The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-12-06
XXI.
IN WHICH WE Make A FORGET
MARCH

II could have been but little short OF
midnight when we came down into the
Great Trace near the ambush ground
where we had set our trap for the peace
men, -
The night had cleared most beauti-
fully, and overhead the stars were burn
ing like points of white hre In the olack
dome Of the heavens. AS often happens
after a shower, the night shrtliings Of
the forest were in fullest tide, and
whip-will s-widow, disturbed at our ap-
proach, fiuttered to a higher perch and
set up his plaintive protest
As our turning eastward on the trace.
the old hunter massed our little COM
pany as compactly as the path allowed,
and giving US the word TO follow eau
tiously, tossed his bride rein TO the
Catawba and went on ahead to feel out
the way.
This Encouragement set me to ride
abreast with Margery; and TOT the nrst
time since that fateful night in the up
per room at Appleby Hundred we were
together and measurably alone.
Since death might be lying In wait for
us at any turn in the winding bride
strained silence. But, womanlike. she
would not miss the chance to thrust at
Are you not ahre with shame; Cap
tain Ireton?" she said, bitterly, and then,
How you must despise mel
I knew not what she meant, but be-
ing most anxious for her safety, begged
her not 10 Ldlks putting II Ill uROn NAo
risk we ran in passing the outlet Of the
sunken valley. Now, as you have long
since learned, my tongue was but
skilleSs servant and though l sought 10
make the command the gentlest plea, she
took instant umbrage and struck back
you need not make the danger an ex-
cuse. l win be still, and when I speak
to you again you will De willing enough
to hear me. promise your
Nay. then. dear lady, you must not
take II sou I protested It's my mis-
fortune to be ever laundering.
But to this she gave me no answer at
all, and barring Worq or two or heart
ening to her serving woman, she never
opened her lips again throughout the
By good hap we came to the crossing
Of the cavern stream without meeting
any foeman. and on the farther side OF
derer awaiting US
'Ez 1 allow. we've smelt the bait IN
the trap and come or with whole bones.
like Shadrach. Meshach and Abednego."
phrase and frontier idiom as was his
wont Then he put leg over his horse
and gave the stirrup word: From now
on. old Jehu. the son o. Nimshi. is the
hoss-whipper we've got to beat Get ye
behind, Cap'n John, and give the boss
that lags half-inch T so or your sword
Then and there began q night flight
long to be remembered Down the val
ley Of the swift river to the ford where
Y6ates and had crossed after the mock
rescue Of Margery the night before, we
let the horses pick the way as they
could. But once beyond the ford, where
the trace was wider and the footing less
precariouS we piled whip and spur. push
ing the saddle-beasts for every stride we
could get out Of them In the blind race
have marveled often that we came
not to grief in all this long night gallop
through the darkness There was every
chance for 1t. The Overarching trees Of
the great forest shut out all the star
light. and the trace was no more than
a bridle-path. rougher n an any cart
road. Yet we held the breakneck pace
steadily, save for the time II took to
thread some steep dehle to a stream
crossing or to scramble up its fellow on