The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-27
Lincoln Lithia Water
A FLAG OF TRUCE.
CONTINUED From Sixth Page. }

snorted disdainfullT--onc there was
a keen whinny of defiance.
Blood tells. He knows il is a race"
Morris said. patting the satin should
er. With one arm he held Swan
close against his breast. Her weight.
thus over the witherS. hardly told on
the gallant beast. They had left the
chase Il mile behind. Norris was
about TO pull up. and turn Black
Douglas nose Il minute to the wind.
when they heard sabres iingIing down
across the road 100 yards dead ahead.
There is Flowtow himself" Nor
ris said under his breath. Hold
tight. Swan-now we have got to ride
for our lives
He had neither>vhip nor spur. He
must trust solely 10 the speed and
courage and intelligence of his horse.
He flickered the reins gently and
gave soft. low whistle. Black Doug
las reared as he heard it-then lung
ed forward and tore along the road.
devouring it as flame devours dry
stubble he shot past the cross
roads mouth while Flowtow and his
men were 30 yards away from it,
They cried halt. and fired after him.
The shots only urged him to keep
at his best speed. So did the thunder
of their hoofs behind.
Flowtow was nearly as we'll mount
ed. but his horse had been ridden
hard before the chase began. Still
he pressed forward. urging his gray
with whip and spur. beyond the
speed of all but two of the best-hors-
ed troopers. They had emptied their
carbines without effect. Flowtow
had a revolver, but the range was too
oreat--besides he had recognized
Swan as she flew past. and yealned
to oyertalle her and tear her bodily
from the arms of the man who had
tricked him.
Rage over The trucking wholly swal-
lowed up apprehension. He knew the
chase led him straight toward the
Confederate line. On. on he rode, the
wind singing in his ears. his eyes
fixed in straining gaze on the space
between Inn and his quarry. 1t had
lessened-in a little while he would
come up with the black-wouId taste
the savage sweetness of vengeance.
They could not a second time escare
him-those audaciouS ones, He could
not doubt now that the woman had
been full partner in the scheme.
He gained on them swiftly. They
were just thirty yards in front-he
rose in his stirrups to cry halt after
them. But the cry was drowned in
% loud notes.-the blurring boom of
cavalry guns heavily charged. The
flash came straight in front. a little
way down theJ'oad. Undervoicing the
sound. he caught the muffled murmur
of many men springing suddenly to
arms. 1t was not picket post. but a
vanguard he had surprised. Wrath
fully he fired his six shots in air. then
wheeled and rode for life towards his
own camp.
Morris! O thank the Lord we
didn't touch YOU" the captain of the
guard said as Norris leaped from
Black Douglas. Norris had no word
for him. Swan lay inert in his arms
and he felt her head drop prone
against his shoulder, and knew that
the bullet which had stilled her heart
was intended for his own.
The next day but one Colonel Hill
lard walked into General Forests
headquarters to say: MY dear gen,
eral. please send a flag of truce My
sons wife has died-very suddenly.
We wish to bury her at Wake Forest
beside his mother"
AS he spoke. so II was done.