The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-15
CHAPTER VI
IN A STATE OF s1EGE-

CHAPTER VI
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 l
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 MS mile
after mile, to hang to the chase like
bounds after q deer judged that
among Crowder's motives chagrin at
having made such fool of himself
and desire to repair the error were
the strongest The men did not spread
out fan shape, bot 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, asif
they hoped to frighten US with spent
balls. The girls horse swayed bit to
one side, and 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 swell of the earth, and
far out on the plain saw the dim out
lines of a small house, or rather log
cabin, rising from the earth. The girls
horse threw up his head and uttered
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 sure
gallop to shaky trot. The horses
great eyes were distended with pain and
fear, and blood and foam were on'his
lips A dark red clot of blood appeared
upon his side, and I 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
worthy running mate and comrade.
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 Sc
curely despite the mans saddle Once
she protested, but roughly bade her
be silent and obey me and We would es-
cape vet. Then she said no more
''See the house yonder?" l said
1--WE will reach that and beat them OF.
Maybe we will find allies there This
should be patriot region.
! rested one arm on Old Puts shoul-
der. The girl was on the horses back,
and l, partly supported by him, ran by
his side. It is 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 few
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 fugitives and half carrying
the other.
l took one quick look backward and
calculated that we would reach the hut
in time. Our pursuers evidently did not
think SO, for they fred 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 dl-
rection Of everything to me-
The cabin continued to rise from the
plain, the corners, the caves and the
roof appearing until it stood before rs
distinct and near at hand
"Now, Put, old comrade, greatest OF
horses, / cried. 1--WE are nearing the
eoall Show them how much strength
and speed you have kept In reserve for
this last effort! Show them what you
can do when you try your best r
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 nc
fence around either it or the house
Old Put dashed straight for the door.
as if he knew what was wanted Of him.
which, in fact, be did, and stopped five