R J Reynolds High School - Black and Gold Yearbook (Winston Salem, NC)

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10 THE BLACK AND GOLD tained a few injuries. My leg is broken, I am sure. That is what made me groan so when I tried to rise. There is no time to lose, can you get some one to take this? he said, handing her a paper. y But I must get some one to help you first, and- began Janice, springing to her feet. No, don't. I can wait, he said anxiously, while a troubled look came into his face. 4'It's letter that one should suffer and perhaps die than a Whole regiment. Do get some one to take that paper. My horse is about here somewhere, and I am sure he was not hurt when he stumbled and threw me. He is saddled and bridled and all he needs is a rider. UI will lose no time, Janice said as she took the paper and started away, and had the wounded spy noticed more closely he would have seen a sudden gleam in her black eyes. If he could have known Janice's thoughts, they would have been- Hlf he will risk his life for the cause of our country, then why shouldn't I be of some use to it, too? She hesitated though, at the thought of the worry she would cause her father and mother, but upon remembering her wrongs of the morning, she stubbornly persisted in easing her conscience by telling herself that her mother would not care. Despite the fact she could not help but know that her parents would be almost frantic at her not appearing at home after school, she determined she would carry out her plan. As these thoughts were passing through her mind, she suddenly came upon the horse. Breaking a switch from a bush, she went up to the horse, fixed the stirrups the right length, and then swung herself into the saddle. She was a good rider, for she had a saddle horse for her own use, and she was not afraid. The road to the south led past Granger's mill. Janice

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THE BLACK AND GOLD 9 distress stayed her, so cautiously stepping a few paces in the direction of the sound, she cautiously parted the bushes and looked around. There on the ground, lying full length among the leaves, lay a young man. He lay motionless, his face as white as death except for a small stream of blood which liowed from a gash on his head, matting his brown hair and stain- ing it a dark red color. Janice lost all fear now and coming nearer she knelt down by the wounded man and with her handkerchief tried to stop the flow of blood. After bathing his face with a handkerchief which she dipped in the brook near by, she rubbed his wrists and hands to start the circulation of blood. In a few moments his eyelids fluttered and opened. He smiled gratefully and tried to speak, but Janice placed her iinger on her lips and shook her head so he would not exert his strength by talking. He obeyed her unspoken command and closed his eyes again. She continued to work with him until he turned rest- lessly and tried to sit up, but only succeeded in hurting himself more, for he sank back with a groan. '4Oh, please, do lie still,7' Janice said despairingly. Wait, and I will get help from my home. 4'You musn't, said the wounded man, catching Janice's hand as she started to rise, so as to detain her. HYou would only make matters worse-for I am a spy, carrying papers to his Excellency, George VVashington, which contain matters of the greatest importance. The general must have them before nightfall. Can you engage someone secretly to carry them? His Excellency is about five miles south of this place, and a rider could reach him before nightfall. Just let the General know that I met with an accident, that I was thrown from my horse and sus-

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THE BLACK AND GOLD 11 knew this, but she did not expect anything unusual to hap- pen. The horse was going at a good pace and she was just beginning to feel sure of getting at headquarters be- fore long, when, as she was passing the mill, a figure stepped from the door and commanded, '4Halt! Frightened by his sudden appearance and seeing he was clad in the uniform of a British soldier, Janice gave a sharp cry. She did not obey his command, instead she gave her horse a fierce lash with the whip and leaned for- ward in the saddle. The officer, seeing it was a woman, did not fire, but leaped to the saddle of his horse and was after her like the wind. HGo, Dandy, go, she half sobbed. 4'We haven't much further to go, but we must make it. Though very tired by now, the horse seemed to under- stand and did his best, while Janice urged him on. So pursued and pursuer dashed along, enveloped in a cloud of dust, the latter gradually gaining, the former with fast beating heart, determined to hold out till the last. Knowing that he was steadily gaining on her, the soldier did not fire, because he did not wish to fire on a woman, nor did he wish to cause useless bloodshed, but he had been ordered to halt every one that passed his station at the mill and he certainly intended obeying orders. He was losing patience now, but his British determination urged him to keep on and win, besides, he knew she was going on a mission, obviously of a great importance, judging from her strange behavior. . As Janice dashed over the brow of the hill she suddenly saw advancing toward her, several horsemen in the uniform of the Continental soldiers. Given new strength by sight of them, Janice, though weak and exhausted, urged her horse on and dashed down the hill into their midst. She swayed