The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-10-06


the second milepost. Esther answered
only BY little shake Of the head
I'VE must turn" she said as Sandford
made to touch her hand. 1.-The road
goes uphill beyond the crossroads We
could not keep ahead. We have come
too fast"
''Tell me the way and let me 60
Alone" Sanford entreated Again Es-
ther 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 fle was JUS,
half mile from them.
"This wayv' Esther cried. urging
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 in
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 an
hour they stood still. breathing heavi
| ~, In the river bottom meadows that
stretched quite to the waterside. The
river itself showed shrunken and 6t-
| full between high banks Another big
| road ran along the margin of 1t. Over
the stream there were frowning bluffs.
sheerly precipitOus. The roadway was
worn down yards below the meadow
level. Thus the two who rode across
1 the grass were una ware OF what pass
| ed along it.
They came swiftly. yet soberly. Sand
ford raised Esther's hand 10 his lips
"You have saved my iife-and more.
he said slowly. then burst out impctu
ously: But please, please. never do il,
again! No mans life Is worth 1t. All
along have been asking myself.
What If she were your sistpr:' You
are heroine. but please go straight
home. If ! was risking only life
would take you there at all hazards
Even as it is
Il am going!" Esther broke in. white
to the lips.
They had come to the river road.
Glancing along 1t, they saw squads OF
bluecoated horsemen dotting its whole
stretch. The scout was caught fairly
in a trap from which there was but
one way out-the river.
"ln there" 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 of. sent Il hail OF
lead after them. Before they could
reload the horses were in deep water,
breasting 1t gallantly. 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 be guided the horses quar-
tering downstream. Hanging thus
shielded from the bullets, he had !,
fair hope Of escape But less than
midstream a ball ripped through poor
Marquise'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." Sandford said imperatively
Soldiers were plunging in after them
stronger swimmers 1t might be. with
fresher horses. He took the check
rein In his teeth and swan beside
Princess. giving her her head. but
keeping her to the course. Esther
clung obediently just where he had
set her hands.
And then be knew. Here was the
one woman in all the world for him
although he had never heard her name
Across the binding consciousness ht
heard a shout. hoarse. happy. many
keyed ''Sur-r-render. Johnny Reb
Games up! Thar blows the gun
bOatr'
He faced about and drew Esther II
his breast. whispering. Darling. for
givev' Princess snatched her freec
head high. turned half about ant
struck bottom. They had been swim
ming for yards along the margin o1
a submerged ledge. In twinklin,
| &C. l.. rlr,A Est tHnv. fnf< 4
saddle and was wading waist deep be
side Princess. Half mile down
stream be heard the putting gunboat.
The ledge ran down to the bluff.
end. A shell struck the woods before
the swimmers gained them. Oh. JOY
Another shot echoed the shell. Il sh0
from out the wooded south bank. Ant
over it there rose the familiar yell. no
faint and quavering. but In lust,
strength from 500 throats. Mr. For
rest had knack of being on the spo
when wanted Solid shot soon per
suaded the gunboat that it might b.
better occupied elsewhere.
It painted Off between banks o
cheering blue and yelling gray. II th'
graycoats yelled In greeting to thei
comrade. what shall one say of wha
they did when the whole story wal
told? But when. three hours later. II
face of the whole brigade. there wa
: a wedding. at which Mr.. Forrest him
self gave away the bride. nobody mad
: sound Every head was barred. an,
} more than half OF those looking Ol
: saw bride and bridegroom threugl
; dim eyes. The bride went straigh