Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-14


profoundly.
Confederate uniform emerged from be-
hind the trees, lettering along, the pic
ture of Incidence.
Look" said Helen, her eyes fixed
eagerly on the advancing figure.
"Its''-
Captain Beaumont, as liver
Never for moment doubling that he
was followed by his troopers, and in
finltely preferring to fall into his hands
rather than into the guerrillas'. hailed
him. He refined in, stared at us, recog-
nized us and after sitting for moment
in mute establishment rode toward us.
what In the name Of
"Your men-where are they" gasped
Helen.
II have no men. sent them back
yesterday. We have hunted you fo' -
Then dismount, captain" 1 said,
"and be quick. There are guerrillas up
there. They may murder you as well
rs u.s."
''My dear man." he said, dismount-
ing leisurely, "yo' are always in hur-
~ oS luC DSes WuCIc 10 kBdI ldScl.
mating little creature
"Oh, captain" cried Helen, "a life
both our lives-are at stalker
'What can do fo' YOU" asked the
captain, at last impressed with our e1-
cited appearance.
By this time the guerrillas had come
up to Jayco1's body and stood alter
nately looking at it and casting glances
into the wood on either side Of the
road. They raised him, felt of his
heart. knew that he was dead and
dropped him.
cts Jaycox," I whispered to the
| captain. HE kidnapped me today a
second time. This brave girl followed
and shot him. In few minutes they
will scour the wood. We have but one
horse. 1t will never carry us both
| swiftly enough for escape"
II relinquish my horse with pleasure,
Of co'se. May assist
Helen's foot was in my hand and she
in the saddle before he could finish.
Then sprang upon the other horse.
would you oblige me-" the captain
called after us as we hurried away,
| "by informing me where l can find
that little beauty
"Oyer there, In a pocket between
knolls-half a mile. Tell them we'll
join them later"
can see him now, with his hand on
his heart, bowling profoundly, and. not
withstanding shudder at remember
ing the danger we were in, cannot re-
press smile at the comical situation
Of this man who few days before had
ordered me out to be shot, then had
offered to lend me money and now,
giving me his horse to save my life,
was about to start of hunting for
Jaqueline in the Cumberland noun
tains.
Helen and I, riding side by side,
dashed through brush, between trees,
over rocks, runnels, rotting trunks of
trees, our only thought to put space
between us and our enemies. She was
riding on mans saddle, sidewise,
luckily supported by a high pommel
and holster, keeping her balance as If
bred to the "ring." / reached out my
hand. She gave me hers to press, and
lovers look, intensified by our dan.
ger. shot between us. 1t was only for
an instant. for SO rough was the
ground. so numerous the distractions,
that we were obliged to keep our eyes
constantly fixed ahead. There had been
exciting moments since my first alb
duction, but nothing like the wild ex-
hilaration that thrilled me now. I for.
got the barrier that was still between
US. ttinking only that if this one ride
were successful years Of happiness
might be in store for us.
Wondering If we were followed, !
drew rein and listened. We could dis.
tinctly hear the brush breaking in our
rear. Again we pushed forward.
1t occurred to me that we were going
directly from our camp and that the
greater chance for safety, both imme.
date and ultimate, would be in hid.
ing, with a view to inducing the guer.
rillas to pass us, thus affording an op.
portunity to. return and Join forces