The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-06-29
CHAPTER xI.

E We had gone but q short distance when
my thoughts came trooplng back, and
pulled mp. I was called to Tappan-a day
was lost already-and up above were
men who had waylaid the messenger,
who knew the contents Of the note.
t 'Twould be folly to travel back to Yer
plsneks and give them time to take me
on the road, or intercept me on the other
side, Il they deemed It worth their while.
HWY feeling was that they were merely
|lgang of SINNERS pillaging this man like
all others. But they might be, too, some
of the escaped squad we had outwitted
In the old house, who were following UP
tho rear of the troop. Most important Of
all, however. had not Curtis ghost found
me with the GIRL whom he seemed to
know. ard would he not try to get her
by taking me?
At that I turned about and made for
tho forty, crossing as soon as could
and setting out at once for Tappan. l
knew tho road well enough; for In my
two weeks ct the fort / had crossed
more than once, and from the drawings
of the country in the Colonel's possession
the lay Of tho land was moderately clear
So l had moved along for a mile or
more. till Roger stopped to breathe at
the peak OF long hill. AS l looked back
/ saw two riders some distance behind,
too far away to make them out, but
twas evident they were coming along
lat a quick gait. They seemed to have
the dress of countrymen, and on this
side of the river l knew twas not so
Tisafe for either British or outlaw ms on
q haSifafp6
thinking to draw off the road and let
Them come up and pass. Then the mis-
sicn | YVES on seemed too important, and
the chance Of coming to blows with them
|too great a risk to be taken just now.
EOut stretched Roger, therefore, in his
great stride, and knew there were but
few animals in the country could keep
the good nag's pace. l talked to him.
las was my won't and babe him save
himself for that he and L had some
miles to cover and neither stumble nor
slack might we indulge in Roger and
/ were friends long standing, and had
had run for our necks more than once.
The good beast laid back his ears. say
ing, as plain as if in words, that If the
devil were behind on the best that he
could bring from his sulphur home, we
would give him mis- due ana a run for his
money.
Never can a man have more exhilarat-
ing work than such a ride with seven
teen hands of splendid horse flesh be-
tween his knees, and l laughed to my
self to think of the run before us, If in
deed the two countrymen behind were
in search of me.
The road lay over a rolling country
&Incw down. now up-now str aight- again.
Ywiliding between passes IN the hills. So
that shortly / made the top of another
sslong climb and was about TO go over
Erass between two wooded FOOTHILLS, when
turning ! ack, I saw the two men down
in the valley coming on at the best rate
thcir horses could carry them. At that
.tant one pointed up at me, and then
IN urged on. Roger, boy lengthen
Ii stride, and let them follow till they
So their filI' And the good horse fiat
tered along the road iii his old time run.
Every now and then could catch the
heat of hoofs but they got no nearer.
l came suddenly upon fork in the
road and met an old oxen cart coming
down one fork
Tell me- my man. are you for General
Washington" said l pulling up.
THAT / am, sir, God bless him.
Then tell me which is the way to
Tappan."
Here 10 the right, sir" answered he,
Hooking at me in some wonder.
4 looked al him a moment In doubt
Hthen took my chance; for such a man in
such a place was like to be on our SIDE
in his heart at least.
Would you serve him, friend?'
e nodded, looking at me from his lit
eye all the while.
Then tell two men VINO WILL come run
nir here in moment that l took the
other road
Yell do better to take it anyway"
sald he.
why so?" I asked sternly.
Because / was as now stopped by
man as is British. or I'm Spaniard. who
would know if a man riding this way
|Ihad gone by"
= Again | looked the old man over.
Eye need no fear. sir, for you wear the
|tuniform and I'd do what I could to help
|ythe good cause Go on to the south ard
fo1k for about mile; then turn west
|yby a lanc-there's but cne-and come out
Non this road. If the Britsher moves no
Ihurthec south, yen be beyond him."
God help you, old man. II you lie; but
I'm take your word. Send the two down
the fork after me- and Roger and I were
Eon.
On went the nag We reached the lane
CLEARLY enough, and 1 took II. Most of
the way lay through the timber, and 1
ran out on the Tappan highway well
nigh before I knew And there. as my
.outsed luck would have it, stood three
Ncaught sight OF me as I looked back at
Xthem and we were all four on before
much was thought or done.
Twas q bad business, for they had
b, athed SPACE while Roger had been
HIcovering rod after rod. Still was l on
Xkhc Tappan road and on the Tappan side
.|of ,hcm, and had 800 yards to the good.
Their no horse of theirs could do
HImorc than keep the distance. or mayhap
|]Iwork or a yard or two now and then.
NIC,iy,ps Roger the reins on his neck I got
|igut my two pistols and made ready for
Iwhst might come. The horse could take
1I1ny guiding from the knee, and stretch
HING out bis neck he sped on
running up q grade and turning the
90 OF q hill laughed out loud to see in
4 khe valley beneath tents and flags and
|a,l tho signs of camp. and knew that
Frapoan lay but a couple OF miles away.
Irurnins In tho saddle 1 waved my two
IL rms ar the men.
They oaras laundering on, and the one
hn tho lead discharged his pistol. though
In was far out OF range. Looking ahead
III caught q bit OF road beneath and saw
sthe last Of a troop Of horse coming this
Iway. And that gave mo an idea which
the winding road suggested. Speeding
Loo down the hill 1 turned sharp corner
land Jumped Roger up bank into the
hin Der and underbrush. and then throw
hing my arms around his nose. held him
Eiose as the three ratified by. In a mo-
|ment was out on the highway and fol-
having after. still with the reins on the
horses neck and pistol In either hand.
TWINS too good to be true! A fool will
ulu-ova auOii his own gan.o. For i