Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-18
eaptain-lively, Double quick!"

ol the quarry and closer at hand than
those ahead along the roadway. for
there came a cracllle of sbots-the
bark OF the cavalry weapon. the saucy
pop of revolver somewhere among
the thicl cts to the left of the column.
then a shrill burst of cheers from the
deploying blue coats on the westward
Hank. All of a sudden through The
bushes tumbled little sluad of troon-
ers in sr-y, making heroic EFFORT IN
carry on helpless comrade. The SEN
sral an his aiCes had spurred in with
the s,irmi5hers, and were Just in time
to see two rideriesS horses tearin.,
away among the trees across. an OMEN
glade. while half a dozen darine de
voted fellows in saddle were stoutly in
terposing between tee forward rush inf
the excited EaC: ers anG thee of their
number Surrounding ard sur, crtipg q
tai officer who he'd beel Fitted s;da-
ways to the back OF plnn-iu, 5,eeC.
hait! Halt" "D:sTo.LG'' SIR
render!" rang the hUarse s1outs of
the dozen bluecoats, dasains in pur-
SUIT. Bang. Bans. came the defiant
response of the few de. END RS. Eln5!
Bang! beloved brace OF Spr.n fields
IN reply. Don't shoot! "HoiC your
hre! yelled the general Don't
shoot! Don't shoot" echoed the
stan, for the lucsless cavalier. r.eling
In his seat. went sliding into the arms
OF his loyal followers, lille the devil
OF a horse whiried round. tagging,
stralning at the reins and striving to
break away "Di5uount!" Down
with you'll Ion with you!" cried the
pursuers, officer and man, as another
terrified horse tore. wildly reighing.
In chase of the foremost. 1t was a
desperate effort on part of the grays.
Their comrade troopers were too far
OH TO help them, even could they drive
through the stout skirmish line al
ready far flung across the field beyond.
With last wave of his white hand,
the officer seemed ordering his de-
tenders to save themselves, and those
in saddis, 18th parting shots and def
ant yells-,se of them even hurting in
rage a,> en-, tied revolver at the tall
adjutant, the foremost man in the
rush-darted away, bending low over
the streaming names, with the bullets
Of half a score of Springfields whiz-
ling past their ears.
The adjutant was off his big. raw
boned bay in an instant and. bending
over the fainting man, unscrewed the
cap OF his flask and held it to the pale
lips beneath the sweeping mustache.
"a major, hey?" he said. as he noted
the brilliant braids of gold lace on the
handsome uniform frock What is
major doing out here with only a squad
of you boys?"
''Is he wounded?" asked the chief
as he glanced at the two silent strip
lings in gray. One of them faced the
commander.
Horse fell, suh-rolled on him
broke his leg" said he. with a salute
that told unerringly of soldier teach
ing; so, too, did the speakers pose
InStinctively he was standing at atten-
ton. He knew the rank betrayed by
that yellow sash.
Give oils young -S4rtSar.pp = .T'y
from your flask, Haskell. fear
hes Why. my lad, you're wound
ed! Look to him, some OF you!" cried
the general, for the boy had grown
ashen pale ara was recling when
strong arms caught and lowered him.
Sure, general. He's shot through
the breast" sad a bearded soldier.
tearing aside the troopers jacket and
displaying a hlood-wct SHIRT beneath
And wOu.Cn't show it," ans Sered
the general. That's the way with
60
And then the general, too. was off his
horse and bending over the stricken
lad. DO you know his namc-and
home?" he as'ed Of the pale-faced
young Nirsiniap. standing trembling
a bit with excitement beside him. The
lad flushed, Looked distressed, embar-
raised, but seemed to believe il his
soldier duty to give no information
whatever to the enemy 1t was Jen-
nings who spoke. his voice breaking
harshly. somehow, on the silence of the
surrounding group, as he elbowed a
way through the curious circle and
caught sight of the swoonins boy.
Il know him, general. He's one of
our best, subj" and now Jennings, too,
had thrown himself upon his Knees.
ITS Floyd Pelham, sub, of Charlottes-
vile. Itll break his mothers heaht,
sub. if he's done for"
The wall in the Virginian's voice
seemed to catch the ear and rouse the
faculties of the reviying officer.
Who's that-done for?" he family
asked Not Floyd Pelham?" And
bracing his hands upon the turf, he
struggled TO a sitting posture, while
jennings sprang to his feet and stared.
Maj. Lounsberry! Good God, sub,
you wounded, too? Why, I'd no
| idea"
mo idea, | suppose" interposed the
| major, with cutting. sarcastic en-
| phasis, that your friends, the Chill
tons, had turned that Yankee lieuten-
| ant loose. Well, you needn't rejoice,
4 gentlemen, we've got him again-and
| right in the teeth of his own brigadei"
CHAPTER XIII.
RIVANNA TO RAPIDAN