Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-02-09

your back, old girl, and the devil may
catch me if 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 COW
cred stirrnp, he lifted himself into his
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 out of the barn;
then. turning his horses head III the di-
rection from which he had approached
the place with Souri,, he rode away
among the trees. Before going hun
dred yards he stopped and listened.
Some sound had caught his ear II was
the gallop of horsemen. He waited,
dreading neigh from his own horse,
which he patted to hold her attention
The horsemen passed ON down the road.
Ride on, brave boys said Mark; IF
you're after me, the faster you go IN
that direction the better I'll like it.
In the light Of the waning moon he
trampled over the shadows of leaves as
on a '.crazy quilt He crossed the Sc
ouatchie by the ford over which Souri,
had guided him, and took care not to
head too far down the stream, as he had
done before. Then he crossed the creek
near the fallen log. He struck the road
by which he had left Jasper just south
of the fork at which Souri, had halted
him. Without hesitating moment he
struck ont at brisk canter over the left
of the two roadside one leading TO
Tracy City.
Mark had never experienced such sen
sations as now. On his own fleet horse,
his carbine slung on his shoulder, his
pistol at his side, on the road to the
Union camps. a wife whom he adored
to Join him in case he should arrive
safely-why should not the spirit within
him fairly glow with hope?
And never had the beautiful Madge
borne her rider with such evident ex-
hilaration. Marks feelings seemed to
be infused into her as she sped on, her
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 at sunrise. He did
not dare to go through the place, so he
slSirted it, and once above it rode along
the mountain plateau over road lead
ing directly north. He was now familiar
with the country. Arriving at place
called Johnston's, he struck off to the
right to Purdons, where two roads join,
leading from there to Altamont.
Mark struck the main stem few hun
dreds yards from the junction. As he
rode mp slight rise on TO the road, he
cast his eye to the right. There, stand
ing at the fork, was 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 it, Madgel'
The animal knew by his tone that
there was work to be done, and although
she had been out since midnight she
began the race with vigor. On sped the
Union soldier, followed at a few hun
bred 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 if they should fail to bring him
down by the bullet he would escape.
Madge did nobly, and had she not
been riding upa mountain side for three
or four hours would have easily dis
tanced her pursuers. As il was, the man
who followed first was gaining rapidly.
Mark knew that he must either dispose
of this fellow or be taken. Coming to a
slight bend in the road, he rode hun
bred yards beyond to q place where his
pursuer must suddenly appear around
the trees. Refining in his horse, he faced
about and stood still with his carbine at
an aim. As soon as the man appeared
Mark fred.
The Confederate fell from his saddle,
and his horse made off into the woods.
Mark turned and was soon again fly
ing forward. He judged that he could
not be very far from the Union pickets
between him and Altamont. Looking
ahead he saw horseman standing in
the road. Whether he was Union or
Confederate he did not know, but there
was no way to escape the remainder of
his pursuers except by keeping right on
and trusting to meeting friend. AS he
rode on he noticed that the horseman
wore forage cap. This looked well,
for the Confederates nearly always wore
hats. Then he could see that the mans
body had a dark hue. 1t must be blue
AT last he came near enough TO discern
yellow faeings.
There was a whistling of bullets by
his ears; he turned his head and saw
that his pursuers had halted. They had
evidently seen the Union picket and fired
a farewell volley at the fugitive.
Private Mark Malone was within the
Union lines; his mission was ended.
Mark was taken to the officer in com
mand at Altamont On the way from
the picket line he was informed that the
place was occupied by McCook's divi-
sion. When he reached headquarters he
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