The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-10-17
CHAPTER XIII.
THE RIDE TO ST. JEROME.

THE RIDE TO ST. JEROME.
We galloped at a break-neck pace to the
gate, but the guard was already alarmed, and
half dozen men came Fastening towards
us. They were on foot, however, and had
no mind TO stand the shock of meeting horses
coming at full speed down an incline, so
skipped nimbly aside. The officer alone held
his ground paying for his courage with his
life, for Bande Mere sliced his head in two
Ike ripe watermelon-poor wretch. Had
they only closed the gates we were lost, but
we reached them just in time, and, passing
through like flash, were free of the town
A bullet or two whizzed past US, but did no
damage. 1t was done, and another half
hour of the pace we were going would place
us beyond pursuit. 1t was no easy matter,
? however, to sit the horse and hold Angola
as | was doing, and | very soon began to feel
that the strain on my arm was getting be-
ycnd me, and that she was slipping from my
grasp. She lay still and passive, her eyes
closed, her head resting on my shoulder, and
seemed in faint. Perhaps spoke roughly,
but it was no time to mince words.
Come, madam" | said, you must rouse
yoursef-take another day to swoon-hold
me as closely as you can-quick."
My words-and the tone they were spoken
in--had the effect | wanted She looked
little indignant, but held on, leaving my left
arm, which was getting numbed, more free
to guide the horse, and my sword arm great
e. liberty should occasion arise.
The country, rugged although it was, de
scended in a slope towards the basin of
Trasimene, but / turned sharp aside from
the road, fearing there might be a picquet
thereon, and galloped across the open, far
outpacing my followers, who l saw were
coming after me in bunch and at their
utmost speed--the honest knaves. The
glance over my shoulder that ] took to OBJ
serve this also showed me a strong body Of
horse squirting from the gate, and chucklcd
to myself as thought we had gained mile 5
start and that they had to deal with Castor.
Five leagues to go-it was nothing to the
brave horse; and in answer TO my call he
stretched himself out as he had never done
before AS for me, such thoughts as | had
when | felt the arms of the woman l loved
clasped about me are TO be recalled for ones
self alone, and concern none else beside.
Once or twice l glanced down, meeting her
eyes, and as she dropped her lids over them
they seemed to me to be alive with q soft
light After a little | felt the arms begin
ming to relax.
Hold tight, l said
81 cannot; my strength is going"
Courage, take heart; see, to our left is
the Tower of MagiOne-a few minutes and
we are safe.
/ drew her closer Lizards NE. With an
effort she rallied, her arms again frightened
in their clasp, and we sped down the long
slope which led to Trasimene, Castor
stretching himself like a greyhound. ]
looked again over my shoulder. Far behind
my men were riding for their lives, and far
Their sill was the dark line of our pursuers,
coming on with logged persistence, the sun
lighting up their armor and flashing from
their spears Once beyond Magione we
were comparatively safe, but false step,
stumble, and all was lost. Magione itself
was held by the Baglioni, and from the old
watch tower, built by the Sforza, which
stood high above the country, we might nave
already been spied and a party sent out to
intercept us. The thought seemed to grow
into reality, and despair began to come
over me. "On, on, Castor!" l spoke to the
good horse, and he laid his ears back at the
sound of my voice, and even as he did so l
saw a cloud of dust coming towards our left,
and knew that the danger | feared was at
hand Going rs we were | was riding right
into the party from Magione, and therefore
WlLn d TOUCH OH Tile rein NdSSOI
round to the north, and we raced on, leav
ing the tower over my shoulder. the double
burden and the tremendous pace, however,
began to tell on the horse, and within the
next five minutes he slackened perceptibly
an his stride. To my horror saw that the
ground began 10 be furrowed and cut up by
ravines and that we were approaching the
bed of river. had, therefore, to slacken
the pace, and ut the same time our new pur-
suers sighting us came on with all the speed
of their fresh horses. Castor scrambled In
and out of the ravines like cat, but we
were going slowly now, and the enemy had
all the advantage of the level ground to come
up, which they did at a dreadful rate. With
the failing strength of my companion dared
not risk jumps, weighted as l was, but the
brave horse did his utmost, if knowing
our danger.
For Gods sake hold on!" L cried out as
we topped deep ravine with plunge that
almost caused Angola to slip from my grasr,
and as | said this heard shot and ball
from an arquebus whistle over my head.
The enemy were in the rough ground now
themselves, but they were within gun range,
and | dreaded that some of them might dis
mount and pick me off. This, however, did
not occur to them, and on we went, with
every now and again bullet, fired from
horseback with an unsteady aim, singing