Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-02-28
CHAPTER v.-cOn,inusd.

On one side Of us the bank fell away
with such preeipitancy that when we
once succeeded in dragging our load
70 the edge We experienced no diff
Guilty In sending II crashing down.
ward The body plunged through the
mick underbrush at the bottom OF the
oggre. where | knew It would be com.
pletely hidden, even In the glare OF
daylight, from the spying eyes OF any
troopers riding hard upon our track
ne We rapidly worked on this dIsa.
greeable task. | thought and planned:
two horses and three riders-one OF
these woman In need OF protection
"a dispatch to be delivered by day
light. at all hazards Il was indeed
difficult proposition, and | saw only
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 land how eagerly | longed 10
80 SOIL end succeeded in bringing
Lees message safe to Longstreet IL
meant Tuch to me-promotion. dis.
unction. honor. On the other hand.
II | remained behind. and Craig sue
oesstully carried out the duty which
had been especially intrusted 10 me,
! should be fortunate indeed to escape
with a reprimand instead OF more Sc
rious consequences II failure result
ed II meant certain and deserved dis
grace Yet | could absolutely trust
him with the dispatch; he was a sol.
der. and would faithfully perform
soldiers duty, More, be would carry
the message with even greater GER
tainty than |, for he knew the roads
much better. and write the words
hesitatingly--l could not trust him
there alone with the woman.
| glanced aside at him as thus
turned the perplexing 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, but whose NOR
ais we're 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, fiinging aside
the improvised brush. how far do you
suppose we are from Longstreet' s
picket line?"
"Ten miles at the very best. sir. g"
he answered promptly. IAN | reckon
with another Yankee outpost atween."
With fair luck and good riding It
might be made by daylight"
Il reckon as how it might, captain,
II we only ned sum fresh bosses" he
said glumly; but it's bin mighty hard
on my nag; I've looked fer him to roll
over like yer sorrel did Ter the las
two mile"
We'll. Craig, you shall have both
horses Ride the womans. It is the
fresher OF the two; but you are to
get through If you kill them both and
then walk"
His face frightened. and be raised
his hand in salute.
And you?" he asked wonderingIy
4 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
lfor the night had lightened some.
what could see her eyes and dis.
Germ some faint outline of her face
where the night wind flung back the
upturned cape. 1t was a winsome
sight to soldier vision. but with a GER
tain semblance of pride and reserve
about It 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