The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-10-26
CHAPTER V.-contlnued.

On one side of US the bank fell away
with such precipitancy that when we
once succeeded in dragging our load
10 the edge. we experienced no diff
Guilty in sending It crashing down
ward. The body plunged through the
thick underbrush at the bottom OF the
oggre. where knew it would be COM
pletely hidden. even in the glare OF
daylight, from the spying eyes Of any
troopers riding hard upon our track.
AS we rapidly worked on this disa-
greeable task. thought and planned;
two horses and three riders-one Of
these a woman in need of protection
"A dispatch to be delivered by day
light, at all hazards. 1t was indeed
a difficult proposition, and | saw only
single possible solution. One OF our
number must press on; two of US
must remain behind. Which one?
what two? If | rode with the dis
patch land how eagerly longed to
do soD and succeeded in bringing
Lees message safe to Longstreet. 1t
meant much to me-promotion. dis
tinction. honor. On the other hand,
II | remained behind. and Craig sue.
cessfully carried out the duty which
had been especially intrusted to me,
l should be fortunate indeed to escape
with a reprimand instead of more Sc
riOus consequences. II failure result
ed. 1t meant certain and deserved dis
grace. Yet ! could absolutely trust
him with the dispatch; he was a sol.
dier. and would faithfully perform a
soldiers duty. More. he would carry
the message with even greater GER
tainty than |. for he knew the roads
much better. and write the words
fesltadngly-l could not trust him
there alone with the woman.
glanced aside at him as thus
turned the perplexing situation over
In my mind-a tall. gaunt mountain
eer, whose sole discipline OF mind and
body had been the army; hardened by
service until every muscle in his lean.
sinewy frame was like steel, a cavalry.
man who would follow his leader into
the very jaws of hell. but whose NOR
ala were those of the camp. and
whose face revealed audacious devil.
try such as no man would care to see
in one to whom he intrusted the wei.
fare of sister or wife.
Sergeant" asked, flinging aside
the improvised brush. how far do you
VI I ,Oetr ~ 20
picket line?"
"Ten miles at the very best, sir
he answered promptly, AN ! reckon
with another Yankee outpost atween."
With fair luck and good riding 1t
might be made by daylight"
II reckon as how 1t might, captain.
If we only he'd sum fresh hosses." he
said gIumly; but it's bin mighty hard
on my nag: I've looked fer him to roll
over like yer sorrel did fer the las
two mile"
Well. Craig. you shall have both
horses. Ride the woman's. 1t is the
fresher of the two; but you are to
get through If you kill them both and
then walk"
His face frightened. and he raised
his hand In salute.
And you?" he asked, wonderingly.
Il remain with the woman; there
is no other way. Wait here a moment
while | speak with her."
left him standing there. and moved
back to where she waited. AS came
up she faced me. and for the first time
dfor the night had Iightened some.
WHAT could see her eyes and dis
cern some faint outline OF her face
where the night wind flung back the
upturned cape. 1t was a wtnsome
sight to soldier vision. but with q Ger.
tain semblance Of pride and reserve
about it that caused a hesitancy in my
speech strange to me.
Madam rested my hand upon
her horses name and looked at her
with a glance as proud as Ger own