The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-08-03
CHAPTER V.
THE FACE IN THE WOOD

Scarcely had Blanche left the soldiers
side when a wild cry of voices, followed
by the sharp sound of fling, came from
the village. Hartmann FASTENED to the
hilltop and looked down. The whole
place was in commOtion; Wreaths of
smoke were coming from the house win
dows, while down the fultL or hillside
galloped a troop of calvt.y, half concealed
in the clouds raised by the horses hoofs
Hartmann recognized them in mo-
ment. They Were CThlans.
4 scene too common IN those days fol-
lowed. The few struggling franc Tireurs
who occupied the place were speed Y
put to fight, out the armed villagers from
roof and windows continued the skirmish.
AS the Uhlans galloped along they rode
down the affrighted men aud women who
still fingered IN the streets; then, pausing
in the market-plaee, they aimed with
their pistols at the figures who fired at
them from above. The firing grew fainter
and fainter; only every now and then
there was the crack OF a rifle and wild
shrek or cry. Dismndntiug some of the
Germans forced their way into the houses
TO unearth the hidden enemy Those
they found had short shr.fU.
Scarcely knowing what he did, Hart
mann descended the hillside. Troops of
panic-stricken men and women rushed
past him, making for the shelter of the
cliffs. He was standing close above the
highway, when he perceived just below
him scattered group of cavalry follow
ing the fugitiyes at hard gallop. As
they came up they refined III, wild and
covered with dust. md he recognized
among them his brother officer Yogel who
had been with them When he first en-
counteIed Blanche de Gavrolies.
He hailed him in the German tongue.
Nogel looked up and uttered an amazed
cry.
-Himmel! 1t is Hartmann-aliye"
Hartmann nodded and descended 10 the
road, where he shook hands with his COM
rade
Where the thunder have You been?"
growled NOgel, wiping his brow. We
gave you up for dead"
Il escaped, Is you Sec"
We'll, there is no time to be lost We
must get out of In as we came. Mount
up behind me; there, give me your hand. "
i cannot. | am a prisoner on parole.
Parole or no parole, now Is your
chance. Come before the French devils
return upoa US IN force
1t is imposs BILE answered Hartmann.
Away with You. | shall not break my
\, ord"
AS he spoke large boly of French in
fantly were seen approaching along the
highway at the rear. Hartmann turned
and FASTENED up the hillside under the
shelter OF some trees. He heard the word
of command. then the 81 tier of IorSes'
hoofs and the Germans had disappeared.
Fortunately for him, he was not per-
ceived by soldiers of the advancing body.
They passed by rapidly, every now and
then pausing to fire at the retreating
Uhlans.
In few minutes Hartmann reached
his former point of vantage, close to the
little chapel. Here he paused, and look
ing down, saw the French soldiers throng-
ing the market place while the little body
of German cavalry, now sadly decimated,
gal oped until they reached the farther
heights.
He entered the gate and passed into the
shadow of the woods. As he did so he
heard a sound as of foot crushing the
brushwooI among the trees at his side.
He paused and looked in the direction of
the sound, but saw nothing. Treasured,
he moved slowly on till he came in sight
of tie chateau.
Behind and on each side of him the
woods stretched dark and gloomy. Close
to him was the trunk of a fallen tree; he
sat down, thinking. Suddenly he seemed
to hear n sound again, IS of some one
moving in the wood close to him. He turned
his head, and this time saw, glaring from
the foliage, what seemed q pair of human
eyes.
The next moment there was a fash,
sharp report. lie staggered to his feet.
and with a low cry of pain, fell forward
upon his face.