Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-13

the river. The firing had stopped.
"At least we understand each other bet
ter" said she.
''Oh, we must" said she, almost hum
bly,.
1 had pulled rather slowly. and found on
looking about that Brudenelrs boat was
around a bend Of the river. When I COM
nenced more vigorously musket was fired
from the forest, the ball grazing her face.
Into the bottom OF the boat! Quick?' I
cried. Down, Miss Essex!'
She obeyed, crouching with admirable
self-control, while I rested on the oars.
But you. but you, Major Sedley?
Another report, with the splash over the
was from Indians. or other marauders-of
whom the unsettled country had many-or
from an outpost Of Gen. Gates.
On the latter chance called:
Il have heaved to; what DO you want?'
For answer had blow in the side that
trmbled me over, when one car slipped.
The other l clutched with hardly strength
enough. for 1t. too. was slipping, while I
knew a horrid faintness.
They have shot you,' said Katharine
Essex, springing up from the bottom of
the boat and Selling the other oar before
it was in the water.
aged to say. But don't stand up in that
way. You'll be shot"
Let them shoot, the towards, she cried.
Let me see where you are hurt"
II am all right"
you are not" said she, moving forward
and lifting my head. "Oh, the horrid
blood"
She leaned forward, tearing a strip from
her skirt. and then undid my coat, kneel-'
ing beside me, while the boat foated No
further shots followed from our skulking
enemy, who probably believe now-was
some Indian Nor did we hear the boat in
front
1.-The cowardv caid she, stanching the
blood with her handkerchief. and then bind
ing it on with a strip Of cloth she had torn
from her skirt.
Il wish I knew. what to do. We haven't
anything. When We started there was not
a drop of wine or spirits left"
Il am such fool cried.
BE quiet. poor boy" she said, softly.
1 heard her voice and was conscious that
my head was in her lap. and then sound
and sight faded, and was in a dreamless
sleep from which I seemed to wake. 20
dream, or know could not tell which.
And I was lying on the turf by the river
bank. Her hands smoothed my brow. her
voice brought me heart; and the dream
passed and saw. while the morning sun
lay in the rivers depths, was not dream
ing.
You are alive. then?'
"And where?'
by the river hank Do not try to talk"
"And how did I get here?'
She laid her cloak on some moss, from
which she had made a pillow.
II brought you"
And how"
by padding"
''Why did you not leave me in the boat?'
There was too much melton for your
wound"
Poor girlr' said l. What a night of
exposure this has been for your
IT have not minded said she; "only
when you frightened me by making me
think you dead
I'm alive"
you would have been dead If 1 hadn't
stanched the wound.
But you dislike me?''
Stop said she. You must not talk. I
dislike-only your opinions.
I'll talk, act. 1 can't leave you to do
everything like this And tried to raise
myself.
But 1 had not calculated on the loss of
blood for was forced to yield to faintnesS.
Don't" said she. Don't try-yet."
I watched her figure against the sky, the
river at her feet
1--WE must have help. No enc passes. No
one will she said. Was this the hysterical
girl of the Burgoyne camp?
She scanned the river, returning to where
/ lay.
will you forgive me should leave you?"
"And why?"
Il cannot do for you alone"
But what may happen to you?
II don't care"
II do said l.
eff you care. be quiet, then I'll be BACK
Don't CO.
she leaned over me- fixing the bandage.
could feel her breath, and-1 could not
help i'll caught her hand ana pressed IL
"How dare you?" she cried. sprnging up,
and as red as the low sun behind the Oc-
tober river mists. -
Forgive me!'
You took advantage-an unfair one.
And she began to rub her hand vigorous
ly, as if she would be I'D of the touch OF
my lips. Suddenly she stepped, hooked at
me with ptiful glance, and yet still bush
ing.
Poor boy. you're delirious.''
"Id wish the delirium to continue for
ever
stop" said she: q must leave you now.
Be very quiet, lest you open the wound.
Do you hear me, Mr.. Philip Stedley?'
II feel fool to leave all for you to do
You said that once, but you can't help
it, sir. Not a bit of your remonstrance
avails with me, for l hate your position
as rebel
'I know"
"Ah, stop" said she. We're talking too
much. You must be quiet. 1 wonder If l
can get on best by the boat or by following
the river bank"
She moved away, while l tried to speak
further. but without the strength for it,
Suddenly she returned, standing again by
my side.
Il have taken your papers, thinking it
safer lest they fall into the wrong hands''
For moment she stood there. strange
expression In her dark eyes. and then Yves
gone down the path through the rudy Oc-
tober bushes. ~
Trying to rise. then to follow-an the
dangers she incurred appearing fearfully-
the bandage was loosed, and l felt the
warm blood when 1 put my hard on the
place. and the sun seemed swimming
through the mist. and again l saw neither
sun nor river.
And l awoke in room with an outlook
on hillside, and a man l did not know.
who told me later. [ gained strength
now Miss Essex had succeeded in getting
to an American post, where she had found
help to fetch me, near dead with loss OF
~
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