Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-08
CHAPTER v.-contInusd.


On one side OF US the bank fell away
with such precipitancy THAT when we
once succeeded in dragging our load
to the edge, we experienced no diff
Guilty In sending 1t crashing down
ward The body plunged through the
thick underbrush at the bottom OF the
oggre. where knew II would be com.
pIetely hidden. even In the glare OF
daylight. from the spying eyes OF any
troopers riding hard upon our track
AS We rapidly worked on this disa-
greeable task. | thought and planned;
two horses and three riders-one OF
these a woman In need OF protection
Ia dispatch 70 be delivered by day
light, at all hazards. II was indeed
a difiieuIt proposition. and | saw only
a single possible solution. One OF our
number must press on; two OF us
must remain behind Which one?
what two? II | rode with the dis
patch (and how eagerly | longed to
do SOIL and succeeded in bringing
Lees message safe to Longstreet. Il
meant much TO me-promotion, dis
tinction, aonor On the other hand.
If | remained behind. and Craig sue
cessfuily carried out the duty which
had been especially intrusted to me,
should be fortunate indeed to escape
with a reprimand instead of more Sc.
ricus consequences. II failure result.
ed. II meant certain and deserved dis
grace. Yet ! could absolutely trust
him with the dispatch; no was sol
der. and would faithfully perform a
soldiers duty. More. he would carry
the message with even greater GER
tainty than |. for be knew tho roads
much better. and write the words
hesitatingly--I could not trust him
there Acne with the woman
glanced aside az him as | thus
turned the perplexing situation over
In my mind--a tall. gaunt mountain
eer, whose sole discipline OF mind and
body had been the army; hardened by
service until every muscle In his lean.
stnewy frame was like steel. cavalry
man who would follow his leader into
the very jaws OF hell. but whose NOR
ais we're those OF the camp. and
whose face revealed audacious devil.
try such as no man would care TO see
In one to whom he intrusted the well
fare OF sister or wife.
Sergeant" | asked. fiinging aside
the improvised brush, ''how far do you
suppose We are from Longstreet's
picket liner
Tel miles at the very best, SIR"
he answered promptly, IAN | reckon
VITA another Yankee outpost atween"
with fair luck and good riding IL
might be made by daylightg"
Il reckon as how II might. captain.
II we only he'd sum fresh hosses. he
said glumly: but it's bin mighty hard
on my nag; I've looked fer him to roll
over Ike yer sorrel did fer the las
two mile"
We'll. Craig. you shall have both
horses Ride the womans. II is the
fresher OF the two; but you are to
get through II you kill them both and
then walk"
His tace frightened. and he raised
his hand In salute.
"And your" he asked. wonaeringiy.
Il remain with the woman: there
is no other way, Wait here moment
while speak with her"
! left him standing there, and moved
back to where she waited. AS came
up she faced me. and for the first time
tfor the night had lightened some
what could see hcr eyes and dis
Germ some faint outline of her face
where the night wind lung back the
upturned cape, It was a winsome
sight to soldier vision. bun with Ger.
tain semblance OF pride ans reserve
about it that caused hesitancy tn my
speech strange TO me
Madam. - rested my hand upon
her horses name aud looked at her
with glance as proud as her OWL