Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-03-26


sidesaddle for her, but the high front OF
q Mcclellan" served very we'll. and
she was 30 good horsewoman that she
could hate ridden sideways on the ami
mails babe back The stirrup was fitted,
tho colonel and Ratigan mounted. and
the thre4 rode rapidly away.
1--WE ibust dodge the picket, " said the
colonel. Even the countersign might
not avail us with o woman In the
party"
"Whdt does il all mean, Rats?" ask
ed Miss Fitz Hugh. Il thought you
were goibg to do your duty at all haz'
ards"
"welt there's different kinds Of du-
ties, and sometimes they won't work
-togetherI III savin n woman's life ISM
q duty, then mo mother didn't bring me
up right"
"Whts the other?" she asked while
Maynard was riding little in advance.
lone who this night makes me bis
slave"
"Andl / from this night will be in
debted fjr my life to both OF you il you
succeed In saving it. But l can't bear
10 have fou sacrifice yourselves for me
You may be committing an unpardon-
able sinl toward your comrades. but
cannot btlicye you are committing q SIN
toward obr Father. And one day it will
L h., .l,.. ..,tl
care!"
"Oi know those who will rejoice. F"
Ratigjn now took the lead, having
passed DYER the route before several
times M III being familiar with the best
way TO aet between tho vedettes. Colo
mel Maynard dropped back beside the
prisoner.
"who, are your" she asked.
lone who serves you.
Tho vJico sounded familiar, but was
disguised, and she did not recognize il
as Colonll Maynard's.
"wer4 you sent by Colonel May
nard?"
"No.'
"WhH should you try to save me-"
ASK Ho rather why should not.
II was, plain the man, whoever he
might Id desired 20 remain unknown,
and sho Assisted from further question
ing.
"Af,e! all, my death would not profit
the Fedetal cause" " she said. my lips
will BE- stalcd TO any information may
possess.
YOU information would be too late
In any tkent. Had il been otherwise
this plab would not have been attempt.
cd. "
"why| soy"
"Your commander in chief OF the Ar
my Of UEnnessCo has delayed too long
already. He will attack Us almost i'm
mediatelf. Your information would not
now den that attack.
How |do you know
"We bayo captured prisoners show
ing that hour men have been re-enforced
from Kntxvillo and Virginia General
Bragg I'D ceased to retreat and Is about
TO fall ujun Us with concentrated ar.
my"
"You hre right in assuming that nei-
ther youlnor | can have influence for
or againlt either side now. These troops
have beeh coming from Virginia for n
month. They are nearly all arrived.
You maJ expect TO hear the opening shot
Of a gregf battle at any moment
The cjrporal, who was in front, rein
ed in his horse and held up his hand in
warningi They were on the edge OF n
wood AZ u within few hundred yards
of the cheek and could see to the right
and to tile left.
my 9odr' exclaimed tho corporal,
there ate ycdettes there, and vedettes
there, 4 ointing north and south And
they are, both comm this way. We
must go back"
ColonJl Maynard rode forward to see.
He gland I'D at both parties of vedettes,
then in front of him. From that front
at that Aoment there came a horses
neigh. II was answered by neigh from
behind tho three on the edge of the
wood.
"Your people are where that horse
neighed. Can you keep your seat in the
saddle fc dashF'
Eyes.
1--WE Jre surrounded. 1t is the only
chance kre you prepared? Ready! GoV
The TWO men dug their spurs into
their horl lcs' fianks, and all three shot
out towlrd the creek. They had not
gone hundred yards before they heard,
"Halt III Erev' Immediately followed by
a shot They paid no attention to either,
but dashId on over the uneven ground,
the two Aen riding close on either side
the prisoher for fear she would lose her
balance. Her horse stumbled, but recoy-