The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-11
NONE BUT THE BRAVE
By HAMBLEN SEARS.

some miles TO cover and neither stumble
nor slack might we indulge in. Roger and
L were friends of long standing, and had
had a run for our necks more than once.
The good beast laid back his ears saying.
as plain as If in words, that If the devil
were behind the best that he could
bring from his sulphur home. we would
give him his due and a run for his money.
Never can a man have more exhilarating
work than such a ride with seventeen
hands of splendid horsehesh between his
knees, and 1 laughed to myself to think Of
the run before U.S. If indeed the two coun-
trymen behind were in search of me.
The road lay over rolling country-now
down, now up-now straight again, wind
ing between passes in the hills So that
shortly I made the top of another long
climb and was about to go over a pass be-
tween two wooded foothills. when, turn
ing back, I saw the two men down in the
valley coming on at the best rate their
horses could carry them. At that instant
one pointed up at me. and then both urged
on. Roger, boy, lengthen thy stride, and
let them follow till they get their fllr'
And TIE good horse lattened along the
road in his old-time run
Every now and then I could catch the
beat of hoofs, but they got no nearer.
came suddenly upon a fork in the road.
and met an old oxen cart coming down one
fork.
Tell me, my man, are you for General
Washington" said 1. pulling up.
THAT I am sir, God bless him.
"Then tell me which is the way TO Tap
PAN.
Here to the right. sir" answered ne.
looking at me in some wonder.
looked at him a moment in doubt-then
took my chance; for such a man in such
place was like to be on our side, in his
heart, at least
Would you serve him. friend?"
He nodded, looking a me from his little
eyes all the while.
"Then tell two men who will come run
ming here in a moment that 1 took the
other road.
Yen do better to take it anyway" said
he.
"Why 500" l asked sternly.
Because / was but now stopped by a
man as is British, or I'm a spaniard. who
would know If a man riding this way had
gone by"
Again looked the old man over
eye need no fear sir. for you wear the
uniform and I'd do what 1 could 10 help
the good cause. Go on 70 the south ard
fork for about mile; then turn west by
lane-there's but one-and come out on
this road If the Britisher moves no further
south, yen be beyond him"
God help you. old man. IL you lie: but
I'll take your word. Send the two down the
fork after me" and Roger and I were or
On went the nag. We reached the lane
clearly enough. and / took IT, Most of the
way lay through the timber. and 1 ran out
on the Tappan highway we'll nigh before
knew. And there. as my cursed luck would
have il, stood three horsemen not five hun
dred yards away. They caught sight of me
as looked back az them. and we were ali
four of before much was thought or done.
Twas a bad business. for they had
breathed a space while Roger had been
covering rod after rod. Still was l on the
Tappan road and on the Tappan side OF
them. and had FIVE hundred yards 10 the
good. Even then no horse OF theirs could do
more than keep the distance or, mayhap.
work off a yard or two now and then. Civ
ing Roger the rens on his neck. / got out
my pistols and made ready for what might
come. The horse could take my guiding