Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1900-01-18

a mile above w. replied PUNK, imitaa
ing the southern accent.
Margaret had ridden on, was keer
ing as far from Berante as possible
where are you going?" asked the
major, regarding me intently.
What should do? IT spoke he
would recognize my voice. AS before
remained silent and PUNK broke in tc
help Inc out.
'There's no use asliin' him any ques
tions," he said. "He's deaf as ferry
boat"
Plunk's odd comparison probably
saved my life. Berante showed his
pointed teeth in smile, and rode on,
followed by his escort. I breathed one
long sigh of relief, and, riding up to
Punk, threw my arms about him in an
ecstasy. Then we rode on and re Joined
Margaret.
"Did you recognize . friend1" I
asked of Margaret.
"Hark!"
There were sounds of more horses
coming. simultaneously we made for
the cover of trees beside the road.
Three horsemen trotted towards us
and passed within dozen yards. Two
were confederate cavalrymen, the third
great heavens! the third was Enoch
Mellodew.
Not word was spoken till the mer
were out of earshot; then exclaimed:
Margaret, wait here while Punk and
l go after that traitor. We can dash in
on them from the rear, separate them,
and easily capture Mellodew."
''You will do no such thing" said
Margaret. "What Importance is Mel.
lodew compared with the information
we bear?"
'The young lady is right, lieutenant"
said Punk. eve can't stop to chase
him now. We need to do the running
ourselves. When the general with
draws they will remember us. Then
comes this officer who has half sus.
pected us, tells where we are, and they
light out after us. If I can only cit
you and the girl across the river, I'll
see what 1 can do towards calm on
Enoch and remindin' him which side
he belongs on. Git up, George Henry"
And he dug his spurs into his horses
tanks.
All realized that we must now place
distance between us and the confed-
crates. l spurrcd on, striking Mar
garet's horse with the palm of my hand,
sending him with jump in advance
of both PUNK and myself.
Oh, Time, stop your clocks for every
one but us!
We rode three abreast, Margaret in
the center, without a word. Trees
fences, barns, fields, all sailed by us
as we galloped onward. Looking up
to the sky, there was the same swift
motion, for thin clouds, with here and
there black one, were sailing over the
disk of the moon. Our faces were ex-
pressive of our characters. Mine, am
sure, wore look of eXhilaration, fol-
l felt all the excitement of a race
a race in which life was the prize and
death the forfeit. Plunk's was stolid
as usual. AS for Margaret, 1 caught
glimpses of her face whenever a cloud
left the moon, and marked serenity
and intensity that l have never seen
combined before or since. 1t expressed
faith, hope, that she would complete
great purpose. Was it carrying the
news of Longstrect's move? Was il
in divulging our intentions to the con
fedcrates? Had she not already told
all to Col. Archard? Or was it in some
way connected with the events which
had occurred during the first few days
of our meeting--the face at the win
dow? know now; then / could only
wonder.
where the devil are we going?'
Punk suddenly called.
Don't know" painted.
81 see a light" said Margaret
"Better ask the way" said PUNK
"1'll dismount and try for informa
tion."
"I'll do that myself" said. II want
to have look at my map"
We were moving SO fast that we
reached the light-it was in log hut
almost before we had finished GU,
talk. I jumped from. my horse anC
ran to the door. Once there, waited
| a moment to catch my breath so as
not to excite suspicion, then knocked
| The door was opened by an old woman
"Can you tell me where this roac
leads to-"
| 'Whar It leads to-"
| eyes"
'The river"
Good crossing?"
Good crossin'?"
eyes; is there a bridge or a ford?"
| "You 'uns kin ford it, reckon
| "Any road north on the other side?'
"Any road no'th?"
'Yes. Drop your parrot bushes,
and talk quick"
''No road runnin' moth. This roac
runs down t Thatcher's. Thurs moth
in but hills goin' no'th.'
I entered the cabin, took out my
map, and held it to the light. The
woman was right; after crossing tH,
river there was no road leading north
GLOW near the ford are we?''
GLOW nigh?"
eyes, how nigh? You're mighty par
ticular about your English
'Three miles,"
/ went out, mounted, and we all rode
on while informed the others of thu
| facts had learned.
''The rebel camp we were in" I said
sis near McCormick's mills, and that,
about two miles from the river. W.
must be very near the ford. If we car
cross, we can keep on this road tt
Thatcher's, and then up Opossum creel