The Dispatch-Riders

hlan

n Kenneth left the Colonel's quarters-a cottage

ould go with you, but I feel absolutely rotten. Look here," and Barrington opened his coat a

neth. "You want them a jo

t's fearfully hot to-day. Besides,

f the bottles he placed it in the outside breast-pocket of

s a portion of one of the brigades had failed to take up its allotted position. Omal was a salient angle in the defenders' formation, and sh

t be affording concealment to the Uhlans, who were known to have already penetrated far into the country. Almost as danger

eached his destination without being molested. He delivered his message, receiving a reply that a

without difficulty made him slightly reckless. He increased his spe

ly he gave a gasp of surprise. A horseman had just appeared at the farthermost end of the avenue. At first the lad took him to be one of the Belgi

first. They both lowere

quickly to a stop, the engine running furiously, while the open "cut-out" emi

hat his retreat was cut off. Five or six Uhlans had evidently been in ambush, and, having allowed the solitary dispatch-rider to pass them, were waiting to assist in his capture. The ditch and

s mind. He bore no written dispatch; his capture would result in no important inf

shing the temptation almost as soon as it sugg

he engine barking furiously he tore towards the two Uhlans, who were sit

hrottle and air lever had to take care of themselves. At thirty

escribing erratic curves in the sunlight. His resolution had vanished at the sight of the rapidly-app

past the plunging, terrified animal, and in order to improve his ch

orts were centred in trying to keep his seat, while the now

he young dispatch-rider placed his wrist upon the right handle-grip in order

raction of a second that a collision was inevitable. He had a momentary glimpse of

MPSE OF THE UHLAN'S PANIC-S

is revolver had vanished. In his fall it had flown from his grasp into the ditch. The Uhlan lay upon the ground motionless-whether killed or merely stunned the lad kn

rol over his less startled horse and, lance in r

but a brief one, for on the approach of the rest of the patrol his "number would be up". Infuriated by the mishap to their comrade, the s

ad pressed upon him. He drew it from his pocket, and as the Uhlan rode up to th

maddened by the slight wounds caused by the sharp pieces of the broken bottle. Its rider, quite as terrified, formed but one conclusion, that the desperate Belgian (as he took Kenneth t

clear he stood little chance of escaping from the rest of the Uhlans. To remain where he was was equally hazardous. With his

aving two of their number writhing on the ground. Another had his horse shot under him, but, quite callous to their

ments before, for his thigh was aching dully. He could see no sig

al collision had smashed the lamp and bent the stem of the handle-bars, but, thanks to the powerful springs, the front forks had stood the severe strain of the impact. The controls were intact, wh

lved without showing any signs of wobbling. The lad gave a

arlance, he had "rammed". The fellow had been stunned by the fall

shed assailant. "I think you will be quite capable of looking after yourself, without requiring any attention from me. I

ng made of light steel, he broke into three pieces; the other weapons and the G

a body of men accompanied by dogs. They were the Belgian machin

se it would be best to stop and explain matters; for if I

e Belgian major in charge of the detachment as he returne

oner of war," exp

shrugged h

-"to see what these wretches have been doing. A whole family of inoffensive peasants shot-men, wom

ed the officer. "We will at least take him with us, and put him on a

and those of his men who were within

ter bottle!" exclaimed the officer when he recovered himself. "Excellent! It shows that th

your permission, I will go, or your men

difficulty in the steering, it was none the worse for its rough handling. The damage to the lamp matter

and the approach of the dog-drawn machine-g

f the dispatch-rider section, in a shelter

at have you there-a Uhlan helmet? A

s had to repeat his story in Fre

or-repairer by trade. "Meanwhile, if you are desirous of sending that helmet to your friends in England

Kenneth as he directed the bulky package. "My first tr

the drastic step they had taken, but, owing to the dislocation of the posta

ing sunshine for Kenneth and his Belgian

ttle of soda-water away we might have had a decent dri

as soon as I gave you the bottle; in which case I don

I would," agree