The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-11-02
"why. COZ. what's the use q borrow.


"Why, coz, what's the use Of borrow
ing troubleP Sec 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,
20 the rightP No, therel" Miss Clay
broke in, pointing impatiently.
A faint, pinkish haze showed dimly
through the whirling snowfakes-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. "Seel
it expands and falls. Evan, can 1t be a
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 nervousl'
caution and nervousness are not
akin, as an older soldier would know"
Miss Clay retorted, rather coldly. 81
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
girlw the boy answered, confidently.
"See that open hilltop just beyondP
From that we strike the last fork of this
trail-good road and short mile down
hill to the Ferry 1t can't be much
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"
"Apd never felt shadow of doubt
before" she interrupted, adding, with
O sigh that would come: "It is because
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 broad, white
road, now well carpeted with winters
wool. Just at its 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 narrow road, dark and
dismal through the broader CLEAN oi
the snow haze, now scarce less Light
than day.
"Therel Ellis fork-just one mile &c
tho 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 *
fiercely as to bring them almost to theil
launches. Then both sat like statues
their neclSs 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 10 question:
Eyes; hoofsl 'S-shi-clank of sabers
QuiclSl into tho treesl Quiclei g,
softly"
Both horses were turned simultane
ously into the screen Of trees, well bacl
from the CLEAN Of the open road; ant
Evan Fauntleroy, placing himself be
tween the girl and the approaching
sounds, leaned from his saddle, straight
ened her bride, felt the roan's bit, ant
gently stroked his great neck. Then HI
rose In his stirrups, stretching the cold
cramp out Of his legs. braced himself
afresh In the saddle, and tested tn,
chamber Of tho big revolver drawn from
his holster.
The tramp Of hoofs was now plainly
heard, cut by the clank OF sabers-per
haps five or six-perhaps score.
Cavalry" the scout whispered TO thu
girl. Probably our scouts; posi-
bly,"
He hesitated only a second; but she
calmly finished for him:
"Averills. II 80, which way2"
'If they're Yanks, they are feeling
for our pickets," Evan whispered back
They'll go east, over the road we came
We can cut through the woods road ant
dodge them In the bottom"
''Nol II they pass us, straight for 'thc
Ferryp" The girls whisper was calm
but It's clear, bell-lilse ring carried com
mand not to be gainsaid.
""The Ferry then, II they pass us,
the man replied, adding, quietly: "Put
up that thing" He noted the motor
OF her hand, testing the chamber Of &
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