Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-01-06
CHAPTER III.
A CHANGE OF UNIFORM.

SrOSSlnS the road the TWO entered q
wood on the other side. The girl kept a
straight course till she came to a creek,
which she forded below and near a log
that had been felled across it to be used
for footbridge. On the farther side
she struck an old road, abandoned, at
least, for wheels. Mark rode up along
side Of her. She was a wild looking
thing, with hardly trace of civilization
about her except her calico dress and
cowhide shoes.
where are you taking me tor" asked
Mark.
Hum"
"Where's homer
"T'other side O. tn Sequatchie river.
"How far is it to the river?"
"'Bout mile from the creek we jest
crossed"
Sand how far from the river to youl
homer"
Bout another mile. We live on g
road ez runs from the Chattenoogy pike
to Anderson"
"That's well. I want to reach the
pike"
"Waal, VII only hev ter 60 couple o
mile from our house t. git thar"
"You seem to know all about this
country"
"Reckon l do. was born hyar.
done q heap o hunten in these hyal
woods. toted gun all over EN-"
"Tell me something about yourself,
What's your name"
"Souri."
"Souri whatr
"Slack."
"Oh, yesi You're one of the Stacks
you told me. Isn't Souri, singular
name for girlY'
"Waal, dad, he KEN from Missouri,
80 thet's what he named me-"
"Have you q mother"
"Yas."
"BrOthers and sisters?"
"Henery and Jakey."
"How old are they2'
"Henery, he's bout twenty-five. Hes
In Jim Browns company o. east Ten.
nessee cavalry
"Whats Union cavalryY
"Yas."
"You mean regiment, not company.
know Brown well. How old Is you,
other brotherr'
"Jakey, he's thirteen"
"At homer"
"Yas."
"What are you going to do with me
when you get me to your homer
"Take y to the barn, I reckon"
"Why not to the hcuse2 Aren't you,
folks all right / thought you said they
were Union"
"Oh, they're all Union. But mebbt
they mought suspect at the tavern
(seein I'm gone 'thout ssyen goodby and
knowen I'm Union) thet I've put y NJ
to somep'n or TUX y hum"
"Souri," said Mark meditatively, "dc
you know that since ] met you have
been"-
''Doen . Job o thinkenr
"You've hit Il exactly"
"What 'boutY'
"rve been thinking that you're no
body's fool" 3
The girl laughed, or rather chuckled
She enjoyed the compliment and was toe
unsophistioated to prstsnd that she did
not.
They soon struck q dirt road leading
directly south, which they followed til
they came to the Sequatchie river, strik
ing ford at the same time. Souri, led
the way into the ford, Mark following
Her pony was used to such crossings
this one in particular, while Marks horse
preferred to feel his way slowly; conse
quently Souri, reached the opposite banh
before Mark had got half way over.
It was now night, but it was clear, and
. half moon cast its faint light upon the
land and The river. Mark suddenly
LOOKED up from the water and saw Sour
ON the bank watching him. Had HI
been near enough he would have seer
anxiety depicted on every feature of he,
face.
Keep up tho streamr' she called,
pointing at the Same time.
He turned his horses head a. she di.
rected, but soon lowering his eyes to the
water began to 60 down stream again.
"Look at me" she called: "don't looh
1t the water. Its runner makes II
seem sit y war goen straight when yer
goen crooked. Thar's ledge O. rocks
below thar and deep water beyond"
Mark fixed his eyes on his guide, and
turning his horses head toward he,
urged her forward. She picked her way
slowly, as II conscious Of danger, and al
last coming to the brink stepped quickly
out Of tho water and shook herself.
What makes you tremble sor' he
asked of Souri,. .
81 amt" she said, coloring.
as that dangerous fordY'
"Ef y'd a-tumbled often the ledge I'd
q drownded."
1--WE done some scouting before this,
but see now that l haven't learned to
cross current till today. Next time
Ill look out for something on shore to
steer BY"
Another ten minutes brought them
home. They came upon the house from
its rear. It fronted on the road running
northward and faced east. Souri, led
the way to Q rickety barn, where both
horses were stabbed. She left Mark in
the barn while she went into the house
to inform the inmates Of his presence.
Presently she came ont.
dad lows y mought come in fur .
spell 'thout much resk. They won't know
O. y'r bein hyar yet awhile. Least
Always thar's no hurry. But dad reckons
-, vv,onUhf e1oon In tho how, with opo