Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-25
CHAPTER XIV.

Late that evening two tired steeds
were painfully struggling up a stony,
winding pathway among the heights
at the headwaterS of the Hazel. Dodg-
ing hamlets and settlements. fording
branch after branch of the Rapidan,
keeping ever to the wood-path and by
ways, Freds black guide at last had
landed him in a sheltered nook among
the hills. just as darkness settled
down.
Then away went Hector to refill the
canteen and get such news as he could.
1t was late. near nine O'Clock. when he
came back laden-oats for the horses.
corn dodgers for their riders and big
news for Fred. The Yankees were
pushing forward in heavy columns
along the Rappahannock, moving per-
haps on Culpeper. They could be off
at dawn and work eastward until they
fell in with the Yankee cavalry that
ought to be out on the right flank of
McDowells advance. Hector had a
friend who could "baw" a mule and
meet them at the ford of the Thorn
ton back of Sperryville, and show a
way to the Hedgman. After that IL
Hector was to go back, Benton would
nave TO shit FOR himself.
And So wearied yet refreshed and
full of hope. Fred Benton slept until
aroused by the din of dogs among the
farms below them. 1t was Just at the
chill of the earliest dawn. Far down
among the scattered settlements there
came floating quick. stirring and
spirited the soft trumpet notes of the
cavalry reveille. played just as he had
heard 1t played four successive morn
tngs on that ambulance journey to the
railway. Now. what could this mean
but that the squadron had bivouacked
far out on their flank. far north too.
of the confederate positions below the
Rapidan, and was scouting these
mountain by-paths, perhaps in search
of him? To Robertson and men of his
rank the game might not be worth the
candle, but there was that strangely
vindictive fellow Lounsberry. armed
with power TO order hither and yon.
Rousing Hector he told him of the
new danger. and the dsrkys eyes
bulged in their sockets. He was up
and well scared in less than no time
and, taking Benton's glass, disappeared
among the rocas and trees up the hill
side to the west There was a look
out, he said, in the branches of an oak.
from which much of the country could
be seen to the south east 1t was full
20 minutes later and Just after Ben
tcn mad heard the distant signal boots
and saddles" from the same trumpet.
when he came scrambling down. No
time for coffee, no time for feeding or
rubbing the horses. he said. Like as
~
ing every by-path. He had seen them
doing that after the first Bull Run
when dozen Yankee prisoners broke
away from the cars at night and
skipped for the mountains. They had
all but two of them back inside of 10
hours. Hurriedly saddling, Hector
then aided his charge to mount; then
again led the way, crooked and de-
Vlous, through all manner of scrub and
dangle; threading ravines. skirting
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 We're 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
bare projecting ledge, they obtained
their first unimpeded view of the east
ward, and saw the North Fork the
HedSman, like silver thread
That night the moon stood high to-
ward the zenith. BY midnight it would
sink behind the Blue Ridge, and Ben
ton ordered forward" while the faint
light lasted, despite Hectors demurrer
They must try 10 cross the Hedsman
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 s0se of a
cleared field and in view of a scattered
shed or two. Then came double chat
4ense. First the impudent snarl and
dash of brace of back country mon
grels; then the stern Halt thar! Dis
mount of cavalry vedette, starting
from the shadow of a clump of stunt
ed trees, not 80 feet away
Before Hector. limp and trembling,
could slip to earth in obedience to the
order, Benton's 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
MS horse about 3nd at plunging gallop
tore westward again by the way they
came. A shot rang out A bullet went
whiZZins 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
heading through the darkness for the
higher refuge of the hills. Unwilling
1y they struck a northward- bending
path at an unseen fork. and there. as
no sound of pursuit reached them. Ben
ton baGe Hector cease his terrific heel
ing CT his horses ribs. and gladly
enough the half-blown beasts came