Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-07-30

inserted it in the woodcock quill which
was so iauntly stuck in the bead of my
military cap.
As / rode along in ths gathering
gloon, l glanced once or twice at the
two revolvers in my holsters with feel
ing of confidence, for was neat shot
and knew that was perfectly capable
OF defending myself if attacked. The
trouble, however, was that those terrible
MontenegIins lay in hiding behind jut-
ting rocks, and that their mode of pro-
cedure consisted in shooting the un-
suspecting travellers who veutured
through the mountain passes like so
many IA Sbits in warren, or sometimes
in swiftly bouncing upon them from
their places of concealment and making
them prisoners before they had time to
defend themselves.
The road was frightfully rough al |
uneven, for it was nothing else than the
dried up bed of mountain torrent, full
Of sharp stones and bits Of yellow qu1rtz.
| picked my way carefully in the fast de-
creasing evening light, much to the dis
gust OF my fretful young horse, who
curvetted from side to side IN most uu.
comfortable manner. Fortunately, as |
reached the beginning of the detile, the
moon, like huge silver lamp, rose from
behind the mountains, lighting up the
path with dazzling brilliancy, but leav-
ing the steep rock walls and densely
wooded precipitous slopes on both sides
in inky darkness. The road was less
difficult now, but could not take avail
of this favorable circumstance to give my
impatient horse his head, for realized
that should any Montenegrins be lying
in wait behind these dark ramparts any
thing like fight on my part would surely
hasten my fate.
had reached the middle of the pass,
which was very narrow at that point, and
was beginning to think that nothing
was likely to happen to me after all,
when, without the slightest warning,
four gigantic figures rushed upon me,
two from each side of the pass, and be-
fore could even dream of selzing my
revolvers Dare Devil had been brought
to a sudden and most disagreeable stand
still by an iron grip, and l myself felt
that both my hands were being dexter
ously tied behind my back. This was
shame, indeed, for so brave little
soldier in petticosts as Ifondly imagined
myself to be, and at the consciousness of
the indignity to which was being sub
jected all my courage revived. Luckily
| spoke have a dozen dialects of this part
of the world well enough to make my
self understood.
"What do you mean by making wo.
man prisonerl" cried l. Then, as it
flashed upon me that my address was
hardly of a conciliatory nature, added
more gently: "Sincs when have the
brave sons oil Montenegro sunk so low as
to 90 to war with girlsl" The moon
shone so brightly that l could see
sruile flicker on the superbly handsome
bronzed features of the huge fellow who
was holding on to Dare Devils bride.
ave do not wish to harm you," he
replied very softly, provided you mean
no tricks"
"Trioksl" EXCLAIMED 1 Indignantly.
Cline tricks an able to play when
you have begun by putting me 'hors de
combat Shame on you! Don't you
see the Red Cross on my arm2 l am"
Here slightly hesitated. ''[ am sort
of Sister of Mercy-do you understand
And many are the men of your race
whom l have nursed back to health du.
ring the last few months"
"We know it well, and also that you
are Princess F., wife of the comm inder
of these White Lancers, down yonder.
We are not ungrateful for what you've ha
done, and if you are ready to swear that
you are carrying no dis patches we will
take your word for it and let you go
free; otherwise" continued the mau,
who seemed, judging by his gorgeous
costume, to be caief, 1--WE will make
you prisoner in good earnest, and he
finished his sentence with a gesture by
no means reassurlng.
This was a pretty mess, forsoothl l
collected my wits as best l could, and,
glaring furiously at him, replied, draw
ing myself up so far as my pinnioned
arms would allow me to do: az refuse
to answer your impudent question. If
you think that am likely object to be
entrusted with dispatches, execute your
threats, make me prisoner; it will be
an easy job and glorious victoryl"-
this was derisive laugh. ''Search
me kill me! if so be your pleasure, but
pray put an end to this disgraceful
scene"
A queer little creature | must have
looked on my struggling steed; with my
scarlet kilt. spurred boots, white dolman
and dashing military cap, through
which the ominous woodcock's quill
seemed to burn u hole into my thick crop
OF short curlsl My captors looked at
me for a moment, then at each other.
They were long time making up their
mind-at least it appeared SO to me.
Finally, at sign from my interlocutor,
one of them united my hands.
"You are right, Princess, we do not
fight women, said he, barring his head,
''and especially not when they are brave
like yotf. Go in peace. Had you been
afraid OF us, things would have turned
out differently; but we admire a virtue
of which, above all others, we pride our
selves. This pass is not safe, as you
have had reason to fad out to your cost,
and we shall accompany you until you
are within hearing OF your scntries, but
believe me, do not tempt Providence
thus again" As he said this, the hand
some chief LEI go of Dare DEVILS bride,
a circumstance otwhich this well-named
animal Immediately availed himself by
boiling with lightning rapidity. 1t was
no easy task to rein him in, but did so,
not wishing to look as if meant to run
away. In silence we proceeded on our
way, my staiwart bodyguards keeping
pace with me all the time, At the end
of the pass, which we reached some
twenty minutes later, the camp fires be-
came discernible, glitteriug like over
grown glow-worms on the dark plain
/ stopped my horse, and, reckoning to
the chief, l said, not without emotion;
"You have been very generous, shall
not forget it. Pray accept this as a lit
tie token of my gratitude" and hand
cd him my two reyolvers, which were
Jewels of their kind. With bow worthy
of throne room, the young man thrust
them in his broad belt, which bristled
already with weapons of the most forbid