Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-18
"A Fair
Blockade Breaker F!
BY t. G. DELEoN.

CHAPTER II.
A RACE FOR FREEDOM.
That's a soldier and gentleman,
Cousin Caro-" Evan said, as they spun
along. ''Good taste, too; hasn't he?
Pom my world he seemed hard hit; and
hearted fellow laughed, as though war
were not and enemies were read of only
In the fairy tales.
Don't be goose, Evanp Miss Clay
retorted, half amused in spite of her
anxiety. And don't make such a noise.
What boy you arel Do you know"
she added, seriously, "I am really wor>
ried about this news? If Gen. Jeb had
only been in campl Oh, Evan, should
miss that boat tonight, Fairfax may die
before I can get over and backl And
poor mother! You know how worn and
nervous she is with nursing and anxiety.
Should she chance to hear of Yankees
on the road, her fears would conjure up
| capture, priSon-worse-fo me!'
'Why, coz, what's the use of borrow
ing trouble? See that fork away to
the left? That is but three miles to
the Ferry and the horses are as fresh
as"
"What is that glow over by the river,
to the rightP No, there!'' Miss Clay
broke in, pointing impatiently.
A faint, pinlish haze showed dimly
through the whirling snowflakes-a
steamy glow, rather than light. The
scout gazed steadily in the direction
awhile, then answered, placidly:
Northern lights, maybe; but I'm no
dab at astronomy. Seems pretty low,
though. Perhaps there's brush afire in
that bottom"
''It is fire." the girl replied. ''See!
it expands and falls. Evan, can it be
campfre?"
mot much!" he answered, lightly.
"We're way beyond our lines; and
surely no Yanks could camp so near
them without our scouts knowledge.
BY Jove, Cousin Caro-, really believe
the legion man has made you nervous!'
Caution and nervousness are not
akin, as an older soldier would know"
Miss Clay retorted, rather coldly. "I
have too much at stake to risk, any dan
| ger can avoid. Oh, Evan, must get
to Baltimore tomorrow
"And so you shall, my dear, brave
grill" the boy answered, confidently.
"See that open hilltop just beyond2
trail-good road and a short mile down
|
| past midnight; and old Pete has orders
to wait till the very last minute he
dares, before dawn. Brace up, COIL
You've been over this same trail three
times"
"And never felt a shadow of doubt
BEFORE" she interrupted, adding, with
a sigh that would come: SIT is because I
have SO much more at stake than ever
before. But it is nearly over, thank
God"
The steaming horses breasted the hill
bravely and reached the open crest. An
easy slope led away into a broad, white
road, now well carpeted with winters
wool. Just at it's foot narrow belt of
trees stretched away to the left, leaving
the black river plainly visible from the
bold bluffs to the right, and through
those trees cut a narrow road, dark and
dismal through the broader CLEAN OF
the snow haze, now scarce less light
| than day.
'"Therel Ellis fork-just one mile to
the landingl'' cried the scout, as they
raced at speed down the sandy slope
and nearly up to the bisecting trail
the hoofbeats ringing no longer, but
: thudding dull on the dampened sand.
Suddenly with one impulse both rid
ers wrenched their horses mouths Sc
fiercely as to bring them almost to thei1
launches. Then both sat like statues
their neclxs strained forward, ears ben
eagerly towards the woods road, jus
, ahead. In the dead stiffness, the deeI
breathing of the steaming horses wa
the only sound, save, to them, the quicl
beating of their own hearts.
So, for seconds that seemed ages
Then the scout whispered low, a
though in answer to a question:
Eyes; hoofs! 'S-sh!-clank of sabers
Quickl into the treesi Quick! G.
softly"
Both horses were turned simultane
d ously into the screen of trees, well bacl
), from the CLEAN of tho open road; an
i, Evan Fauntleroy, placing himself be
> tween the girl and the approaching
e sounds, leaned from his saddle, straight
10 ened her bride, felt the roan's bit, an
gently stroked his great neck. Then h
rose in his stirrups, stretching the colo
cramp out of his legs, braced himsel
afresh in the saddle, and tested tn
chamber of the big revolver drawn frol
his holster.
The tramp Of hcofs was now plainl
heard, cut by the clank of sabers-pe
haps FIVE or six-pcrhaps a score.
p "Cavalryl' the scout whispered to til
girl. Probably our scouts; poss
bly,"
He hesitated only a second; but 81
calmly finished for him:
"Averills. If so, which way?"
"If they're Yanlks, they are feelin
for our piclxets," Evan whispered bacl
They'll go east, over the road we cam
We can cut through the woods road ar
or dodge them in the bottom"
t. "NoI If they pass us, straight for I'll
Ferryp" The girls whisper was cali
but its clear, bell-lilce ring carried COZ
y mand not to be gainsaid.
|. "'The Ferry then, if they pass us
the man replied, adding, quietly: "P