Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-30
CHAPTER XVII

MEET WITH HAPPY ADVENTURE.
The rest of this signal victory-in which
seventeen hundred prisoners were taken, be-
sides the Maj Gen. Chudleigh, and all the
rebels camp, cannon and victuals-I leave
historians to tell. For very soon after the
rout was assured (the plain below full of men
screaming and running, and Col. John Digby's
dragons after them, chasing, cutting and
d. killing wet muzzle was thrust into my
hand, and, turning, found Molly behind me,
with the groom to whom had given her in
the morning. The rogue had counted on a
crown for his readiness, and swore the mare
was ready for anything, he having mixed
half pint of strong ale with her mash, not
half an hour before
So 1 determined to see the end of it, and,
paying the fellow, climbed into the saddle.
On the summit the Cornish captains were
now met and cordially embracing. IT'S very
sad in these latter times to call back their
shouts and boyish laughter, so soon to be
quenched on Lansdowne slopes or by Bristol
graf. Yet, o favored onesl to chase Vic
tory, to grasp her fluttering skirt, and so,
with warm, painting cheeks, kissing her, TO
fall, escaping evil daysl
How could they Taught For me the late
passionate struggle left me shaken with sobs,
and for the starting tears saw neither moors
around nor sun, nor twinkling sea. Brush
ing them away, was aware of Billy Pottery
striding at my stirrup and munching at a
biscuit he had found in the rebels camp.
We, the descent being gentle, broke into q
run, in hopes to catch up with Col. John Dig
by's dragons, that already were far across
the next vale. The slope around us was piled
with dead and dying. whereof four out OF
every five were rebels; and cruelty they
cursed us as we passed them by. Night was
coming on apace; and here already we were
in deep shadow, but could see the yellow sun
on the hills beyond. We crossed a stream al
the foot, and were climbing again. Behind
US the cheering yet continued, though fainter
and fainter grew the cries and shouting in
! front Soon we turned into a lane over q
steep hedge, under the which two or three
stout rebels were covering. As we came
tumbling almost atop of them they ran yell
| ing, and we let them 60 in peace.
The lane gradually led US to westward, out
of the main line of the rout, and past ham
| letwhere every door was shut and all silent
/ And at last a slice of the sea fronted US, be
tween two steeply shelving hills. On the
crest of the road, before it plunged down to
wards the coast, was wagon lying against
the hedge, with the horses gone; and beside
/ it, stretched across the road, an old woman
| Stopping, we found her dead, with sword
thrust through the left breast; and inside
the wagon young man lying, with his jaw
bound up-dead also. And how this sac
| spectacle happened here, so far from the bat
! tie field, was mOTe than we could guess
was moving away, when Billy, that wa'
kneeling in the road, CHANGED to cast his eye:
up towards the sea, and, dropping the dead
woman's hand, scrambled on his feet and
stood looking, with puzzled face.
Following his gaze, l saw a small sloop
moving under shortened canvas, about two
miles from the land. She made q pleasant
sight, with the last rays of sunlight flaming
on her sails; but for B.lly's perturbation
ssald nos account, 20 tSsTTsSa an inquiring
glance to him.
''Suthin' i the wind out yonder,n was his
answer. whats sloop doing on thatratct
- close in by the pointl Be dangedl but
there she goes again." as the little vesse
EBmE on point OF tEo faRther frnm tbs