The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-11-23
The PRINoEToN UNION THURsDA ", n oy EnBE1 ss 1899

TI1E j
PUNK, threw my arms about him in an
ecstasy. Then we rode on and rejoined
Margaret. I=
Did you recognize friend?"
asked Of Margaret. 1,@>.~ ~. a.
"Hark!" >,.ss. a'@ ~ %.5.&
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 heavens! the third was Enoch
Mellodew.
Not word was spoken till the men
were out of earshot; then exclaimed:
Margaret, wait here while Punk and
I go after that traitor. We can dash in
on them from the rear, separate them,
and easily capture Mellodew."
''You will do no such thing" said
Margaret. "What importance is Mel
| we bear?"
''The young lady is right, lieutenant"
said Punk. I'VE can't stop to chase
him now. We need to do the running
ourselves. When the general with
draws they will remember us. Then
comes this officer who has half sus-
pected US, tells where we are, and they
light out after US. If can only git
you and the girl across the river, I'll
see what can do towards calm on
Enoch and remindin' him which side
he belongs on. Gitup, George Henry"
And he dug his spurs into his horses
| TANKS.
All realized that we must now place
distance between us and the confed-
crates. I spurred on, striking Mar
garet's horse with the palm of my hand,
sending him with 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 a 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 a look of exhilaration, for
I. felt all the excitement of a race
a race in which life was the prize and
death the forfeit. Plunk's was stoid
as usual. AS for Margaret, I caught
glimpses of her face whenever a cloud
left the moon, and marked a serenity
and intensity that I have never seen
combined before or since. It expressed
a faith, hope, that she would complete
a great purpose. Was it carrying the
news of Longstreet's move? Was it
in divulging our intentions to the con-
federates? Had she not already told
all to Col. Archard? Or was it in some
way connected. with the events which
had occurred during the first few days
of our meeting-the face at the win
dow? I know now; then could only
wonder.
"Where the devil are we going?'
Punk suddenly called.
Don't know I painted.
II see light" said Margaret.
"Better ask the way" said PUNK
"Pn dismount and try for informa
ton"
It'll do that myself" said. II want
to have a look at my map"
We were moving so fast that we
reached the light-it was in a log hut
almost before we had finished oul
talk. I jumped from my horse and
ran to the door. Once there, waited
a moment to catch my breath so as
not to excite suspicion, then knocked
The door was opened by an old woman
Can you tell me where this ROAD
leads to-"
'Whar It leads too"
eyes"
''The river
"Good crossing?"
"Good crossin'?''
Eyes; is there bridge or a ford?''
"You 'uns kin ford it, reckon"