The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-01-07


took to be the tavern corner discoy.
cred the road leading to the left and
turned in that direction, assured that
1t would lead directly into the heart
OF Green Briar. The road ran through
thlck woods, the darkness intense, and
as the way was silent and seemed de-
serted / gave the animal the spur.
must have Hoped along thus for ten
minutes, all thought of pursuit already
dismissed, and my mind occupied with
plans for the future, when the woods
suddenly ended in a bare ridge, the
ribbon Of road revealing itself under
the soft glow Of the stars. | know not
why heard no sound Of warning, but
at the instant, half dozen shadows
doomed up blocking the path. bare
ly bad time to rein in my horse before
we were intermingled, the surprise ev.
identity mutual, although one Of the
newcomers was swift enough to seize
my animals bit, and hold him plung-
ing in fright | chung to the stirrups,
aware of the fash of weapon in my
face, and an oath uttered in a grutf
voice.
"ln Gods name! where did you come
from? Here, Snow. see what this fel.
low looks like"
/ The speaker had a wide.brimmed
hat, drawn low over his face, and a
cape concealed his uniform. But
Snow wore the cap Of the Federal cav.
: airy and ! knew | had fallen into
Yankee hands.
u have no objection to telling you
my name and rank" ] said coldly,
but lower that gun first; / am in uni
form"
The rather contemptuous tone Of
voice employed had greater effect on
the fellow than the evidence of his
eyes His arm fell to his side, al
though he still retained a grasp on my
bride.
so see" but with no cordially in
the words. But that is hardly con.
vincing Federal officers are rare birds
who ride these roads alone. Who are
you, sir. and why are you here?"
{ Perhaps | may be privileged to ask
first by what authority you halt and
question me?"
He laughed, and waved the weapon
he stin held toward the others of his
party.
Our force alone is sufficient author
ity | should suppose. However, l will
set your mind at rest-I am Captain
Fox, in command of detachment Of
the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry"
oh, yes" | responded more pleas
antiy. "of General Ramsay's command,
You know Major HarwoOd, no doubt?"
We are Of his escort" both suspi-
cion and command lost before my cool
assurance. You are in the service.
sir?"
Third United States cavalry; on re-
cruiting detail. was to meet Har-
wood at Hot Springs, but was told
he had gone to Green Briar."
by whom?"
"A scout I met by chance; he gave
the name Taylor"
The captain swore grimly, glancing
across my horse into the face Of the
trooper opposite.
We'll, this stumps mel" his voice
grown suddenly harder. 1T doesn't
sound straight, for we left him safely
in Hot Springs an hour before sun
down. and he had no purpose at that
time except to wait there for Taylor.
Do you carry any papers?"
drew the official envelope from my
pocket, and held 1t out to him calmly.
He opened the flap.
"A little light, Snow-yes, q match
will do"
The fame lit up their faces-the Off.
Ger a thin-faced man with mustache
and imperial, his teeth oddly promi
nent; the trooper older in years, but
smooth-shaVen, with deep-set eyes and
square chin. Their uniforms were
dusty and we'll worn. The others
clustered behind, remained mere shad
ows The captain took in the nature
Of the document at q glance. and |
marked a change in his expression be-
fore the match went out
"Oh, see-you are Lieutenant Ray
mond. Got to US earlier than you eX
pected. Find many recruits north 2
NO" | answered, taken completely
by surprise, but managing to control
my voice. That was why | thought
might accomplish more in this section
Those counties have been combed
over" ! hesitated an instant, and YET
it was best for me to learn what
could. II was not aware, captain. thai
my projected visit had been an
nounced"
. He laughed, and the second match
: went out leaving US again In dark
] ness