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

Page 13 text:

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

Page 12 text:

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

Page 14 text:

12 THE BLACK AID GOLD siekeningly in the saddle. hut exerting her Will. straightened up. delivered the paper to the man in charge of the soldiers. and told him the story of the afternoons happenings. Then quite overcome and exhausted. she lurehed forvvard in the saddle and would have fallen had not one of the soldiers leaped forvvard and caught her. The next day Janice yvas taken home, and her parents, after hearing of her adventure. were indeegl proud of her. -Hope E. Briggs. '1-L ,...i...-1. En my Iittlr C9112 Come. come. my little vveary one. And lay your head upon my breast. And before the summer day is done Your tired mind vvill be at rest. Avvalte. axvake. my little rested one, 'Tis time for you to rise. For fully an hour the sun Has been sinking in the skies. -Emily Vaughn. 'l5. V QW