Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-07-19
A Fair
Blockade Breaker !
BY t. c. DELEoN.

"Are you badly hurtP" the officer
asked.
"Past walking" Evan replied, with
quick-repressed grunt of pain, as he
again tried to bear weight on his left
foot. mo bones broken, guess; but a
pretty bad wrench"
''Talke him behind you, Dowd," the
major ordered. "We're wasting time"
And two stout pairs of arms raised the
captive, not urgently, and placed him
on the crup of the Irishman's horse.
Sergeant, send him back to head
quarters. Detail Riley to guard him."
the major ordered, wheeling his horse.
"An infantry support, Paddy" whis-
pered Evan, as he gripped the Irish
mans waist.
"Harkl what's that?" muttered the
federal officer, suddenly checking his
horse and turning in saddle to listen.
"Platoon!-Dy right and left-ds Skfrna-
ishers-MARCHr'
An instant more, the road was clear,
the skirting woods on either hand con-
cealing the little force, and each mans
carbine at a ready"
For now, from southwark, plainly
sounded hoofs, at rapid trot; and soon
the jingle of accoutrements told of cav
airy advancing. In rear of the last
trooper, Evan listened with bated
breath.
Could they be rebs? Were they
Yanls? Had Carolyn evaded them,
friends or foes? Manned, disarmed,
and closely watched by the surly man
who owed him dismount, the chatting
captive could only listen and conjecture.
And nearer the horsemen trotted mer-
rily through the snow-now. falling
heavily and soon dark shadow
doomed up in distance.
challenge, sergeant" whispered the
major; and the troopers knees turned
his horse into the road, facing the in
truders, his carbine at dead aim.
'Halt! Who goes there?'
Friends! With the countersign,"
came the answer. SIS Maj. Conyers
there, Scrgt. Grecr?"
Il am here, Capt. Granger" the Off
Ger answered, riding out to his sub
altern. ''What brings your scout on
this trail? You were to take the lower
road" he added, in lower voice.
eve heard firing hearaway, sir" the
younger soldier replied, in the same
tone. "And, besides, we had a chase
after the best piece of horsehesh and
| pluclxieSt piece of womanhood have
struck in rebellion. She cut my shout
der strap with bullet, in reply to chal-
lenge, then took to cover and led us
through the woods like born fox
| hunter"
"And you let a woman escape your"
The old majors voice was very dry.
mot finally, sir. Her horse pumped
he must have been overridden-so we
hemmed her in at last. Sergt. Flynn"
he added, louder, advance with your
prisoner"
And Carolyn Clay's horse was led to
the front, the girl sitting erect in sad
die, quiet, but pale, and with an ugly
CLEAN in her blue-gray eyes.
'Who are you, madam-or miss,
presume?" Maj. Conyers asked, saluting
courteously.
"a Virginian. A lady causelessly
chased and arrested while riding quiet
ly homeward," the girl answered, de
family.
''Virginia ladies seem to choose
strange hours for quiet rides" the old
major retorted, rather grimly. ''Will
you give me your name, occupation and
residence, upon honor, if parole your
81 demand to be released uncondi-
tionally and permitted to proceed to my
home" Miss Clay answered, haughtily.
''Do you Yankee soldiers confess that
you war upon southern women?"
Perhaps; when southern women
, shoot at us in their jocular way" the
veteran replied. But we waste time
madam. VIII you answer my ques
tion?'
81 deny your right to question. l de
mand to be released as a non-combat
ant" was the firm response.
''Non-combatants do not shoot in re
ply to challenge, on lonely roads," the
major retorted, rather impatiently
"WM you answer, or not? What is you