Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER Hl.-continued.

turn OF fortunes wheel was this? Tn
lady. heard Craig's smotheret
chuckle, but before | had sufficient.
regained control over my W feel
ings to venture upon a suitable reply
the entire party had drawn forward
the leader pressing so close to my sid,
that felt safer with my face vel
shaded.
Where is your escort, major?" ht
asked, and the gruffness of his toni
put me instantly on defense.
Just behind us" returned, witt
affected carelessness, and determined
now to play out the game, lady or nj
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 grouI
huddled behind him.
Third on the left"
"All right. then. Nothing else, 4
believe" for | was eager to get
away. Sergeant, just ride in there
and lead out her horse. We will have
to be moving, gentlemen, for 1t Is G
rough road and a dark night"
"Beastly," assented the other, heart
lily.
fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward. If one of them should
chace to strike a match to light 6
pipe, or any false movement of Craig's
should excite suspicion! If he should
even speak, his soft southern draw
would mean instant betrayal. Anc
how coolly he went at it; with q
sharp touch of the spur, causing his
faded horse to exhibit such sudden
restlessness as to keep the escort
well to one side, while =. , ranged close
up to our unwelcome guest, and lay.
ing firm hand upon her horses bit,
let forth to where l waited. 1t was
quickly, nobly done, and | could have
Rugged the fellow.
We'll, good luck to you, major,
and a 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
Observation-Disclosures. gentlemen"
1t was sweet music to me to listen
to their hoof-beats dying rapidly away
behind, us as we turned back down the
dark road. the sergeant still riding
with his one hand grasping the
strangers rein. ~endeavored to seal
her figure in the blackness, but found
the effort useless, as little more than
q shadow vas visible. Yet 1t 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 a long one, as we merely came
from General Sigels headquarters"
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
"Ah, yes, certainly" l stammered,
fearful lest l had made a grave mis-
take. But really | had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville."
He advanced to Bear creek yes
terday," she returned quietly. 80
you see We had covered scarcely more
than three miles when we met. How
much farther is 1t to where Major
Brennan is ~stationed?"
fear ! was guilty Of hesitancy, but
1t was only for a moment.
Il am unable to tell exactly, for, as
1t chances, l have never yet been in
the camp, but | should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance"
Why" in a tone of sudden surprise,
Captain Hale certainly told me it
was all of twenty milesi"
From Bear creek?" questioned
eagerly, for it was my turn to feel
startled now. The map barely makes
1t ten"
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 1t 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? ~
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 0 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 q word. sir?" he
asked. cautiously.
Certainly, sergeant; do You make
anything out Of all this2"
Yes, sir he answered eagerly. Il
know now exactly how we missed 1t.
and where we are. The cutoff to the
White Briar ! spoke to you about this
afternoon cannot he more than a hum
dred yards below mere"
Ride ahead carefully then, and see
If you can locate 1t. BE cautious;
lhere may be a nicket stationed there.