The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-30
A FAIR BLOCKADE BREAKER.
By T. c. De Leon.


airy" was the answer. -ssI was riding
to a farm below, with lady,-had no
notion any Yanlss were across the river"
ssYou fred on u.s." the officer said,
sternly.
'sBut didn't-hit your the boy re-
torted, with grin half of pain and half
of fun, trying to gain time for Carolyn
Clay and listening eagerly for any sound
southwark.
"Dismounted Corporal Riley, sir"
the sergeant reported to his officer, hand
to cap.
That's even, major" Evan retorted,
quickly. 'sYou dismounted me. May
ask one favor, sir? Ny horse and are
old comrades" he added, with a little
tremor in the voice. ''Wil1 you let the
sergeant put him out of pain?-No! not
that" He quickly threw up the car
bine the sergeant leveled at signal
from the major. There's one ball left
in my pistol; and think poor old Jeb
would rather go that way"
The stout-hearted scout turned his
face aside, and the rough sleeve passed
swiftly across his eyelids, as the federal
trooper sent the last confederate bullet
into the blacks brain.
s'Are you badly hurt?" 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, I guess; but
pretty bad wrench"
ssTake 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.
can infantry support, Paddy" whis-
pered Evan, as he gripped the Irish
mans waist.
clark! what's that?' muttered the
federal officer, suddenly checking his
horse and turning in saddle to listen.
''Platoon!-By right and left-Gs skssws-
sshers-MARcH!"
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 rebs2 We're they
lYanks2 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 SHOWROOM falling
heavily -and soon q 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, sergt. Greer?"
81 am here, Capt. Granger" the off,
Ger answered, riding out to his sub
altern. 'sWhat 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 chase
after the best piece of horsehesh and
pluckiest piece of womanhood have
struck in rebellion. She cut my shout
der strap with a bullet, in reply to chal-
lenge, then took to cover and led us
through the woods like born fox
hunter
s'And you let woman escape you?"
The old majors voice was very dry.
''Not 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.
t'Who are you, madam-or miss, I
presumed" Maj. Conyers asked, saluting
'courteously.
ga Virginian. A lady causelessly
chased and arrested while riding quiet
ly homeward," the girl answered, de-
family.
t'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. il parole your
s'I demand 10 be released uncondi-
tionally and permitted to proceed to my
home" Miss Clay answered. hauShtily.
'sDo you Yankee soldiers confess that
you war upon southern women9"
. Perhaps; when southern women
shoot at us in their joculer way" the
veteran replied. But we waste time,
madam. VIII you answer my ques-
tion2''
s'I deny your right to question. de-
mand to be released as q non-combat-
ant" was the firm response.
ITO BE CONTINUED.
This will Be Hot Campaign.-You
want the PRESs.-5O cents month.