The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1911-10-27
CHAPTER V.-Contlnued.

On one side OF US the bank fell away
with such precipitancy that when we
once succeeded In dragging our load
40 the edge, We experienced no din
Guilty in sending 1t crashing down
ward. The body plunged through the
thick underbrush at the bottom OF the
0ggre. where knew 1t would be com
petely 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
light, at all hazards. Ii was indeed
a difficult 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 so,) and succeeded In bringing
Lees message safe TO Longstreet. IL
meant much TO me-promotion, dis
tiIction honor. On the other hand.
II | 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
Jious consequences. IL failure result
ed. IL meant certain and deserved dis
Nnf nnn1H ahcnlufn1y
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
nesitatingly--l could not trust him
there alone with the woman.
glanced aside at him as thus
turned the perplexng 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.
sinewy frame was like steel. cavalry
man who would follow his leader into
the very jaws OF hell.
sergeant" | asked flinging aside
the improvised brush. how far do you
suppose We are from Longstreet's
picket line?"
Ten miles at the very best, sir"
he answered promptly. IAN ! reckon
with another Yankee outpost atween."
With fair luck and good riding il
might be made by daylight?'
Il reckon as how it might, captain.
VI We cnly he'd sum fresh hosses, he
isaid glumly; but it's bin mighty hard
on my nag: I've looked fer him to roll
rover like yer sorrel did fer the las
awo mile
Well. Craig. you shall have both
horses. Ride the woman's. 1t is the
fresher OF the two; but you are to
get through IL you kill them both and
then walk"
Il remain with the woman: there
is no other way. Wait here a 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 Iightened some
Germ some faint outline OF her face
where the night wind flung back the
upturped cape. 1t was winsome
sight TO soldier vision. but with a GER
tain semblance of pride and reserve
about 1t that caused hesitancy in my
speech strange to me.
Madam rested my hand upon
her horses 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 a lawless prize. The life we
head Is not conducive to gentleness;
virtue Is not born in camps. and II
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
coldly.
smiled. even as felt the full
ehili OF her words. and my purpose
sfiffened within me.
Even as yet claim. and trust to
be able to prove to your satisfa ction," I"
my eyes looked unfalteringly into
hers--"but unfortunately. l have one
with me tonight who In neither. |
would that he were for my own sake.
However. madam. let that pans. The
iact IL here. and We have no time to
argue or quarrel. | have already told
ycu that We ride with dispatches Tor
longstreet These must 60 forward
nt Ill hazards. for thousands OF hu
3 man lives depend upon them; yet
dare not ioave you here alone and un
projected TO the mercies Of ths
wolves Who haunt these hills"
You are exceedingly kind"
The tone n which shs spoke Va
xsost sarcastia
:, thank yoa ser your appreciation,