The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-01-11
up only a short distance from the

up only a short distance from the
mouth. We heard one Of them say
something about the west shore being
nearer the mark, whereupon they left
the creek. Pulling out after them
cautiously, we sawathem making for
the other side of the river.
I rowed on up, skuIking along the
east bank, screened occasionally by
overhanging trees. The boat ahead Of
us searched the west bank for awhile;
then we heard no more of it. We felt
no immediate apprehension till Mar.
garet, who knew the river well, said
that we were approaching a ferry. Be
lieving it would be watched, we dreaded
to attempt to pass it, and paused under,
the branches of a tree for consultation.
sI'n tell you" said Margaret. "You
skulk through the woods back Of the.
ferry to some point beyond it. TIL
pull the boat up the river. If I pass the
ferry I'll go to where you strike the
river, and take you in"
"Where can I meet you?"
She thought a moment before reply
ing. ga mile above the ferry there is
an island; midway between the upper
and lower end of this island is a creek.
"On this side of the river?"
"Yes; I'll meet you at the mouth of
the creek"
She changed her seat and I handed
her the oars. Margaret" I said, with
a bit of tremble in my voice, "good-by."
"No, no., not good-by. I'll meet you
at the. creek, depend upon it."
A few strokes drew her away from
the bank. She stopped, rested one hand
on the handles of the oars, and with
the other waved me an adieu, then
pulled out into the river as gracefully
as a water-sprite. I watched her till I
could see her no more; then a feeling of
isolation came over me. Ny little army
was scattered; the escort had probably
been captured; PUNK had gone back
to the confederate camp; and now Mar
garet had parted from me.
Skirting the base of a hill, I crossed
q road, and soon after found myself on
the river bank above the ferry. There,
about a mile ahead, vas the island, a
line of low timber extending from the
river westward marking the line of the
creek. I walked briskly till I struck
the creek at it's mouth, then looked
about for Margaret.
She was not there.
My heart sank within me. I felt sure
that if she had arrivedtshe would make
herself known, but thinking she might
be hiding, waiting for me to give some
signal, I called:
Margaret"
No reply. How odd ones voice
sounds calling in the night at nothing!
The stiffness Knocked me.
I sat on a log to rest, and peered
down the river. I wondered what time
it was. 1t must be near morning, but
I had passed through so much since
the evening before that it seemed there
had been two nights instead of one
I listened for some sound that would
denote pursuit, but could hear nothing
With such perfect quiet about me, il
seemed impossible that Iicould be in
imminent danger. I looked up at the
moon. 1t wore no smile tonight; the
left cheek was caSed in, and there was
a CHASTITY look OF it's face.
At last I gave up all hope of Mar
garet's keeping her appointment. J
must swim across the river and pro
coed on my journey. I dare not wal
longer, for the morning would come
and it would be sur capture either tx
remain where was or cross bv day
light.
Making a bundle of my coat, waist
coat and shoes, I tied it between ny