Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-02-09

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Mt 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 a horse to
take him to Stacks, promising to send
it back the next day with liberal pay for
its use.
He arrived at Stacks shortly before
midnight, and his horse fell exhausted
in the yard. Slack received him with
shotgun pointed through the crack of
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
ana seemed as giad to see him az he was
to see her.
"Ah, Madgc, my darling! Once on
your back. old girl, and the devil may
catch Inc if he can"
He lost no time in putting the bit in
! her mouth ana strapping on the saddle.
! Then, putting his foot in the leather COW
cred stirrup, 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 in the Iii.
rection from which he had approached
the place with Souri,, he rode away
among the trees. Before going a hun.
dred yards he stopped and listened.
Some sound had caught his ear. 1t was
the gallop Of horsemen. He waited,
dreading neigh from his own horse,
which he patted to hold her attention
The hor.emen 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 III like it
In the light Of the waning moon he
trampled ever the shadows of leaves as
ON crazy quilt" He crossed the Sc.
Quatchie by the ford over which Souri,
had guided him, and took care not tC
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 a moment he
struck out at brisk canter over the left
of the two roads-the 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, wife whom he adored
to Join him III 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
he 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 lie
skirted 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 Johnstons, he struck off to the
L
leading from there to Altamont.
Mark struck the main stem "A few hun.
dreds yards from the junction. As he
rode up a slight rise on to the road. he
cast his eye to the right. There, stand
ing at the fork, was q 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, Madge.''
The animal knew by his tone that
there was work to be done. and although
she had been ont since midnight she
began the race with vigor. On sped the
Union soldier. followed at few hun
bred yards distance by the Confederate
and half Il mile behind by several Others
of the picket post. Mark was within
range. but his pursuers did not care tC
draw rein III order to fire. doubtless fear
ing that If they should fail to bring hin
down by the bullet he would escape.
Madge did nobly, and had she moi
been riding upa mountain side for three
OF four hours would have easily dis
tanced her pursuers. AS it was, the mar
who followed first was gaining rapidly
Mark knew that he must either dispose
of this fellow or be taken. Coming to
slight bend in the road, he rode hun
dred yards beyond to a place where hi,
pursuer must suddenly appear aroun,
the trees. Refining in his horse. he facet
about and stood still with his carbine al
an aim. AS soon as the man appeared
Mark fired.
The Confederate fell from his saddle
and his horse nado off into the woods.
Mark turned and was soon again fly
ing forward. He judged that he coul(
not be very far from the Union picket
between him and Altamont. LOCKING
ahead he saw horscr!an standing il
the road. Whether he was Union o.
Confederate he did notknow, but Their,
was no way TO escape the remainder O
rs pursuers except by keeping right OF
and trusting to meeting friend As j,