The Irish standard., 1889-04-27

Luke, with his guard, started to overtake
them They logged leisurely along the
road, picking up straggler here and there,
until their force numbered twelve or IF
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 feet IN that direction.
whats that?" some one cried.
'sHosses, by jminy!" Tom answered.
At this moment a black man, bare headed
and bare footed, as most Of the tield-hands
We're, came running down the road toward
them, crying:
"Run, massa--foh de Lawd sake run"
"Who is it, Blackhawka' Luke asked.
"Rebs am comm like de debil, 1nassa;
more'n thousand of un."
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 tha
left
"This way-this way" said Luke, run.
ming toward 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.
lGAHS VSAAo A<SAA g." SsS"SAA
shots. With q scream a 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 'en for tarnel skunks:
they haint got it all 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 oi
the Arkansas, averteG his head. e. shsrr
whip-crack-l1ke report broke on the air, and
when LIE looked again a saddle was empty,
and d horse flying at the speed OF the VINO
down the road. The shot checked the Con
federates for moment, and Luae's com
panions erlptied their gans at them, still
more confusing the cavalry, and rounding
man and horse. Knowing that they could
not long Withstand such superior force,
Luke urged his men to fly across the field.
The corn was tall, and the cverlang1ug
blades concealed them when a few coda
away. But they had not gone fourth OF
mile before the corn terminated at cross
fence, beyond which was meadow, from
which the grass had been recently Gut
They climbed the fence and ran at full
speed across the meadow toward log
stable on the hill.
W HOIWaf0. over t'lt ACliCc duU CItu 1tiS1G
down % they hear 81 clear, ringing voice in
their rear shout The sound of that voice
sent Fl thrill through the frame OF Luke
Mason. He recognized the speaker, WHO was
doubtless in command of their pursuers, as
per sonal friend though a political enemy.
Reaching the log stable, Luke hurried the
men inside and said:
s.Don'r FIRE, shot until YOU are compelled
b. hf, uIilypH
down the hill unarn1ed to meet the Coniad"
crate cavalry, who were just leapank:: their
| horses over tee cross fence.
"Whar ye g1ines where ye t,Wiu@l' crled
| ArkansaW Tom.
ssTo stop the rebels"
"Why, he's crazy, they'll riddle him with
bnllets,' groaned old Tom.
"Stay there, and all will be right"
With his arms peacefully folded, he
marched down to meet the advancing Con-
felerares, who, completely astounded, had
! reined in their horses to a walk. A. few mo-
| ments later they were near enough to be-
/! heard aud Luke called out:
| "Albert Neff! Halt your mem and come
here alone!,'
"Good heavenl it's Lukep' gasped AL
| bert, his heart almost ceasing to beat
| when he came to realize how near he had
| come to taking his friends life. His troop
| ers stopped, and he rode forward and seized
| lis friend by the hand
! "L,ake,n and his voics was quite husky,
| II didn't dream when we separated only q
few days ago that we should meet in this
way
sNeithar did I; but, Albert I naust ask
you to call OF your troops. The four
men in the log stable are men chose to de-
fend your fathers house, your childhood
! home, against the stragglers Of our army;
| but for them that home would have been in
! ashes"
"rn do it, said the noble young fellow.
"a 1t may not be according to military rules,
! but I'll do it, if lose my shoulder straps.'
| Wheeling his horse about, he gallopsd
back to his men, and, after a moments con-
sultatiop, turned in his saddle and warning
his hand to Luke, shouted:
SEQ on, We'll not harm you"
Arkansaw Tom, who had witnessed the
strange naneuvers, on TInke's return
said:
"Wall, swow, it beats creation. How'd
We turn 'em back so easy7"
Luke explained that the rebel Captain
| was the son Of the man whose house they
had saved. They returned TO the road and