Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-11-29
CHAPTER lii.-continued.

c0uckIe, out before mad sumclently
regained control over my own feel
ings to venture upon suitable reply.
the entire party had drawn forward.
the leader 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 u.s." returned, with
affected carelessness, and determined
, cow to play out the game. lady or no
Lady. was extremely sorry for her,
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
"The sergeant and l rode out ahead
when We heard you coming. Where
Is the Lady,"
He glanced around at the group
Auddled behind him.
Third on the left"
''All right. then. Nothing else,
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 q
rough road and dark night"
"Beastly," assented the other, heart
lily.
fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward. II one Of them should
chace to strike a 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 ooolly he went at 1t; 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 g.! ranged close
up to our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing firm hand upon her horses bit.
let forth to where I waited. 1t was
quickly, nobly done, and could have
Rugged the fellow.
We'll. good luck to you, major.
and pleasant ride. Remember me to
Brennan. Deuced queer, though, why
he failed to show up ON such an &C.
casion as this
He was unfortunate enough to be
sent out in the other direction with
dispatches-goodnight. 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: I endeavored to scan
her figure In the blackness, but found
the effort useless, as little more than
. shadow was visible. Yet it was i'm.
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and firm in the saddle. so I concluded
she must be young.
Madam" began. seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf.
dence. Il fear you must be quite
vearied by your long ride
She turned slightly at sound Of my
voice.
mot at all, sir; l am merely eager
10 push on. Besides, my ride has not
been long one as we merely came
from General Sigel's headquarters"
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
"Ah. yes, certainly" stammered.
fearful lest ! had made a grave mis-
take. But really l had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville,"
He advanced to Bear creek yes.
terday." she returned quietly. so
you see We had covered scarcely more
than three miles when we met. How
much farther is it to where Major
Brennan Is stationed?"
fear was guilty of hesitancy. but
It was only for moraent.
Il am unable to toll exactly, for. as
It chances, have never yet been In
the camp. but should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance
Why" in tone Of sudden surprise
captain Hale certainly told me II
was all Of twenty miles!'
From Bear creek?" | questioned
eagerly, for 1t was my turn to feel
startled now. 1.-THE map barely makes
It ten"
1T Is but ten, and scarcely that. by
the direct White Briar road; or, a,
1T least. SO heard some Of the
younger officers say: but it seems the
Confederate pickets are posted 80
close TO the White Briar that my
friends decided it would be unsafe t.
proceed that way"
This was news indeed-news 30 I'M
expected and startling that I forgot
MI caution. 49,. 49,.
Then what road do they call this7'
She laughed at my evident limo
rance. ~ we'll az the eagerness Of my
tone. ..r...
Really. you are a most peculiar
guide" she exclaimed gayly. "You NJ
most convince me that you are lost
Fortunately. sir. out of my vast knowl
edge Of this mysterious region. am
able to enlightsn you to some extent
We are now riding due southwasd
along tho Allentown pike" .
Craig leaned forward 20 % 70 lool
across her horses neck to whore l
rode On the opposite side.
MAY ! speak word. sir?" hl
asked, cautiously.
Certainly. sergeant: DO you make
anything cut Of all this r"
Yes. SIR" he answered eagerly. II
Know now exactly how No missed t.
and where We are. Tho cutoR 70 tho
white Br1ar ! spobo 70 you about THU
) afternoon cannot DO more than hun
1ssd yards below hsrs." .l
R1de ahead carefully then. 81 ~
Il you can locate Il. b cautious:
ehars NAY = : piekst statioasl thsss