Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-11

"Tnere's no use asixin' him any qnes-
tions." be said. Hes deaf as a ferry /
boat"
P1unlx's odd comparison probably |
saved my life. Berante showed HIS |
pointed teeth In a smile. and rode on.
followed by his escort. i bFeathed one |
long sigh of relief. and. riding up TO
Punk, threw my arms about him in an
ecstasy. Then we rode on and rejoined
Margaret.
Ibid you recognize q friend7' !
asked of Margaret.
'rH5rkI"
There were sounds of more horses
coming. simultaneously we made for
the cover of trees beside the road.
Three horsemen trotted towards us
and passed within a dozen yards. Two
were confederate cavalrymen, the third
great heavensi the third was Enoch
Mellodew.
Not word was spoken till the men
were out of earsbct; then / exclaimed:
Margaret, wait here while PUNK and
go after that traitor. We can dash in
on them from the rear, separate them,
and easily capture Mellodew."
you win do no such thing" said
Margaret. what importance is Mel
lodew compared with the information
we bear?''
"The young lady Is right. lieutenant"
said PUNK. 1--WE can't stop to chase
him now. We need TO do the running
ourselves. When the general with
I,.~,. =
comes this officer who has half sus-
pected us, tells where we are, and they
light out after us. If 1 can only git
you and the girl across the river, I'll
see what 1 can do towards calm on
Encch and renindin' him which side
he belongs on. Git up. George Henry"
And be dug his spurs into his horses
TANKS.
All realized that we must now place
distance between us and the confed-
crates. l spurred on, striking Mar
garet's horse with the palm of my hand,
sending him with a jump in advance
of both PUNK and myself.
Oh, Time, stop your clocks for every
one but us!
We rode three abreast. Margaret in
the center, without word. Trees,
fences, barns, fields, all sailed by us
as we galloped onward. Looking up
to the sky. there was the same swift
motion, for thin clouds. with here and
there black one. were sailing over the
| disk of the moon. Our faces were ex-
pressive Of our characters Mine, am
sure, wore look of exhiIaration, foI
felt all the excitement OF race
race in which life was the prize and
death the forfeit. Plunk's was stolid
as usual AS for Margaret, caught
glimpses of her face whenever cloud
left the moon. and marked serenity
and intensity that 1 have never seer
combined before or since. II expressed
a faith, hope, that she would complete
n great purpose. Was it carrying the
news of Longstreet's move? Was &
In divuIgiDg our intentions TO the con
federates? Had she not already told
all TO Col. Archard? Or WIS 1t in SOM
way connected with the events which
had occurred during the first few day
of our meeting-the face at the win
dow? know now; then / could onl.
wonder.
where the devil are we going?
= PUNK suddenly called.
Don't know" i painted.
/ ~ see n Light" said Margaret.
< ''Better ask the way" said Plum
Z ''Tll dismount and try for informs
? ton"
I "Ill do that myself" said. 'I wan
+. to have a look At my map"
}, We were moving so fast that W
e reached the lght-it was in a log IN
/. almost before we had finished OF
2 talk. jumped from my horse an
2 ran to the door. Once there. waite
e a moment to catch my breath so 1
e not TO excite suspicion, then knocks
l. The door was opened by an old woman
s ''Can you tell me where shAS Sos
n leads top
'Whar I leads top
Eyes"
THE river"
"Good crossing?"
~Good crossin' %
a "Yes; is there a bridge or ford?'
J. "You 'sEs kin ford y. reckon"