The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-01-07

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and am sure there will be trouble
with the Afgha1s.
Something in Hunts manner set
Baby thinking, and, after a brief
visit to his major, he rode Off In the
direction of the picnic party. After
riding some distance he branched
off to the right, and, after dismount-
ing, he began to lead his horse by q
bride path, one might almost call
1t, over the hills.
The party had several miles fnr-
ther to go and would cut through
the hills by pass just about wide
enough for wagon. Baby-thanks
to his days out with old Hunt
knew every square yard of the coun-
try, and he knew the road he had
chosen would place him miles be-
yond the picnic party.
Over the hills n plain of grass
stretched to the mountains. Beyond
this plain it was considered danger
GUS to go. The country was occupied
by Afridis and other wild nomads,
who owed an uncertain allegiance
to the ameer.
Baby had crossed, and was now
resting his horse on the great green
plateau, when his attention was
called to some object rapidly cross
ing. Taking out his tieldglasses, he
saw horseman pursued at perhaps
half a mile distant by some 80 or 90
mounted Afghans or Afridis, he
could not tell which.
He rode in the direction of the
fugitive, who was taking slanting
course, evidently to escape through
the defile, the route of the picnic
party. Baby was soon able to Join
him. He soon saw that the rider
was a civilian and that he was
wounded, for he had a handkerchief
tied round his head, from which
blood was trickling down his face.
Back, man, back to the fort The
Afridis are out Here they GOMEZ"
And he made rapid gesture with
his left hand.
"How many are there7" asked
Baby.
Fifty or go of the fends," was
shouted in answer.
They were now galloping side by
side.
"There are ladies in the pass
therel" shouted Baby.
Heaven help them!"
"There are 20 men or SO with
them" cried Baby again.
"They will be eaten up by these
internal devils, cried the stranger,
who was urging his horse to do it's
utmost.
Baby set his teeth. If these hill
men came upon the little party with
out warning, there would be mas
sacre. His mind was made up. The
pursuers were rapidly gaining.
They knew there was chance Of
escape for the fugitives if they gain
ed the pass. Cut off from that,
there was none.
The strangers horse was giving
out, though his own was quite fresh,
thanks to its long rest. Baby was
thinking of Dora. She must be
saved at all costs.
"Stopr' cried Baby.
"Have you gone madi"
mo; stop and get down. Fave
my horse. l am lighter man.
Your horse will do for me-.
A change of horses was soon
effected, and they were off on their
mad ride again.
"Get ahead as quickly rs possible,
but give me your rifle and ammuni-
toni shouted Baby.
The stranger loosened his rifle,
and they swung the horses together
whilo the gun and cartridges passed
into his hands. They could hear the
yells of their pursuers now, who
were determined not to lose their
prey.
You ride on and warn the gen.
eral. You cannot miss him. will
stop some of these chaps at the en-
trance of the passi' shouted Baby
as bullet whizzed past his head.
They were nearing the entry now,
which was narrow, and to avoid 40
cident Baby held his horse in to
give his companion a few yards
start. AS soon as they were about
100 yards inside the defile Baby
lrew his revolver, and, refining his
exhausted horse, shot it through the
head. There was no cover in the
lefile, so Baby was going to fight
rom behind his steed.
At each side the hills rose almost
If 10 could but
lold the brutes back for half an ,
lour, it would give the general time |
o save Dora. !
He had one advantage. They {
would come full tilt at the opening
lnder the impression he had passed ]
N through. He looked at his car
ridges and smiled. There were near 4
y 100, with these of the civilian, 7
nd then he haG his two revolvers,
,ut there were 80 or 60 of the ene- a
ny to face. |
The Afridis came on with hideous
Varcries. The first one who passed
be angle fell almost before he could