The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-04-26

ton TO Aldie gap is days ride, and then
I viii be in the valley"
I hope to see you then in five days"
If get back at all, sir, you VIII see
me on New Years eve. 1t can't be done
any quicker
VERY well. Go and get your pass"
It was a great disappointment for Jim
White, this being summoned for danger
Gus duty on Christmas day, for lie had
intended being one Of the guests of a
comrade who had received a fat turkey
from home. But, putting aside all
thought Of the proposed festivity, jim
got his pass for the picket line, and sad
ding his horse rode away from head
quarters.
Reaching the little village of Aldie on
the afternoon Of the second day. Jim
rode through the gap as the setting sun
began to gid the mountain tops. Dressed
in faded butternut, the usual costume Of
Virginia farmer, the scout had met
with no adventure, and he was looking
forward to a speedy termination to his
errand.
The horse jim rode was a remarkable
animal. Possessing good blood and ac-
tiOn, IL nevertheless was rather unc0uth
IN appearance. It's coat was very rough.
and as the scout seldom used the curry
comb. the brute did not look like a fast
one. Jim. however, knew the good quail
ities of his beast. for they had often been
proved in critical moments. Always
adopting the character of a Virginia
farmer, Jim's shaSsy horse aided in the
deception, and only those who knew his
real character Eould recognize a famous
scout IN the queer picture he made in the
saddle
Seems TO me, said the scout, solilo-
quizing, ''those people in Washington
are always finding mares nests. Here I
am in the London and not reb in
sight"
As he uttered the words, Jim came TO
another road which crossed the one he
had been following. In an instant he
discovered the approach Of 4 Confederate
cavalry patrol. Accustomed TO such
perils, Jim very coolly checked his steed
and waited for the little party.
'-Whar yeou cum from? demanded the
cavalry leader as he and his men rode up.
Elm down in Aldie," drawled jim
Event TO see how things looked down
thar"
"Blong TO the army:"
"We1, not exactly. though I've done
my share toward thinning out the
Yanzs7
.-Oh, then You are one of Mosby's
men:'
"Yaas."
And whar are yeou going?"
up by the way Of Ashby gap. Prom
ised 10 be in Martinsburg tomorrer.'
rs that the road to Aldieg'
''Yaas. It's the way I've come"
''Wen, good day; wemust get through
the gap tonight
"Yeou can do It easy. There's no
Yanks this side Of Warrenton."
Thanks"
And then the patrol proceeded. Jim
having mentioned Ashby gap was com
PEELED to take the road Just left by the
Confederates, for Unless he did so he
knew their suspicious might be aroused.
Thanking his lucky stars for getting by
them so easily. Jim supposed he had es-
capped. He had not vet got out Of sight.
however, when he heard one of the men
Esy:
Pears to me, sargint, that fellows
Yank. Mebbe mes a scout
Jim White dug his spurs into his
horses fanks. TIE animal started OF
on a gallop. Having got 50 good a start.
the scout decided to risk everything by
instant flight. The rapid reverberations
Of his horses hOofs on the frozen earth
betrayed his purpose, and the patrol was
soon laundering in pursuit after him.
jim knew that he was in danger of
being shot. but as be was also aware that
the aim of galloping horse1nen is always
very uncertain lie entertained very little
fear on that score. To him capture now
meant certain death at the end of a rope
swung over the convenient trunk of a
tree. Unless he could outstrip his pur-
suers his career as a Union scout was at
an end.
On and on rode the fugitive scout and
his Pursuers, the latter occasionally CIV
ing voice 10 the yell so often heard from
Confederate throats. Gradually the dis
tance between jim and the patrol wi
Gened. and it seemed tclerably clear that
the scout would ultimately escape by
the superior speed OF his ho-ze.
Gleefully looking up the straight road
that led TO the gap, Ji1n's heart sudden
ly stopped beating, for ne had Just dis
covered the approach Of another body
Of horsemen. his sharp eyes told him
that the newcomers were enemies. He
had apparently fallen into a trap.
But jim White would never have sue
eeeded as a scout had ms wits been less
sharp. He had been IN similar straits
before, yet had escaped. 81 a sudden
twist Of his ZEN he compelled the animal
under him 10 make bolt TO the right.
and almost az the same instant the horse
made q leap over the stone fence. Then,
stretching ont on a furious gallop, his
steed was soon crossing the field of
snow strewn stubble.
Both Of TIE Confederate patrols fol
lowed, but as they were delayed In get
ting over the fence Jim had meantime
reached the other side of the field. his
horse leaping . wide ditch in his stride.
Two OF three carbines were emptied at
him as the horse rose from the leap. but
all the bullets went wide Of their mark.
II was now a test of speed and endur-
ance. and jim had again 4 sangUine hope
Of escape. He knew the valley well. and
as he rode gaIlantly forward the thought
entered his busy brain that On the other
side Of q small wood he was approaching
there was road leading toward the
River Potomac. He also remembered
that 4 mile or two below there was 2
bridge across a narrow creek, and he at
once formed tie plan by which he finally
eluded his piIrsuers.
It took only a few seconds to enter the
wood and dash through l.. On reaching
the road he darted of again, being fully
a mile ahead when tie Confederates took
up his trail In less than 10 seconds Jim
had reached the bridge, 1t being Just be-
yond sharp turn IN the road, thus shut
ting him ont Of the SIGHT Of the united
patrols.
Suddenly refining in, be dismountod
and led his horse under the bridge. Once
there. he covered the animals nose with