The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-05

Luke, with his guard, started to overtake
them. They logged leisurely along the
road, picking up a straggler here and there,
until their force numbered twelve or If
teen.
The idea that they were in any danger
from the rear never for moment entered
their heads until they were startled by the
clatter of horses feet in that direction.
Whats that?" some one cried.
"Hosses, by jiminy!" Tom answered.
At this moment black man, bare headed
and bare footed, as most of the field-hands
were, came running down the road toward
them, crying:
run, massa-foh de Lawd sake, rum"
who is it, Blackhawkl" Luke asked.
"Rebs am comm like de debil, massa;
more'n o thousand of UNI"
The earth trembled beneath the heavy
thunder of hoofs, and Luke knew there
were not less than half hundred horsemen
in their rear. A panic seized the men, and
half Of them ran away into the woods on the
left.
"This way-this way" said Luke, rum
ming toward cornficld on their right.
Those who had not already run followed
him, and just as they began TO climb over
the fence the cavalry came in sight.
Bang! bang bang! went half q dozen
shots. With scream a young man named
George Massin released his hold on the top
rail and fell into fence corner, struggling
in the agonies Of death.
"Dod burn 'en for tarnel skunks;
they haint got it ali their wayp'
cried Arkansaw Tom, laying his rifle
across the top rail and drawing q
bead on the foremost rebel. Luke, know
ing the deadly aim of the old scout OF
the Arkansas, averted his head. A sharp
whip-crack-llke report broke on the air, and
when he looked again saddle was empty,
and horse flying at the speed Of the wind
down the road. The shot checked the Con-
federates for moment, and Luke's CON-
panions emptied their guns at them, still
more confusing tho cavalry, and wounding
man and horse. Knowing that they could
not long withstand such a superior force,
Luke urged his men to tiy across the field.
The corn was tall, and the overhanging
blades concealed them when a few rods
away. But they had not gone fourth OF
mile before the corn terminated at q cross
lCuCc, UClOuu WuiCh "no q AuCodoSvt AASAA
which the grass had been recently cut
They climbed the fence and ran at full
speed across the meadow toward log
stable on the hill.
Forward, over the fence and cut them
DOWN. they hear clear, ringing voice in
their rear shout. The sound of that voice
sent thrill through the frame Of Luke
Mason. He recognized the speaker, who was
doubtless in command of their pursuers, az
personal friend, though a political enemy
Reaching the log stable, Luke hurried the
men inside and said:
Don't fire sho5 until YOU are compelled
to-" Throwing down his gun, he walked
down the hill unarmed to meet the Confed
crate cavalry, who were just lcaping theil
horses over the cross fence.
"Whar We gwine! where We gwine! cried
Arkansaw Tom.
"To stop the rebels"
"Why, he's crazy; they'll riddle him with
bullets" groaned old Tom.
..Stay there, and all will be right"
With his arms peacefully folded, h
marched down to meet the advancing Con
federatcs, who, completely astounded, hat
refined in their horses to walk. A few mo
ments later they were near enough to b
heard, aud Luke called out:
ALBERT Ncff Halt your men and CONF
here alone!'
GOOD heaven! it's Lukei" gasped AL
bert, his heart almost ceasing to bea
when he came to realize how near he hat
come to taking his friends life. His troop
ers stopped, and he rode forward and seizet
his friend by the hand.
"Luke," and his voice was quite husky
II didn't dream when we separated only
few days ago that we should meet in thi
way"
'Neither did l; but, Albert, must asl
you to call off your troops. The fou
men in the log stable are men chose to de
fend your fathers house, your childhoo,
home. against the stragglers of our army
but for them that home would have been il
ashes"
"Ill do it, said the noble young fellow
at may not be according to military rules
but Ill do it, if lose my shoulder straps.
Wheeling his horse about, he gallope
back to his men, and after a moments cor
sultation, turned in his saddle and, wavn
his hand to Luke, shouted:
$50 on, wo'll not harm you"
Arkansaw Tom, who had witnessed tn
strange maneuvers, on Luke's retur
said:
"Wall, l swow, it beats creation. How
We turn 'em back so easyl"
Luke explained that the rebel Capital
was the son Of the man whose house the
had saved. They returned to the road an