The Springdale news., 1889-05-24

of derlsiVc laughter, and followed the cowed bully down the road.
 We've got grit n no mistake,' Arl1an saw Tom sand when the others were gone. Il SNOW, 1 believe yed shed his bloc" f he'd a dono it."
 ''I certainly woud,' Luke answered, de scending from his perch
 In a few moments stragglers began to 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.
 We've saved it so far, I see," he said.
 Fl have, Captain, but I came very nearly shooting one man to do 1t.
 You did right If ye find any O them prowlin', or at any devilment here, let lem have it. know old Jordan Neff, and he's good square man, and no n shall harm his house But yell find lots O stragglers follerin' us. The meanest ar alters in tn r'ar. Better stay hae till the last uns gone by"
 As Luke intended asking this permission, he readily assented. The main column of about two hundred men, which Captain Smart called an army, moved on.
 The Captain was correct when he said l:
  Luke soon discovered. It took no little courage and determination to hold the scoundrels in check. He was forced to knock one down and prod another with his bayonet before the sIragglers of the rear guard could be induced to give up the idea Of plundering 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 overtaze them. They jogged leisurely along the road, picking up straggler here and there, until their force numbered twelve or tif- teen.
 The idea that they were in any danger from the rear never for moment entered theIr heads until they wero startled by the chatter of horses feet in that direction.
 "What's that." some one cried.
 "Hosses, by jimny" Tom answered. At this moment black man, bare headed and bare footed, as most of the tcld-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 debil massa; '; more'n a thousand of um." The earth trembled beneath the heavy thunder of hoofs, and Luke knew there were not less than half hundred horsemen in their rear. A panic seized the men, and half of them ran away into the woods on the left.
 "This way-this way,n said Luke, run ming toward a cornfeld 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.
 Bangi 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 in the agonies of death. "Dod burn lem for tarnel skunks they haint got it ali their way" cried Arkansaw Tom, laying his rifle across the top rail and drawing q bead on the foremost rebel Luke, know ing the deadly aim of the old scout of the Arkansas, averted his head. A sharp whip-crack-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 panions emptied their guns at them, still more confusing the cavalry, and wouading a man and horse. hlOWlnB that they could not long withstand such a superior force, Luke urged his men to fly across the field.
 The corn was tall, and the overhanging blades concealed them when q few rods away. But they had not gone fourth of mile before the corn terminated at 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 log stable on the hill.
 "Forward, over the fence and cut them down F they hear clear, ringing voice in their rear shout. The sound of that voice 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 sho. until you are compelled to-" Throwing down his gun, he walked down the hill unarmed to meet the Confed crate cavalry, who were just leaping their horses over the cross fence.
 "Whar ye gwine where ye gwine!" cried Arkansaw Tom.
 'To stop the rebels" Why, he's crazy; they'll riddle him with buliets,n groaned old Tom ''Stay there, and all will be right