The Holly chieftain., 1916-03-24

0AS ~ y A1oSt 81 - OASO.
"Yes. and-and thank you"
We crept forward along the shadow
Of the orchard fence. until we mingled
with the horses fastened at the hitch
ing rail. I selected among them. as
best could in the darkness. two that
seemed well adapted to our purpose.
helped her silently into the saddle.
thrusting one of my revolvers into the
empty holster. and then mounted my
self.
Which way had we better got" I
asked. my face close. our horses
touching.
along the south road at first:
there is q cutoff just back Of the old
school,"
And the <pickers--do you knoV
where they are posted?"
"At the ford of the Green Briar-
the main ford"
There are none at Benton?"
mo: I do not think they even know
the river is fordable. there; 1t is not
on the maps"
We rode forward slowly. my hand
on her bride rein, keeping in the
deeper shadows along the side of the
road. until we passed beyond the last
house of the village. II the camp
was not alarmed for another half hour.
our pursuers would be given a hard
task. Strange that the Federal
scouts had never located the Benton
ford. To be sure 1t was narrow. and
of no value in high water, yet an ideal
place for raiding parties to cross. and
all those hills beyond were full of
guerrilla bands eager to strike quick
and get safely away. That they dared
to attack small bodies of troops. and
especially poorly guarded wagon
trains, had been demonstrated more
than once, and this secret ford gave
them easy opportunity. The Cowans
certainly knew of its feasibility. and
the wonder was they had never utj-
lized it before.
The longer / thought the more ]
began to dread the unknown dangers
ahead-the gauntlet we must run be-
fore attaining the Confederate lines.
We could battle pursuit, but If once we
came into contact with those irregu-
lars OF the mountains-merciless. ire
sponsible-no one could predict the
result. could skulk along through
the night, discard my horse. travel
afoot. and thus avoid encountering
any of those villains. was myself
mountaineer, and knew the secret
trails. But with her beside me. the
two Of US mounted, such feat was
almost impossible. must find her
food and shelter. and we could not
travel on horseback without leaving
trail unconcealed To be sure.
knew her OF old; that she was strong.
resourceful, fearless-yet she was
woman to be protected from insult. to
be guarded against exposure; more.
she was the woman loved
But would she be in any less danger
II compelled her to return to Lewis
burg? She would be exposed to In
dignities. to almost certain persecu-
tion from Raymond.
"Noreen," said, turning my face
toward her. do you really think It
best to try this ride with me?"
You do not wish me to got" she
asked, as instantly refining up. "You
want me to returnf"
'No. not that. have no thought
but for your own good. Only do you
understand the perils through which
we must pass in those mountains?"
Yes. do understand" she an
swered soberly. "and comprehend. as
you cannot, the danger Of my return
ing to Lewisburg. will never go
back there; but. II you think It best
for us to part, will endeavor to reach
Charleston alone"
"You would rather go on with me?"
II made that choice. but II you con.
slider me burden"
"No. 1t is not that. Noreen," in.
terrupted, touched by the regretful
tone Of her voice. 1T was OF you l
was thinking, not myself Then we
go on togcther?"
She was silent, her eyes on the
darkness ahead.
1T must be your decision" I in.
sisted.
II made my choice an hour ago." she
answered frankly.
I waited an instant, thinking she
might say more. but she sat motion.
less in the saddle. Just what her de.
cision signified could not Judge. It
seemed to me that between two dan.
gers she had simply chosen the one
she deemed to be the lesser 1t was
not affection for me, but fear Of 9th.