The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-05-19
CHAPTER xxx.
The Trail 20 covInnton.

As ] grlpped the horses rein and
turned him slowly around | heard a
single shot fred in the gorge below,
the sound echoing among the rocks
and spark Of fire cleaned through
the darkness. It was far enough away
to give me little concern, yet the TO
port must have been heard by the cav.
airy squad now well out In the open,
for they wheeled their horses and rode
straight toward the ravine. Their
course would bring them higher I'D.
just to the rear OF the church, yet,
with suspicious once aroused, twas
likely they would patrol the banks,
seeking for some passage below. Con.
hdent the distance between US was
sufficient to hide my movements so
long as ! kept we'll back in the shadow
OF the trees, / led the horse forward.
advancing as rapidly as dared to
travel, using one hand to steady Ray.
mond's body swaying across the sad.
die. 1t must have been a quarter of a
mile, or more. to where the forest
spread out from the bank into a dark
tangle Of trees. extending half across
the ridge. The winding of the ravine
took me out Of sight Of the body OF
horsemen above. yet | knew they had
galloped to the edge Of the gorge, and
we're calling to whoever was below. I
could hear the shouts, without catch.
ing the words, and even imagined
distinguished a faint cry In return. By
slipping the lieutenant's belt over the
saddle horn. thus preventing his limp
body from sliding OF. urged the ami.
NAL to a sharp trot
What was before Us in those dark
woods was all conjecture-but | pos
sessed infinite confidence In Noreen.
The very silence, coupled with the fact
that no sign Of the two fugitives had
been met with along the way, con
vinced me that they had safely at.
tanned the rendezvous, and we're now
there, anxiously awaiting my arrival
The time had not been long. and the
girl would never consent to proceed
alone with Nichols. until she had lost
every hope OF my joining her. he
might not remain willingly IN such
close proximity of danger, but could
count on her to keep the fellow there
until the last possible moment We
went down into shallow gully. and
then climbed the opposite bank. hav.
ing to force passage through thick
scrub pressing the branches aside
to prevent their scratching Raymond's
face he gave utterance to q grOan.
and lifted lis head, supporting 1t on
my shoulder as we topped the rise.
The horse SHE'D. caught glimpse OF
a shadow tiitting across an open space.
"NoFeenI"
rs 1t really your could not tell
the horse: the something across the
saddle"
She came forward with a swift
spring, not satisfied until her hand
touched me.
"Oh, am so glad-you are not even
hurt2"
Not seriously: battered up . Bit
Yes, be is here; there beside the
tree. Tell me what has happened |
What have You here? Why It is
man." she shrank back. "a--a dead |
mani"
mo. not dead" hastened to ex.
plain, unbuckling the belt, and lower.
Ing the still limp body to the ground. !
Here, parson, don't let the horse !
stray. We cannot waste many min
ties here; there are cavairymen scout.
ng the edge Of the ravine yonder. and
hey may come as far as this. That
s why brought the fellow along--to
Keep him from being found. Do you
recognize the face. NoFeenf"
Il was dark and shadowy where We
we're and shs was compelled to bend