Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-09-20

| 30 PERHAPS to secure another rcwafd.
'Been to Chattanooga ! asked. and
shouted my words as N he were deaf
md motioned 10 the east
yes. yea. Over dar. Right smart
graya whar's l.iny and he pushed
tack his matted hair. again revealing
ihs scar. and looked eagerly about him
Gone { replied.
''Nevah come backy-
oh. yes: hope So
Where Lin goT
Il cant say"
Having no more use Tor this strange
crcaturv. ! gave the or,ler to saddle up.
and within q few minutes we were
again on tho march Hugh McNeil's
lien was not 40 easily shook of. lie
motioued that he wanted to sit In the
vacant saddle. but shook my head and
motioned him away Not at all dis
couragrd. however. he strode ahead
with a tireless swing that l cnyied.
felt there was no danger In the
fellows presence. yet II made me uneasy
and wantel 90 bs rid Of him. ! was
ON the'point u calling him 10 me and
telling him as bc-t ! could that Lin
Moore had gone In the direction of the
river. hoping that he would take ths
same course and free IA of his presence:
bu, before I could put my plan into
execution be vanished amid the trees In
front. which suddenly rcsonnded with
the barking % dogs. the Growing %
cocks aud the cries of other animals,
intsrpcrsed with sounds like "Doomi
boom' m'-intends'i. no doubt. 10
repros.u, the firing Of guns.
Gradually Oh. sounds died out far In
front. aud ! congratulated myself on
seeing the last ~ this afflicted creature.
but ! was mistaken.
Just ~ tho sun was setting and was
looking about Tor gras. along the mar
gins 81 the many streams that besct our
course. . tall. powerfully built man.
with reddish hair anil a yillainous look.
ing face. appeared on the trail l-fore us.
Our sudden appearance did not seem 10
affect him any more than the sight ~
his own long shadow. lle took OF his
rag Of hat. pushed up his hair. and In
20 doing revealed . scar along his fore
head much like that on the IDIOTS. and
called out In . lusiy tone of cainarade-
RE;
"Gooi eyenin. boys How goes hity-
-first rate" replied. "llOw is II
with You. Hugh McNeilY'
This question startled him. lie came
nearer. looked m. all over In an inso-
lently critical way. then asked
"Do you uns blons round harg"
NO" said.
'whar do You uns come from
Up Chattanooga way"
The HI you sayr'
YES. that's what l do say
Il haint never sc~i you uns befoah.-
There are lots of men you haven't
seen" ! laughed.
But you uns called mo Hugh
Mcneil"
"well. isn't that your maine, Are
you ashamed ofiu'
mo. I hain't. by - but | want 10
know how you uns knowed hit
That's my secret"
Say, stranger. Amt you uns Yanksy
and Hugh Mcneil. Tor thi. was the
IDIOTS father. took OF his hat. rubbed
up his rel hair again and made tour
of inspection about the little party.
Anxious to learn which side he leaned
toward before ! committed myself. !
saidi
We are scouts" Then before ho
could express himself dissatisfied with
this explanation. hurrielly asked.
Which side 10 you train with. HughT
"You uns " 80 d-d smart "a % know
my name without no one tellin hit. now
I reckon thar would 10 no trouble 20
you uns 10 tell whether I'm blue or q
gray. and he laughed AMI shook himself
in q way that was not reassuring.
You were Lin Moore's friend before
the war; I said.
"Yes. tho d-d traitor; but ! hain't
his friend no noah. aud ef - he bo's
co,ched In these har hills. III 20 miles
and miles on my hands and knees 10
see him strung up.
Thi. decided me on the instant a. 20
the fellows leanings. but ANXIOUS 20
make use u him reached out my hand
and saidi Good for you. Hugh McNeill
rm with you there"
What! hain't yop uns Yanks with
them blue clothes ony' he asked. and he
eyed US over again.
your Hen wears blue jacket. does
that make him q yankY'
"waai. no; COZ nawthin could make
my Hen anythin but what 0o.l Almighty
made him. and that's id eejit."
"Iiugh Mcneil. have you all the money
you WANT
by this time we were all dismounted.
Il being . rule 10 rest our horses when.
ever halt was made that held ne over
I've minutes. We had plenty of Con-
feierate money along. and decided 10
Ray him literally In this II he would rc-
plenish our rations and get some corn
Tor our horses.
With long string of oaths he assured
me that he was "a pore man" but II he
had the money he was sure he could get
US all the bread. meat and corn our
party wanted.
I gave him . hundred dollars In the
promises to pay Of Confe,leracy. and A.
the bills were Of small denominations
the pile counted into his dirty palm
looked like u fortune. The sight OF 30
much money had on him most sooth.
ing effect. lie told us that his wife was
dead, but that his daughter kept house
for him in cabin Close by. and that II
we came there and let our horses grazs
he would 90 oh and "skrinmidge" for
the necessary supplies.
In answer 10 my question as 10 wheth-
er there MAS any danger from the Yam.
KEGS In that neighborhood. he assured
me there was not, NOR from grays
nuther." aud imagined that he gave
unusual suphasis to the latter assur.
ance.
Following him, we led our horses
down the hill and mp q long valley. By
this time II was dark. but the light In
front and the barking Of the customary
yellow cur told Us that McNeils home
was near by.
by the stream near the cabin we stakc1
our horses In knee high grass, and
though the fellow assured me that they
would 10 ~ safe there ~ In the stable
where they were foaled, did not feel
secure, but tried 10 explain the precau.
ton of keeping the men near the AMI
mails by saying such were tho orders J
bad receiyed from my superiors, and