The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-08-06
The Courier
By r. A. Mitchell

was 10 carry messages between the
towns, in each of which was revolu-
tionary committee Macedonia was
full Of Turkish soldiers and Turkish
robbers, both of whom oppressed the
Christians. The soldiers patrolled the
country, while the robbers swooped
down on the farmers. appropriated
their provisions and animals and, what
called for their undying vengeance,
carried of their women.
Damien at times carried his mes
sages on foot, fighting his way through
underbrush. over the mountains and
crossing the streams either by fording
or on an improvised raft But he was
usually expected to cover considerable
distances and at such times travelled
on horseback. His horse--bis name
was Peter-had been obtained for him
| from racing stock. since he needed
fectness TO escape from the askars,
or Turkish soldiers. who. should they
capture him, would torture, then put
him TO death. But Damien always
carried a tiny bottle OF poison to en-
able him to escape the torture.
Often would Damien ride into vii
lage and warn the inhabitants that
their oppressors were on the way to-
ward them, which meant that they
must expect to be looted. This would
give time for the Christians to hide ar
| ticles OF value and for the women to
climb into the mountains and hide.
But the great work done by the courier
was carrying the messages of the or
ganizers of the revolution and those of
the revolutionary committees between
the towns.
mien, loaded with messages that II
captured would draw down on numer-
GUS towns the wrath OF the Turks-be-
ing evidence that they were plotting
rebellion-was riding along a road.
Suddenly his horse pricked up his ears,
turning them to the right. Presently
Damien heard the soft tread OF horses
hoofs on soft turf. They were in ad-
vance of him, and he turned to go
back. but as he did so be saw Turkish
horsemen leaving the timber for the
road behind him. He determined to
keep on. trusting to Peters speed. that
had saved him on so many occasions.
Peter" he said you must make
the effort OF your life. Never would
a capture of dispatches with which l
have been intrusted result so disas.
trously to so many OF our friends as
now"
Peter may not have understood what
each word meant. but he knew by his
masters tone that supreme effort
must be made. He heard the tread of
horsemen making for the road in adj
vance OF him as well as that of those
behind. Gathering his legs under him,
he made spring that was followed
by another and another In quick sue
cession. He succeeded in passing the
point where the advance Turks enter
ed the road several hundred yards
ahead OF him. The pursuers sent
shots after him, but did not hit either
him or his horse.
Peter, as usual. carried his master
other parties out looking for Damien.
who had been informed upon by Po-
maks. Mahometan citizens OF the coun-
try, who were ever ready to give the
Turkish soldiers information of Chris
tian rebels. Fearing to meet others,
Damien turned off the road and enter |
ed field. 1t was now quite dark, and |
he could not be seen beyond very |
short distance, and his horses tread |
was not likely to be heard on the soft
ground.
There are many irrigating bitches in
that country, and Peter stumbled into
one OF them that was covered with
long grass. He went down. He tried
to rise, but could not Damien got of
his back and examined him One OF
his fore legs was broken.
That meant the death of the horse
and probably the death of his master,
for now the courier could hear Turkish
cavalry all about him. What should
he do-leave Peter and get away on
foot? 1t seemed the only thing TO do.
But he would not leave him TO die in
pain. He would kill him, but not by
bullet, for that would be heard by the
Turks. While he was planning he
heard the Turks about him searching
Tor him. He was surrounded.
Damien knew that he had carried his
asst message His first thought was
or the dispatches he carried. He
,ould not burn them for the light they
would make Tearing them into bits,
lie lifted o stone under water in the
,ottom of the ditch, thrust them I'M
Ter and let the stone fall on them.
Then he returned to his horse and put
lis arms about him, holding Peters
lead against his breast.
peter, dear Peter" he said. I'VE
Will die together"
Taking the poison he always carried
-prussic acid-he emptied most of IL
n Peters tongue. In a moment the
Iorse was still. Then. pouring the
est of 1t on his own tongue, he fell
onward.
The Turks found courier and horse
cad together. one of Damien's arms
bout Peters neck. They knew whom
hey had taken and searched him and ;
bout him for his dispatches. But
hey did not think to look under
tone at the bottom of the ditch. and
ven If they had found the papers IL !