Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-03-12
30 absorbed were the crcler, ,nat ps

30 absorbed were the cyclers tnat OF
the time Of tho race they had quite for
gotten about the prospective raid Of the
soldiers, There was considerable delay
in getting the men of At the last mo
ment tho handicapper-new in the po-
Acknowledgement that he had gotten
mixed in the measurements, and there
was so long II delay that II became APP
parent there WAS great danger of meet
ing the military. When the men started
OH their journey, thoughtful UnluUl rs,
with watches and calculating minds,
fureSaw that u collision was imminent
but tho racers themselves had no watches
and never thought of anything hut to
get off.
Three miles from the starting point
there was slight descent i'll the course
Here was the half road, half lane at
led into the second part of the course,
and here was located tho home of tho
young ladies ut whose gate two wheels
We're so often seen. From the start, as
was expected, FaStluiEh took the lead
with SmalCy tagged right ON behind
and tho bunch close after Thorn. The
race had progressed so far that hmdi-
caps had been forgotten. From the top
of the decline nothing was seen of the
soldiers, and it was Thought now that
the other road and safety would be
reached before they appeared This was
vain hope, for before two pedals had
been turned OH the down hill limo of
skirmishers spread over the face of the
country, and it seemed that the full
regiment was right behind them, charg
ing at double time. At least there WAS
an ominous looking fcldpieCC, hauled
by four horses. Down the road charged
the Cyclcrs and up the road charged the
soldiers, and both were too excited to
think of stopping for the other. Just
before the junction with the turn off
road was reached the big cannon was
whirled into place, and instantly there
was huge roll Of smoke, hiding for Il
time the operations Of the military.
Thon came laundering report A
Texan pony carrying IN officer became
frightened at this, dumped his rider i'll
to ditch and came flying up the road.
Just before he reached the whrcmCn he
swervod, jumped fence and WAS off
over the field. WhcCmcn were yelling,
officers shouting and guns cracking on
every side now, and II seemed real War
Suddenly, us the heavy white smoke
curled up, right III front IF charging
whCelmen and advancing troops, stood
the little tot who rode, only yesterday,
so gleefully on the hanilr bars Of the
very wheel which FaStlviEh was riding
in advance. and which, il seemed,
al. II,
did not reach and crush her first 1t was
a question Of seconds. Would the line of
gallOping hOrscmrn reach the turn off
road first. shut off the wheclmCn, crush
the child and bring on "A calamity? 1t
was more than probable that the smoke
would hide the child from them as it
had from the wheclmen.
Then it was that Fastleigh spurted
and all the others after him. 1t was
Fastleigh 5 first squirt, and he drew ahead
of the others rs though they We're an
Chorod, making the pedals of his high
gear hum. Down the road he came with
a magnificent swoop on the child, and n
swirl into the off road; with the swoop
there had been Il leaning from the sad
die and II giant S clutch mt n little white
dress. The child was snatched from the
dust and death by the cycler's arm. But
the feat was too much for him. The
sharp turn, the furious pace, and the
side weight threw Fas, leigh out of bal
ance, and he came down heavily into a
ditch at the very gate OF his friends, but
he held aloft i'll his unconscious hands
the rescued child. He was picked from
the wreck of his wheel and carried into
the house, where he suffered for many
weeks from broken bones. Smaley,
when he saw the intent of his compan.
ion, spurtCd right after him, and when
he fell quickly jumped from his wheel
and brought assistance. Both had lost
the race, Ut beth had become local
heroes loaded with glory, with two OF
the mc'tieSt girls i'll the county foI
swerthc;ItS whoa they say the woI d. -
w. &. Watkins III Bearings.