The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-04-11

pounding on the doors.
They could hear the family rousing
as if from sleep, could hear women's
voices in tones of fear and alarm; then
slowly advancing footsteps and an old
darby woman's voice.
WHO yoh is come prowlin' heah dis
yeh time oh night?"
1--WE, are the kings officers. Open,
in the name of the king"
"Um-um, reckon we don't know dat
gemman heah, sab. We'se ladies heah,
'ceptin' myself, as am de servant, an
it amt nowise likely we'se let yoh come
in, sab"
1--WE r looking for a traitor, one
Lieut.. Allan Mayo, and as this is his
home we know he is here. So let us in,
and no more parley."
"Marse Allan! Doan' yoh know
whar he gone? It I tells yoh, den1l
yoh go away an leffen us alone3"
(which way did he goa Tell me
quickly and tell me truly, or it will. be
the worse for you. good wench."
"He gone by de lowah ford-one,
two, tree hours after dark by de moon,
cause he hab berry important buz' ness,
he say; he ride fas and fab by dis yeah
time"
There was a hurried consultation,
and to the great relief of the household
the soldiers rode away as fast as their
could bear them. It was grow
ing light, and they evidently believed
the story old Amy so cleverly told
them.
Molly had been peeping at them
through the Stats of the venetian blinds
in the front parlor, and she saw that
the officer in command was a slender
of wiry build, and his voice had
a military ring to it that would have
warned anyone that he could not be
trifed with.
"You must go, Allan" she said, as
they rode off. 81 will myself put the
side saddle on old Gray; it is we'll you
have ridden on it so many times for a
prank; it will serve you now at your
need, and if they come back you must
be singing the Easter carols, and I will
do the talking. Have no fear. Some
thing tells me our cause will succeed.
Be ready now. Have you the prunella
boots on? Poor Amy, they are her
ga dainty foot for a young miss"
said Allan, as he thrust out a good
sized boot of the kind that elderly wo-
men of the day wore, "but a boot with
a spur would be worse, I opine," and
he sat down and waited resignedIy,
while his brave sister went out to sad
die the old horse and bring him to the
block.
A worn black cloth riding habit that
fitted his slender boyish figure nicely,
and a cap to cover his curly hair, and
a large green veil tied about to keep it
on, gave Allan all the appearance of a
respectable prim young woman riding
out in the accustomed fashion of the
day. But the hour was suspiciously
and he was in a fever of impa-
tience to be gone.
And at that moment back came the
riding like mad.
They dashed up and surrounded the
two plotters who were singing in sweet
voicesa canticle of the church.
What does this mean, ladies9" he
inquired severely, but respectfully, and
dotted his cap to the handsome girl
who was adjusting her sisters stirrup.
ut means that we are the singers for
the little church of st. Jude which you
must have passed on your way hither,
but as we cannot both leave our mother,
who is ill, and in imminent danger,
sister Kate must go alone"
She looked him full in the face as she
spoke and he was dazzled for a moment
by the extreme beauty of her eyes,
were of a tender, glorious blue,
like tie skies that see only sunshine.
"Well, well, it is lot with her we
have any business, but we must search
the house to look for a brother of thine,
who hath made us much trouble. Do
your duty, men, and if he is found iron
him as you would any common male
factor"
"Ride on, Kate-the beast is so slow
you will hardly reach st. Jude's in
time. And do you then make war on
women, brave sir9 That we're a pas
time worthy of barbarians."
peace, girlsl 1 but do my duty. If
your brother if here"
"If my brother were here you had
not dared offer his family this insult"
said Molly, intent on keeping the Brit
ish cantain ENGAGED in parleV as long