Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1889-09-18

\ III @tA9 (
HE RODE FORWARD AND SEIZED HIS FRIEND
ny THE HAND.
OF derisive laughter, and followed the
cowed bully down the road.
"Nc've got grit N no mistake,n Arlsan-
saw Tom SAID when tho others were gone.
81 swow, believe yed shed his blood Il
he'd done it,"
81 certainly would" Luke answered, de-
scending from his perch.
In a few moments stragglers began IN
come along and the men were kept busy to
prevent their stealing something or doing
some damage
The main column at last came in view,
with Captain Smart at the head.
"Ye've saved it so far, L see,n he said
IL have, Captain, but l came very nearly
shooting one man TO do it."
you did right If We find any o. them
prowlin', or at any devilment here, let 'cm
have it. know old Jordan Neff, and he's
good square man, and no N shall harm his
house. But ven find lots o. stragglers
follerin' US. The meanest ar alters in tn,
r'ar. Better stay here till the last uns gone
by"
As Luke intended asking this permission,
he readily asscnted. The main coluI.n of
about two hundred men, which Captain
Smart called an army, moved on.
The Captain was correct when he said:
''Ihe meancst ar alters in tn r'ar,n rs
Luke soon discovered. IL took no little
courage and determination to hold the
scouudrels in check. He was forced to
knock one down and prod another with his
bayoncJ before the stragglcrs OF tho rear
guard could be induced TO give up the idea
OF pluudCriug the house
By the time the last straggler had gone
by, leaving the house unmolested, the main
body of troops was some four or five miles
away.
Luke, with his guard, started to overtalSe
them. They logged leisurcly along the
road, picking up stragglcr here and there,
until their force numbered twelve or iif-
teen.
Tho idea that they were in any danger
from the rear never for moment entered
their heads until they were startled by the
clatter OF horses feet IN that direction.
what's thatl" some one cried.
Hoses, by iiminyw Tom answered
AT this moment black man, bare headed
and bare footed, as most of the hcld-hands
were, came running down the road toward
them, crying:
- Run, massa-foh dc Lawd sake, rum
" Who is II, Blackhawki" Luke asked.
"Reos am comm like de debil, massa;
more'n a thousand Of UNI"
The earth tremblcd beneath the heavy
thunder Of hoofs. and Luke knew there
were not less than half n hundred horsemcn
In their rear. a panic seized the men, and
hair Of them ran away into the woods on the
left.
"This way this way" said Luke, run
ming toward q corniiCld on their right
Those who had not already run followed
MIN, and Just as they began 20 climb over
the fence tho cavalry came in sight
Bang baugl bang went half a dozen
shots. with scream a young man named
George Massin released his hold on the top
ran and Zen into fence corner, struggling
in the agOnies OF death
" bod burn 'cn for tarncl skunks;
they haIut got 20 aii their wayr'
cried Arkansaw Tom, laying his rife
across the top rail and drawing a
bead ON the foremost rebel Luke. know
ing the deadly aim of the old scout OF
The Arkansas. atortld Lis head a sharp
whip crack-Ike report broke ON tho air. and
when he looked again % saddle was cmpfv.
and "a horse CIV ng Oh the speed Of tho wind
down Che rola. Tho shot checked the Con
fedoraics for moment ana Luke's com
panions cmprcd their guns 40 them, still
more confusing tue cavalry. and w0undng
man and horse Knowing that they could
not long Withstand such superior force
Luke urged bis mon 20 ily across tho ncid
Tho corn was tall. and Tho oycrhauging
blades concealed them when q few rods
away But they had not gone n fourth Of a
mile before the corn terminated at a cross
fence, beyond which was meadow. from
which tho grass had boon recently cut
They climbed thc fence and ran al fun
speed across tho meadow toward "a loo
stable on thc hiil
Forward, over the fence aud cut them
DOWN. they hear clear, ringing voice in
their rear shout Tho sound Of Chat voice
sent thrill through tuc franc Of Tuto
Mason. Tie rccogu zcd tbc speaker. who was
doubtless In command OF their rursuers. az
% personal friend, though O political enemy
Reaching thc l1g stable, Luke hurried the
/ mon inside and said:
Don't hrc 20 sAo until you arc compelled
i TO- Throwing down bis gun. he walked
\ down The hLi unarmcd 90 meet the Confod.
I crate cavalry, who were just loaping their
horses over thc cross fence
"Whar yo gwinei whore Sc gwiner' cried
/ Arkauaaw Tom.
'IO stop the rcbcls.r
"Why he's crazy; they'll riddle him with
bullets. gr0aucd OLD Tom
"Stay there, and all w.l be- right.1
WITH h.s arms peacefully folded. be
marched down to meet Che advancing Con.
feueratc8. who, completely astouudcJ. lad
rene1 In tAcIr horses 20 "a walk A fe.y ma.
ments later they were near enough 90 bo
aeardi ena Luxe seilea euti