The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-19

IL l had not known every step of my
road 1 could not have escaped. After half
a mile at a mad gallop 1 put my horse
at the low hedge by the roadside and
struck out bee line across country. 1t
was heavy going and treacherous. but it
saved very considerable distance, and
when I emerged on to the road again 1
could hear nothing of the troopers.
let my horse get his wind, therefore,
and waited until caught sound of the
men again before 1 pricked forward once
more at the gallop. l knew of another
point where 1 could take a short cut but
this time l was delayed by the very heavy
going, and when reached the road again
l found the men close behind me.
A loud shout soon told me they had
heard the sound OF my horses hoofs, and
a moment later they commenced desultory
dropping fire with their carbines.
began now to despair. 1 was nearing
a village where had come across a scout
ing party on my way out, while my horse
was beginning to feel the effects of the
big effort he had had to make
But | set my teeth, drove my heels into
his willing sides and resolved to hold on
TIL ne dropped or one of their chance bull
let's should hit me. encouraged him with
words and caresses, as well as the spur
and he seemed TO feel the danger as much
as I.
As I clattered into the village I looked
eagerly ahead and around, and, to my in
finite relief. there was not sign of the
scouting party. But my pursuers were
closing up behind me. while the shouts
they sent up brought the few people who
were still out of their beds running TO
doors and windows to watch the strange
race.
had only two miles further to ride now,
but as 1 left the village street and splash
cd on between the hedgerows again, my
heart sank suddenly.
The rain had stopped and the sky lifted
o bit, and at the top Of a short, easy sore
l saw drawn up across the road. their
figures blackly shouted against the sky
line, a Gordon of horsemen.
It was all over. I was caught between
the two parties. I drew rein, pulling my
faithful beast almost on to his launches
and glanced desperately at the tall hedges
on either side 10 see if / could possibly
leap them. They were hopeless. Had
my horse been fresh and myself unwound-
ed, could not have dashed through them
But my one forlorn chance now was to
make the attempt. I backed my horse to
one side and was about 10 dig the rowels
into him and urge him to an effort, when
my heart gave a leap of joy.
who goes there?'
The challenge was in German, and In
less time than it takes to tell it, I was
among my own men, safe, though almost
fainting from fatigue and loss of blood
My puTsuers heard the challenge, too,
drew rein and then retreated.
I had fallen in with a scouting party of
my own corps in the nick of time, and they
took me back to camp where the story Of
Won Masson's treachery created a great
sensation.
Instantly a strong party was dispatched
to Mobanne to try and catch him and the
officers; but the house was found to be de-
serted by all except Lota. her aunt and
their servants, who were all just starting
for Paris.
Lota wrote me a description of the
scene that followed my escape, and re-
newed in the letter the VOWS she had
breathed in my ears at the moment of our
parting.