Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-06-06


of derisive laughter. and followed the
cowed bully down the road.
'Ye've got grit N no mistake" Arkan-
saw Tom SAID when the others were gone.
81 swow, l believe ye'd shed his blood #
he'd done it,"
81 certainly would" Luke answered, de-
scending from his perch.
In 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.
"Ye've saved it so far, see," he said.
81 have, Captain, but 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 'em
have it. know old Jordan Neff, and he's
good square man, and no N shall harm his
house. But ye'l 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 assented. The main column of
about two hundred men, which Captain
Smart called an army, moved on.
The Captain was correct when he said ::
ssThe meanest ar alters in tn r'ar," as
Luke soon discovered. 1t took no little
courage and determination to hold the
scoundrels in check. He was forced to
knock one down and prod another with his
bayoneJ before the stragglers 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 overtake
them. They logged leisurely along the
road, picking up a straggler here and there,
until their force numbered twelve or ff-
teen.
The 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 fee: In that direction.
whats that!" some one cried.
"Hosses, by JIMMY" Tom answered
At this moment a 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, rum"
"Who is it, Blackhawk!" Luke asked.
"Rebs am comm like de debil, massa
more'n thousand of um.''
The earth trembled beneath the heavy
| thunder Of hoofs, and Luke knew there
were not less than half a 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" 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.
Bangl bang! bang! went half a dozen
shots. With scream young man named
George Massin released his. hold on the tor
rail and fell into fence corner, struggling
in the agonies of death
"Dod burn ZEN for tarnel skunks
they haint got it ali their way!'
cried Arkansaw Tom, laying his rife
across the top rail and drawing
bead on the foremost rebel. Luke, know
ing the deadly aim of the old scout o
the Arkansas, averted his head. A shary
whip-crack-hke report broke on the air, ant
when he looked again saddle was empty
and horse flying at the speed of the winC
down the road. The shot checked the Con
federates for moment, and Luke's com
panlons emptied their guns at them, still
more confusing the cavalry, and wOuadns
a man and horse. Knowing that they coulC
not long Withstand such a superior force
Luke urged his men to fly across the field
The corn was tall, and the overhangins
blades concealed them when few rod
away. But they had not gone a fourth of
mile before the corn terminated at a eros
fence, beyond which was q meadow, frun
which the grass had been recently cut
They climbed the fence and ran at ful
speed across the meadow toward a loy
stable on the hill
Forward, over the fence and cut then
DOWN. they hear clear, ringing voice il
their rear shout The sound Of that voic
sent thrill through the frame of LUX
Mason. he recognized the speaker, who wa
doubtless in command of their pursuers, a
a personal friend, though political enemy
Reaching the log stable, Luke hurried tn
men inside and said:
Don't tire shot until you are compelle
to-" Throwing down his gun, he wake
down the hill unarmed to meet the Confed
crate cavalry, who were just leaping thei
horses over the cross fence.
'Whar We gwinel where ye gwiner' erie
Arkansaw Tom.
''To stop the rebels.n
why. he's crazy; they'll riddle him wit
bullets.n groaned old Tom.
"Stay there, and all viii be right"
With his arms peacefully folded, b
marched down to meet the advancing Cor
federates, who, completely astounded, ha
relned IN their horses to walk. A few ms
ments later they were near enough to b
heard, and Luke called out: