Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-07-29

men an horses vanishing behind US into
the mist, and the sounds OF the camp
coming fainter and duller out OF the
gloom, until we heard only the tread OF
our own advance on the road and the
dripping OF water among the leaves OF
the trees under which we sometimes
passed. 1t was plain the captain knew
where he was going, for we continued
the steady, silent walk until low voice
challenged us out OF the impeRetrable
blanket Of fog before US, and we re-
sponded satisfactorily with the counter
sign to our invisible friends.
As we advanced slowly gray, diapha-
nous mounted figures doomed up in the
deserted road, and gradually material
lied, until we found ourselves In the
company of three videttes Of our own
squadron. From the position they occu-
pied other sounds could be heard from
a camp beyond, and presently the notes
Of . single distant bugle, blowing the
assembly, reached our ears.
The captain promptly sent back his
orderly with directions to saddle up.
The conversation was scarcely above q
whisper, but my ears were erect, and l
heard one of the troopers confde to the
ca plain that the enemy's picket was not
moro than a hundred yards distant on
the same road to our front. L had
already observed that the man that
gave this Information was mounted
on enc Of the brood mares from
the Claypole pastures, and We had
both OF us been vigorously re-
fror, he l0,u - fnpu ~ rar0O-
milton with which we had testified our
satisfaction at meeting. She was a
dark bay, Lady Claypole by name, a
prolific mother In the home herd OF
thoroughbreds,a and had shown con-
tinued restiveness since my arrival, SO
that was not in the least surprised to
see her suddenly throw up her head and
utter loud motherly call, which her
rider, who happened to be In earnest
conversation with the captain, was not
quick enough to prevent.
CONSERVATION and disgust overspread
the face Of the captain, the more that
we heard muffled response in kind,
followed by the dull bounding Of hoofs
on the road approaching our position.
The troopers unslung their carbines,
and, In the general excitement that
prevailed, Lady Claypole continued her
remarks unrestrained. At the same
time there appeared In the fog phan-
tom horse, dashing directly upon US,
and above 1t a phantom rider, swaying
from side to side In vain endeavor TO
check the headlong speed of the animal.
The horses were refined aside, two
and two, TO give passage TO the singular
runaway, In which both man aad horse
but instead OF attempting to pass, the
refractory horse checked himself with
series OF short jumps. interpreted
with glad whinniss and presently stood
painting and rubbing noses with
Lady Clsypole, as II there had
been nobody else in the world
besides themselves. In fact. / made
bold TO take a little hand In the re-
union, as the newcomer, although no
blood ralation OF mine, was four-year-
old son OF Lady ClaYpole's; In fact, 1t
was the chestnut gelding that the colo
mel had ridden away into the Confeder-
ate service. My delight aud surprise
had been so great that l had not so
much as looked up AZ the rider, and
was first attracted to his presence By
familiar voice. IL was none other than
che voice OF Colonel Claypole himself.
Lady Claypole, as I'm a sinner!"
The colonel was never Mustered, al
though now little out OF breath.
And Selim, too. What are you doing
away from your mistress, you rascal?
Have | run into PACK OF horse
thie>e
please TO dismount, sergeant" said
the captain, who sat on my back, a
more than interested listener, while /
observed that the Colonel had now
new stripe 10 his chevron, and hung nv
head Ia shame At the intimation that /
had voluntarily deserted my sweet mis-
tress.
Two OF the troopers having leysled
their carbines on the colonel, and the
third having ridden forward and laid a
hand on his horses Bit, he was fam to
obev the captains request, though with
10 very good grace.
"Put up your guns, gentlemen; a. /
have come upon you rather suddenly, IL
may be necessary TO introduce myself.
/ an Colonel Clsypole, owner OF three
OF the horses that see about me. in
Guiding the brute that has served me
so scurvy trick"
The colonel was very red In the face.
and he grew redder still when, after
having relieved him of bis arms, the
captain ordered one Of the troopers to
conduct him TO the rear. and trotted
back himself to hurry his command TO
the front.
Without regard TO the thick fog our
squadron pushed down the road 10 col.
umns OF Tours, swept back the plckets
OF the enemy. aud deploying into The
line, charged upon the camp, which the
captain, judging By the sound Of the