The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-10-05

ana hrm IN the saddle, so concluded
she must be young.
Madam" | began, seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence, 'I 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 a long one. as we merely came
from General Sigel's headquarters"
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined
"Ah, yes, certainly" | stammered,
fearful lest / had made grave mis-
take. But really had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville."
HE advanced to Bear creek yes
terday," she returned quietly. 80
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 hesitancy, but
it was only for moment.
81 am unable to tell exactly, for, as
it chances, have never yet been in
the camp, but should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance"
Why" in a tone OF sudden surprise.
Captain Hale certainly told me It
was all of twenty miles!"
From Bear creek?" | questioned
eagerly, for 1t was my turn to feel
startled now THE map barely makes
1t ten"
"It 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 so
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided it would be unsafe to
proceed that way"
This was news indeed-news so un-
expected and startling that | forgot
all caution.
Then what road do they call this?
She laughed at my evident igno-
rance, as we'll as the eagerness of my
tone
Really, you are a 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, | am
able to enlighten you to some extent.
We are now riding due southwark
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward 80 as TO look
across her horses neck to where
rode on the opposite side.
May | speak a word, STRIP he
asked, cautiously.
Certainly, sergeant; do you make
anything out of all this?"
Yes, sir" he answered eagerly. II
know now exactly how we missed It,
and where We are. The cutoff to the
White Briar spoke to you about this
afternoon cannot be more than a hun
dred yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then, and see
If you can locate it. Be cautious;
there may be picket stationed there.
We will halt where we are until you
return" -. .--r-~-,-------.--
He swung forward his carbine
where 1t would be handy for instant
service and trotted ahead into the
darkness. The woman's horse, being
comparatively fresh and restless,
danced little in an effort TO follow,
but restrained him with light hand
on the bit, and we sat waiting In 81
lence.
was eager to be on, TO make up
hV hard riding fhn taHinna AnIoU M
this nights work, and constantly lis
tening in dread for some sounds OF
struggle down the roadway. But all
remained silent until could dimly
distinguish the returning hoof-beats
OF the sergeant's horse; and so anx-
ious was to economize time that
was already urging our mounts for
ward when his shadow grew black in
front, and he wheeled in at my side.
mo picket, sir"
Very we'll, sergeant; When we
come to the turn you are to ride few
rods in advance OF us, and will set
a good pace, for we must make up
for all this lost time.
Very well. sir; here is the turn
to your right"
I could dimly distinguish the open.
ing designated, and as we wheeled
into 1t he at once clapped spurs to his
horse and forged ahead. In another
moment he had totally disappeared.
and as ! urged our reluctant mounts
to more rapid speed all sound OF his
progress was instantly lost in the
pounding of our own hoofs ON the
hard road.
CHAPTER w.