The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-03-30
CHAPTER Xxx.


i felt positively happy then The
| thrill OF successful achievement was
mine, and with the exultation OF a
soldier I'm having surmounted OBJ
stacles and peril. ! nearly forgot for
the moment the heart tragedy left be-
hind The swift impetus OF the ride.
the keen night air sweeping past me.
the fresh sense of freedom and power
engendered by that reckless dash
through the darkness, all conspired TO
render me neglectful OF everything
save the Joy OF present victory The
spirit OF wild adventure was in my
blood.
A dozen spits OF fire cleaved the in
tense blackness behind. and l knew
the widely scattered patrol were send
ing chance shots across the stream.
A clang OF hoofs rang out upon the
rocks. but / could distinguish moth
ing indicating a large pursuing party
probably the two who were mounted
at the ford. with possibly others fol
lowing when they caught their strayed
horses. had little 10 fear from such
half-hearted pursuit as this was sure
to be. The swift, powerful stride OF
the animal l rode assured me that
was not III mounted, and there was
small chance OF contact with Federal
outriders before / should reach the
protecting picket lines OF our own
army. laughed grimly as ! leaned
slightly back In saddle and listened;
II was like a play, so swift and ex-
citing had been the passing events,
so unexpected their ending. won
dered what plausible story the dis
comfited lieutenant would concoct to
account for his predicament, and
whether the others had yet missed me
back at the Mansion House.
The stars appeared TO be paling
somewhat down in the east, for the
coming day-dawn was already whiten-
ing the horizon. | glanced at my
watch, venturing TO strike a match
for the purpose, and found the hour
after three o'clock. Early, | knew,
was at Sowder Church. and HIS ad-
vance cavalry pickets ought to be as
far west as the Warrentown road.
The distance between. by hard riding
might be covered in three hours. My
horse seemed fresh, his breath came
naturally and without effort, and l
pressed him along rapidly, for my
whole ambition now centred upon
bringing the information / possessed
within our own lines. Bungay, be
yond doubt, had been recaptured long
since, for my own experience told me
how extremely vigilant were the Fed
eral guards. To one unacquainted as
he was with military customs II would
prove impossible 10 penetrate their
lines; hence, everything must depend
upon my getting through in safety.
Then my thoughts drifted TO the
one had left In such serious predica-
ment If / had loved her before, ]
loved her doubly now. for she had
proven herself a woman among won
en- In time OF danger and trial. How
clearly her face. with those dark
sweet eyes and the wealth OF crown
ing hair, rose before me, while word
by word | reviewed all that had passed
between US, dwelling upon each look
VI a1NNhN NhdN NOhAu tNAhSG htl HOb-
sible interest in me. Then reason re-
turned to my aid, and resolutely, de-
terminedly, inspired by every instinct
Of soldierly honor. ! resolved that
would put her from my thoughts for
ever She was not mine either 10 love
or possess, unless the uncertain fate
of war should chance to set her free
~, - -. ,k- -.
in memory while she remained the
wife Of another was but an affront 20
her purity and womanhood would |
prove myself man entitled TO her
respect, soldier worthy my service |
and corps; II ever again my name
CHANGED TO find mention in her pres
ence II should be spoken with honor
was musing thus lulled by the
steady lope OF my horse, and totally |
iLsensible 20 any possibility OF peril. !
when clear upon my ears, instantly |
awakening me from such reverie, !
there rang through the night silence
the sharp clang OF iron on the road
behind me. All sound of pursuit had
long since died away, and supposed |
the effort TO recapture me had been |
abandoned. But there was no mis-
taking now-at least one horseman,
riding recklessly through the black |
night, was pressing hot upon my trail |
The lieutenant" ! thought, the |
lieutenant burning with anger at the |
trick played upon him. has pushed far
ahead of his troop. doubtless mounted
upon a better horse, determined to
risk everything II he may only bring |
me back dead or alive"
This thought awoke me in an in.
slant from my dreaming and
spurred my horse furiously, glancing
anxiously backward as rode, but un-
able through that dense gloom to dis
tinguish the form OF my pursuer Yet |
the fellow was coming. coming faster
than any speed / could possibly con.
iure out of the weary black I bestrode