Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-25
Copyright. lSCQ. by G. w. Dillingham; Co.

---=vC % re;,.rl. --e ieit sure that his
connection with Eenjon's escape was
| known. and that dire punishment
awaited him. He would unite his for
tunes with these Of his new master,
| and be his groom ard hoStler for the
rest of his days A young negro prom
| ised TO fetch a mule at four in the
| morning and guide them over the hills
| toward New Baltimore. eastward-they
! dare not try the roads. or Thorough
| fare Gap-and from New Baltimore
! once across the WarTenton pike, Ben
| ton hoped to be able to reach the union
| lines. True to his word and his hopes
| of reward, the young fellow reused
them an hour before the dawn and had
| them clear of the valley roads before
| sun up. Then from the heights back
| of the Warrenton pike Benton secured
| the low ground toward Manassas with
| his glasses, and only tar south of Broad
! Run could he see sign of cavalry of any
| kind, and so. bidding their latest guide
| adieu, he and his faithful Hector rode
| hopefully-yet slowly, for the beasts
| we've leg weary-down from the wood
| ed range toward the long seam through
| the open country the once well-trav-
| eled high road to the lovely old county
| seat of Fauquier They were looking
for abandoned shack, cabin or barn
where they could hide until twilight.
Toward noon their startled ears
caught the sound of hoof-beats on the
hillside, and there came shambling in
to sight a wild-eyed negro on a re-
monstrant mule. Run. Marse," he
cried, at sight of Benton Run. TO
Gawd's sake, Dey's 100 soiers hunt
in every house an balm just over the
hill. sub. and comm dis way!"
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 t>le clump of trees
near southwark sweep of the mill
stream-Broad Run-thpn Benton I'M
slung his glass and 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 Gozen gray horsemen
They've seen us" said he. as quietly
hands helped him again TO mount
Then away dashed the pair for the
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 of union flank
ers now,
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 wore only half a mile
ahead, but southwark, cutting them off
from Bristoe, galloped q jaunty half
dozen, following the lead of a dashing
rider. Behind them, still beyond car
bine range but slowly gaining. full 20
troopers We're spreading out over the
open fields. turning" them. as it were.
from the left. The soil 'Nas growing
loose and soft and spongy now that
they had left the lanes and every now
and then they plunged through holes,
deep and treacEerous, but still they
dashed ahead, Hector's poor brute
roaning-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 TO the south. Now the
yells of those in rear became eXultant
and still came no shot. Then, as they
struggled through a Doggy slough. with
e.alrg
horse went down and ioundered help
less in the mud, his wretched rider
dragging himself from underneath
and, limping to the foot of a tree, fell
gasping and terrified. "Oh, Gawd
don't leave me, Marse Benton!" hl
| pleaded in agony. "Doan' leave me OF
dey'll kill me, suah." With one glance
at the cheering chase, one longing looL
at the eastward slopes, Benton sprans
from the saddle, and with firm-set lips
and flashing eyes. he planted himself
between the yelling troopers and the
PROSTATE, helpless. humble friend.
Bursting through the trees, the fore
most riders drove straight at him
Down with that pistol" shouted {
voice in stern command Don
; shoot, men; he's wounded! Drop you
pistol, sub We're ten to one!" An(
realizing the hopelessness Of fight
Fred Benton tossed his puny weapon
away.
But what meant that sudden shot t.
the southward?-wha that sputterins
Volley, that burst of cheers? "Th,
major!" The YanEs!" Come on
come on!' were the shouts. Ava!
darted half the mud-spattered group
and then. sudden as the shot, il
! spurred a breathless young officer
Mount, sur instantly! Help him, cor
poral. Up with you, SUM- We haven
moment" Rough, powerful hands
fairly lifted him into saddle. Another
hand seized the reins of his horse
Come on now, lively!" was the order
Get him back out O. range. View,
| run slap into a brigade general am