Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-12-28
CHAPTER v.-contInusd.

On one side of US the bank fell away
with such precipitancy that when we
once succeeded in dragging u load
to the edge, We experienced no diff
Guilty in sending it crashing down
ward. The body plunged through the
chick underbrush at the bottom OF the
oggre, where | knew 1t 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
"a dispatch to be delivered by day
Tight, at all hazards. 1t was indeed
4 difficult proposition, and | saw only
n single possible solution. One of our
lumber must press on; two Of us
snust remain behind. Which one?
what two? II | rode with the dis
latch (and how eagerly | longed to
do SOL and succeeded in bringing
Lees message safe to Longstreet, it
meant much to me-promotion, dis
ti1ction. honor. On the other hand.
III { remained behind. and Craig sue
cessfully carried out the duty which
had been especially intrusted to me,
should be fortunate indeed to escape
with a reprimand instead of more Sc
Tfous consequences. Ii failure result
cd, it meant certain and deserved dis
grace. Yet | could absolutely trust
hfm with the dispatch; he was a SOL
dier, and would faithfully perform a
soldiers duty. More. he would carry
the message with even greater GER
Gainty than |, for he knew the roads
much better, and-I write the words
Gesitatingly-l could not trust him
there alone with the woman.
1 glanced aside at him as | thus
tArned the perpleXing situation owe
tn my mind-a tall, gaunt mountain
Ger, whose sole discipline OF mind and
body had been the army; hardened by
tEervice until every muscle in his lean,
fsfIfewy frame was like steel, a cavalry.
IexEan who would follow his leader into
fsle very jaws of hell, but whose NOR
ais were 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. linging aside
the improvised brush, how far do you
suppose we are from Longstreet's
picket line?"
Ten miles at the very best, sir"
TIE answered promptly, AN | reckon
with another Yankee outpost atween."
With fair luck and good riding it
might be made by daylight"
4 reckon as how it might. captain,
If we only he'd sum fresh hosses," he
said glumly; but it's bin mighty hard
'1a my nag; I've looked fer him to roll
over like yer sorrel did fer the las
guo mile"
We'll. Craig, you shall have both
e5orses. Ride the woman's. 1t is the
ffresher OF the two; but you are to
get through If you kill them both and
tI1Rn walk.
Wis face frightened, and he raised
mis- hand in salute.
And you?" he asked. wenderingly.
4 remain with the woman; there
En- no other way. Wait here q moment
while | speak with her"
left him standing there, and moved
tack to where she waited. AS | came
.esp she faced me. and for the first. time
<Gor the night had lightened some.
waat) | could see her eyes and dis
Germ some faint outline Of her face
where the night wind flung back the
apturned cape. 1t was a winsome
sight to soldier vision, but with a GER
tain semblance of pride and reserve
about 1t that caused a hesitancy in my
speech strange to me.
Madam rested my hand upon
sler horses and looked at her
with a glance as proud as her own