Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-10-11

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ratlons to leave from Il q rear. and that he
had succeeded was evident to those preb-
ent.
Upon examining Henry's wound it xss
found that It was only slight flesh one.
and the little pain and inconvenience that
y gave MIN was partially compensated when
Tue fair Lille insisted upon cleansing and
bandaging it. Her delft fingers soon had
the blood washed away and bandage firm
" fastened in place.
Henry praised the skill with which the
work was done, and the young warrior must
have shown by his looks the great love he
had Tor the fair girl. for whenever their
eyes met CRIMSON gov overspread ner
face and mantled her white brow. The
ladies were all becoming more brave by
familiarity with danger. 1t was dreary at
the best, but nothing but death could now
relieve them of wars terrible horrors, and
they determined to assist all they could in
protecting themselves.
They had been greatly favored thus far
by the knowledge of the bushwhackers'
plans N regard to themselves, but these
| questions were continually before them:
When would the next attack be made?
/ What other deviltry would Woodsley sug-
| gest for the destruction of the Eddleses?
| They knew the spirit of that young man,
aud had no doubt but he would resort to
some plan for avenging the humiliation he
had been subjected to.
| Time alone could tell what would hap
| pen, and so they waited, vigilantly watch
ing, that they might not be taken una
| wares.
When night set in heavy. light coIored
| column of smoke rose in the southwest.
After little time blaze shot up above the
| trees, and in few minutes more the heav-
ems We're red from the blaze of the fire.
Yonder is their work." Henry said,
pointing in the direction of the fire. 1T
may not be the gang that was here, but il
is the work of some of the same class OF
| villains.
"This thing is terrible!" exclaimed the
ladies'. God pity the helpless!"
Johns teeth were grinding together, but
| he said not word.
In few moments more another fire
| sprang up near the first, but not so large.
There was no need to be told that it was
the work of the murderous bushwhackers;
that they were firing their neighbors'
buildings was but too evident to our friends.
It made them tremble with apprehension,
for they did not know how soon their lovely
home might be laid in ashes, and they left
without a place to shelter themselves from
| the elements.
jeff came in and passed through into the
kitchen. He carried his old gun swung
under his arm, and his hat was placed on
the back part of his woody head. The me-
gro had an air of contentment and seemed
| to be in his element.
When he returned he carried in his hand
small muslin sack, or poke" as they
call the article in Arkansas, and it was we'll
filled with edibles.
"Marse John!"
swell, jeff, what now?n
rs gwine ter lebe yerl" And he mo-
toned for John to give him another private
interview.
That gentleman hadno more confidence
in, and respect for, the negro before him
than he had in the whole race before. and
it was with alacrity that he stepped from the
group to hear what the colored man had to
tell him.
JEFF, do you really intend to leave us?"
John anxiously asked.
"Yes, but | wants ter tole yer bout it, SO
st yer may know whar rs gwine ter, an
eft l don't come back yer1 know case
why. And he then proceeded to tell John
OF his proposed trip. He was going to start
that night for the river. He had been raised
in that part of the country and was familiar
with it. He wanted to do little hunting
there, he said. He proposed to find their
camp and see how the bushwhackers lived
Of home. He would try and find out what
he could in regard to their plans, and would
not return until he had accomplished some
thing.
John liked the plan we'll enough, but it
seemed too dangerous, and he tried to per-
suade the faithful man to abandon the prof.
ect, but to no avail.
Sylvia was peeping through the kitchen
door way, and jeff cast tender glance in
that direction. In another moment he was
gone. A cloud settled over the face OF John
as he saw his dusky friend depart. for he
had begun to appreciate his services, and
the spirit. although under a dark covering.
that impelled him to risk his life for his
friends. Vigilance was deemed necessary
now, and continual watch was kept about
the premises.
Two nights and a day had passed away
and nothing of an exciting nature had oc-
Cured, nor had jeff returned from the
river. AS daylight came on the second day
John began to be restless over the continued
absence of the negro, and he and Henry,
after arming the more intelligent male
slaves and stationing them in and around
the house, concluded to take q short scout
in search of him.
Lille and her young friend Laura had
become quite proficient in the use Of the
smaller arms, and the turbulent times were
beginning to erase fear from their nature.
After making preparations the men took
their arms and started for the stables for
their horses.
Before they had left the porch aud
reached the walk, they saw two strangers
leaving the stable-yards. They commenced
yelling and firing their pistols, and started
away on run.
John at once recognized the horses. One
was his own favorite steed, and the other,
young Woodsleys.
Both men fired simultaneously, but ap-
parently without effect, for the thieves
kept on.
John and his companion fastened to the
stables and shortly had two other animal,
ready, when they mounted and eagerly
started in pursuit.
& When our two friends reached the Wire
Road they discovered the men of whom
they were in quest nearly half mile dis
tant, travelling leisurely along.
The pursuers urged their animals for
ward, and away they went like the wind.
They appeared to be unobserved until they
had arrived within almost hailing distance
when, as il OF sndden, the two in front
saw the horsemen upon their track, and
they whipped their animals on.