Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-06-24

WILL THEY HANG YoU?" ESTHER ASKED.
horses and motioning Sanford back.
Bill Risley has settled here. He's the
only Lincolnite in our end of the coun-
ty. He and his boys are forever spy
ing. If they saw us they would run
right straight to the soldiers
''They would not have far to go.
LookT Sanford said, waving his hand
downward Through the low road a
winding column swept, column brave
in blue and brass, with drums still
beating, colors flying. 1t was the ad-
vance guard-only two platoons.
AS Sanford and Esther watched
them the same thought shaped itself
in both minds. They faced each other
smiling. Sanford spoke first. with
somehow q curious tightneSs in his
throat. "They can never catch us, and
the chances are they cannot shoot to
hit u.s."
mo. they cannot catch us-not under
five miles. They could not do it at all,
only our horses are full Of grass" Es-
Their said. smiling in turn, though her
face was white. You can swim?" she
said interrogatively. Sanford nodded.
Then suddenly he caught himself
sharply, lifted his hat and said:
young lady, you must go home. Only
mailman would let you stay longer
Never mind about me. It's only life or
DEATH
"And maybe battle lost" Esther
said, her color coming in rush. II
will not go back. Follow me! We
must beat them to the crossroads"
Wheeling. she went arrow-wise
! through the clearing. Down, down
they swept into the big road a hun
dred yards in front of the blue col
umn. Sanford flung his weight for
ward, shouting to Esther, "Low-stooI
loww at the same time trailing in be
hind her so as to shield her as much as
he might.
Trot! Gallop! Charge! he heard the
bugle blow behind. He heard, too, the
thunder of quickening hoofs. But the
beat was not in rhythm with their owl
horses-it was slower, more ponderous
If only their beasts held speed in five
minutes they would be safe from bull
let's. Overhead bullets whined fretful
ly, then struck, cutting roadside bows
or kicking up spurts Of dry, white
dust.
eve are leaving them. Keep straight
onw Sanford painted as they came tt
the second milepost. Esther answered
only by little shake of the head
1--WE must turn" she said as SandforC
made to touch her hand. ''rhe roat
goes uphill beyond the crossroads. w,
could not keep ahead. We have com,
too fast"
Tell me the way and let me g
Alone" Sanford entreated. Again Els
Their shook her head.
II cannot tell you" she said. mo
we must not follow the crossroads
the woods again. Two miles through
them we shall strike the river"
The road began to rise Esther lean
ed forward half the length of Princess
neck. The horses were dripping sweat
their pace slackening sensibly. Sh'
knew that even without the mountin,
roar of pursuit. Dropping shots still
punctuated the roar. Sanford turnet
to look. The foremost file was jus
half a mile from them.
"This way" Esther cried, urgin,
Princess into tangled growth. Tn
mare baked the least bit and ever
made to rear. A touch of the WIFI
sent her forward, but fifty yards il
Esther drew her to a walk, saying t,
Sanford very low: Ride slow.
they cannot see or hear us they will
not know which road to take"
One horse trod in the others tracks
quite as though they felt the need o
caution. 1t was slow work, but in al