Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-09-01

and lead out her horse. We will hav
to be moving. gentlemen, for 1t is
rough road and a dark night"
"Beastly," assented the other, heart
fly.
fairly held my breath as Crait
rode forward II one of them should
chace to strike a match TO light
pipe. or any false movement Of Craig
should excite suspicion, If he should
even speak, his soft southern draw
would mean instant betrayal Anc
how coolly he went at 1t; with 6
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 norse's bit
let forth to where / waited. 1t was
quickly, nobly done, and could have
Rugged the fellow.
Well, good luck to you, major,
and pleasant ride. Remember me to
Brennan. Deuced queer, though, why
he failed to show up on such an 90
casior as this"
"He was unfortunate enough to be
sent out in the other direction with
dispatches-g goodnight, gentlemen"
It 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. / endeayored to scan
her figure in the blackness, but found
the effort useless, as little more than
shadow was visible. Yet 1t was inn
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
mot at all, sir; am merely eager
to 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.
All yes, certainly" I stammered.
fearful lest | had made grave mis-
take. But really | 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 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
it 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 miles!"
From Bear creek?" I questioned
eagerly, for 1t 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 sol
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided it would be unsafe to
proceed that way"
This was news indeed--news so I'M
expected and startling that l 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 now riding due southwark
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward so as to look
across her horses neck to where l
rode on the opposite side.
May l speak a word, sir?" he
asked, cautiously.
Certainly. sergeant; do you make
anything out of all this?"
Yes, sir" he answered eagerly. Il
know now exactly how We missed it,
and where we are. The cutoff to the
White Briar spoke to you about this
afternoon cannot be more than a hun
bred yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then, and see
if you can locate it. Be cautious;
there may be a picket stationed there.
We will halt where We are until you
return"
He swung forward his carbine
where it would be handy for instant
service and trotted ahead into the
darkness. The woman's horse, being
comparatively fresh and restless,
danced little in an effort to follow,
but l restrained him with light hand
on the hit and We sat waiting in 81.