The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-08
MY CAPTIVE E,
By JOSEPH A. ALTSBELER,
author of az Soldier of Manhattan. +"
"The Sun of Saratoga" Etc.
CHAPTER III
TEE MERIT OF a GOOD HORSE.

an In taking advantage OF it, and then I
sprang upon the back Of that old brown
hack-confound him for an army mule
without the ears!-and gave chase. 1
had no switch or whip, but I roweled
him and kicked him in the sides until ]
frightened him into a greater speed than
he or any one else believed to dwell
within his long frame. He gave wild
snort, and we plunged after the feet
girl. rocking and swaying Ikea boat in
stormy sea, but even with such exer-
tion ne could not compare with Old Put.
Despite the anxiety of the moment, I
noted his inferiority with some pride,
but then I remembered how much de-
pended upon the success Of the pursuit,
and ] continued to urge On my own
mount
Strive and strain as We could and
ride and thump as would with all my
arms and legs, we lost ground rapidly.
The girl turned her head once to look
st me, and I thought saw look Of
triumph on her face, but l suppose it
was my imagination which was indus
tricusly tormenting me just then ]
groaned at the certainty Of her escape,
and then hope seized me, for ] remem-
bered suddenly that I, toe, had trick
TO play. Old Put and I possessed a COM
mon language in which we often talked,
with perfect understanding I put two
fingers to my lips and blew between
them long, shril whistle, which cut
the air and travelled like the scream Of
3 fife. It was q request, command
even, to him to stop and wait for me-.
He twisted his long neck in the manner
of one listening, looking back at me to
see what I meant, but he went on,
though with slightly diminished speed.
mis- manner indicating that he was un-'
certain what had said.
The girl was belaboring him with
che switch, for she must have noticed
his decreasing gait Iwhistled again,
and RS Old Puts pace sank to a trot
she beat him fercely with the switch
A third whistle, and Old Put, now il
perfect accord with me, stopped stock
still; not only that, but he faced about
and neighed joyously. The girl threw
the remains Of her switch upon the
ground and began &c ;ry, not pitifully,
but angrily. fercely. I rode up slowly
and held out my hand to Old Put. who
rubbed his nose against it. He knew
his master and best friend Never had
I beaten him, and now there were
stripes and welts on his side where she
had pounded him with switch, or
Sather stick.
.sWhy did you not tell me what sort
of horse he was," she cried, "and
then 7 would NOT have made myself
look SO ridiculous, sitting here as if !
had been tied and waiting for you to
come up?"
.Miss Howard, " said l in some as
eonishment, "do you expect me to show
you the way to escape?:'
"I do not expect anything from you,
a rebel. I" she said. .Do not speak to
me again
All right; that suited me. 1 did not
wish to talk to her She used words
only to inveigle me into some incau-
tious mood But it was necessary for me
TO tell her to disrnount in order that I
might change saddles again, as l did
not intend to give her another such op-
portunity did not offer to assist her,
l,aving had enough Of that, but stood
beside the brown hack, watching her
with look that was now strictly mill
sary.
"Why don't you help NE down:'' she
said angrily 'Have You no courtesy
for lady?"
"You have declined such assistance
from a rebel before, said in reply to
her unexpected question.
'And decline again You needn't
offer it. - she said abruptly, springing to
the ground. when had no thought of
offering it
AS soon as she was of his back Old
Put showed the greatest distrust Of her
and aversion. He SHE'D as far away
from her as my hold on his bride would
let him, and his big, dark eyes shone
with wrath. was glad that he had
come back to MS senses, and he, like l.
should have known her thoroughly from
the first and always.
eve don't intend to be deceived by
her again. do we, old comrade?' said l
20 him.
He nodded his head in emphatic fash
ion. and his big eye winked intelligent
1y Her eyes flashed Little, but she took
no other notice.
Look well at this lady, Put, I
said "Do you note her?"
He nodded.
''She's English, we're Americans,
and therefore she's an enemy and not to
be trusted Watch her well.'' con-
tinued
He nodded violently.
''Now, Miss Howard, +" I said severe
1y, eve changed those saddles, and
they are ready for our use when we
need them, but meanwhile We'll walk
again, as we've tired our horses out for
the second time, and all your fault too. "