The Portland daily press., 1892-09-28
The Thread of the Story.

federate headquarters after thrilling expert
the Federal service, therefore Carolyn's re-
iected and deSpiSed lover saved her from Deing
held as Il spy. Carolyn has obtained medlcme
for her sick brother, and is waiting the favor
able moment to pass the blockade and get
South. Peyton Fitzhugh is in Baltimore, much
dstrusted.
IA While Carolyn is still detained, rebel
prisoners are marched, through Baltimore.
IS Carolyn's cousin Evan Fauntleroy is
discovered among them.
16. Mrs Gray's daughter, Bessie Westches-
ter. carries food to Evan, and Peyton Fltzhugh
gives him awarm coat with mysterious paper
init
IL. Between the lines; Carroll Meredith re-
ceiVeS letter of warning.
1e. Visit to Carolyn Clay in prison; the con-
tents of the mystic letter.
49, Major Bond gives Mr. Mckee pass for
Mary Clonan and daughter. Mckee DISCUSSES
himself.
90 The midnight ride and the strange guide
81 A midnight surprise; arrival of Mckee
and Miss Clay at Pete's cabin.
% Visit of Evan Fauntleroy to Miss Clay.
3d. Preparations for escape from the prison
pen.
"a. Evan FauntIeroy and Carolyn Clay once
more together and preparing to cross the
creek.
25. Pete and his passengers discovered while
drifting noiselessly along.
Pete heard the shrill hiss of bullet
close above his head, and a splash as it
struck the water well beyond. But he
did not even vince; and no sound or
movement showed the dim, log-il1e OBJ
iect floating there to be anything more
suspicious.
But at the shot the first ship flashed
her lights, and, still beyond, the third
answered the signal, lighting the water
so brightlythat the boat-gliding swift
ly almost out of radius now-showed
clearly. And, with the sight, rifles
cracked from the nearest ship, bullets
cutting the water all around, and one
striking dull into the stern of the bold
b1ockade-runner. Then, rearing his
tall form as the boat glided again be-
yond the lights, Pete swung his oar,
crying:
clay low, missy!-Row, bossy, row!"
Another volley came, some bullets
kissing very near, as Evan bent to his
oar and cried, cheerily:
.'Pull, Pete! It's run or hang, nowl"
But the light boat, as though in relief
from imposed sloth, shot through the
darkness Like racer, under the desper-
ate pull of four strong arms
Behind on the nearest ship were sour
irving feet, mixed oaths and orders, the
looatswain's whistle piping the boats
crew. as the davits crealzed, lowering
the launch.
| Onward the quarry sped, faster and
faster, not one word spoken by the trio,
- e.
their regular beat, told that the pursuit
was up. Then Evan asked, through set
teeth:
..How far to shore, Peteq' $sas..-
ssLess'n haH-mile, bossy."
'.Can we beat them imp"
.No, bossy; not eff tn water'd hold"
This as calmly as the negro had asked
for "chaw;" but he added: "Dey's
eight oars nd oberAaul our two"
s.Can you shoot, Rete?" There was a
breezy ring in the boys question, but
THE answer came:
eyes, bossy; but rs not gwine ter.
Petes gwine ter lam de missy a-runnin'
dis timer
"But you say they'll catch us?"
All this through desperate pulling,
pursuing oar-beats sounding clearer,
Iclearer still.
ssEf de water'd hold. Eff we keeps
|clar de humps, we strikes de fats, an
dem can't foller, sholy!"
Straight on after them came the heavy
ships boat, guided by their oars. And
now another bengola flashed up in her,
mot reaching the quarry, but showing
the pursuer plainly. Eight sailors bent
strongly TO their oars, knot of sailors
standing aft, their rifles at "ready," an
officer in the bow holding aloft the
sglaring torch.
.sHaw far off is that boat?" Miss Clay
asked, calmly, sitting in the hay. "a
hundred yards2"
ssHundred and fifty" Evan answered.
i''pull away, Peter
'''Rout three hun'erd, bossy,' the
black corrected, "'lowin' fur de water
Idistunce. But she's a gainin', an fass,
too''
On still, with oars strained as though
for very life, swept pursuer and pur-
sued, sweat dripping from Evans every
pore, while the trained black seemed
cool and fresh as if there were no strain
upon him.
And the Yankee crew gained with
every pull!
Suddenly soft jar,-another, harder
and the black gave great sweep, cry
ing:
ssgaclz! Lift, bossy! Quick! Yves
dun streck dem fats" he added. as the
boats head swung to his pull and she
glided on again. ''pull slower, bossy
De Jumps is n'jus." And he bent low
lover the water, striving to scan the
.shore-line behind him.
, But the pause had brought the pur
suit dangerously near, the glare of
fresh bengola showing her prey well
within it's CLEAN. Raising the torch
high above his head, the officer pointed
ito the slower moving craft; and with
his order rang out dozen shots. bullets
cutting the water all around, ere the
red flash ran along the muzzles
'Catch my oar, quick!" Evan cried
but it was Carolyn Clay's hand-ever
quicker than Pete's-that grasped it, az
the boy slipped out his long revolver