The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-08-31
CAPTAIN SMEDLEY.
A ROM nce of the Civil
War.
BY MAI. JAMES F. Fits.
CHAPTER H-Continued,


Cannon! You want us to believe that
you don't know what brings US here after
your"
Il do not know"
We'll, you shall BY mighty, we won't
leave anything In the dark about that,
though | reckon you know as we'll as we
do. We believe you're a rebel spy, sent
MP here to find out all about US Union
people, and take the news to old Harris
or some of his cut-throats. Maybe, if we
hadn't come in here tonight, you'd be off
tomorrow, and next we'd see of you you'd
be guiding the rebel horse up here to kill
and burn. That's the charge, stranger,
that you've got to answer; and less you
can answer it better'n I think you can,
you'll swing from one of those tall trees
down below here fore the moon is an hour
higher.
A low, fierce murmur of assent ran
through the room. Confronted at last
with the fearful peril that menaced him,
the prisoner never lost his outward com
posure, though his heart sank at the
prospect
You have no right to dispose of me in
this way" he said, with show of calm
ness. Take me TO headquarters; bring
me before the Union General and I'll
answer to him on this charge"
MS words
Union General" repeated Baird I'VE
haint seen any; you'd have to go a good
ways outside of East Tennessee to find
one, | reckon. As for Union headquar-
ters-they're anywhere, everywhere, in
these mountains. They're right here in
this cabin, at this minutel They're in
every hut up and down the Clinch Noun
tains where there's man, woman or
child that's learned to love the land that
our fathers fought for, and to hate the
cursed aristocrats that want to split it to
pieces. Union headquarters, do you say?
Here they are. And the speaker smote
his breast. Here, and in the heart of
each loyal East Tennesseean who skulks
and hides from Harris minions and
prays for the day that viii bring the
Union soldiers up this way and give him
freedom!"
Even the prisoner himself was thrilled
by this outDurst of rude eloquence; but
the speakers companions We're simply
carried away by it. The narrow cabin
rang with their shouts; cheers for Lincoln
and the Union, and groans for Governor
Harris made for Q few moments a Babel
OF noise.
L hope you're answered, stranger, said
Baird, when the clamor had ceased.
You're in the hands of the men who are
gong to try you; and if they find you
Guilty of being a rebel spy, they'll hang
you, and there won't be any delay about
that part of it. neither. How is it, boys
will you be the jury and the Judge?"
The answer was one loud Aye"
All right, boys. | haven't much larn-
in, but | reckon | can manage this. L
was a Justice of the Peace down below
here, fore everything was broke up by
this war, and / know something about
trials. I've got the witnesses right here
10 prove We guilty, and I'll call EN- On.
First"
Wait" interrupted the prisoner. 81
don't believe for a moment that YOU want
to kill me TO satisfy some of your hatred
toward the rebels. | believe you to be
Just men, if you are rough in your ways.
/ think | can satisfy You that [ am not at
all what YOU take me for VIII you give
me fair trial? VIII you Judge me
fairly"
Just as fairly as it's In Us to do. But
Iwarn ye-tLere a strong case agiu you.
The prisoner looked calmly at his Judge
and jury, and there was little OF hope
within him as he did so. Wallace Baird
sat ligidly before him: the others stood
and leaned on their rifles, except the two
who held him by the arms. lie knew that
t4cN 44dNl COlLc lAGISs llbl u Wy MIN. Dtil
to hang him; he saw their verdict made
up in their stern faces. Yet, as one will
always cling to hope, he resolved TO try
to move them by simple and direct APP
peals at the right moment.
Since | have nothing to conceal, he
said, I do not think you will want any
witnesses. l viii tell youthe exact truth,
either in answer to Your questions or il
the form of o narrative. Go on; what do
You want to know
Wallace Baird began to question him.