Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-20

had not seen nor heard, and he hoped
to reach the British lines about Delhi
without Interference.
But suddenly, as his horse dashed
round sharp turn of the road, he saw
galloping toward him half a dozen
horsemen. He had no time to turn
about, for they were within 80 yards
OF him, and by the early dawn light
he could distinguish the familiar uni
form OF silvery gray faced with scarlet,
and the white sun helmets denoting
that they were Sepoy sowars, or ma
tive cavalry There was but one thing
TO do, and that was to keep right on;
he could not retreat.
Drawing his sword and revolver, the
brave young officer dug his rowels into
the side of his horse and plunged for
ward. One of the Sepoys fell by bull
let from his revolver, another swarthy-
visaged native was cleft half to the
middle by stroke of his heavy saber
He broke through them and was away
like the wind, without a scratch, only
that bullet from carbine grazed
ms scalp, causing tiny ripple of blood
TO run slowly down his face.
The cry of Haiti Shoot the Ferinp-
heel" from his pursuers, and the
beat of hoofs behind him made it
clear that they were in pursuit and
meant to run him down.
The eastern sky was all ablaze and
the sun would be risen. All the greater
would be his danger by DAYLIGHT. for
ne might run unadvisedly into other
parties OF the enemy, and besides he
could not so easily elude the pursuers
ALREADY on his track. He did not dare
to look back, he could hear the pound-
ing OF the hoof-strikes of his pursuers.
and he expected any moment to feel
the sting of bullet from their car
olnes. For an hour this exciting chase
Kept on, and then something han
pened.
Wh1Ie passing low line of bushes
That lay in his path the Englishman
saw a slender figure in white rise
suddenly like n ghost, and raise a
rlne. There was swift, sharp re-
port, end as it rung out his horse
stumbled to it's knees, pitching him
over its head. He aIighted somewhat
stunned, but still unhurt, and seeing
at glance that his horse was wholly
disabled, he bent low and ran swiftly
toward the thicket of bushes. He
gained their shelter and then plunged
forward still deeper into their recess
es, for he could hear his pursuers
close behind him. He had no thought
but to escape his enemies by some
means, and get to Delhi to deliver his
message, but he came TO a sudden
stop as ne saw an open glade In front
and beyond, at the farther side, q
small ruined Hindu temple.
Hope now lent wings to the fuqi-
tive; here was place of refuge, or
at least a place where he could sell
his life dearly, If brought to bay. He
had barely time to scramble up the
steps and drop down behind a couple
OF fallen columns when the maddened
Sepoys were upon him. There were
a dozen of them now, and their
threats were frightful to hear. They
stood in wholesome fear, however.
OF the young officers revolver, and
halted at respectful distance.
You had better surrender. Fer
inghee," cried one, who seemed to be
their leader. For an answer the lieu
tenant discharged his revolver, talk
ing the best aim possible, and had
the satisfaction of seeing the Sepoy
bite the dust. A furious howl arose
from his companions, and the next
moment they made a rush. Three,
four, five shots rang out, and two of
the Sepoys fell, but the rest kept ON.
tumbling up the stairway and over
the broken columns, only to lind that
their expected prey had escaped them.
In the midst of the smoke he had
rushed in through the temple and
out at the rear, and before they
fairly realized the situation the gal |
liant youth had seized one of their |
horses which stood tethered to n
tree, and was galloping away. While |
they were struggling to unfasten
their horses and remount there was
heard the sound of bugle close at |
hand, and a detachment of English |
cavalry cantered by, thus rendering
all pursuit useless.
The subaltern met with no further |
adventure, and as he gained the open |
country he saw far off the suns RAYS |
flashing on the minarets of the Jami |
Musjid. little later he placed his |
message in the hands of Gen An
son within the English lines. He had |
accomplished his mission, and two |
months afterward, when the rebel
lion was over, he was rewarded for
his bold venture by receiving a cap
tain's commission.
That was Al years ago, and the /
brave young subaltern who made
that long night ride to Delhi is now
the grizzled veteran, Lord Roberts,
baron of Kandahar and Waterford,
the beloved "Bobs" of the English
soldiery, and the present commander
in chief of the British army-Young
People.