The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-12-28
CHAPTER v.--contlnued.

On one side of us the bank fell away
with such precipitancy that when we
once succeeded in dragging our load
20 the edge. We experienced no diff
Guilty In sending II crashing down.
ward. The body plunged through the
thick underbrush at the bottom OF the
ogre. where knew It would be com
pletely 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 woman in need OF protection
"a dispatch to be delivered by day.
dght, at all hazards. II was indeed
q difficult proposition. and | saw only
q single possible solution. One OF our
number must press on: two OF US
must remain behind. Which one?
what twoH II rode with the dis.
patch land how eagerly longed to
DO sol and succeeded in bringing
Lees message safe to Longstreet, It
meant much to me-promotion, dis
dncuon. honor. On the other hand.
Il | remained behind. and Craig sue.
csssfully carried out the duty which
had been especially intrusted to me.
I should be fortunate indeed TO escape
with a reprimand instead OF more Sc
rfous consequences. II failure result.
ed. It meant certain and deserved dis
vAt II.
him with the dispatch: he was a sol
der, and would faithfully perform a
soldiers duty. More. he would carry
the message with even greater Ger
tainty than |. for he knew the roads
much better. and write the words
hesitstingly-l could not trust him
there alone with the woman.
glanced aside at him as thus
turned the perplexing situation over
In my mind--a tall. gaunt mountain
ee, whose sole discipline OF mind and
body had been the army: hardened by
service until every muscle in his iehn
sinewy frame was like steel. a cavalry.
man who would follow his leader into
che very Jaws of hell.
Sergeant" asked. finging aside
the improvised brush. how far do you
suppose We are from Longstreets
picket line?"
Ten miles at the very best, sir"
he answered promptly, an ! reckon
with another Yankee outpost atween."
with fair luck and good riding It
might be made by daylight"
Il reckon as how It might. captain.
n we only he'd sum fresh bosses" he
said Elumly; but It's bin mighty hard
on my nag: I've looked fer him to roll
over like yer sorrel did fer tho las
two mile"
horses. Ride the woman's. 1t is the
fresher of the two: but you are to
get through II you kill them both and
then walk"
Il remain with the woman: there
% no other way. Wait here q 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
(for the night had lightened some
WHAT ! could see her eyes and dis.
Germ some faint outline of her face
where the night wind flung back the
upturned cape. II was winsome
sight to soldier vision. but with q Ger.
tain semblance OF pride and reserve
about II that caused a hesitancy In my
speech strange to me-
Madam rested my hand upon
Ter hsrse's name and looked at her
with glance as proud as her own
1T might be as well for you to draw
the cape closer about your face at
present There are rough men In all
armies who would consider your
beauty lawless prize. The life We
lead Is not conducive 20 gentleness:
virtue is not born In camps. and It
would be better not to provoke dan
ger which may be SO easily avoided"
You claimed. | believe. to be an
officer and a gentleman" she said
eoldly.
| smiled. even as felt the full
chill Of her words. and my purpose
stiffened within me.
Even as | yet claim. and trust to
be able to prove to your satisfaction"
my eyes looked unfalteringly into
hers--"but unfortunately. | have one
with me tonight who is neither.
would that he were for my own sake.
However. madam. let that pass. The
fact is here. and We have no time to
argue or quarrel. have already told
you that we ride with dispatches Tor
Longstreet These must go forward
at all hazards. Tor thousands OF hui
man lives depend upon them; yet
dare not leave you here alone and un-
protected to the mercies OF the
wolves who haunt these hills"
"Yos are exceedingly kind"
The tone in which she spoke was
most sarcastic.
Il thank you for your appreciation"