San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-02-03

qLv,J, or you may remain here longer
ahan-I think you will"
He turned. opening the door. As the
sentry faced. for his exit, he added:
"You are such boy, here's something
for You. 1t may taste better, coming
from Gen. Baldwin's breakfast table"
Drawing from his pocket a crisp,
brown bun. he handed it to Evan, who
caught his meaning look that accom-
panied the next words:
Don't bolt it ,oholc: it might disagree
with you. Anyway, you will be obliged
TO divide with these other rebs, i sup
pose. Good-day."
He was gone; the bolt shot and Evan
Tauntlcroy, with whirlipg brain-hul!
of hope. memory of the secret letter,
curses of his own stupidity. and flashes
of Bessie Wcstchcster's meaning eyes,
sat once moreon the hunks edge. After
some thought, he rose. saying. softly:
Comrades. I'D like your names and
commands ! am Fauntelroy, u troop.
-th Virginia cavalry."
The trio gave the information; when
the boy cried with loud laugh;
"Well. paras, let's divide Gen. BALD
wins bum"
But his finger went to his lip. as he
listened intently for the scntry's tramp.
till it faded slowly from the door. Then
he carefully broke the small leaf. taking
from it thin. tempered iile-saw. fat
phial of oil. and a strong, thin Irvine.
closely wrapped around a scrap of
written card. These he quickly con-
.cealed in his shirt: and when the new
relief looked in at the door five minutes
later all four men were E:unchIng the
Gaky white bread. .aith innocent faces
but hearts beating high with hope.
Then. as the regular tramp again
sounded without. Evan eagerly read the
card in low whisper:
just after the midnight relief drop
the twine from the window. Saw the
b2r first. Pail up the rope very eau.
tously. S:ockalr sentry walks to edgp
friendly shadow Of the ditch. And at
the instant shot rang ont, and stimuli
tancously the call:
Turn out tn ga-ad! PTis'ner
'scapcd:"
Throwing themselves Cat on their
faces, with one impulse, both men
turned their eyes u the guard house
window, as the sentrys lantern swung
out over the parapet with dull CLEAN.
Six feet below the sill form chung
to the rope desperately, seeming in the
dim light to writhe and kick spasmodi-
cally. And, as they looked, it relaxed
Its hold, falling to the ground with dull,
ominous thud.
Then over the night came quick or
ders, flashing lights, the dismal long
roll of the drum, and the thud-of many
running feet.
"Quick. follow the ditch! Your life
is on your speed" the guide whispered;
and they rushed along the smooth
washed bottom of the deep gully at top
speed.
a hundred yards, and a tall fence
slirted the ditch. Over this they clam
bercd. running over root and hill
lock, aided by the kindly moon; over
the opposite fence. racing straight for
the city, its lights not half a mile
ahead. Soon they reached the suburbs,
the guide dropping into brisk walk,
finally pausing before a lonely house
in the thinly-settled quarter. Entering,
he lifted dim lamp, screened behind
tho door, and motioned Evan to large,
unfinished parlor.
''Safc. thank God! How can I ever"
he began, warmly; but the other inter
rupted:
Don't talk. The Eastern express
leaves in twenty minutes. Put on those
clothes quickly"
Without another word, Evan rapidly
dressed himself in the wide-checked,
foppish citizens suit, drew on long
ulster of loudest stripe, and stuffed his