The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-07-27

But standing at the parting Of the
ways, peering about and listening, he
heard a startling sound. It was the
rhythmic beating o. horses hoofs on
the earth. It came from the rear and
steadily grew more distinct, proving
that a party of horsemen were in pur-
suit Of him.
"They are the men who had plotted
to visit the home of General Eldridge
and to give me the 'witch's parole.
Captain Trenholm might have tried to
prevent it, but it would have availed
nothing Even if he did try probably it
would have been all pretense, bitterly
added the lieutenant. Chow I could
laugh at these fellows if was in the
saddle of that horse which Pete offered
me. And yet if he were here I would
still refuse' -r.
Unquestionably the young man was
in an unreasonable mood and gave an
other proof Of the justice of the opinion
|rexpressed by the slave
Lieutenant Oakman felt he had done
the meanest act of his life in sending
that message to Miss Eldridge She had
made an honest effort to befriend him
after the tender ministration of herself
and mother, and he had repealed it with
insulting words instead of accepting
the proffer with his profoundest graft
tude.
Why?
Through fear that she might "offend
Captain Trenholm, as he expressed it.
Heavens, if she only would offend him
beyond the posi- bility of pardon, how
the heart Of the fugitive would leap
with joyl
But perhaps he did net comprehend
the mysteries of his own heart. When
worthy man has said or done an I'M
worthy thing, his desperation urges
him to go to further lengths, which
fact will account for Lieutenant Oak
mans absurd but characteristic hope
that he might have a second opportuni-
| ty to turn aside more pointedly than
before the gentle hand helpingly ex-
tended to him.
But the hoof beats increased in dis
tlnctness. The men were approaching
at sweeping gallop over the main
highway. If they followed the same
course with him, he must soon be over
taken. While there were no woods on
either side of the road, he was confident
OF escaping detection by climbing the
rail fence and lying fiat on the ground,
provided he adopted the stratagem be-
fore being observed by his pursuers.
Prudence demanded that he should
do this at once, but he was too impa-
tlent to throw away any time. He in
creased his pace, continually listening
and often pausing to glance to the
| rear.
When the sounds indicated that the
horsemen were close to the fork of the
road, Oakman vaulted over the fence
and stood in the attitude of intense at
tenticn. The ground was dry for the
season, and in the stiffness the hoofs
rang out with unusual clearness. There
were several moments when he was GER
tain the party had turned to the right
and would soon pass the spot. Before
secreting himself he meant to wait I'M
til he could see the foremost horsemen.
! But they did not appear, and the re-
ceding sounds proved that they had rid
den past the fork and were galloping
up the main highway with undated
speed.
Glow long will they keep at it?'' he
asked himself, climbing back into the
road. Il don't see how they can expect
to capture me when they must know
am sure to discover their approach.
Perhaps they mean to get in front,
raise hue and cry, and by rousing the
country head me off,
Lieutenant Oakman's danger was
real, and he knew it. He had nothing
to fear from the regular Confederate
forces, for he was in uniform and car
ried with him the proof that he was a
regularly exchanged prisoner, entitled
to safe conduct through the enemy's
lines. But there were lowering on the
outskirts of the Union and Confederate
armies troops Of irregular cavalry, tech
nic:a}sTT known as guerrillas, who dis
regarded the laws of civilized warfare.
The reproach of the existence of such
men belongs in greater or less degree
to both sides during the war
The belief Of Lieutenant Oakman was
that party Of these free riders had
learned of his presence at the home of
General Eldridge and had arranged to
visit the place and summarily 'srei5ove''
him. He fed just in time to escape, or
perhaps to postpone fight with them.
He continued his journey like a man
to whom the country was unfamiliar.
He was on the alert, and had not gone
far, when he deserted that for which he
was looking. From dwelling on the
left shone light, its few rays piercing
the trees and reaching the highway,
from which it was separated by a long
lane, inclosed by tall trees, whose tons
appeared almost to meet.
The lieutenant hurried his pace and.
turning through the open gate, entered
the avenue that recalled many he had
seen in his native state and for the mo-
ment caused touch of homesickness
He half expected to hear the baying of
dog, but the place, like General FL
dridUo'1 Soo,,,o1 ~ ~