Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-02
CHAPTER III.
A. n..k


Each step we took was now a stern, grim
| play with Fate, where the stakes were
| life and death. I felt my pulses throb
as 1 rode steadily forward fairly thrust
| ing the darkness aside, my teeth hard set,
my left hand heavy on the revolver butt
How in such a situation, the nerves tingle
and the heart bounds to each strange sight
and sound! HaH!-what was that? Pooh!
no more than the deeper shadow of a
sharply projecting rock, around which we
picked careful way, our horses crowding
against each other in the narrow space.
And that? Nothing but the faint moan
of the night wind amid the dead limbs of a
tree. All! mark that sudden flash of light!
The hand that closes iron-like upon the
loosened rein opens again, for it was mere
ly star silently falling from out the black
depths of the sky. Then both of us halt
at once and peer anxiously forward The
figure standing directly in the center Of our
path, can it be a sentry at last? eau
tiouS step forward, a low laugh from the
sergeant, and we circle the gaunt, black
ened stump, as silent ourselves as the night
about us, but with fercely beating, expect
ant hearts
But bark! Surely that was no common
sound born of that drear loneliness No
cavalryman can mistake the jingle of &C
couterments or the dull thud of horses
hoofs. The road here must have curved
sharply, for theyswere already so close
upon US that, almost simultaneously with
the sound, we could distinguish the
deeper shadow of q small, compact body
of horsemen directly in our front. To
left of us there rose, sheer and black, the
precipitous rock; to right we might not
even guess what yawning void. 1t was
either wit or sword play now.
1 know not how it may be with others
in such emergencies, but with me it al
ways happens that the sense of fear de-
parts with the presence of actual danger.
Before the grueSOme fancieS of ina gina
ton l may quake and burn like any
maiden alone upon city street at night,
until each separate nerve becomes very
demon of mental agony; but when the
real and known once fairly confronts me,
and there is work TO do L grow instantly
cool to think, resolute to act, and find a
rare joy in it. 1t so now, and, revolt
yer in hand but hidden beneath my hol-
ster flap. l leaned over and touched
Craigs arm.
Keep quiet" I whispered. sternly Let
them challenge first, and no firing except
on my order
Almost with the words there came the
sharp hail:
Halt. Who comes there?'
l drew the cape of my riding jacket
closer, so as better to muffle the sound of
my voice.
Friends. of course; who would you ex-
pect to meet on this road?'
Fortune seemed with me in the chance
answer. for he who had hailed exclaimed:
oh, is that you Brennan"
There was no time now for hestancy: here
cepting the chances. 1 ventured it.
mo: Brennan couldn't come. I am here
in his place.
Indeed! Who are you?"
Major Wikie.''
There was a moments painful pause in
which l could hear my heart throb
''Wilkie,', repeated the voice. doubtfully.
There is no officer of that name in the
T'orty-third.'
"Well. there chances to be such an Of
fcer on the staff 1 retorted. permitting a
trace of anger TO appear in my tone, and
| am the man."
just what his name is?" doomed a deeper
voice back in the group. I'VE are not get
ting up a directory of the 9th Corps. Of
course he's the man Brennan sent, and that
is all we've got to look after"
"Oh, all right, certainly, major" returned
the first speaker. hastily. but the night
Is so cussed black | supposed we must be
az least mile this side of where We were
to meet However. we have the lady here
for you all right, and she is anxious enough
to get on.
The lady. Heavens, What odd turn of
fortunes wheel was this? The lady! 1
heard Craigs smothered chucke, but be-
fore l had sufficiently regained control over
my own feelings to venture upon a suit
able reply. the entire party had drawn
forward. the leader pressing so close to my
side that l felt safer with my face we'll
shaded.
Where is your escort. major?' he asked,
and the gruffness of his tone put me in
stantly on defense.
Just behind u.s. I returned, with
affected carelessness. and determined
now to play out the game, lady or
no lady / was extremely sorry for her,
but the cause outweighed her comfort
THE sergeant and / rode out ahead when
we heard you coming. Where is the lady?'
He glanced around at the group huddled
behind him.
Third on the left
"All right then. Nothing else. I be-
lieve;' for l was eager to get away. Ser
geant, just ride in there and lead out her
horse, We will have to be moving, gentle
men, for it is rough road and dark
night"
"Beastly" assented the other heartily.
l fairly held my breadth as Craig rode
forward. If one of them should Chance
to strike match to light pipe, or any
false movement of Craig's should excite
soft southern drawl would mean instant
betrayal. And how coolly he went at it;
with a sharp touch of the spur, causing
his faded horse to exhibit such sudden
restlessness to keep the escort well to
one side, while he ranged close up to our
unwelcome guest, and laying firm hand
upon her horses bit, led forth to where |
waited. 1t was quickly, nobly done, and
could have Rugged the fellow.
'Well, good luck to you, major, and a
pleasant ride. Remember me to Brennan.
Deuced queer, though, why he failed to
show up on such an occasion as this
He was unfortunate enough to be sent
out in the other direction with dispatches
goodnight gentlemen"
1t was sweet music to me to listen to
their Eoof-beats dying rapidly away behind
US as we turned back down the dark road.
the sergeant still riding with his one hand
graspng the strangers rein. endeavored
TO scan her figure in the blackness, but
found the effort useless, as little more than
shadow visible Yet it was i'm
pressed upon me that she sat straight and
firm in the saddle, SO I concluded she
must be young. Rapidly I reviewed our
predicament, and sought for some avenue
of escape. If we were only certain as to
where we WERE we might plan with better
prospect of success. The woman? Doubt
less she would know, and possibly / might
venture to question her without awaken
ing suspicion. Surely the experiment was
well worth trying.
Madam l began, seeking to feel my
way with caution into her confidence, II
fear you must be quite wearied by your
long ride"
She turned slightly at sound of my voice
Not at all, sir; am merely eager to
push on. Besides, my ride has not been
a long enc we merely came from Gem
erai Sigefs headquarters
The voice was pleasantly modulated and
refined.
.Ah. yes. certainly I stammered, fear
i1ul lest had made a grave mistake. But