Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-05-30

Jecls crawling aTounOta Dare shoulder Of
white cliff, which he, knew the roac
leading from his fathers cabin mus,
cross.
Turley and his:friends were evidently
coming, and jim understood that thei,
mysterious threats were soon to be pu
in force. Violence of sometkind-per |
haps murder-pas intended!
jim hesitateH no longer. ). but set out !
tor Magee's cabin. He had nearly q
mile the start oftthem, and he had but |
mile to GO Observation-Disclosures so great
that he did not notice rocks and thickets.
He scramblen,down the glen. and onward
along the trail.
Inside the cabin Wash Magee and his
wife, two small. grandchildren, and the
young preacher: Lamb, were sitting by
the fire, when. there came a tsharp rap
upon the door. Before any one could
rise Cripple Jimihobhiedsinto the room,
his pale face paler than ever, his bare
head wet with dew, and in his .eyes a
strange, eager light. He turned ito the
young preacher
They're COMMIT they've got . their
guns! l wanted to tell,you to- day, but
i couldn't"
Wash seizedshis rife, and hastily.ss sent
his wife and the, children to the loft.
Mr. Lamb led Jim to the fire.
Soon there was d sound of: rapid Sfoot.
steps without; then the doorwas violent
ly burst open, andIin rushed :Huse Nurley
and three,others, fully armed.
In such:encounters no time is lost,
and Wash Magee, having his rifle ready
in his hands, would doubtless have fred
at once uponsTurley ii the young preach
er had not stepped between them, leav-
ing Jim crouching in the corner.
stranger, said Turley, ''this yer is
family matter. If you are'for Magee, say
the word"
"Father!' cried sJim, hobbling'to the
front and grasping his fathers arm.
"You here, eh2" said the. father. "I'll
mind this, boy. when get you home7"
90 father!" 'cried the boy, shave you
forgot the man who nursed you through
the smallpox, winter before last, down
at the log camps2 Cause, if you have, l
have not. Look, at him! You shall. not
-"
Turley and his companions had COW
cred the two men in the cabin with their
rifles, but now Turley fell back "a step,
staring at the young preacher.
"What?" he exclaimed, "it can't be
the same-and yet.you favor him might
ily."
"Jim is right" said Lamb. 81 should
have visited you, but I am. Magee's
cousin. and seeing the state of feeling
between you all, waited to see what
could be done.
Turley turned to his companions.
Giles right. boys" said he. II know
him now. If he wasn't kin to the Ma
gees, Id fight for him anywhere in the
world. I reckon owe him my life, for
he stood by me when every one elee run
from me. I can't touch Wash, with him
standing by So our jobs up-for to-
night, boys
The men grumbled, yet seemed to
assent Wash Magee stood silent, watch
ing Turley, with his finger upon the
trigger of his rife.
Suddenly Cripple Jim sprang forward
on his crutch.
"Father," he said, "now you and
Wash must shake hands. | know ye
BOTH"
Here you are again." Turley inter
rupted, not sorry to find some one on
whom to vent the disappointment he
| really felt. "Always a-meddlln' !.
He pushed the boy away SO savagely
that Jim dropped his crutch, and was
caught by Lamb, who whispered in his
ear, Stay with me until your father
gets over this
Turley and his friends were now leav
ing. and Jim seized his crutch.
.'So-no," he said, 81 must go.
can't leave father! He'll be sorry TO,
this, when he gets sobes-for they've
been drinking. all Of EN-"
But you are worn out. You can't
walk so far. You look feverish.
I'm make cut to get home, l reckon.
The last the parson saw of him be wa;
nobblng hurriedly down the trail after
the others.
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