Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-07-25

@S XNsCUS
General, permit me TO Introduce mt
~S
Mark knew the direction OF the road.
leading from Anderson. ana believed
that no could avoid the pickets. Making
his way over aspace covered with bushes
and q low growth OF timper' ne STRUCK
the road by which he had come that day
lta point beyond the vedette. Then
half miles run brought him, out OF
breath, to . house. The occupants were
not asleep. and Mark succeeded by per-
suasion and threats In getting horse to
take him to Slacks. promising TO send
1t back the next day with liberal pay Tor
Its use.
He arrived at Slacks shortly before
midnight, and his horse fell exhausted
In the yard. Slack received him with q
shotgun pointed through the crack vi
the door. Mark made himself known
and asked for his uniform and his arms.
The old man got them for him, and tax.
Ing them to the stable Mark put them
on. Then he went to the stall where his
horse stood. The mare knew her master
when he threw his arms about her neck
and seemed a. glad to see him ~ fewa'
to see her.
"Ah, Madge, my darling! Once on
your back, old girl. and the devil may
catch mo II he can"
He lost no time in putting the bit In
her mouth and strapping ON the saddle
Then, putting his foot IN the leather coy
cred stirrup' he htted himseir INTO MS
seat.
For the first moment In ten days Mark
felt the comfort OF being In the saddle
with his arms about him.
A few steps took him ont OF the barn;
then, turning his horses head IN the Ill.
rection from winch ne nad approached
the place with sour, ne rode away
among inc trees. Delore sv'hs nun
ared yaIus nc s'oppeu ahu i's.usu. u..
Soiio svuhu nau .aush' MS vn. I1. 80 "'
,ne sanoP VI h'isener. no "s' ~.
aIeaains ne'g" run Ms o"n noi'e'
which ne pal'ed 70 noiu her a,'el'ios'
ihe norsemen passed On uown ,he ioau. ~:
Siue on draws Do!s, saiu mark' ~
you're siter me, ,he raster you 20 III
that direction the De''er i " IKE IL.
IN tne hsht .. tue waning ,ioon nc
trainpleu over .ns SHADOWS M ol ,eaves ., Ua ~
on cray Iuh. he oiosseu $50, 'r. ., oe
qus'cnis oy ,ne 'olu o'e, % WHICH o. oou., -,
iiau Buiueu n.n'' M" 'oA ."i Nv, ',
neau 700 iar oow' tue s'iea'h, no n",'
dohe Deiore; iheh no crosseu 'ie oIees !,
near tne ialieh 10y. ne s'ruek tue roaa s
oy which he had iei1 Jasper Just SOUL,
OF the ,1rx ,. a' wn'cn Soui. .s. naa aa''su sa
MN. Mnhou' ne,l'a'.ns .no,asnt .,a = uV 's'
Struck out a'a o,isk cah'er o,er ,ho ie''
OF the TWO roads-'ne one leading 10
Tracy City.
Mark had never experienced such SEN
sations as now. On his own iieet horse,
bis carbine slung ON his shoulder his
pistol mt his side, on u" ROAD 10 the
Union camps q VIE wh'in no adored
70 loih MN IN ease NC snouia ;. .i,,,'' a.o
safely-why shouiu NOT the spirit wi'hih
hiin iairiy glow win hope'
Ana never had tne peau'iIu, Maage
borne ner riaer win such ev'ueh' eA'
hiiaration. MARKS ieehnss sseiheu "
De ihiused INTO her US she spea on ner
iron shoes dashing sparks from the
stones, far brighter than the light OF
the waning moon glistening ON the bar
rel OF his carbine.
He reached Tracy Mt sunrise. he did
not dare to go through the place 30 no
skirted II, ana once aoovet rooe aiohg
the mountain plateau over roaa lsau' "a "
ing directly horth' he was now tainiiia1
with the country Arriving ~ . place
called Johnstons' ne struck OH 10 the
right TO Purdons, where TWO ROADS 'oih'
leading from there TO Aitamont.
Mark struck the main stem aiew nun
dreds yards from the junction. AS ne
rode mp slight rise ON 70 the road' ne
cast his eye to the right. There, stand
Ing ut the fork, was o Confederate cav
airy vedette.
He saw Mark as soon as Mark saw
him. Shouting to the rest OF the picket
post, he dashed forward.
"Now for 1t, Madger
The animal knew by his tone that
there was work to he done, and although
she had been out since midnight she
began the race with vigor. On sped the
Union soldier, followed at o few hun.
lred yards distance by the Confederate,
and half mile behind by several others
Of the picket post. Mark was within
range. but his pursuers did not care to
draw rein In order to FIRE, doubtless fear.
ing that II they should fail to bring him
down by the bullet he would escape.
Madge did nobly, and had she not
been riding ups mountain side for three
Or four hours would have easily dis
tanced her pursuers. Az II was, the man
who followed first was gaining rapidly.
Mark knew that he must either dispose
Df this fellow or be taken. Coming to q
slight bend in the road, he rode hum
dred yards beyond to rlace where his
pursuer must suddenly appear around
the trees. Refining In his horse. he faced
about and stood still with his carbine at
IN aim. As soon Is the man appeared
Mark fred.
The Confederate fell from his saddle.