The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-06-19

I'VE must turn" she said as Sanford
made TO touch her hand. THE road
| goes uphill beyond the crossroads. We
could not keep ahead. We have come
too fast"
Tell me the way and let me go
alone" Sanford entreated Again Es-
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. She
knew that even without the mounting
roar Of pursuit. Dropping shots still
punctuated the roar. Sanford turned
to look. The foremost file was just
half a mile from them.
This wayT Esther cried, urGins
Princess into tangled growth. The
mare baked the least bit and even
made to rear. A touch of the whip
sent her forward, but fifty yards III
Esther drew her to a walk, saying To
Sanford very low: Ride slow. II
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 OF
caution 1t was slow work, but in Ill
hour they stood still, breathing heavi
Iy, in the river bottom meadows thai
stretched quite to the waterside The
river itself showed shrunken and I'll
full between high banks. Another biz
road ran along the margin of it. Over
the stream there were frowning bluffs.
sheerly precipitous. The roadway wa>
worn down yards below the meadow
level Thus the two who rode across
the grass were unaware of what pass
ed along it
They came swiftly, yet soberly. Sand
ford raised Esther's hand to his lips.
You have saved my life-and more,
he said slowly. then burst out impetu
ously: But please, please. never do II
again! No mans life is worth it. All
along have been asking myself
What if she were your sister" You
are a heroine, but please go straight
home If was risking only life
would take you there at all hazards
Even as it is
Il am goingr" Esther broke in. white
to the lips
They had come to the river ROAD.
CHANGING along it, they saw squads ni
bluecoated horsemen dotting its whole
stretch The scout was caught fairly
in a trap from which there was but
one way out-the river.
"In therer' Esther cried, waving to-
ward the stream. Sanford caught
her reins with you-not other
wiser he said. Instantly he urged the
animals forward. The nearest blue
coats. fifty yards off. sent hail OF
lead after them Before they could
reload the horses were in deep water.
breasting it CALAMITY. Sanford slip
ped from his horse, dragged Esther
out Of the saddle and held her in the
hollow of his arm, the while with his
other hand he guided the horses quar-
tering downstream Hanging thus.
shielded from the bullets, he had
fair hope of escape. But less than
midstream ball ripped through poor
Marqulse's backbone and sent her
screaming to the bottom.
Hold to the saddle! You must, else
/ shall go straight back and give my
self up" Sanford said imperatiyely.
Soldiers were plunging in after them
stronger swimmers it might be, with
fresher horses. He took the check
rein in his teeth and swan beside
Princess, giving her her head. bnt
keeping her to the course. Esther
chung obediently just where he had
set her hands.
And then he knew. Here was the
one woman in all the world for him.
although he had never heard her name
Across the binding consciousness he
heard shout, hoarse, happy. many
keyed "Sur-r-render. johnny Rph
Games up! Thar blows the gun
boatr'
He faced about and drew Esther tn
Ills DAOdStS Adlll I'VE
give!" Princess snatched her freed
head high. turned half about ana
struck bottom They had been SWIM
ming for yards along the margin OF
a submerged ledge In a twiuklins
Sanford had crowded Esther into the
saddle and was wading waist deep be
side Princess. Half mile down
stream he heard the putting gunboat.
The ledge ran down to the bluffs
end A shell struck the woods before
the swimmers gained them. Oh. joy.
Another shot echoed the shell, shot
from out the wooded south bank. And
over it there rose the familiar yell. no,
faint and quavering. but in lusty
strength from 500 threats. Mr.. For
rest had knack of being on the spot
when wanted. Solid shot soon per
suaded the gunboat that it might be
better occupied elsewhere
1t painted off between banks OF
cheering blue and yelling gray. If the