Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-09
CHAPTER Xxx.
A Demon on horsebaek.

I felt positively happy then. tho
thrill of successful achievement was
mine, and with the exultation of q
soldier in having surmounted OBJ
stacles and peril. nearly forgot for
the moment the heart tragedy left be.
hind. The swift impetus Of the ride,
the keen night air sweeping past me.
the fresh sense of freedom and power
engendered by that reckless dash
through the darkness, all conspired to
render me neglectful Of everything
save the Joy Of present victory. The
spirit of wild adventure was in my
blood.
A dozen splits Of fire cleaved tho in
tense blackness behind. and knew
the widely scattered patrol were send
ing chance shots across the stream.
A clang Of hoofs rang out upon tho
rocks. but / could distinguish moth
ing indicating large pursuing party
probably the two who were mounted
At the ford. with possibly others fol-
lowing when they caught their strayed
horses. ! had little to fear from such
half-hearted pursuit as this was sure
to be. The swift, powerful stride OF
the animal I rode assured me that I
was not i'll mounted. and there was
small chance Of contact with Federal
outriders before should reach the
protecting picket lines Of our own
army. laughed sr;1aiy sc leaned
slightly back In saddle and listened;
it was like q play. SO swift and ex-
citing had been the passing events.
so unexpected their ending. won
dered what plausible story the dis
comfited lieutenant would concoct to
account for his predicament, and
whether the others had yet missed me
back at the Mansion House.
Tho stars appeared to b paling
somewhat down in the east. for the
coming day.dawn was already whiten-
ing tho horizon. glanced ut my
watch, venturing to strike match
for the purpose. and found the hour
after three O'Clock. Early. I knew.
was at Sowder Church, and his ad-
vance cavalry pickets ought to BIO -
far west a. the Warrentown road.
The distance between. by hard riding.
might be covered in three hours. My
horse seemed fresh. his breath came
naturally and without effort. and I
pressed him along rapidly, for my
whole ambition now centred upon
bringing the information possessed
within our own lines. Bungay. be-
yond doubt, had been recaptured long
since. for my own experience told me
how extremely vigilant were the Fed
eral guards. To one unacquainted as
he was with military customs it would
prove impossible to penetrate their
lines; hence, everything must depend
upon my getting through in safety.
Then my thoughts drifted to the
one I had left in such serious predica-
ment. II l had loved her before. l
.oved her doubly now. for she had
proven herself a woman among wom-
en- in time Of danger and trial. How
clearly her face, with those dark
sweet eyes and the wealth Of crown
ing hair, rose before me, while word
by word I reviewed all that had passed
between us. dwelling upon each look
or accent that could evince her pos
sible interest in me. Then reason re-
turned to my aid, and resolutely, de-
terminedly. inspired by every instinct
of soldierly honor, / resolved that 1
would put her from my thoughts for
ever. She was not mine either to love
or possess, unless the uncertain fate
Of war should chance to set her free.
Even to dream of her, to cherish her
in memory while she remained the
wife of another. was but an affront to
her purity and womanhood. would
prove myself q man entitled to her
respect, Q soldier worthy my service
and CORPS; II ever again my name
CHANGED to find mention in her pres
ence 1t should be spoken with honor.
was musing thus, lulled by the
steady lope Of my horse, and totally
iLsensible to any possibility of peril.
when clear upon my ears. instantly
awakening me from such reverie.
there rang through the night silence
the sharp clang Of iron on the road
behind me. All sound Of pursuit had
long since died away. and I supposed
the effort to recapture me had been
abandoned. But there was no mis-
taking now-at least one horseman.
riding recklessly through the black
night, was pressing hot upon my trail.
"Ths lieutenant" thought, "the
lieutenant, burning with anger at the
trick played upon him, has pushed far
ahead Of his troop. doubtless mounted
upon Q better horse, determined to
risk everything II he may only bring
mo back dead or alive"
This thought awoke me in an in
slant from my dreaming, and
spurred my horse furiously. glancing
anxiously backward as I rode, but IN
ehle through that dense gloom to dis
tinguish the form of my pursuer. Yet
the fellow was coming, coming faster
than any speed could possibly con-
lure out of the weary black bestrode,
eithsr by whip or spur. Closer and
closer upon me came rushing down
that pounding Of iron hoofs on the
hard path. Heavens! how like very
demon the man rode! AS trooper !
could not withhold admiration from
the reckless audacity with which tho
vengeful fellow bore down upon me.
In spite OF my utmost efforts 1t al
most seemed as II we were standing
still. Surely nothing less than hate,
and thirst for vengeance bitter ~
death, implacable as fate, could ride
Ike that through the black night on
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