The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-03-09

clearings and creeping ever higher
toward the crest until the foothills at
last were left far below. Then on again
| nOrthward, and, so tortuous was their
way, so many were the halts, making
on a bee line little more than a mile an
hour, they bored through the wilder
ness until late in the afternoon, from
a bare projecting ledge. they obtained
their first unimpe led view of the east
ward, and saw the North Fork, the
Hedgman, like a silver thread.
That night the moon stood high to-
ward the zenith. BY midnight II would
sink behind the Blue Ridge, and Ben
ton ordered forward" while the faint
light lasted, despite Hector's demurrer
They must try TO cross the Hedgman
while the moon served, then hide in
the woods on the further shore until
the dawn of another day.
A scrambly ride was that to the low
lands. but toward ten o'clock they
struck a wood path, and began to stir
the dogs Of scattered homesteads in
the foot hills A sudden turn OF the
path brought them to the edge OF a
cleared field and in view Of a scattered
shed or two. Then came double chal-
lenge First the impudent snarl and
dash of a brace of back country mon
grels; then the stern Halt tharl Dis
mount" of cavalry vedette, starting
from the shadow Of a clump of stunt
ed trees. not so feet away.
Before Hector. limp and trembling,
could slip to earth in obedience to the
order Bentons hand was on his arm,
Juggling him back into saddle, while
his heels made vigorous play. "Stoop
low, you fool, and follow" he swore
between his set teeth as he whirled
his horse about and at plunging gallop
tore westward again by the way they
came. A shot rang out A bullet went
whizzing into the shrubbery. but be-
fore the solitary sentry could reload,
or the men from the picket reach him.
Benton and Hector were 400 yards
away back along the wood path and
beading through the darkness for the
higher refuge Of the hills. Inviting
ly they struck a Notwithstanding
path at an unseen fork. and there, as
no sound of pursuit reached them, Ben
ton babe Hector cease his terrific heel
ing of his horses ribs, and gladly
enough the half-blown beasts came
down TO heaving walk. The IN luck
that had led them into the outermost
picket of the confederate force turned
to blessing when, near midnight, they
tHarnn fNaIN
reach of this far-away branch of the
Rappahannock, and the thirsting
horses. eager for drink. found their
own ford 10 the other shore.
Toward noon their startled ears
caught the sound Of hoof-beats on the
hillside. and there came stumbling in
to sight a wild-eyed negro on a re-
monstrant mule "Run. Marsei" he
cried. az sight Of Benton. Run, TO
Gawd's sakel Dey's 100 soiers hunt
in every house an balm just over the
hin sub. and comm dis wayl"
Then came a ride almost for life.
They turned into a lane leading away
southeastward between desolate fields
halted to blow" their painting, reek-
ing horses at a little clump Of trees
near a southwark sweep Of the mill
stream-BrOad Run--then Benton I'M
slung HIS glass aud took deliberate
survey of the distant hills. then OF
the country over which they had come,
and. squirting like mad down a slope
OF the heights, barely three miles back
Of them, came a dozen gray horsemen.
They've seen us. said he, as quietly
as he could, and Hector's trembling
hands helped him again to mount
first ford of the stream, only TO see
as they rode out dripping on the oppO-
site bank that the distant fringe OF
the Manassas woods looked far away
as ever. Oh, for a sight CT union flank
ers nowl
A long half hour they rode as fast
as jaded steed could bear them, but
Hector's horse was nearly done The
spare oak openings. the scattered
copses. now were only half a mile
ahead. but southwark, cutting them on
from Bristoe. galloped a jaunty half
dozen. following the lead Of a dashing
rider. Behind them, still beyond car
bine range but slowly gaining full 20
troopers were spreading out over the
open fields, turning" them, as ii were,
from the left The soil was growing
loose and soft and spongy now that
they had left the lanes. and every now
and then they plunged through holes,
deep and treacherous, but still they
dashed ahead, Hector's poor brute
groaning-staggerin with every stride
Presently the ground began slowly ris-
ing and the woods grew thick. If only
they could reach them! Surely the
union pickets must be close at hand,
and now, as they drove in among the
clumps OF stunted trees, they lost sight
Of the troopers 20 the south. Now the
yells Of those in rear became exultant,
and still came no shot. Then, as they
struggled through DOGGY slough. with
sickening groan Hector's exhausted
horse went down and houndered help
less In the mud. his wretched rider
dragging himself from underneath,
and, limping to the foot of tree, fell
gasping and terrified. ooh, Gawd,
don't leave me, Marse Bentonl" he
pleaded in agony. "Doan' leave me or