The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-04-15
CHAPTER lIi-continued.

appointment.
CHAPTER lIl-continued.
The lady! Heavens! What odd
Hurn Of fortunes wheel was this? The
lady. heard Craig's smothered
ehuckIe. but before I had sufficiently
regained control over my own feel
tngs to venture upon suitable reply.
the entire party had drawn forward,
the leader pressing so close to my side
that ! felt safer with my face we'll
shaded
Where is your escort, major?" he
asked, and the gruffness Of his tone
gut me instantly on defense.
Just behind u.s." returned. with
affected carelessness. and determined
now to play out the game. lady or no
lady. was extremely sorry for her.
but the cause outweighed her comfort.
Tho sergeant and l rode out ahead
when we heard you coming. Where
Is the LADY,"
He glanced around at the group
huddled behind him.
Third on the left"
"Ail right. then. Nothing else,
believe:" for l was eager to get
away. Sergeant. just ride in there
and lead out her horse We will have
to be moving, gentlemen. for it is
rough road and dark night"
"Beastly." assented the other. heart
Fly.
fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward. If one of them should
chace to strike match to light
pipe, or any false movement of Craig's
should excite suspicion! If he should
even speak. his soft southern drawl
would mean instant betrayal. And
how coolly he went at it; with
sharp touch of the spur, causing his
jaded horse to exhibit such sudden
restiessness as to keep the escort
we'll to one side. while ; ranged close
up to our unwelcome guest, and lay
ing firm hand upon her norse's bit.
, let forth to where | waited It was
quickly, nobly done. and could have
hugged the fellow.
We'll, good luck to you. major.
and a pleasant ride. Remember me to
Brennan. Deuced queer. though. why
he failed to show up on such an &C.
.casior as this"
"He was unfortunate enough to be
sent out in the other direction with
dispatches-g goodnight, gentlemen"
1t was sweet music to me to listen
to their hoofbeats dying rapidly away
behind us as we turned back down the
dark road. the sergeant still riding
with his one hand grasping the
strangers rein. ! endeavored to scan
her figure in the blackness. but found
the effort useless. as little more than
a shadow was visible. Yet 1t was i'm.
pressed upon me that she sat straight
and firm in the saddle, SO concluded
she must be young.
Madam" I began. seeking to feel
my way with caution into her conf
-dence. 81 fear you must be quite
wearied by your long ride" :
She turned slightly at sound of my
voice
f. Not at all, sir; | am merely eager
to push on. Besides. my ride has not
been long one. as we merely came
from General Sigers headquarters.
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
All. yes. certainly" l stammered
fearful lest had made grave mis-
take But really | had supposed
General Sigel was at Coulterville."
"ie advanced to Bear creek yes
terday." she returned quietly. ''So
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
1t was only for moment.
Il am unable to tell exactly, for. az
1t chances. have never yet been II
the camp. but l should Judge that two
hours riding will cover the distance.
why" in tone of sudden surprise
Captain Hale certainly told me Il
was all of twenty miles!"
ie From Bear creek?"' questioned
eagerly for 1t was my turn to fee
startled now. The map barely make:
1t ten"
1T is but ten, and scarcely that. b.
the direct White Briar road; or, a
nj least, so | heard some of thu
younger officers say: but 1t seems tn.
Confederate pickets are posted sc
close to the White Briar that N!
friends decided it would be unsafe Il
proceed that way"
This was news indeed-news SO un
expected and startling that forgo
all caution.
Then what road do they call this :?
She laughed at my evident igno
rance. as well as the eagerness OF m.
tone.
Really, you are most peculia
yuide." she exclaimed gayly. you a.
most convince me that you are lost
Fortunately. sir. out of my vast know
edge OF this mysterious region. an
able TO enlighten you to some extent
We are now riding due SOUTHWARK
along the Allentown pike"