The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-02-19

What boy you are! Do you know"
she added, seriously, 81 am really wor-
ried about this news? If Gen. Jeb had
only been in camp Oh, Evan, should
miss that boat tonight, Fairfax may die
before | can get over and back! And
poor mother! You know how worn and
nervous she is with nursing and anxiety.
Should she chance to hear of Yankees
on the road, her fears would conjure up
capture, prison--worse-for me!'
"Why, coz, what's the use of borrow
ing trouble? See that fork away to
the left? That is but three miles to
the Ferry and the horses are as fresh
as"
what is that glow over by the river,
to the right? No, there!'' Miss Clay
broke in, pointing impatiently
A faint, pinkish haze showed dimly
through the whirling snowflakes-a
steamy glow, rather than light The
scout gazed steadily in the direction
awhile, then answered, placidly:
Northern lights, maybe; but I'm no
dab at astronomy. Seems pretty low,
though. Perhaps there's brush afre in
that bottom"
ut is a fire." the girl replied. "See!
1t expands and falls. Evan can it be
campfre?"
mot muchl" he answered, lightly.
"We're way beyond our lines; and
surely no Yanks could camp so near
them without our scouts knowledge.
By Jove, Cousin Caro-, l really believe
the legion man has made you nervous.
Caution and nervousness are not
akin, as an older soldier would know"
Miss Clay retorted, rather coldly. 81
have too much at stake to risk any dan
ger can avoid, Oh, Evan, must get
to Baltimore tomorrow
''And so you shall, my dear, brave
girlr' the boy answered, confidently.
''See that open hilltop just beyond?
From that we strike the last fork of this
trail-good road and short mile down
hill to the Ferry 1t can't be much
past midnight; and old Pete has orders
to wait till the very last minute he
dares, before dawn. Brace up, coz.
| lou We Dcol OVtr JlllS SdiIle Irdll IlTcc
times"
"And never felt shadow of doubt
BEFORE" she interrupted, adding with
sigh that would come: SIT is because
have so much more at stake than ever
before. But it is nearly over, thank
sGod!"
The steaming horses breasted the hill
bravely and reached the open crest. An
easy slope led away into broad, white
road, now well carpeted with winters
wool. Just at its foot narrow belt Of
trees stretched away to the left, leaving
the black river plainly visible from the
bold bluffs to the right, and through
those trees cut narrow road, dark and
dismal through the broader CLEAN of
the snow haze, now scarce less light
than day.
There! Ellis fork-just one mile to
the landing" cried the scout, as they
raced at speed down the sandy slope
and nearly up to the bisecting trail,
the hoofbeats ringing no longer, but
thudding dull on the dampened sand.
Suddenly with one impulse both rid
ers wrenched their horses mouths SC
fercely as to bring them almost to their
launches. Then both sat like statues,
their necks strained forward, ears bent
eagerly towards the woods road, just
ahead In the dead stiffness, the deer
breathing of the steaming horses was
the only sound, save, to them, the quick
beating Of their own hearts.
i So, for seconds that seemed ages
Then the scout whispered low, Is
though in answer to a question:
Eyes; hoofs! 'S-sh!-clank Of sabers
Quick! into the trees! Quick! &C
softly"
Both horses were turned simultane
ously into the screen of trees, well bach
from the CLEAN Of the open road; ant
Evan Fauntleroy, placing himself be
tween the girl and the approaching
sounds, leaned from his saddle, straight
ened her bride, felt the roan's bit, ant
gently stroked his great neck. Then hi
rose in his stirrups, stretching the cold
cramp out of his legs, braced himself
|
chamber of the big revolver drawn from
his holster.
The tramp of hoofs was now plainl,
heard, cut by the clank of sabers-per
haps five or six-perhaps score.
Cavalry" the scout whispered to tn
girl. Probably our scouts; posi-
bly,"
He hesitated only second; but sh
calmly finished for him.
"Averills. If so, which way?"
"If they're Yanks, they are feeling
for our pickets," Evan whispered back
, They'll go east, over the road we came
We can cut through the woods road an
, dodge them in the bottom"
mo! If they pass US, straight for til
Ferryr" The girls whisper was calm
:, but it's clear, bell-like ring carried com
mand not to be gainsaid.
S "'The Ferry then, if they pass US,
S the man replied, adding, quietly: "Pu
E up that thing" He noted the motto
:. of her hand, testing the chamber of
pistol; and by the CLEAN of white ski
he dimly saw, too, that she had draw
the gauntlet from her pistol hant
r PUT thatup. say If they be Yank.
e this is a case of run, not fight. Lister
n for time is short" The hoofs wer
. plainly heard now, dozen horses tro
ting slowly towards them, doze
: sabers jingling merrily against thei
: TANKS Listen, and remember.
=, they see u.s. cut straight through thes
] l.