The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-11-23

the speed at which they were travelling he
missed.
They were fully three fourths Of mile
from the house when the sharp report OF
rifle broke on the air, and the foremost
horse and rider went down. A white pun
of smoke from behind tree marked the
place from whence the shot had been fired
The horse pitched his rider over his head
throwing him with such force against tre'
as TO stun him.
Colonel Mason was astonished at the Shot
for he knew none of his men were nea
enough to have fired it, but he never for Il
moment slackened his speed. AS his horse
few through the woods, leaping logs and
whizzing past trees, he saw the fallen rebel
trying to rise, the blood streaming from
cut in his forehead, caused by his fall against
the tree.
A large, powerful negro bounded from
thicket with a blood curdling yell, and club
bling his rifle ran upon the fallen man TO
dash out his brains. Down came the gun as
a curse of vengeance escaped the black, but
at the instant il fell a horseman was along
side and sword was thurst forward ward
ing off the blow
"Whatl would you kill wounded man"
cried Luke.
God almighty, massa, don't stand in my
wayl" cried the negro, painting with rage.
"Foh twenty-five ya's is been prayin' TO
de debil to give me a chance to kill dat man,
an I'll kill hate him II hate himl'
In the momentary chances Colonel Mason
had been able to give the belligerents, he
discovered that the white man was Dick
Sneed and the negro Backhawk. Never
had he seen such picture Of rage and fury
in his life as the negro presented. He was
more like some ravenous beast than
human, his eyes almost started from their
sockets, he was foamlng at the mouth and
he had CRASHED his teeth until the froth
about his lips had grown crimson.
"Blackhawk, you shall not kill a helpless
man," cried the Colonel, finglng himself
from his horse before the furious negro.
~ will, by I'll kill um If hab to kill
you fust."
Luke had rot considered what q furious
mailman he had TO deal with until the negro
aimed blow at his head, which, II he had
not parried it with his sword, would have
killed him on the spot. With such force
was the blow given that it shivered his
trusty blade. Luke was almost as furious
as the negro. and hurting the broken hilt
into the blacks face, he closed in on him
and, whipping out his revolver, struck Black.
hawk such blow on the head with the butt
Of the heavy weapon that he sent him
down to the earth insensible.
Turning to Dick Sneed he found him on
his feet.
"Here, Dick, quick, mount my horse and
fly for your life. That negro will kill you
| il he ever lays eyes on you"
He lifted the still dazeC man in the sad.
die and started the horse away at gallop,
which the Confederate kept up until out OF
sight. Luke then turned toward Black
hawk, who was just getting up. Not know
ing what the black might do, he cooked
his pistol, intending to shoot him, should i,
become necessary, to preserve his own
life The negro noticed him, and in deep
| solemn voice said:
"KRl me, massa, d dc secret oh yo' bfrJ
| dies"
he was cool and reasonable once more, ant
Luke lowered his revolver, astonishcd al
the strange words SO solemnly uttered
Colonel Mason stood for moment stupe
fed, and then demanded:
"What do you meant"
81 kin tell yc mo- bout yerse'f dan "
knows, massa; but I'll not tell We now"
"Yes, you will" Luke's teeth were set
his eyes glaring with intensity, and he wa
painting with excitement. "lf you know
any thing of this mystery of my life vii
have it, if have to wiring it from you"
81 won't tell you now-'fore God won
tell IS long as dat man lives; when he die
l tole ye."
Tell me now or die" lie raised tn
pistol. The negro, knowing that he hell
the winning card, coolly folded his arm
across his breast, and, facing the furlou
officer, said:
shoot, massa, an dc trufe youth nebbe
know"
Colonel Mason turned aside, his hear
very faint and mist coming over hi