The Lamar register., 1911-10-04


In my mind-a tall. gaunt mountain
body had been tho 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 nudacious devil
try such as no man would care to see
in one to whom he intrusted the vel
fare Of sister or wife.
Sergeant" I asked, fiinging aside
the improvised brush. "how far do you
suppose we are from Longstreet's
picket liner"
"Ten miles at the very best. sir"
he answered promptly. AN reckon
with another Yankee outpost atween."
with fair luck and good riding It
might be made by daylight"
II reckon as how It might. captain.
II 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 sorrsl did fer the las
two mile
Well. Craig. you shall have both
horses. Ride tho woman's. 1t is the
fresher of the two; but you are to
get through II you kill them both and
then walk"
His face frightened, and b raised
his hand In salute.
And your" he asked. wonderfully.
Il remain with the woman; there
Is no other way. Wait here q moment
while I speak with her.
l left him standing there. and moved
back to where she waited. As I came
up she faced mo. and for the first time
flor the night had lightened some
WHAT could - her eyes and dis
Germ some faint outline Of her face
where the night wind fung back the
upturned cape. II was . winsome
sight to soldier vision. but with GER
tain semblance Of pride and reserve
about It that caused hesitancy in my
speech strange to me.
"Madam."-r rested my hand upon
her horses name and looked at her
with q glance as proud as her own
1T might be as well for you to draw
the cape closer abost your face at
present. There are rough men in all
armies who would consider your
beauty a lawless prize. The life We
lead is not conducive to gsntlensss.
virtue is not born in campo. and 1t
would be better not to provoke q dan
ser which may be SO easily avoided"
You claimed. believe. to be an
oficer and a gentleman" she said
eoldly.
smieed. even a. felt the full
chill OF her words. and my purpose
stiffened within me.
Even as I yet claim, and trust to
be able to prove to your satisfaction
my eyes looked unfalterinsly into
hers-'but unfortunately. I have one
with me tonight who is neither. /
would that he were for my own sake.
However. madam. let that pass. The
fact Is here. and We have no time to
argue or quarrel. have already told
you that We ride with dispatches for
Longstreet. These must go forward
at all hazards. for thousands of hui
man lives depend upon them; yet
dare not leave you here alone and un-
protected to the msrcies of the
wolves who haunt these hills"
You are exceedingly kind"
The tone in which she spoke was
most sarcastic.
Il thank you for your appreciation. 50
and bowed again; but venture to
tell you this merely because have
already fully determined to dispatch
the sergeant forward with the mes
sage. and remain behind myself to
render you every protection possible"
Vary well. sir: simply yield to
what am powerlcss to avoid, and
will obey your ordsrs however dis
tasteful they may be. What IL your
fret commando
THAT you dismount. The sergeant
must ride your horse. a. he IL the
more At OF the two"
Greatly to my surprise and relief
she placed her sauntlsted hand in
mine. and, without SO much as a word
OF protest, permitted mo to swing her
lightly from the saddle to the ground.
Craig" I called. come here.
You know your work." I said to
him briefly. And now the sooner
you are at It the better. Ride this
horse and lead your own. As soon as
you deliver Lse's message at head
quarters. hunt up the cavalry brigade