The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-09-07
CAPTAIN SMEDLEY.
4 Romance of the Civil
War.
ICHAPTER IE-Contipued.
BY MAI. JAMES F. FITS.

Il can't stay minute, Mrs. Baird; I've
got to ride all night. There's trouble
coming, and / have ridden all the way
up here to give warning"
He jerked his thumb over his shoulder
IN the direction of Knoxville. The
voman's face became agitated.
Soldiers?" she asked
Yes. Some of Harris cavalry. Bat
] managed to get twenty-fouf hours the
start; We'll have good time to prepare
fog them. No time to waste, though; /
must find Baird and some others before
daylight. Where is he?"
The woman's face put on peculiar
look
Il don't know for sure, Mr.. Brandon
But from what I've seen going on for a
day or two, I'm pretty sure that he and
lot more have gone up to the head of
Champions Gully, to do for a rebel up
there, Nally would be sure not to tell
me much about it till it was all over"
rebel?" Brandon said. Il thought
there We're none but Union people about
here"
There amt none--but him; and he's
been here only month. Dan, here, WAS
telling me since his father went away
how they smoked the fellow out. He's Il
bad one; rebel spy, they think"
Mr.. Brandon became interested.
Have you seen him, Dam" he asked,
What is he like2"
Good enough looking Teller. sir; tall,
black hair smooth face. Come up here
from Knoxville, they say. Coin by here
Yesterday he dropped a letter; | picked
Al up and give it to dad. The old man
read it, an said sure that showed him a
reb"
DO you remember the name on the
outside of the letter."
Mr.. Brandon had suddenly become
much excited. He leaned from his sad
die, and anyiously waited the lads cf-
forts 10 recall the address.
1T was Cap'n s0mething," he said
" Pears to me the next name was Charles
Tother one | can't remember; never
heard one like it.
1t wasn't Smedley?"
That just what it was. Cap'n Charles
Smedley'
Great heavens, Mrs. Baird" the
horseman exclaimed, is it possible that
your husband has gone to hang that
mani"
The woman was silent and trembling.
He has, sure, answered young Dan.
"Why, do you know him." Mrs. Baird
asked, III an unsteady voice. "Ain't he
rebel and a spy"
Mono more than / am. Ny God,
what IN unfortunate mistakel When did
Wallace leave here?"
An hour after sunset Il would take
him some time to get his men together,
and there was more coming from over
the Black Ridge. Q, / hope You'll save
him, sir if he amt guilty. / hate that
kind, you know how we hate EN-, but it
would be dreadful to have a man killed
that wasn't guilty; and my husband into
1t, tool Oh, sir, please ride"
But Mr.. Brandon needed no incite-
ment. He wheeled his horse and
spurred him out to the road and on up
the ascent. There was long, hard ride
Yet before him. and over that difficult
way he ceased not to urge the wcaried
animal during those lonely and critical
hours. We may not accompany him up
on every step of that route. His
thoughts, his generous sympathies, were
now all bent upon saving the innocent
victim of the oyerstraincd loyalty of
these Union mountaineers. lie was
tormentcd as he rode by doubts, and
fears; he might be too late. and hen the
stain of murder would forever Il It upon
these people, his friends; aud he should
himself be haunted with the harrasing
recollection that he had not been able,
with every effort, to save the innocent.
There are mOmentoUs times when all
men pray; and Graham Brandon prayed
that night as he rode.
He was to be in time-iust in time
with nos Il moment to spare!
As he entered the gully the moon shone
out full from behind the Clouds and he
saw the trees and group of men about
one of them. He saw man suspended
four feet from the ground, horribly
struggling. At a Wild gallop he dashed
up, jumped from his horse, and tearing
the rope from the hands that held it
rapidly lowered the victim to the ground
Half dozen rifles instantly covered
him.
''Holdr' he cried Don You know
me2 Ill explain it all This man is not
spy; he is not a rebel"
Its Brandonr Wallace Baird ex-
claimed.
Sure it isv' cried Hankins
The mountainccrs crowded around to
shake his hands and welcome him. He
put them aside.
Not now, my good friends; we must
look after this poor fellow You have
been making a tenible mistake; thank
God that | was III time"
He knclt by the unconscious Smedlev
looseued the rope. and famed linn with
his hat. He shuddered as h saw the
livid mark about the neck. hatful OF
water was brought and dashed in Smed-
ley's face. He sighed and opened his
eyes They rested on mis- preserver.
Why, Brandon." re whispered. did
you die, too?"