The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-02-16


ter who is ill.," said Maggie, with trem-
bling voice. II pray you to take it not
from me-"
Her evident distress moved the SOL
der, and one of them roughly said to
the man who had taken her bread: LET
the wench go, Jack. A bread loaf would
hardly satisfy us to-day. IT'S Tall
madge's head crave. Give her the bas-
ket and let the poor girl CO."
With laugh the soldier returned the
basket and the bread, little dreaming
of their contents, and Maggie sped on,
not even turning her head to see if she
were pursued. Perhaps if she had
looked back the sight would not have
comforted her, for the six men were
standing together, and the frequent
chances they cast at the departing girl
showed that they were talking Of her.
But, all unconscious of what was go
ing on behind her, Maggie kept on her
way and when once she was on the
country road she broke into a run, all
unwearied by her long journey. She
had information of Importance, and the
thoughts of her father and brother in
Valley Forge, and the little sister at
home, gave her renewed strength.
She was almost breathless when at
last she entered the inn and delivered
the loaf to the impatient major,
who was waiting for her according to
his promise.
"'Tis well you have done, Maggie,
my girl" said Maj. Tallmadge, as he
broke open the loaf and quickly found
the folded note within. This shall not
be forgotten"
The major did not finish the SEN
tence, for just then the landlady en-
tered the room with white face, de-
claring she could see band OF British
light horse coming swiftly up the road.
They've suspected you, Maggie"
said the major, quickly. "'Twill never do
to leave you here. Can you mount and
ride behind me?"
Il cam" replied Maggie, quickly, and
before the words had been spoken Maj.
Tallmadge ran from the room and a
moment afterwards was before the door
with his feet black horse. up behind
me. Quick! For your life!"
Maggie grasped his outstretched
hand and in a moment was behind the
major with her arms tightly clasped
about his waist.
"Now, Jehu, go!" said the major to
his horse, and the black steed started
with the speed of the wind. Maggie
almost lost her grasp as the major
turned for a moment and replied with
haunting yell to the band which he
could see swiftly approaching down the
hillside; but her arms were strong, and
though her face was white and her eyes
blurred, she chung to her protector
throughout the wild ride which fol-
lowed.
On swept Jehu with his load, and on
came the band of red coats. The woods
by the roadside seemed to rush past
them. The breathing of the horse was
soon labored and hard, and his black
sides were covered with foam; but his
swift pace was never relaxed for an in.
slant. Once or twice he stumbled and
nearly fell, but a sharp pull on the
bride and a quick word from the major
restored him and the mad race contin.
ued. His hoofs Numbered over the
rude bridges, they struck fire from the
stones in the road, but Jehu minded
none of these things, for life and death
hung on his efforts that day.
For an hour the mad race continued
and then, when the borders of German.
town were reached and the red coats
turned back in fear, Maj. Tallmadge
drew the rein on his black steed, and.
as he helped the wearied girl to the
ground, he said, with smile: "'Tis
pity we lost that bread, Maggie, for
Washington sadly needs it; but far
more he needs what the bread con.
tanned and what he will soon have now
You have saved US from sad, and
what might have been a costly, mis-
take, this day, my girl"
EVERETT T. TOMLINSON.