The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1911-12-16
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

On one side Of us the bank fell away
with such precipitancy that when we
once succeeded in dragging our load
to the edge. we experienced no diff
Guilty in sending crashing down.
ward The body plunged through the
thick underbrush at the bottom OF the
oggre. where knew it would be COM
pIetely 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 woman in need Of protection
"a dispatch to be delivered by day
light. at all hazards. 1t was indeed
q difficult proposition, and saw only
q single possible solution. One OF our
number must press on; two OF us
must remain behind Which one?
what two? II | rode with the dis
patch land how eagerly longed to
Lees message safe to Longstreet. it
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.
1 should be fortunate indeed to escape
with 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
der. and would faithfully perform
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
nesitatingly-I 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
Ger. 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
Ais 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
1are nf sister or wife.
Sergeant" | asked, flinging aside
the improvised brush. "how far do you
suppose We are from Longstreet's
picker line?"
Ten miles at the very best, sir.
ne answered promptly. IAN | reckon
with another. Yankee outpost atween."
With fair luck and good riding 1t
might be made by daylight"
4 reckon as how it might. captain.
We only he'd sum fresh bosses" he
SAID glumly. but it's bin mighty hard
On my nag; I've looked fer him to roll
over like yer sorre did fer the las
two mile"
al Well. Craig. you shall have both
aorses Ride the woman's 1t is the
tresher OF the two; but you are to
GET through il you kill them both and
then walk"
His lace Frightened. and he raised
MS hand 10 salute.
And you?" he asked. wonderfngIy.
! remain with the woman: there
as no other way. Wait here q moment
while | speak with her"
left him standing there. and moved
back TO where she waited. AS came
up she faced me. and tor the first time
TOR the night had iightened some
WHAT could see her eyes and dis
Germ some faint outline OF her face
where the night wind flung back the
upturned cape II was a wlnsome
sight 70 soldier vision. but with GER
tain sembIance OF pride and reserve