Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-04-20
OIILAI I Lh VI
IN A STATE OF SIEGE


IN STATE OF SIEGE
Old Put stretched his neck, and the
regular. steady beat OF his flying hoofs
was music to man who loves a good
horse. But the new horse, too. length
ened his stride and kept by my side.
Judged that he was good comrade for
Old Put. The plain, grassy and undu-
lating, rolled away before us. and /
could not see its end
Our pursuers hung on, and distrust-
ed their silence. 1t betokened resolu-
ton, determination to follow us mile
after mile, to hang to the chase like
hounds after deer. judged that
among Crowder's motives chagrin at
having made such fool OF himself
and a desire to repair the error were
the strongest The men did not spread
out fan shape, but followed us in
close group / was still sure that we
were gaining, though very slowly, and
they seemed to think so. too, for pres
emily they fired two or three shots, as If
they hoped to brighten us with spent
balls. The girls horse swayed a bit to
one side, and l thought he had stun
bled again. but she said he was merely
startled by the pistol shots, and, pulling
him back into the true course, we gal
loped on.
We crossed a swell of the earth, and
far out on the plain saw the dim out
lines of small house. or rather log
cabin, rising from the earth. The girl's
horse threw up his head and uttered a
neigh, or rather cry or great sigh.
for it was almost like that of human
being, and staggered from side to side,
his pace sinking quickly from a sure
gallop to shaky trot The horse g
great eyes were distended with pain and
fear -.,a blocA - ~--- Tere on his
lips A dark red clot of blood appeared
upon his side, and knew then that one
of the bullets which / thought would
fall short had struck him and the wound
was mortal
Without my hand pulling upon his
rein Old Put stopped and looked at the
other horse with eyes of pity and sor-
row, for he knew what was going to
happen-he knew he was going to lose
one who had been proving himself a
worthy running mate and comrade.
l leaped from Old Puts back and
snatched the girl from the saddle just
as her horse reeled and fell and gave
up his honest life with one great groan.
| half lifted. half pushed, the girl
upon Old Puts back. where she sat So
curely despite the mans saddle. Once
she protested, but | roughly babe her
be silent and obey me and we would es-
cape yet Then she said no more.
"See the house yonderr | said
1--WE Will reach that and beat them off
Maybe We will find allies there. This
should be a patriot region.
rested one arm on Old Puts shout
der The girl was on the horses back,
and |, partly supported by him, ran by
his side. 1t is a trick that the borderers
will tell you is common and useful
enough old Put gave me great assist
ance, for he understood. and as we flew
along my feet at times seemed not to
touch the ground
Our pursuers reached the crest OF the
swell and raised shout Of triumph as
they saw the dead horse in the path and
the single horse running ON. carrying
one of the fugltives and half carrying
the other
took one quick look backward and
calculated that we would reach the hut
in time Our pursuers evidently did not
think so, for they fired no more shots
The girl was silent, her hands folded
upon the pommel of my saddle and her
face all white again She left the oil
recnon of everything to me.
The cabin continued to rise from the
plain, the corners, the caves and the
roof appearing until it stood before as
distinct and near at hand.
Now, Put, old comrade, greatest OF
horses, - cried. 1--WE are nearing the
goall Show them how much strength
and speed you have kept in reserve for
this last effortt Show them what you
can do when yos try your bestp'
He replied by deed, and fairly
swung through the air as we raced
straight to the cabin. | expected some
tousled head TO appear. reused by the
thunder OF SO many hoofs, but none
came. The cabin remained silent and
lone. There was small garden. but no
fence around either it or the bouse-