The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-02-26
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"Look" said Helen, her eyes fixed
eagerly on the advancing figure.
Its
captain Beaumont, as liver
Never for moment doubling that he
was followed by his troopers, and in
finltely preferring to fall into his hands
rather than into the guerrillas', hailed
him. He refined In, stared at us. recOg-
nized us and after sitting for moment
in mute establishment rode toward us.
"What In the name off,
"Your men-where are theyY' gasped
Helen.
Il have no men. sent them back
yesterday. We have hunted you fo'"-
"Then dismount, captain" l said,
"and be quick. There are guerlillas up
there. They may murder you as well
as u.s."
"My dear man." he said, dismount-
ing leisurely, "yo' are always in hur-
ry. BY the bye. where Is that fasci-
mating little creature"-
"Oh. captain" cried Helen. "a life
both our lives-are at stalker
What can do TO- yo'?' asked the
captain, at last impressed with our ex-
cited appearance.
BY this time the guerrillas had come
up to Jaycox's body and stood alter
nately looking at 1t and casting glances
into the wood OH either side OF the
road. They raised him, felt Of his
heart. knew that he was dead and
dropped him.
ITS Jaycox," l whispered to the
captain. He kidnapped me today a
second time. This brave girl followed
and shot him. In a few minutes they
will scour the wood. We have but one
horse. 1t will never carry us both
swiftly enough for escape"
81 rellnquish my horse with pleasure,
of co'se May assist
Hclen's foot was in my hand and she
in the saddle before he could finish.
Then sprang upon the other horse.
would you oblige me-" the captain
called after us as we hurried away,
"by informing me where l can find
that little beauty
"Over there, In pocket between
knolls-half mile. Tell them We'll
join them later"
l can see him now, with his hand on
his heart. bowling profoundly, and not
| withstanding a shudder at remember
ing the danger we were In, cannot re-
press smile at the cOmical situation
Of this man who few days before had
ordered me out to be shot, then had
offered to lend me money and now,
giving me his horse to save my life,
| was about to start of hunting for
Jaqueline In the Cumberland noun
tains.
Helen and I, riding side by side,
dashed through brush, between trees,
over rocks, runnels, rOtting trunks Of
trees, our only thought to put space
between us and our enemies. She was
riding on a mans saddle, sidewise,
luckily supported by high pommel
and holster, keeping her balance as If
bred to the "ring." reached out my
hand. She gave me hers to press, and
a lovers look, intensified by our dan
ger, shot between us. 1t was only for
an instant, for so rough was the
ground, so numerous the instructions,
that we were obliged to keep our eyes
constantly fixed ahead. There had been
exciting moments since my first alb
duction, but nothing like the wild ex-
hilaration that thrilled me now. for
got the barrier that was still between
US, thinking only that II this one ride
were successful years Of happiness
might be in store for us.
Wondering II we were followed, l
drew rein and listened. Wo could dis
tlnctly hear the brush breaking in our
rear. Again We pushed forward.
1t occurred to me that we were going
directly from our camp and that the
greater chance for safety. both imme-
diate and ultimate, would be in hid
ing. with view to inducing the guer
rillas to pass US. thus affording an OPP
portunity to return and Join forces
with our friends. Approaching clump
Of wood skirted by open ground, plan
flashed through my brain to utilize both
in order to elude our pursuers.
"YOur bennett cried to Helen.
She tossed 1t to me.
"Now ride straight for that thicket."
Squirting my horse to the utmost,
made a circuit, dropping the bonnet
and trifle farther on my hat. Helen
entered the wood, and I, wheeling
dashed in on the farther side and re-
Joined her. Jerking of ny coat,
wrapped 1t about my horses ears and
eyes to prevent his neighing to those
approaching. and Helen. divining my
intention, did the same to her own
mount with her jacket. Then we stood
waiting, not sound escaping from
either US or our horses. even their
painting deadened by the covering. 1t
was either life or death, with the
chances in favor Of death. We stood,
hand In hand, looking straight into
each others eyes. In that moment Of
supreme suspense 1t was as II but one
being waited for the result.
An exclamation-they have seen the
bonnet! shout-they have come upon
the hiatt They clatter on. Walt. A