The Indianapolis journal., 1903-04-27

when 1 had bespoken good care for Ty-
bee We took leave OF these stout ngnters
and of old EDhraim as well, since the bor-
derer was TO serve as guide for the over
mountain men. at least TIL they were come
upon familiar ground to the westward
Twas now hard upon ten of the clock
in the forenoon and we had our last sight
OF the brave little army whilst II was
vending its way slowly down the slopes
of Kings mountain OF what became OF
II: how its weary march dragged on from
day to day: how IL was hampered by the
train of captives, halted by rain-swollen
torrents and was well nigh starved withal;
Of Of all these things you may read elsewhere. Where
fer and me, and our way lay TO the east
ward.
All that Sunday we pressed forward.
hasting as We could through the stark
columned aisles of the autumn-stripped
forest and looking hourly TO come upon
Tarletons legion marching out TO Fergu-
sons relief.
Since Richard Jennifer had ridden TO the
hounds in all this middle ground from boy
hood We were able 10 take my blind wan
derings In reverse as the arrow flies. and
by nightfall we were well down upon the
main travelled road leading 10 Beattie S
fording of the Catawba.
AS your map will show you, this was
taking me somewhat out of my way 10 the
northward; but it was Richards most di-
rect route to Salisbury and beyond, and
by veering thus we MADE the surer OF miss
would likely cross the river at the lower
ford
Once in the high road We pushed on
briskly for the river, nor did we draw rein
until the sweating beasts were picking
| their way in the darkness down the last
of the hills which sentinel the Catawba
| to the westward.
At the foot of this hill by-road led to
| Macgowan's ford some six miles farther
down the river and here, as / supposed,
our ways would lie apart. But when we
came to the forking of the road Richard
| ping the spurs to the tired horse so that
| We were a good mile beyond the forking
before / could overtake him.
| him down. Would you take a fighting
hazard when you need not? There is sure
| to be a British patrol at the lower ford"
He jerked his beast down to walk and
| we rode in silence side by side for full
minute before he said grurfiy: You d never
| find the way alone
| 1 laughed. Barring myself. you are the
| clumsiest of evaders, Dick / am on my
own ground here, and that you know as
well as L.
| Damn your he gritted between his
teeth. When We are coming near Appleby
| Hundred you are fierce enough to be rid
| of me-"
| 1 saw his drift at that: how he would
| take all the chance of capture and spy s
| rope for the sake of passing within mile
| of Mistress Margery or of the house he
| thought she was In.
GO back Dick, whilst you may, said J.
''She is not at Appleby Hundred"
He turned upon me like lion at bay.
| What have you done with her.?
peace, you foolish boy. / am not her
| keeper. Her father took her to Charlotte
| on the very day you saw her safe at home.
He reined I'D short in the narrow way
"So?" he said most bitingly. And that is
| why you take the embassy to Lord Corn
wallis and fub me off with the one to
| Gates. BY heavens, Captain Ireton, we
shall change roles here and now!'
| All, my dears, the love madness Is q
| saved my life so many times had lost the
| count of them feeling for my throat in the
| murk of that october night as my bitter
| est foeman might.
And surely it was the love demon in me
| that made me say: You think L am stand
| ing in your way, Richard Jennifer? Well
| so l am: for whilst / live you may not
have her. Why don't you draw and cut me
| DOWN."
Twas then Satan marked my dear lac
| for his very own.
| ION guard.'' he cried; draw and defend
| yourself!'' and with that the great clay.
more leaped from its sheath to flash In the
| starlight.
| whrl the steel had the time TO parry the
| descending blow. But at the balancing in.
| slant the brother-hating devil had the up
| per hand, whispering me that here was the
| death l coveted; that Margery might have
her lover. If so she would. with her hus
| bands blood upon his head.
So sat motionless while the broadswort
| cut it's circle in air and came down; ant
| then / knew no more till l came to with
| bees hive buzzing in my ears to find my
self lying in the dank grass at the path
| side. My head was on Richards knee ant
| he was dabbling it with water in his soaked
kerchief.
| ITO Be Continued