Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-16
LUKE MASON.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
 of the Late Civil War.

Luke, with his guard, started to overtake them. They logged leisurely along the road, picking up a straggler here and there, until their force numbered twelve or hf- teen
 The idea that they were in any danger from the rear never for at moment entered thelr heads until they were startled by the chatter of horses feet in that direction.
 "What's thats' some one cried.
 " "Hosses, by jiminy!'' Tom answered. At this moment black man, bare headed and bare footed, as most of the tield-hands were, came running down the road toward them, crying:
 Run, massa-foh de Lawd sake, run."
 'Who is it, Blackhawk!" Luke asked.
 "Rebs am comin' like de debll, massa; more'n thousand of um."
 The earth trembled beneath the heavy thunder of hoofs. and Luke knew there were not less than half hundred horscmen in their rear. A panic seized the men, and half of them ran away into the woods on the left.
 "This way-this way" said Luke, run ming toward a corntield on their right. Those who had not already run followed him, and just as they began to climb over the fence the cavalry came in sight.
 Bang! bang! bang! went half dozen shots. With scream young man named George Massin released his hold on the top rail and fell into fence corner, struggling ill the agonieS of death
 ''Dod burn 'em for tarnel skunks; they haint got it ali their way!" cried Arkansaw Tom, laying his rifle across the top rail and drawing d bead on the foremost rebel Luke, know ing the deadly aim of the old scout of the Arkansas, averted his head. A sharp whp-cracl1-hke report broke on the air, and when he looked again a saddle was empty, and horse flying at the speed of the wind down the road. The shot checked the Con- federates for a moment, and Luke's com panons emptied their guns at them, still more confusing the cavalry, and woundlng q man and horse. Knowing that they could not long withstand such superior force, Luke urged his men to fly across the field.
 The corn was tall, and the overhanging blades concealed them when few rods away But they had not gone fourth of a mile before the corn terminated at a cross fence, beyond which was a meadow, from which the grass had been recently cut. They climbed the fence and ran at full speed across the meadow toward a log stable on the hill.
 "Forward, over the fence and cut them down r' they hear clear, ringing voice in
 
 sent thrill through the frame of Luke Mason. He recognized the speaker, who was doubtless in command of their pursuers, as personal friend, though a political enemy. Reaching the log stable, Luke hurried the men inside and said: Don't fire shot until you are compelled to-" Throwing down his gun, he walked down the hill unarmed to meet the Confed- l crate cavalry, who were just leaping their horses oyer the cross fence.
 "Whar ye gwine where ye gwiner' cried Arkansaw Tom.
 ITO stop the rebels.' "Why, he's crazy; they'll riddle him with bullets," groaned old Tom ''Stay there, and all will be right" With his arms peacefully folded, he | marched down to meet the advancing Con- | federates, who, completely astounded, had refined in their horses to a walk. A few mo- ments later they were near enough to be heard, and Luke called out:
 Albert Neffl Halt your men and come | here aloner'
 | ''Good heaven! it's Luke!" gasped Al bert his heart almost ceasing to beat | when he came to realize how near he had | come to taking his friends life. His troop | CTS stopped, and he rode forward and seized his friend by the hand. | 'Luke," and his voice was quite husky, II didn't dream when we separated only a | few days ago that we should meet in this way"
 "Neither did I; but, Albert, l must ask you to call off your troops. The four men in the log stable are men 1 chose to de fend your fathers house, your childhood home, against the straggIers of our army but for them that home would have been in | ashes"
 "rll do it," said the noble young fellow. "1t may not be according to military rules but I'll do it, if lose my shoulder straps
 Wheeling his horse about, he galloped back to his men, and, after moments con sultation. turned in his saddle and, waving his hand to Luke, shouted:
 "Go on, we'll not harm you" Arkansaw Tom, who had witnessed the strange maneuvers, on Luke's return | said:
 "Wall, SNOW, it beats creation. How'd | ye turn lem back so easy?' Luke explained that the rebel Captain was the son of the man whose house they had saved. They returned to the road anf