Sarah Dillard's Ride

r spirits wonderfully. Not that there was any promise in it; but it showed they were recognized by the hostess an

e guests in Sarah Dillard's home, and there came with the fancy a certai

portion of Sarah Dillard's home, and sufficiently large to permit of moderate exercise, with a barred wi

get such quarters as these," the soldier said as he followed the bo

ed that little band at Greene's Spring, despite Ephraim Sowers' avowed enmity and probable ability to do harm, despite the fact that

mouth water," the Britisher said with a certain rough good-nature in his tone. "You rebels have

situation which cannot be bettered in some way, and I was simply speaking

bel prisoners as comfortably bottled up, and by this time to-morr

n to make certain it could not readily be forced open, and a few seconds later the s

perfidy, for every second might be precious if a warning message could be sent, and involuntarily both the lads ran to the wind

ure. All the servants, and in fact every person on the plantation, was kept busily engaged waiting upon the red

to reason Ephraim Sowers has warned the Britishers that such an attempt might be made, and yo

message being carried; but I sh

portion of it, will set out to slaughter our friends.

re his victims do not escape. We shall he

eaning his forehead against the wooden bars, he gazed out longingl

of whom could be accounted his friends, and yet because of one lad's wicked

bent on making themselves as obnoxious to the inmates of the household as was possible, while now and then from the outside

lengthen. The Britishers were weary with asserting their pretended right as

slight noise as of some animal scratching at the door attracted their

exacting demands of the unwelcome visitors, had

to do, because it appeared to him that he would be distressing her needlessly, since it was hardly probable she could find means of conveying

d that perhaps now was the moment when he would make known Ephraim Sow

ou, Mistre

at it may be possible to serve you, although I know no

owers here?" Evan asked,

also been ma

service of the redcoats, and has revealed to

mpany were here not more than eight ho

ney for their pains," Nathan whispered in a tone of intense relief. "Ephraim h

s. Dillard cried unconsciously loud. "How could a

knew it until we two saw him coming into the camp where we were prisoners," and Nathan spoke hurriedly. "It is

prisoners could well fancy that she was trying t

at liberty we might be able, by rapid running, to cover the distance between here and Greene's Springs

ugh speaking to herself, "and as for getting you out by this way I am powerless. One of the officers has a key to the

an agony of apprehension, and at that moment the sound of foo

od woman had no more than hidden herself from view before the heavy footsteps of a man on the stairs

y had been holding converse with some one on the outside, the lads remained silent and motionless until the noise of foots

e coming of the woman whom they hoped might show them the way to fr

d absent, and then once more they heard a faint

" Mrs. Dillard whispered when she was once more where privat

giving such as that villain a place in our thoughts we should be try

dy made up to a course of action. "Until the men have quieted down somewhat we cannot so much as cross the y

ng such a venture?" E

since I cannot set you fre

one chance in a hundr

take advantage of th

e? It is twenty miles ove

reater an hundredfold, do you not think I would brave

o her plan; but asked how she mi

tempt to drive away because he has not yet been broken. I shall do

he trembled at the thought of this woman attempting to bridle an unbroken colt, and then ride him

as as if his tongue refused its office, for Sarah Dillard would ride that night not o

y, so that I may warn our peopl

if she should command and they obey-as if they had no right even to offer a suggestion. Obedient to her wishes they

r, so manage it that we might go in your stead," Nathan sai

ght be possible; but I can see no

, however willing you may be," Evan said, as if hoping such suggesti

re are against success, and yet becaus

ulged in after this assertion,

merican encampment, and Evan warned her to be on the alert for Sowers nearabout the spring, where b

ily encountered, and presently the boys knew from the faint sounds that

ucceeds in bridling him," Evan whispered, and Nathan replied with a certain hope

tain time than I have of her being able to keep him on the trail. There are many places 'twixt here and Greene's

out, waiting for the appearance of the brave woman who had not only to master an

draft animals, and, as the boys well knew, Captain Dillard's saddle horses and the colt to which his wife

any unusual noise in or around the yard would immediately attract their attention, even though the sentinels were remiss in their duty, and it seeme

fight," Evan said half to himself, and Nathan added as if he

floor, and the colt may do considerable

can ride him out without a

Nathan replied mournfully; "but I am fo

nd the corner of the house in the direction of the small st

ects could be seen with reasonable distinctness, and from the moment Sarah Di

uch as the breaking of a twig betrayed her movements, and if this stealing out of the house ha

sonable rapidity across the yard until she was lost to view in the gloom of the stable, and th

and the prisoners stood with every nerve strained to its utmost tension as they li

the colt had pulled her back; but as yet, even though on the alert, they could hear nothing unus

ve woman could be seen fondling and petting the colt, who already wore the br

out making a noise," Evan whis

ld have been in the light, and if she is wise she wil

n who was risking her life to save her husband, came over the threshold, rearing straight up on his

woman could do that," Ev

e can get out of the yard without detection, for the sound of his hoofs as he rears and plunges

rm. He alternately reared and plunged while one might have counted ten, his rider clinging to him meanwhile as if she had been strapped securely down, and then with a bound he cleared the stac

as almost incredible the feat had been accomplished, and the words were no more than uttered be

ehension, "and now the chase will begin, for they mus

e's Spring, the Britishers were not so well informed by

there might be a disturbance among their own animals, and th

horses were stabled, however, and seeing this both

they will overtake her," Nathan said, much as though speaking to

the troop ride out in pursuit, and as the moments passed their spi

as if satisfied everything was as it should be, and Evan

a possibility, Nathan, that Sarah Dillard will accomplish the task whi

e she may reach Greene's Spring in time, for certain it is that up

cou

for at this instant the key was turned in the lock, the door flung open, and as the prisoners