The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-10-28

IHe bVAulGED uhu phhBeus anu y llIIlC LlTs
ther on she could hear them talking and
shouting to each other as she cantered
along, needless Of the fact that a droOp-
ing branch might sweep her from the
saddle. and when at length satisfied
that she was safe distance ahead of
her pursuers, turned into the road,
She proceeded cautiously for some
distance. walking or slowly trotting her
horse on the grass by the roadside, and
then giving him his head set out OF
good speed, completing her journey just
as the gray streaks In the sky indicated
the approach Of dawn.
She quickly made Mr.. Davis ac-
quainted with the happenings Of the
night, and after short conference the
party determined to break camp at
once and commence their march to the
sea.
Marion. who was nearly, II not quite,
as familiar with the country as was
Bob, acted as guide. and 1t was due to
her knowledge Of the by-roads and
bride paths that they were able to
travel for IN enilre day without meet
Ing or being seen by any one.
AZ nlghtfalI the party again encamp.
ed and Marion, tired and worn out, was
soon fast asleep. and 1t seemed TO her
that she had but closed her eyes when a
hand touched her shoulder and voice
whispered: MISS, one OF our men who
has been out looking about says that
he saw some Yankee cavalrymen not
tar from here and he thinks they will
hnd US IL we don't get away mighty
soon" 1t was one Of the Kentucklans
who spoke,
The girl was up and alert in a mo-
ment ;she knew that II the soldiers wero
in the Immediate nelghbOrhood there
was no chance that Mr.. Davis could es-
cape should he remain with the rest of
the party.
Have you told the President OF his
dangera" she asked of the man.
Eyes. ma'am. 1 told him. and he said
to arouse you and do just as you said"
was the reply
Marion resolved on plan of action
at once. HAS the President an extra
suit Of clOthes7" she asked Of the man.
Eyes, ma'am. 1 think he has"
"can you get 1t for me without his
knowledEe?"
Il reckon 1 can; he's not near the bag.
gage chest just now, and II you say so
I'll bust 1t open and get the things; but,
miss, what are you going to do with the
Presidents clothes?"
Never mind, bring them to ME as
soon as you can"
Marion went inside OF the tent, and
soon the man returned and handed the
clothing, in to her, and in few mo-
ments she emerged wearing the suit of
black broadcloth worn by Mr.. Davis on
state occasions at Richmond.
Unless closely scrutinized she would
readily have passed as a man. as she
was tall, straight as an arrow, and her
long black hair was tightly bound, up
and hidden under the broad-brImmed
SLOUGH hat she wore.
Calling the trooper to her she in
structed him that in the event OF the
Union soldiers approaching the camp
he was to throw long macintosh. or
waterproof coat about the President
and the old shawl over his head, IN the
manner worn by old women, and direct
him to assume limplng gait, and Slow
iy walk away out of sight, and that she
would attend TO the rest.
She then went where her horse was
tethered and, selecting a saddle that
had been used by one of the escort put 1t
on her horne. taking great care that the
gIrths were securely fastened. and that
everything was In readiness for instant
flight, she turned and started to walk to
the tent. when in the distance she saw
several horsemen approaching.
AT that moment the cavalrymen, for
80 they proved to be, caught sight Of
the little camp, and putting spurs to
their horses were soon within a few
hundred yards of where Marion was
standing.
She waited until she was sure that
they could see her. then with shout to
the Kentucklan, Remember" she ran
to her horse, vaulted into the saddle,
and giving the animal a singing blow
with her whip. she was of, riding as
though for her life, along the road lead
ing from the camp.
The cRvalrymen had seen her, and
thinking that it must be MIR. Davis wht
was endeaVoFlng to escape, urged theiT
hoTseS on In hot pursuit.
This was as Marion had hoped, and
she rode on. rejoicing that Bhc wnP cur
ryInR her purAuCrH farther and farther
AWAY and Increasing the chances OF the
| fugitive President to escape.
For two miles or more the race was
very even, and the distance between
the pursucrs and the pursued Temulned
about the same neither making amy
! percpptlhle gain. and Marion was com
mencing 10 congratulate herself on tho
entire BucCeBs OF her strategy, when her
faithful animal stumbled, nearly
throwing her TO the ground. and nj.
though ne quickly reEuined his feet the
fan had got him out Of his stride, and
the soldiers began to gain. and nj
though the cruel whip foil on the
horses bnCk relentlcgsly, she saw that
II was now but matter Of very short
time when she would be OVertnken.
She heard the command to hRlt, coup
1 e. a "A a.