The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-29

he dimly saw, too, that she had drawn
the gauntlet from her pistol hand.
"Put that up, say. If they be Yanks.
this is case Of run, not fight. Listen;
for time is short!' The hoofs were
plainly heard now, a dozen horses trot-
ting slowly towards them, a dozen
sabers jingling merrily against their
TANKS. e.Listen, and remember. If
they see us, cut straight through these
woods for the trail they're on now.
Follow it straight south, till you strike
a rock fence; jump that, and you're in
an old field, where Blazer can distance
any cavalry horse any Yank owns. If
lose you in the dark woods, ride to the
nigger's hut across the field and turn
Blazer loose. Tell Isham, the old mig
ger, Marse Evan said to hide you all
day and be sure to get you to the Fer
ry' at night. You understand?''
81 do-perfectly," the girl replied,
still quietly. "You mean to fight them
off while run"
All this was quickly spoken, in whis-
pers, but clearly distinct on either side.
The approaching horses had turned into
the sandy road, trotting east towards
them, not one hundred yards away. For
an instant Evan was silent. He had
combated Carolyn Clay's will before,
and knew it's strength. Then he whis-
pered:
s'They're on us! Promise me, Carol
Remember your mother Remember
Fairfax It is the only chance. Prom
sse!'
There was choke in the whisper that
came back to him: .t4.,
IT promise!''
The stiffness of death hung over that
little belt of woods. Side by side the
southern soldier and the southern girl
sat like statues, each with eye and ear
ALERT and with firm hand upon the rein.
Like staeues the horses stood, their sides
scarce heaving now, but with forward
pricked ears, as cognizant of some dam
ger that might come. And in that still
ness the rustic of snowflake upon crisp
leaf was sharp andclear.
Hoof-mufned by damp sand of the lit
tie ascent, the stranger horsemen trot-
ted nearer still Ghost-like and silent
they moved into view, asolitary rider in
advance, the moony vapor rolling round
him
''Who seemed the phantom Of giant IN it."
On the troopers moved-two-two
more-two again, until the practised eye
of the scout counted twelve; taking in,
through night and mist, the outline of
cape, the differing seat, the precise gait
of federal cavalry.
If Evan Fauntleroy knew what fear
meant, he certainly had never obeyed
the divine injunction sufficiently to
know himself in that respect. In the
front OF the charge, in long and lonely
scout, in still more trying test of lying
inactive for hours under heavy fire, the
boy had ever been utterly oblivious of
danger-had ever carried jest upon
his lips. Bat now beads stood upon his
brow, spite Of the piercing cold, and he
could hear his heart humping audibly
close under his chin. For never had
greater responsibility than his own life
not counted by hirn-or missing re-
port, because of bullet, faced him.
Now, womau's safety and freedom
perhaps her life, for he knew his cousin
would fight, or fly, but never yield
were dependent upon his tact and cool
ness.
Slowly-taking ages, itseemed, to the
aching brain of the confederate-the
officer trotted by; slowly one pair of rid
ers-another-another-unti1 his nerv-
Gus tension could scarce refrain from
giving one red-hot "rebel yelr'' and
dashing out upon them.
Then the seeming endless agony was
over; the last riders had passed, disap-
peared, and were ascending the hf1l be-
yond the hidden watchers; and not
suspicion had that ostrich of a scout
commander that his prey had been so
near and-misset1!
Then the southern woman-like all
her sisters, forgetfu1 Of danger, of self,
of all save her loves 1abor-whispered:
'"Thank God! we can make the Ferry
now"
And in answer, clear and shriN and
loud from the road beyond echoed the
neigh Of horse; and ere Evans quick
hand could clinch his reared muzzae the
roam had answered fua1 and strong.
No time to lose nowi One chance,
and only one!
'Quick! the woods road! Remember:
south,-the stone fence old Ishami
Quick. for yourself!-for little fairfax"
| And In echo came from the road:
'.Halt! Right aboutl Forward
7roN MAEcHl"
! Instantly the girl wheeled her horse.
'trotting rapidly between trees for the
marrow road-the reversed scouting
party moving fast towards them,
guided by the neigh. Once she turned,
crying:
s''Come! Even, you promisedW
And the boy answered, cheerily:
! 'Go on! Faster-for Fairfaxs sake!
I'm coming. adding through his
clinched teeth: <'when I've held them
back long enough to save you'll"
The thunder Of close hoofs was oppo-
site the scout; Che federals, now at a
charge, strung out as slzirmishers along
the road, to hem In their unseen foe.
Without even glance he knew that
their carbines were unslung, and the
least sound would bring a volley to drop
him out of saddle From the VANTAGE