The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-14
covyrxhl By A. c. Meclurs . Co
R.s<r>d ~ sxusox,crss Nall Iookuo.

na1<fed - &nno<scre HAL Lnnoons
I fairly held my breath as Craig
rode forward. II one OF them should
chacs to strike q match to light a
Pipe. or any false movement Of Crsig's
should excite suspicion! II he should
even speak. his soft southern draw,
would mean instant betrayal. And
how ooolly he went at Il: with a
sharp touch OF the spur. causing his
5sdcd horse to exhibit such sudden
restlessness as to keep the escort
well 10, ono side. while /! ranged close
up to our unwelcome gaest. and lay
fnG nrm hand upon her horses bit.
let forth to where I waited. II was
quickly. nobly done. and I could have
hugEed the fellow.
We'll. good luck TO you. major.
and q pleasant ride. Remember me TO
Brennan. Deuced queer. though. why
he failed to show up on such an oo-
casion as this"
''He was unfortunate enough to bc
sent out I'm the other direction with
dispatches--goodnight. gentlemen"
IL was sweet music TO me to listen
TO their hoofbeats dying rapidly away
behind us as Wa turned back down the
dark road. the sergesnt still riding
with his one Rand graspinS tho
strangers rein. enieavored to scan
her hgure In the blackness. but found
the effort useless. as little more than
3 shadow was visible. Yet II was i'm
pressed upon ne that she sat straight
and nrm In the saddle. SO I concluded
she must be young.
Madam" began. seeking TO feel
my way with caution into her conf
dence. Il fear you must be quite
vearied by your long ride
She turned slightly Mt sound of my
vote.
Not at all. sir; am merely eager
TO push on. Besides. my ride has not
been q long one. as We merely came
from General Sigel's headquarters"
The voice was pleasantly modulated
and refined.
"Ah. yea certainly" I stammered,
fearful lest I had made a grave mis-
take But really I had supposed
General sisel was ut Coulterville."
He advanced to Bear creek yes
terdsy." she returned quietly. 80
you see We had covered scarcely more
than tree miles when we met. How
much farther Is II to where Major
Brennan 10 stationed?"
fear I was guilty OF hesitancy, but
IL was only for q moment.
Il am unable to tell exactly. for, as
II chances. have never yet been In
the camp. but I 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!"
Prom Bear creek?" questioned
eagerly. for Il was my turn TO feel
startled now. The map barely makes
it ten"
1T II but ten. and scarcely that. by
the direct White Briar road; or. at
AZ least. 80 I heard some OF the
younger officers say; but II seems the
Confederate pickets are posted so,
close to the White Briar that my
friends decided II would be unsafe to
proceed that way"
This was news indeed-nevs sc un-
expected and startling that I forgot
all caution.
Then what road do they call this 20
, She laughed at my evident igno-
rance. a. well as the eagerness Of my
tone.
Really. you are a most peculiar
suide." che exclaimed gayly. You al.
most convince me that you are lost.
Fortunately, air. out Of my vast knowl.
edge OF this mysterious region. am
able 20 enlighten you TO some extent.
We are now riding due southwark
along the Allentown pike"
Craig leaned forward so as 10 look
across her horses neck TO where |
rode on tho opposite side.
May I speak q word. sir!" he
asked. cautiously.
Certainly. sergeant: 10 you make
snything out OF all thisg"
Yes. sir" he answered eagerly. 81
know now exactly how we missed H.
end where We are. The cutoff 10 the
White Briar spoke 10 you about this
afternoon cannot be more than a hun
dred yards below here"
Ride ahead carefully then. and see
n you can locate II. 30 cautious:
there may be q picket stationed there
We will halt whore We arc until you
return"
He swung forward his carbins
whore II would be handy for instant
service and trotted ahead into the
darkness. Tho woman's horse. beins
comparatively fresh and restless
danced little In an effort to follow
but l restrained him with a light hand
on tho bit. and We sat waiting In 81
lence.
I was eager TO be of. to make uI