The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-11-15


40 failed to show mp on such an o..
,asion as this"
He was unfortunate enough to b.
/ sent out In the other direction with
dispatches goodnight, gentlemen
/ It was sweet music to me to listen
70 their hoof-beats dying rapidly awaE
behind us as we turned back down tng
lark road, the sergeant still riding
with his one hand grasping thu
strangers rein. l endeayored to scan
her figure in the blaclxness. but found
the effort useless, AZ little more than
shadow was visible. Yet It was I'm
pressed upon me that she sat straigne
and firm in the saddle. 30 concluden-
| she must be young.
Madam" began. seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. II fear you must DO quite
wearied by your long ride
She turned slightly at sound Of NIX
yoice.
Not at all, sir: am merely eager
to push on. Besides. my ride has noe
been long one. as we merely cane
from General Sigefs headquarters."
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
"Ah, yes, certainly" l stammered.
fearful lest had made grave mis-
take. But really ] had supposed
General sigel was at Coulterville."
He advanced to Bear creek yeE-
terday," she returned quietly. so
you see we had covered scarcely mofS
! than three miles when we met. How
much farther is 1t to where Major
Brennan is stationed2"
l fear I was guilty Of hesitancy, but
1t was only for moment.
81 am unable to tell exactly, for. AZ
It chances, have never yet been I'm
the camp, but should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance
why" in tone Of sudden surprise.
Captain Hale certainly told me It
/ was all Of twenty miles!"
From Bear creek?" questioned
eagerly, for It was my turn to feel
startled now. THE map barely makes
1t ten"
ut 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 tho
Confederate pickets are posted SCI
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided 1t 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 this7-
She laughed at my evident igno-
rance, as we'll as the eagerness Of my
tone.
Really. you are q most peculiar
guide" she exclaimed gayly. you al
most convince me that you are lost
Fortunately, sir, out of my vast knowI-
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 30 as to look
across her horses neck to where
rode on the opposite side.
May speak q word. sirf' he
asked, cautiously. Is
Certainly. sergeant; do you mako
anything out of all this?"
Yes, sir" he answered eagerly. Il
know now exactly how we missed II
and where we are. The cutoff to the
White Briar I spoke to you about this
afternoon cannot be more than hum
dred yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then. and seo
II you can locate It Be cautiouss
there may be picket stationed there
We will halt where We are until You
return"
He swung forward his carbino
where It would be handy for Instant
service and trotted ahead into the
darkness. The woman's horse. being
comparatively fresh and restless.
danced q little in an effort 70 follow.
but restrained him with . Hight hand
on the bit, and We sat waiting IN a.
lence.
was eager to be Oh, TO make M
by hard riding the tedious delay a.
this nights work. and constantly liz
tening in dread for some sounds a.
struggle down the roadway. But an
remained silent until could dimly
distinguish the returning hoof-boats
Of the sergeant's horse; and 80 anx-
ious was to economize time that I
was already urging our mounts for
ward when his shadow grew black n
front. and he wheeled In It my 6ida-
mo picket cir"
Very we'll. sergeant; when We
come to the turn you are to ride few
rods in advance Of us. and win sot
q good pace. for We must mako up
for all this lost time.
VERY well. sirI here IL the turn
to your right"
could dimly distinguish the open
ing designated. and as We wheeled
into 1t he at onco clapped spurs to his
horse and forged ahead. In another
moment he had totally disappeared.
and as I 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.
ITO be Continued.