The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-10-26
CHAPTER iII.-continued.

The lady! Heavens! What odd
turn Of fortunes wheel was this? The
lady | heard Craig's smothered
chuckle, but before had sufficiently
regsined control over my own feel
ings to venture upon a suitable reply,
the entire party had drawn forward,
the lender pressing SO close to my side
that felt safer with my face well
shaded
Where is your escort, major?" he
asked, and the gruffness of his tone
put me Instantly ON defense
Just behind US" | returned. with
affected carelessness, and determined
now to play out the game, lady or no
lady. | was extremely sorry for her,
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
THE sergeant and | rode out ahead
when we heard you coming. Where
is the Lady,"
He glanced around at the group
huddled behind him.
Third on the left"
All right. then. Nothing, else,
believer for was eager to get
away. Sergeant, just ride in there
{ and lead out her horse We will have
to be moving. gentlemen, for it is a
rough road and dark night"
"Beastly," assented the other. heart
lily.
sod fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward. If one. of them should
chace to strike match to light
pipe. or any false movement of Craig's
should excite suspicion! If he. should
even speak, his soft southern drawl
would mean instant betrayal. And
how, coolly he went at. it; with a
sharp touch of the spur. causing his
faded horse to exhibit such sudden
restlessness as to keep the escort
we'll to one side, while ranged close
UP to our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing firm hand upon her horses bit,
let forth to where | waited. 1t was
quickly, nobly done. and | could have
Rugged the fellow.
& well, good luck to you. major,
and pleasant ride. Remember me to
Brennan Deuced queer. though, why
he failed to show up on such an oc-
casion as this
HE was unfortunate enough to be
sent out in the other direction with
goodnight, gentlemen.
: 1T; was sweet music. to me to listen
to their hoof- beats dying rapidly away
J behind us as we turned back down the
dark road. the sergeant still riding
with his one hand grasping the
strangers rein. | endeavored to scan,
hertfgure in the blackness. but found
the effort useless, as little more than
q Shadow was visible. Yet it was i'm.
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and firm in the saddle, so concluded
she must be young.
Madam" | began, seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. Il fear you must be quite
wearied by your long ride"
She turned slightly at sound of my
voice.
Not at all. sir; | am merely eager
to push on. Besides. my ride has not
been long one. as we merely came
from General SigeIs headquarters KS
The voice was pleasantly modulated,
and refined.
"Ah, yes, certainly" stammered,
fearful lest l had made grave mis-
take. But really had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville"
He advanced to Bear cree4Ns yes
terday,ss -, She returned auistIyM so
you sec we had covered Scarce ysnore
than three miles when. we met.axEsow
much farther is it tds. .WheEe Major
Breniia ~ IS stati &ned ?"N 81 a. AM,
fearsL was guilty of hesitancy, but
it was only for A'"moInent.
81 am Unable 10 tell Sxact4yNfor, as
it chancess~fS h&ee never yet Been in
the camp, but ssAhouid Judge that two
hours riding Will cover the distance.
Why in tone Of sudden surprise,
captain Hale certainly told me it
was all Of twenty miles!"
From. Bear efsek?" questioned
eagerly, for it was my turn to feel
startled now. The map barely makes
ltten:' lS
1T is but ten, and scarcely that, by
the. direct White Briar road; or, at
at least. so heard some of the
younger officers say; but it seems the
Confederate pickets are posted so
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided it would be unsafe TO
proceed that way"
This was news indeed-news so I'M
expected and startling that | forgot
all caution.
Then what road do they call this 2"
She laughed at my evident igno-
rance. as well as the eagerness of my
tone
Really, you are a most peculiar
guide" she exclaimed gayly. you al
most convince me that you are lost.
Fortunately, sir, out of my vast knowl-
edge OF this mysterious region, am
able to enlighten you to some extent.
We are now riding due southwark
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward so as to look
across her horses neck to where
rode on the opposite side.
May speak a word. sir?" he
asked, cautiously.
Certainly, sergeant; do you make
anything out of all this?" s
Yes, SIR" he answered eagerly. 81
know now exactly how we missed 1t.
and where we are. The cutoff to the
White Briar spoke to you about this
afternoon cannot be more than q. hun
dred yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then. and see