr, rnonotonous winter
quarters AMI sharp engagement at Bran
dy Station. Their main duty had been skir-
mishing and picketing, with occasional en-
counters with Mosby's irregulars, for this
extraordinary man had already made him
self famous as a guerrilla chief. Tales OF
his daring efsrontery were toid round che
camp-fres with many exaggerattons by
men who believed he bore charmed life.
Il seemed impossible TO lay hands on him,
Hardly had the Federal troops recovered
from the establishment OF rash attack OF
the bold skirnishec and prepared to chas-
tise Kim, than they heard of another equally
daring feat Of his six miles away.
I.eaping from his horse, the Lieutenant
beckoned Harry to follow him on foot to a
cluster of trees from whose shelter they
could command view of.the valley beneath
them.
What Il sight met their gaze. A score ct
Moseby's men were fastening long wires TO
the rails Of the Manassas railroad, which
thew had detached from the sleepers. Their
object was apparent at " glance. Already IN
the distance could be heard the numbering
sound of an approaching supply train, and,
even as Harry looked, the Confederates had
hidden in the neighboring bushes, wires In
hand, ready for the derailing Of the cars.
"Quickr' whispered Lieutenant Barclay.
"Send g trooper back to the command ;
s'for, if our fellows charge up the valley,
they will bag the lot OF them"
In minute, at Harrys bidding, Gordon
Grey was dashing at headlong speed over
the broken path.
Meanwhile the heavy train crept nearer
to the fatal ambush. No need for conceal
ment now. Though the leader knew that
the woods were full Of foes, the gallant little
band rode recklessly down into the valley,
but ere they could reach the scene OF the
disaster the doomed engine was flung from
tbs rails, and the enemy was swarmlng over
the broken cars, so intent on the work OF
plumber tnat they hardly noticed the charge
Of the little troop Of heroes, foremost OF
whom was Harry Winthrop.
It was an unequal contest and could have
| had but one ending when, with wild cheer,
q squadron Of cavalry came laundering to
the rescue. Mosby's men, as usual, when
outnumbered, fed to the woods with the
o;v
| man of them, who had been a leading spirit
| at the train-wresking, separated himself
from the rest and boldly rode down the
valley: and burying his spurs in his horses
tanks Harry Winthrop sped after him.
Both pursuer and pursued were well-mount-
ed, and nearly two miles were passed with
out any perceptible lessening or incress-
ing difference of the hundred yards
which separated them. Over and over
again Harry could have brought the
fleeing enemy down with his carbine,
| but he saw that the man had fired his last
| round of ammunition and was defenseless
| but for his sword, and he chivalrously re-
solved to trust to his skill and strength to
capture him on equal terms. And fortune
! favored him; for the Confederate's horse
/ Stumbled and fell and in minute the young
! Northerner had his hand on the throat and
! his knee on the chest of bis PROSTATE enemy
But his triumph was only momentary
| How or whence the blow came which struck
him to the earth he never knew, there was
dull thud, an intense pain as though his
head was bursting, and he fell senseless be
! side his captive.
The rest seemed to him like dream. he
| had blurred vision Of group Of men
standing around him, Of lady-aye, Of
(! Kate Frobisham herself-bending over hin
and bathing his brow, and then he relapsed
into .unconsciousness only to find himself
| lying on the roadside with his head resting
! on the arm Of Gordon Grey.