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

confinainYS dcwn, the Other c0minguP
the river The latter made slow head
way, the oarsmen now and again ceas-
ing to row.
'-They are searching the Shore" said
Margaret. ''Pull farther up the creek"
I gave a dozen strokes with long
sweep to each, which sent us around n
bend and right under overhanging
bushes The approaching boat turned
into the creek as we expected, but came
up only n short distance from the
mouth. We heard one of them say
something about the west shore being
nearer the mark, whereupon they left
the creek. Pulling out after them
cautiously, we saw them making for
the other side of the river.
rowed on up, slxulking along the
east bank, screened occasionally by
overbanging trees. The boat ahead OF
us searched the west bank for awhile;
then we heard no more of it. We feIt
no immediate apprehension till Mar
gatet, who knew the river well, said
that we were approaching a ferry. Be
lieving it would be watched, we dreaded
to attempt TO pass it, and paused under
< the branches Oh u tree lux
'rll tell you," said Margaret. You
slSulk through the woods back Of the
/ ferry to some point beyond It. III
pull the boat up the river. If pass the
/ ferry I'll go to where you strike the
river, and take you i'm
| "Where can / meet you?"
! She thought moment before reply
ing. "a mile above the ferry there il
i -
and lower end of this island is creek"
"On this side of the river?"
"Yes; I'll meet you at the mouth OF
the creek"
She changed ner scat and handed
her the oars. Margaret" said, with
bit of tremble in my voice, ''good-by-"
"No. no, not good-by. I'll meet you
at the creek. depend upon it,"
few strokes drew her away from
the bank. She stopped, rested one hand
on the handles of the oars, and with
the other waved me an adieu, then
pulled out into the river as gracefully
I as a water-sprite. / watched her till I
could see her no more; then feeling of
isolation came over me. My little army
was scattered; the escort had probably
been captured; PUNK had gone back
to the confederate camp; and now Mar
garet had parted from me.
Slxirting the base of n hill, l crossed
n road, and soon after found myself on
the river bank above the ferry. There,
about a mile ahead, was the island, 4
line OF low timber extending from the
river westward marking the line of the
creek. / walked brislSly till struck
the creek at its mouth, then looked
about for Margaret.
She was not there
Nv heart sank within me. felt sure
that IL she had arrived she would make
herself known, but thinking she might
be hiding, waiting for me TO give some
signal, / called:
Margaret"
z No reply. How odd ones voice
I sounds calling in the night at nothingI
The stiffness Knocked me.
1 sat on n log to rest, and peered
down the river. i wondered what time
it was 1t must he near morning, but
= j had passed through so much since
. the evening before that it seemed there
= had been two nights instead of one
y / listened for some sound that would
y denote pursuit, but could hear nothing.
y With such perfect quiet about me, ii
seemed impossible that l could be IN
imminent danger. ] looked up at the
moon. 1t wore no smile tonight; the
left check was caved in, and there was
a CHASTITY look on its face.
At last L gave up all hope of Mar
garet's keeping her appointment
" must swim across the river and pro
&c coed on my journey. 1 dare not wait
longer, for the morning would come
+ and it would be sure capture either t.
&c remain where 1 was or cross by day
light.
pc Making a bundle of my coat, waist
coat and shoes, ] tied it between m,
he shoulders with withe of willow, theI
er stood moment calculating the dis
IS lance to the island. ! was not a COOS
swimmer and dislikeG the prospect; in
or deed had not the distance been broker
by the island, would not have dare'
to make the attempt. However, dealt
by drowning was preferable 10 dealt
by hanging, so L walked into tn
water.
u Lord, how cold.
e struck out Justify, but the cu1
rs rent was so rapid that by the time
Up had gone two-thirds of the distance
ne had taken me pretty near the south en-
- of the island and there was prospec
80 of my being carried beyond it, If s.
nc l would have to swim the whole widt
IL of the river without q rest. But | keE
=" my head, and taking a number of lon:
slow strokes soon found myself in sha
low water, and walked up ON to DIR
go land. Going to the extreme south en-
DC of the island looked down the streal
"A for Margaret. At that moment a clou
passed over the face of the moon, darl
ening everything.
We ! resolved 70 swim the remainin