The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-03-07

again the parting words, ''CfOOu-Dy, ucaA'
Gear Wayne" Ho felt shiver run over
him and he leaned forward in his saddle,
urging his horse to its greatest speed.
When he reached the road and turned
toward Savannah the way seemed clear,
but he had sped but few rods ere an
obstacle suddenly presented itself in the
form of an officer wearing the British
uniform and mounted on horse evil
IDENTIFY captured from some unfortunate
American.
"Halt!" rang out the challenge, too
late for Prescott to check his speed, even
if he had desired to. HALT" and then
their swords crossed with a keen clink
as the lieutenant dashed by.
| A short, sharp race, and Prescott felt
that his enemy was. gaining rapidly and
would strike him from behind if he
should not turn about at once.
"Haltv'
He wheeled his horse just in time to
parry slash which would have severed
his head from his body.
There was rafting fire of musketry
to his left, while on his right a light
battery was believing vigorously. He
thought of Rose. in fact the thought
had not left him, and as he closed with
the heavy set and surly faced foe again
the words echoed in his heart: "Good-
by, dear, dear Wayne
It was short and desperate fight. in
which both men showed superior horse
manship and consummate command Of
the sword. The British officer was the
stronger, otherwise they were well
matched. Perhaps the American fought
at disadvantage, his main thought be-
ing to get away from his enemy by any
means and reach Savannah in time to
see Rose before the town fell into Brit
ish hands. The sole aim of tho other
was to kill his doughty antagonist.
On either side of the highway the
ground was soft, and the combatants
knew that If either were to permit his
horse to leave the hard roadbed he would
be at the others mercy; therefore the
struggle lay largely in the management
of their animals, which were now thor
oughly excited and almost uncontrolla-
BILE.
Doubtless his enemy felt something
like the same spur to hasty action, for
he urged his horse closer and cut and
thrust with redoubled rapidity and force.
As yet neither had been wounded, 80
vigilant had been their fencing, but the
great strain Of managing their furious
horses and at the same time keeping up
the increasing violence of their combat
was telling upon their strength, which
had been otherwise taxed to the utmost
since early morning.
In . set duel it might have been
thought cowardly thing to do, but
Prescott was no coward, nor did he
dream of cowardice when, as the Eng
lishman's horse reared and plunged near,
he struck it, with all the force he could
gather into his arm, right across the left
eye. It reeled back and sprang off the
roadway into the mire, where it vainly
Aoundered about.
The way was not more than twenty
feet wide and in some parts had been
strengthened by half buried palmetto
logs, forming sort Of corduroy, very
dangerous for the footing of the horses,
whose springins and rearing and plung-
ing kept sort of time to the rapid
sword strokes of the straining men.
Nearer and nearer came the scattered
spray of the disordered army of Gen.
Howe, founGering along wildly, finging
aside guns and abandoning artillery,
leaving everything in the hands of tho
victorious British.
Lieut.. Prescott knew that if he de-
layed but few short moments finishing
with his antagonist all would be lost to
him.
Wheeling his own horse, the lieuten-
ant spurred on toward Savannah, we'll
knowing that his antagonist could not
follow. Two or three British tired at
him from little swell to his left, but
their bullets Kissed over his head. A
little further on, where the road made q
short turn, he Numbered through be-
wildcred group Of American soldiers,
who, hatless and gunless, werc painting
and running almost exhausted.
Why should those words keep ringing
through his ears and echoing - IL in the
remotest distance Of meposy1 "Good-
by, dear, dear Wayne" fM .s
He forgot the wrenching And strain
ing, the fatigue, the all but exhaustion
Of tho struggle through which he had
come; but with his bare sword gripped
in his right hand, the reins held firmly
in his loft, he leaned over the pommel
and strove to increase the speed of his
foaming horse. He did not once think
of the humiliation Of defeat, nor did it
occur to him that his duty might be
along the line in striving to rally the
broken and flying army of freedom.
It was like fearful rebukc to him