The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-03
s. -R
THE SPLENDID SPUR
TIE ADVENTURES OF JACK MARVEL.
by ARTHUR T. QUILLER COUCH: 81,
Y
by ARTHUR T. QUILLER COUCH:

Jews Of the Cornish success made
them wary Of their good order.
Still, eight men were enough to run
from; and now the nearest let fly with
his piece-more to brighten US, belize,
than with any other view, for we were
far out Of range. But it grew clear
that if we held on our direction they
must cut US off.
Only row with good hope I saw a hill
rising not half e mile in front, and
somewhat to the right Of our course,
and, thought T, IF we can gain the
hollow to the left Of it, and put the
hill between US, they must ride over
it or round-in either case losing much
time" So, pointing this out to Della,
who rode on my left Ito leave my pis'
tol arm free and at the same time be
screened by me from shot Of the dra-
goons) I drove my spurs deep and
called to Molly to make her best pace.
The enemy OWNED our purpose; and
in a minute twas a desperate race for
the entrance to the hollow. But our
horses were the faster, and we the
lighter riders! so that we won, with
thirty yards to spare, from the fore
most-not without damage, however,
for, finding himself baked, he sent a
bullet at US which neatly cut through
my rein, so that my bride was hence
forward useless, and I could guide
Molly with knee and voice alone.
Delia's bay had SHE'D at the sound of
it, and likely enough saved my mis-
tress's life by this, for the bullet passed
within q foot before her.
Down the hollow we raced, with
three dragons at our heels, the rest
going round the hill. But they did
little good by SC doing, for after the
hollow came q broad, dismal sheet OF
water, about a mile round and banked
with black peat. Galloping along the
left shore Of this, we cut them off by
near half a mile. But the three be-
hind followed doggedly, though drop
ping back with every stride.
Beyond the pool came a green valley,
and q stream flowing down it, which
we jumped easily. CHANGING at Della
as she landed on the further side. I
noted that her cheeks we're glowing
and herself brimful Of mirth.
"Say. Jack" she cried, "is not this
better than love of women"
"In heavens name" I called out,
"take care"
But twas too late. The green valley
here melted into a t%reacherous bog. IN
which her bay was already plunginS
over his fetlocks and every moment
sinking deeper.
Throw me the rein" I shouted, and,
catching the bride close by the bit,
leaned over and tried to drag the horse
forward. By this Molly also was over
hoofs in liquid mud. For a minute and
more we heaved and splashed, and all
the while the dragons, seeing III fix,
were shouting and drawing nearer and
nearer. But just as a brace of bullets
splashed into the slough at our feet we
staggered to the harder slope and were
gaining on them again. So for twenty
minutes along the spurs of the hills we
held on, the enemy falling back and
hidden, every now and again, in the
hollows-but always following; at the
end of which time Della called from
lust behind me:
Jack, here's a TODD; the bay is going
There was no doubt Of it. I suppose
he must have wiring his of hind leg IN
fighting through quag. Any way, ten
minutes more would see the end of his
gallop. But at this moment we had
won to the top. Of a stiff ascent. and
now, looking down at our feet, 1 had
the joyfulest surprise.
Twas the moore Of Temple spread
below like a map, the low sun strik-
ing on the ruined huts to the left OF
us, on the roof Of Joan's cottage, on
the scar Of the high road and the sides
of the tall tor above it.
"In ten minutes" said l, 1--WE may be
safe"
So down into the plain we hurried;
and 1 thought for the first time of the
loyal girl waiting in the cottage yon-
der, Of my former ride into Temple,
and with angry shame) Of the light
heart with which I left it.
. Past the peat ricks we struggled, the
sheep cotes, the struggling fences-all
so familiar; crossed the stream and
rode into the yard.
Jump down." I whispered; 1--WE have
time, and no more" CHANGING back, I
saw a couple Of dragons already COM
ing over the heights. They had spied
US.
Dismounting, I ran to the cottage
door and funng it open. A stream OF
light, flung back against the sun,
blazed into my eyes.
I rubbed them and Lated for a mo-
ment stock-still.
For Joan stood in front Of me,
dressed in the very clothes I had worn
on the day we first met-buf-coat,
brooches, heavy boots, and all. Her
back was toward me, and at the Shout
der, where the coat had been cut away
from my wound, I saw the rents all
darned and patched with pack thread.
In her hand was the mirror I had
given her.
At the sound of my step on the
threshold she turned with a short cry
a CRY the like Of which l have never
heard, so full was it Of choking joy.
The glass dropped to the floor and
was shattered. In a second her arms
were about me, and so she hung on
my neck, sobbing and laughing to-
Sether.