The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-04-25


ing. I'd give you an escort into Tar1e-
ton S camp, but l need all my troopers
for the task I have in hand"
81 thank you for your courtesy and
information, Lieutenant Cuthbert, - she
replied. ''aHd I hope that we viii meet
again soon III Charleston when IL these
rebels are taken.
And shat viii not bo long, Miss
HowaId he said. with gallant bow.
Ike gave rae syora TO his troopers, and
,hag .;;l0ph on.
DuriuE this ordeal the behavior of
Di5 Ca, was something wonderful to
see gheDaA he has2d rc;lcoat as a
cas- 1gt,s . make he seemed to under
sta;,d ia. at' h;;.l :. part toact and that
he mus; G"t 1t well. All bis true char
actcr diss nnearad lie was shambling,
drooping horse, with his head down
and ready to submit to anything, Just
an ordinary, oppressed British horse OF
the lower classes, not u proud spirited
American horse, conscious of the Dec
laration of independence and the truth
that all men and horses are born free
and equal.
But when the last of the British
troops had disappeared around the hill
and the gallop of their horses had sunk
into a mere echo Old Put resumed his
former and true characteristics figure
expanded, he held up his head once
more. He was the true patriot, equal
to all. ] was glad to see the change, for
that was the character in which liked
him best.
We went on for a long time in
silence, barring request from the girl
that i ride and let her walk in my
place | declined abruptly, saying
was cavalryman, with such few oppor-
tunities for walking that l intended to
enjoy one when had it.
The sun, following the new light in
the east, had appeared above the hills.
The far crests and forests famed with
red gold, and we trod silently on in the
shining light of the morning "Why
did you not take your opportunity l
asked at length, land return to your
own people? Why did you not tell them
back there who and what l wasp
She remained silent, and I looked
back at her.
Julia, p" said, and she did not seem
to notice that l had called her by her
first name again despite her command,
why did you not tell them who l was
and let them take me prisoner
81 have called you rebel with
moose around your neck, and it is true.
The moose is always there, and it was
pressing very close then. For you to
have been taken prisoner then meant
your death. | could have taken the
chance OF returning TO my own people
then only by hanging you.
How? | do not understand you -
Look at the red coat you wear. "A
spyr says Tarleton, who knows no
mercy. Hang him at oncel' and you are
hanged -
had forgotten the coat, which, hay
Ing served me we'll twice, might serve
me very i'll the third time.
Il must get rid of this coat soon, - l
said. Then / added as an afterthought:
But what is it to you were / hanged?
1t would be only one more wicked rebel
meeting the fate that he deserves. Whv
should you put yourself to trouble for
me?"
l looked back over my shoulder.
though | may not have had the appear
ance of looking. l saw flush as of the
morning that was around us overspread
her face, and she looked afar over nv
head, her eyes shining with something
had not seen there before. 1 asked her
no more, but the morning continued to
grow into splendor and radiance pass
ing all previous knowledge of mine.
The sun crept up, and the light reach
ed all the earth, west as we'll as the
east. We were still in the red clay road.
winding among lone hills and deserted
fields and patches of primitive forests.
We came to brook Of cool, clear wa
ter, babbling over the stones.
Here we rest" l said, land eat
breakfast. Jump down, Julia
She sprang down, and all three drank
at the brook-Julia, Old Put and |
Then we ate the remains of our proyi
slons, while the horse found some ten
der stems of grass by the brookside.
Il think we had better leave the road
now / said, for this is the enemy's
country, and do not want to meet any
more of Tarleton's men,
liz was my purpose to make a circuit
around Iarleton and join Morgan, and
she made no objection. but suggested
that she walk with me.
Il am tired of riding" she said.
and 1t will be good for the horse too. .
L threw the bride reins over Old
Puts head, told him to follow us, and
we started on our great curve around
Iarleton. Being Charleston man. |
knew very little of that part of the
country, but III my campaigning with
Greene and Morgan L had obtained some
idea OF the lay of the land, and l knew
the general course l ought to follow.
Besides, felt very good, and was full
Of enthusiasm. But little of the conn.
try had been cultivated, and as the for.
sst was not dense there was nothing To
stay our progress. We marched steadily
On, and what impressed us most was the |
ieSOlatlOn of the land Rrt tb;,,1.-