The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-17

saddle. AT that moment the report OF
single musket rang into our ears, and
shouts and cries, with the noise of
struggle, We're heard from the lines.
Take my horse, Major." cried, as
urged him to mount
We were both armed. I drew my re-
vclver and forced it into Rosa's hand.
Ride" 1 said; 81 will take their atten-
ton off. Get her away, Cross.
But the Major never mounted.
Ny place is here" he said, as he
locsen ned his sword in its scabbard. His
hand never left her bride rein. A con-
fused mass of armed men made their
appearance, shrieking and shouting, in
the lighted circle on the further side of
the mess tent
Save me, Jack' cried the Majors
wife, as she gave her horse the spur.
The animal plunged frantically, but the
Major held him fast
Mount you fool" I cried, in my rage
and strong excitement.
With his disengaged hand the Major
struck me in the mouth.
AS l received the blow | heard the re-
port of weapon and l saw he Major
fall; saw that the bullet had struck
him in the forenaad; 1 saw him :oll like
a stone, fiinging up his arms as he did
SO, and I also saw that he was dead
To snatch the revolver from the Ma
jor's belt and to mount and follow
Rosa's horse, which was still wildly
plunging, but edging off from the infur-
lated mob, which had now reached the
mess tent was the work of an instant.
Keep on!' I shouted to my compan-
ion, as We got beyond the immediate
circle of lights. We went straight for
the road, and Rosa uttered not sound.
There was hope for US yet: We might
get clear off in the darkness. My duty
was plain-to save the helpless woman
at my side. A few yards brought us
to the road. On we went at headlong
speed, but the Mussulman devils had
fired the mess tent. In an instant the
great dry tent was one sheet of flame;
it lighted up the white road on which
we were galloping for dear life. The
sound of musket shots rang out; the
brutes were evidently potting US.
'Stoop!" I cried to my companion, but
too late. A dull thud told me she was
hit. She gave me one look of agony, a
look that will haunt me to my dying
day.
But we tore ON, and a few seconds
more brought US out of the light of the
still blazing tent She had ceased to
urge her horse, as she had done, with
whip and spur.
Don't give in" I cried; ''in a few
minutes we shall be safe from pursuit"
Leave me, Jack she said; my
horse is wounded and SO am T.
AS she said the words the poor beast
fell with a crash-fell to rise no more.
I sprang to the ground; desperation lent
me strength. How I managed it l
don't know, but l succeeded, in getting
her on to my own frightened beast. She
was apparently fainting; in her right
hand she still clutched the revolver
Take it," she said I thrust it into
my holster.
Don't let me fall into their hands
alive, Jack
She never spoke again
When she passed away 7 cannot tell,
but she was dead ere I reached Murg-
hab. l handed her body over TO the
women l made my report to the Off
Ger in command. I told how sudden
had been the rising, and how brave
Major Cross fell pierced by the bullet
of some skulking mutineer: and then 1
thought of poor dead Rosa, and wonder
ed if she and 1 had been SO very much
to blame. No, my conscience was fairly
clear; and it was with some satisfaction
that / buckled my sword belt to- accom-
pany the party that was to wreak ret
ribution on the mutineeTs Ct the til
regiment, who, we heard, had intrench-
ed themselves at Kerinabad. AS I rode
along with the others, thirsting for re-
venge, l thought of poor murdered Rosa
and her wrecked young life. 1 thought
of her as an angel in heaven looking
down on me. and in my heart ! swore to
give no quarter to the ruffians who had
caused her death. AS I did so 1 me-
chemically opened my holster. took out
my revolver and drew back the little
safety bolt that holds the chamber.
Good heavens! what's this?"
One of the cartridges mad been dis
charged You can fancy my feelings
when I discovered that hers was the
hand that fired the shot-the shot that
had slain her husband!
l thanked Major Fowler for his story.
l suppose it was true, for I heard of
the death of Cross at Kerimabad-I had
even seen his grave; but till now 1 did
not know that it was his wife who had
murdered him.-London World.