The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-27

pockets on breast and hip, and finally
on the corded riding breeches and
spurred boots. Evidently they coveted
the boots.
Take them, gentlemen" said Hare
wood sarcastically, and I'll return
with General Bellemaire to show him
how my boots fit you"
This produced its effect: the Franc
tireurs protested that they cared
neither for General Bellemaire nor for
the boots. They consigned general,
boots and Hardwood himself to a livid
and prophetic future, and let him go,
shouting after him that Flouren's car
bineers would strip him, general or no
general.
This was pleasant news for Hare
wood he had no idea that Flourens'
three battalions were out. With a
sudden misgiving he drew bride and
looked intently ahead. There was moth
ing to see but swirling sheets of snow.
He listened, peering into the gloom.
Suppose Speyer should meet him here
alone?-or Buckhurst?
He gathered the bride nervously:
the horse moved forward. Halt. Qui
Vive" a voice broke out in the dark
ness.
Franco" cried Hardwood, with a
sudden sinking of his heart. Cloaked
and shrouded mounted figures ap-
peared on every side, pale lantern
glimmered in his face, swung again to
the ground and went out.
'Cest bien,' said somebody close at
his elbow, "laissez passez, NJ. Hare
wood" Colonel Lavoignet's escort
parted right and left; one or two of
ficers greeted the American pleasantly
from the darkness.
What troops are these?" asked
Hardwood. striving to recognize his
unseen friends.
THE Thirty-fourth de Marche,' said
somebody.
1.-The Second and Third brigades are
passing the forts" added another
Again a lantern cleaned out, and
Hardwood saw General Belemaire pass
ing close in front. escorted by dra-
goons, clOaked to the ears. The keen
eyed young general smiled at Hare
wood, who lifted his cap in silence.
Are you going with us to LIE Bour-
get?' asked the general drawing bride
and holding out gloved hand.
'Oui, mon general-with your per-
mission" replied Hardwood. Il have
General Trochu's consent" he added.
Then what do you want with
mine?" queried General Bellemaire,
with good-humored gesture, you jour-
nalists are nuisance, NJ. Harewood-a
nuisance!"
Il am TO carry through dispatches.
General; may ] be of service to you?''
General Bellemaire shook his head
and wheeled his horse. Wait until
we take LIE Bourget," he said, and
trotted forward, followed by his
plunging, snow-cOvered escort.
The snowflakes that were now fall
ing seemed fine as sifted flour; they
powdered the route with a silvery dust
that lay thick in every rut and ditch;
they blew across the fields in sheets
and drifting pillars; they whirled up
before gusts of wi furry after fur
ry, dim phantom shapes that filed the
darkness with movements half seen,
half OWNED. 80
HARDWOOD found himself riding be-
side a mounted captain of the Thirty
fourth infantry de Marche; on either
side plodded the troops. rifles en- ban
douliere, overcoGt IS covering faces that
turned shrunken and pallid under the
sudden rays of some swiftly lifted
lantern.
The long echo of crunching footsteps,
the trample and sigh of horses, the
sense of sitting obscurity, depressed
HARDWOOD. He watched a lantern S
sickly rays lighting up the knapsacks
and muddy trousers of line of men
in front; he spoke to the mounted
captain riding in silence, his heavy
head buried in his wet cloak collar. but
the officer did not seem to hear him.
The snow turned to finest grains of
ice, the frozen dust battered and rat
tied on wet caps. on soaked overcoats
and stiffened epaulettes. Again a sud-
den shaft of cold passed through the
air. bringing with it a mist that hung
to the fringe of the marching column,
and grew family luminous as the snow