Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-11-10
A KENTUCKY "WARNING. .

A KENTUCKY "WARNING. :"
Late one afternoon in September
reached the cabin of John Hungerford,
in cove of the Kentucky Mountains
The family consisted of father. mother.
and three small children, aud there
We're many comforts about the place.
Hungerford was an industrious hard
working man, aud one of unusual in
telligence for a mountaineer, and the
wife and children We're far above the
average. They extended right royal
welcome, and we had been visiting
away for two hours when a woman
rode up on mule. The beast was badly
blown and wet with perspiration, and
the woman must have come with inn
portant news. Now was developed a
trait Ieeuliar to all the Southern
mountaineers. They are game to a
man-and woman. They are the coolest
people in the face of danger one ever
saw,
"Howdy, John?" queried the woman
as she drew rein at the door. and as
Mrs. Hungerford appeared she added:
And howdy, Mary z"
Both answered that they were well,
and John inquired:
How are all you'uns, Sarah?"
All able to dig, thankee, John.
"Corn an taters turnin' out well?"
Reckon they be, what little we've
got, but barks and roots pay better.
Chilling any this fall, Mary?"
Not bit, Sarah.
Haven't heard from them'uns,
reckon?7 queried Hungerford after
long pause, during which the woman
tried to size me up
~Mebbe Who may he'un be?'
stranger from the Moth.
~Sartin?'
SIN shore.
"Will he back with ye Stand to your
back in case Of trouble)?"
Haven't mentioned, but ] reckon.
swell, then, they'uns is coming up to-
night to put on the hickory.
"Hui Who said it?"
Heard it at the corners. It's shore.
Bassett is gwine to lead 'em. Are ye
prepared, Jim9"
sReckon.
"And Mary p
@She'un is prepared
@WelI. then. that's all I've got to say.
Hope you'll hurt they'uns till they'll
behave themselves. Good by, john
good by, Mary.
She was off with that had dim
suspicion of what was meant, but the
GOODNESS of the trio puzzled me- When
she was out of sight asked:
ais it trouble?"
Stranger. +" replied Hungerford as he
pulled twig off bush and bit at it,
-Pve been warned awayl"
"How-why?"
@Took sides with the Oldhams against
the Bassetts, and the Bassetts have
warned me to leave.
And as you have refused to go they
sre coming to take you out and switch
your"
@Exactly-if they kinl"
sand they are coming tonight"
Il reckon.
And you-?"
81 shell be ready.
We sat in silence for a moment I
looked up at Mrs. Hungerford, but she
was sewing away and trotting her foot
as placidly as if danger was at the other
end Of the world. The children soon be-
gan a game of tag, and the husband
softly whistled as he switched the twig
over the ground
Great Heavensr but you take it
coollyl" exclaimed, as noted every
thing.
stranger, answered Hungerford, as
he turned to me, Il need somebody to
back with M tonight This amt your
fuss. You don't know the Oldhams
from the Bassetts. Deed you may have
stayed with an Oldham last night
You don't want to mix in, and yet"
Il don't want to kill or be killed, but
can't l help you some other way?"
You kin. He'un Is all right Mary,
I know he'un was?"
-Glad ont, she briefly replied, not
even looking up from her knitting.
Hungerford took the whole matter as
coolIy as il it was an ordinary business
transaction. There was only one way
by which bis cabin could be approached.
1t wasarranged that should secrete my
self In the cow shed on the one hand,
and his wife In the smoke house on the
ether, and at the proper moment this
flank fire would have its effect Hum
gerford was to hold the house, and he
was the only one who was to shoot to
kill AS he said. it wasn't my fuss, but
it wasn't human nature to leave him to
fight mob alone. When all had been
arranged we went in to supper, and
after the meal double barrelled shot
gun was got down and loaded for the
wife The husband had his army mus
ket. which be loaded with buckshot, and
! had my revolver as q weapon As we
finished our preparations and sat down