The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-26

This state Of atlairs lasted for 2 day and a
/ night, ON the morning Of the second day the
Old guide observed signs Of activity amongst
his enemies aud correctly judged that they wero
about 60 take more decisive steps for his capt
ure.
The morning was as beautiful as the remark
able Fall weather of Eastern Tennessee can
produce The clear, translucent blue of the
1 SKY, unmarried by all save a few neecy clouds
near the horizon, was no less vivid and lovely 10
the eye than the tiuts Of the turning leaves and
/ the gradual slope OF the majestic mountains that
rose near and far and lessened Cor many mile
| into the biuc-gray distance until the last OF the
/ hiliy succession faded 20 a dim bariz0ntal
cloud as palo as the breath at frost tiUae. To-
ward the cabin the picturesque gray forms
of the GOniedorates moved about through the
! crisp morning air. Presently they seemed 10
| be forming iuto line and 10 the dismAy Of the
Bell-wethoT the squad OF 20 men turned their
faces in the direction OF his hiding place.
The old man looked around him. Accustomed
Rs he was 20 the desperate chances Of his call
ing, his presence OF mind never i0rsnok him;
but now, with mis- arm in its sling, giving him
constant paiu. with every outlet guarded by
enemies and posse Of men nearing him step
| by step he realized too keenly the hopeless
I ness Of his position.
/ lie was still unperceived Just back Of him
stood close clump of bushes Of an evergreen
their tangled branches wrenching has torn
arm and letting
INVOLUNTARY GROANs ESCAPE HIM.
Protecting il ms best be could from further
injury, be began as rapidly as possible with the
remaining hand 20 c0veT himself with the
shelving branches. The soldiers advanced SO
steadily in bis direction that he feared for a
moment his movement had been detected. He
knew that once captured, his career would be
ended. He dreRmily reviewed his past life,
aud, as thought is instantaneous in q few
seconds be had mentally scanned past perils
hHirbreadth escapes, aud the many phases OF
bic life, with nm nndertone OF regret that ali
would 80 soon be euded.
The tramp tramp Of the men came within
few yards OF his covert, and there they paused
for consultation. From theiT words he gathered
thai they bad decided upon a thorough loaf
turning search Ii seemed 10 The man crouch
ing painfully in the bushes that bee must have
been discovered. 50 often did his eyes seem 10
sqnarely meet the eaze OF one aud another Of
has pursuurs rs they looked rcstlessiy about
them.
One OF the men whom the guide recognized
as q personal enemy appeared especially deter
mined on ending the hunt successfully, aud
more than once made the cold sweat start on
the Beli-wcthcr's brow by peering in;o the
bushes. But has glances were TOO quick aud
eager and the leaves happily too closely inter
woven for his vision 20 penetrate.
After few moments pUieying l8 Of the
Frayc0ats divided into parties Of three. aud,
each taking a different direction. they COM
meuced the hunt leaving two men behind TO
watch the Evine, who seated themselves on
the ground within Eve feet Of the object of
their search.
This is Enc days work." said one Of
them with sarcasm; more fun than a dog
fight"
The other laughed. "I don't think you
were cut out for picket duty. Small" he said
goodhumoredly. "Nothiug suits yon but skir-
mishes al al hours of the day aud night, and
SOIL THkT's HALF RED WITH BLOOD.
Sorry ] can't sympathize. They're hunting
him pretty close though 'dOg-On has old
skim"
Small looked oct carelessly over the short
hills that lay before and around them. The
men, with the exception Of one party on their
right, bad disappeared behind the rising
ground. They had passed no tree. bush, or log
Onheodod.
whats thatY" Small glanced idly over his
shoulder.
"A coon, ] reckon" replied his companion.
looking cuTiously IN the same dirociion.
"a coon No coon ever hisSed and grunfed
Ike that. Sounds Ike it's q cross between a
hog and rsttisr'"
The last COnfedemte had passed out Of view
over the hills. The Bell Wcther dared not turn
his bead in the limited space il occupied lest
the slightest rustic 81 leaf NJ gilt betrAy him
To rush forih and grappie Nith two men.
with one arm helpless he knew 30 be ont of iue
question. To shoot both dead where they sat
would be equally fuuitless for the sound of the
shots Wonld edialoly draw the whole crew
down upon him. lie knew also that his capt
ure would in every probability now be only
matter OF a short time; for as the seutres set
az every necessary point insured bis c0ulue-
ment within clrtEin limits. the men would not
give Up the hunt until they were rid Of SO
humble but SO iHsidl0us an enemy.
"THEEE TT rs AGATN."
said Small, with more Interest, turning his ear
in the direction from which the strange sound
proceeded
"What Is IL, HopkinsY"
" its a coon" repeated Hopkins with mild
peTsistcncy.
"A coon! Anybody would know that amt q
coon. Come over here" be added rising cit
seems 10 come from that undorbrush. IN
prove u Rint cOoni but I'm blessed if can
tell what IL is"
After making a careful survey OF the ravine.
and seeing no sign Of the fugitive or his pur.
sueFs, they hurried cautiously toward the low
thicEet Of bush and underground thai lay in
TIE direction OF the house
Jusi then the weird, kissing gruut sounded
again. They stole carefully up % the thick
4 growth, an occasional repetition Of the cry en-
ticing them onward. Presently their gray
! uniforms were ont Of sight The old guide
/ changed his position slightly. Judging hv his
ears that the sound would not be beard by his
unconscious iailOrs. lie quietly moved FIRST
one feE and then the other aud found them
numb from their crampsd ppsfuru. lie had no
definite IDEA IN view ~ 10 auy effort 10 be free.
/ DE sat up aud adjusted his sling,
Suddenly short stifod cry broke upon the
/ air. lie listened with that strained intentnsss
4 that seems 90 concentrate all the senses ia that
OF hearing. Only the crisp rustic ol The fading
/ leaves could be heard. Tie lOw bloat Of a sheen
broke the silence.
THE OLD BELL-WETuTR ETARTED.
and the next instant answered il by q similar
4 cali. The bicat was repeated aud followed bg
qulcE but sieaithy steps, such as no sleeps
4 hOOf ever made.
Another low bleat from the concealed man
an answer from near at hand, aud the next
moment the bushes parted and closed. and The
Old guide, with hig son Tack Z" aud three loyal
mountaineera crept AE rapidly Ms possible d own
the rEvine.
There was no time yet for explanation. The
bell-wether's step was less vigorous than usual
on hceOuBt o. he crhmpcd limbs aud aching
arm. and he required The assistance OF tic
strong arm Of Tack 10 keep him moving
I rapidly.
There was not al iu6ia1t 10 be lost. for the
return OF The bunting parties might be ex-
pecLeo ht any moment They silently threaded
their way IN direction from The house.
At their path now led up "A slight slope. I,
became necessary al the t0p for thnln 20 cra vi