The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-10-26
CHAPTER lil.-Continued.

| chuckle, but before ! had sufficiently
regfined control over my own feel
tngs TO venture upon a 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
now to play out the game, lady or no
lady. | was extremely sorry for her,
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
THE sergeant and | rode out ahead
when we heard you coming. Where
is the Lady,"
He glanced around at the group
huddled 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 a
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 Craigs
should excite suspicion! II he should
even speak. his soft southern drawl
would mean instant betrayal. And
how coolly he went at 1t; with n
sharp touch Of the spur. causing his
jaded 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 horses bit,
let forth to where ! waited II was
quickly. nobly done. and could have
Rugged the fellow.
We'll, good luck to you, major,
and pleasant ride. Remember me 10
Brennan. Deuced queer. though. why
he failed to show up on such an oc-
casior as this
He was unfortunate enough to be
sent out in the other direction with
dispatches goodnight. gentlemen"
II was sweet music TO me 10 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
ctr uar,p rain I J,,. tx, ~
her figure in the blackness. but found
the effort useless. as little more than
a shadow was visible. Yet It was I'm.
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.
Not 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.
"Ah, yes. certainly" atammered,
fearful lest ] had made grave mis-.
take, But really | had supposed
General Sige' 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 hesltancy. but
1t was only for moment.
Il am unable to tell exactly, for. as
1t chances, | have never yet been In
the camp, but should judge that two
hours riding VIII cover the distance.
Why" In a tone Of sudden surprise
Captain Hale certainly told me 1t
was all OF twenty miles,"
From Bear creek?" | questioned
eagerly. for 1t was my turn to feel
startled now. THE map barely makes
IL 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 1t seems the
Confederate pickets are posted 80
close TO the White Briar that my
! friends decided it would be unsafe 20
proceed that way"
! This was news indeed--news so un.
expected and startling that | forgot
all caution
Then what road do they call this 80
She laughed at my evident igno
rance, as well as the eagerness OF my
tone
Really, you are 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. an
able to enlighten you to some extent
We are now riding due southwark
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward so az TO lool
across her horses neck to where
rode on the opposite side.
May | speak a word sir?" h,
asked, cautiously.
Certainly. sergeant; DO you maxi
anything out Of all this?"
Yes. sir" he answered eagerly. ''
anow now exactly how we missed 1,
and where We are. The cutoff to tn
White Briar ! spoke to you about thi
afternoon cannot be more than a bur
ired yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then. and Sc
II you can locate IT, BE cautious
'as-s ra. ia n picket stationed Their,