Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER Xxx.
A Demon on Horseback.

A Demon on Horseback.
felt positively happy then. The
thrill of successful achievement was
snine, and with the exultation of a
oldier in having surmounted OBJ
tacles and peril. nearly forgot for
the moment the heart tragedy left be-
lind. The swift impetus of the ride,
10 keen night air sweeping past me.
ne fresh sense Of freedom and power
Agendered by that reckless dash
:. hrough the darkness, all conspired to
pnder me neglectful Of everything
Save the joy of present victory. The
spirit Of wild adventure was in my
blood.
A dozen spits Of fire cleaved the in
gense blackness behind, and knew
the widely scattered patrol were send
eng chance shots across the stream.
\ clang Of hoofs rang out upon the
socks. but could distinguish moth
ing indicating large pursuing party
probably the two who were mounted
t the ford with possibly others fol-
ting when they caught their strayed
=. had little to fear from such
narted pursuit as this was sure
o. The swift, powerful stride of
n -imal rode assured me that
ssfas not i'll mounted, and there was
u small chance Of contact with Federal
17outriders before should reach the
protecting picket lines Of our own
army. l laughed grimly as leaned
slightly back In saddle and listened;
It was like play, SO swift and ex-
citing had been the passing events.
80 unexpected their ending. won
dered what plausible story the dis
comftted lieutenant would concoct to
account for his predicament, and
whether the others had yet missed me
back at the Mansion House.
The stars appeared to be- paling
somewhat down in the east, for the
J. coming day-dawn was air. dy whiten-
ing the horizon. / glanced at my
watch, venturing to strike match
for the purpose, and found the hour
after three o'clock. Early, l knew,
was at Sowder Church, and his adj
vance cavalry pickets ought to be as
far west as 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 l
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 had left in such serious predica-
ment. II / had loved her before,
loved her doubly now. for she had
proven herself 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 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, l 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
Ia memory while she remained the
wife of another, was but an affront to
her purity and womanhood. l would
prove myself man entitled to her
respect, soldier worthy my service
and corps; If 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
1Lsensible to any possibility of peril
when clear upon my ears, instantly
awakening me from such revere,
z 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 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.
1.-THE lieutenant" l thought, "the
lieutenant, burning with anger at the
trick played upon him, has pushed far
ahead Of his troop, doubtless mounted
upon a better horse, determined to
risk everything If he may only bring
me back dead or alive"
This thought awoke me in an in
.stant from my dreaming. and I
spurred my horse furiously, glancing
.anxiously backward as / rode, but I'M
able through that dense gloom to dis
tinguish the form of my pursuer. Yet
the fellow was coming, coming faster
than any speed 1 could possibly con-
.jure out of the weary black bestrode,
either by whip or spur. Closer and
closer upon me came rushing down