Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-16
G H A p T E r II I.
ACROSS COUNTRY.

ACROSS kCOUN1 III.
Soon as observing the altered direc-
ton of the balloon-at right angles to
its former course-Captain Guardiola
cries Haiti
With his troop once more stationary,
he sits in his saddle, looking aloft at
the dark round disc, now rapidly reced-
ing. For, besides changing quarter, the
wind has increased in strength, and
sweeps the light silken thing along, fast
as feather.
AS he follows it with his eyes, there
is in them more than anger-an eX-
preston almost of despair. For he is
a prey to the most unpleasant refec-
tions-a crowd of them at the same
time assailing him. The idea of giving
chase to balloon, of itself absurd, as.
it will seem to those certain, and
ready to criticise it. But to pursue,
without. oyertaking it-that will be the
acme of absurdity! Bad enough to
have let his prisoner escape in the
Piazza; but worse. theaeccentric and
unsuccessful attempt to reIake him.
What will be the effect of failure? 1t
needs no guessing. nor telling. The
thing will be all over the country;
Rome will resound with it. 1t will be
he-topic of the salons, and the talk of
the streets. He will be overwhelmed
with ridicule-covered with scorn, No
wonder he is half wild, distraught and
despairing. Nor that he gives way to
it; for he is well acquainted with that
part of the country, and knows there is
no road leading westward. Routes
there are, but only scorzas, or cattle
tracks trodden by the contadini and
their big buffaloes, or the shepherds
with their sheep and goats; paths at
short intervals, intercepted by streams,
with broken bridges, or none at ALL
Traversing such, he will nave but little
chance TO keep pace with the balloon,
much less overtake it. Still he will
try; desperation urging, and to some
extent restoring his energy for the
time suspended.
After short interval spent in MAX
: ing reconnaissance of the ground, he
determines to continue the chase-no
longer by the road, but now necessar-
lily :" cross country" He can ride pas
SADLY well, as also his troopers; for
the Campagna, with its rough roads, is
a capital teacher of equitation. So,
setting his charger at the fence, he
springs over it, and goes securing
across the felds-his troop in stray
gled line keeping after. By good luck
a long stretch of level country is before
them-open pasture land-with the turf
tolerably firm. Over this they go at
force their animals into a tail-on-end
gallop.
Continuing it for some twenty min
utes, Guardiola is again gladdened to
perceive that he is gaining upon the
balloon. Things look better than ever;
for he is now quite sure of being able
to keep up with it, and in spite of all
distractions. 1t is no longer a ques-
ton of heels, but bottom; and this de-
cides him to moderate the pace, and
husband the strength of his horses.
But for the delay caused by uneven
ground, and bridgeless rivulets. they
could easily overtake the chase-if need
were. outstrip it. For the changed cur
rent has proved but a cats paw, and
the breeze is again blowing gently,
though still towards the west. And
westward ride the troopers. now over
expenses of grazing ground. frighten-
ing fiocks of sheep and scattering herds
OF cattle; now across stony tracks. the
chatter of their horses hoofs resound-
ing through the still air of the Cam
pagna, making many an OLD ruin ring
with unaccustomed echoes.
Another twenty minutes OF rough
riding. and they are again well up with
the balloon, still high in the heavens.
But it cannot stay there to eternity.
The heated air upholding it must in
time become cooled, and terrestrial
gravitation, asserting its supremacy,
bring it down TO earth. Now a new
difficulty presents itself. The horses
have proved their speed; there is no
doubt about their power of endurance;
the question has become one of time
this causing mistrust in the minds
of the pursuers. The sun is declining
lin an hour will set. If the balloon
keep aloft beyond that time, it must
descend in darkness, and they may still
have to return from a bootless chase.
But no; for see! it's sinking now Yes;
surely is it:
Hope again irradiates their captains
countenance; his lips slightly parted
show his teeth set in grim, but graft
fed smile. The balloon is now so low
he can distinguish the figures in the
car-almost identity that of the escap-
ed prisoner, soon to be retaken. Not
much longer shall the young conspir-
ator enjoy liberty so Unexpectedly OBJ
tanned. In few minutes more, mus
o1,,fob biv, ~,