The National tribune., 1901-03-14

his back was seated young lady, who
bravely held her seat. and who was vainly
attempting. to restrain the unmanageable
animal Some distance behind were a
party OF ladies and gentlemen on horse
back, all squirting their horses to the ut
most. as if with the intention of overtak-
| ing the flying steed in front of them. In
tense fear was depicted upon the counte-
nances of those in the rear, and not with
out reason, for the situation OF the young
lady was dangerous indeed.
| Quick rs a fash my operatives realized
the situation and the necessity for prompt
action. Without uttering a word. Sam
Bridgeman turned his horses directly
across the road, intending by that means
to stop the mad course of the fiery charger
approaching them. As he did so, Lewis
/ sprang from the wagon, and with the ut
most coolness advanced to meet the ap-
preaching horse. On came the frightened
animal at u speed that threatened every
moment to hurl the brave girl from her
seat, until he approached nearly to the
point at which my operatives had sta
TONED themselves, and then, evidently Ger
eeiying the obstruetions in his path, he
momcntarily slackened pace. In that in
Stant Lewis sprang forward, and grasp
ing the bride firmly with strong hand,
he forced the frightened animal back upon
his launches. The danger was passed.
The horse, feeling the iron grasp upon the
lGCDeuiLllir Tue voice OF au-
thority. stood still and trembling i'm every
joint, his reeking sides heaving and his
eyes tlashing fire. The young lady, with
sudden revulsion of feeling, fell back
IN the saddle, and would have fallen but
that sam Bridgeman. fastening to the re-
iief OF his Communion. was fortunately in
time TO catch the fainting figure in his
arms. Extricating her quickly from the
saddle, he sat her gently on the ground.
and as he did so the fair head fell for
ward on his shoulder and she lost con.
SciousueSs.
BY this time Lewis had succeeded in
quoting the excited animal and had fast
ened him to tree by the wayside. and
as he turned to the assistance of Bridge
man the companions of the unconscious
girl rode up. Hastily dismounting. they
rushed to her aid. and in few minutes.
under their ministrations. the dark eyes
were opened. and the girl gazed wonder
ingly around.
After being assisted to her feet she
gratefully expressed her thankfulness to
the men who had probably saved her life,
in which she was warmly joined by the
remainder of the party.
Sam Bridgeman received these crate
full expressions with an air of modest con-
fusion. which was indeed laughable, and
then said:
1T amt no use thanking me, Miss: it
was my lord, here, that stopped the ami
NAL"
At the words "my lord look of GU
rioslty came over the faces of the new
comers, and Lewis stepped gracefully for
ward and introduced himself.
Il am glad, ladies and gentlemen, to
have been of service to this young lady,
and permit me to introduce myself as
Henry Tracy, of Oxford, England, now
travelling in America"
The three gentlemen who were of the
riding party grasped the hand of their
new-made English acquaintance and in a
few words introduced him to the ladies
who accompanied them, all OF whom were
seemingly delighted to make the acquaint-
ance OF gentleman who had been ad-
dressed by his servant as my lord"
ms adventure proved to he n most for
tunate one for my two operatives. The
gentlemen, upon introducing themselves,
were discovered to be connected with the
rebel army, and to be recruiting officers
sent by Gov. Letcher to organize such
rebel volunteers as were to be gathered
in Western Virginia. BY them Lewis was
cordially invited to join their company to
Charleston, which h. as cordially accent
ed. Suggesting that as the young lady.
who had scarcely recovered from the ac-
cident. might not feel able to ride her
horse into town. he politely offered her a
seat Ill his carriage, which offer was CRATE
fully accepted, and attaching the runa-
way horse to the rear of the vehicle. the
party proceeded on their way to Charles
ton, at which point they arrived without
further event or accident
The young lady whom Lewis had SO
proyidentially rescued was the only daugh-
ter of Judge Beveridse. one of the wealth
lest and most influential men in the State.
and upon conducting her to her home the
detective was received with the warmest
emotions by the oyerjoyed father Lewis
was pressed to make the house of the
Judge his home during his stay. but grate-
fully declining the invitation he took ND
his quarters at the hotel, where he could
more READILY extend his acquaintance, and
where his movements would be more free.
The young officers whom he had met
upon the road had their quarters at the
hotel at which Lewis had stopped. and
under their friendly guidance no one
thought of questioning his trufhfulness or
his professions.
BY this means he was enabled 90 ac-
quire a wonderful amount of information
of value to the cause of the North, all of
which was duly reported to me at bead
quarters, and by me communicated direct
ly to Gen. Mcclellan.
CTo be continued)