The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-04-26
CHAPTER XXyr.

CHAPTER XxNI.
The gang had gone far enough-per-
haps too far. The Percys were loyal
southerners and people Of influence, and
this disgraceful raid, even though made
under reasonable pretext, might be
sternly rebuked by higher authorities.
Those in citizens dress were no better
than providers; those in uniform had no
authority beyond what Ike Baxter as
sumed.
AS Marian stood facing the crowd,
her face expressing the contempt she
felt and her eyes flashing menace from
man to man, they began to fall back
toward the horses.
"Dod rot my skin, but why didn't
kill that cussed niger when / had
chancef' growled Ike Baxter. "Ar' yo'
all goin to let that gal stand us off in
this waya If she un s hidiu that Yam
kee, then hers sympathizer and o1ter
suffer fur It'll l move we shoot the mig
ger and burn the houses!"
1--WE uns won't do anything of the
sort, said the sergeant, now pushing
forward for the first time. I'VE uns
was sent yere to captur' Kenton and
Aoid9 lNii, anu Itthuu OluGE tHlIRS
had better be left alone. If that gal
wasn't in the house when yo' all search
ed ii, then whar did she cum fromf"
One of the men replied that he thought
he had caught sight of her up the road
about five minutes before she appeared
among them, but wasn't sure. Ike Bax-
ter said he had been following Uncle
Ben up the highway when assaulted,
and it was rightfully concluded that
Che fugitiyes were not great way off.
just then they were Joined by three
more guerrillas, and the entire gang
headed up the road and were soon out
of sight. AS they moved away Uncle
Ben's tears began to fall, and he whis-
pered:
"God bress yo', Miss Sunshine, iureber
an fureber fur what yo' dun did fur
me, but l'ze got powerful bad news to
tell yo'I'
is mother dead?" sbe asked as the
color went out of her face and her lips
grew white.
''she was dead when l dun got yere!'
''Uncle Ben,h whispered the girl,
choking back the walls of sorrow which
sought to pass her lips, Il know you
are stiff and lame and sore, but want
you to try to reach the Federal army
and bring help!'
81 hain't hurted much-only Jest a
leetle bit-an Ill start right Off he
answered. I'm 60, an III keep gwine
till | drap down in my tracks'
God grant that you may be in time!"
she prayed as she turned away to enter
the house of the dead, while the old
man lost not moment in setting out on
his journey down the road.
Let us see how things went on at the
camp. Marian had no sooner left it
than Steve BIayton still further
strengthened the defenses. The ground
to the south was fairly clear for
charge, but in no other direction could
body of men make a rush. The camp
was on the crest of a knoll, and no spot
within rifle shot commanded it,
II fgger jest this way" said Steve
as he overhauled the ammunition and
saw that both guns We're ready for sery-
ice-"that Ike Baxter was sent down
to the house last night to sorter spy
around fur Captain Wyle. Uncle Ben
didn't smash him hard 'nuff, and he un
crawlod back to tho house, got his wife
to fix him up and then skulked off.
don't reckon he un had fur to go. It's
purity shore that some of our company
will show up doorin the day, and yo'
kin bet yo'r last mewl that them guer-
rilas hain't given up the chasel Befo'
noon sunthin's ) bound to bust.''
And what would you adviser" asked
Kenton, seeing that Steve was in doubt
about something.
Seems to me the situation is about
as follers, replied Steve. We ar
both Confederates We've fit In several
battles. We've bin captured and got
away. We've put in a heap o time
chawin up mighty pore rations and
marchin up and down the kentry to
prove our patriotism. Do yo' folleri"
Yes .
.aThat's one side. Now the other is
that sartin gal luyed 20 better n she
did Captain Wyle, and fur that reason
he un has bin tryin to git shet O. yo' by
far means or foul. Hos got the whip
saw on yo' and means to hold it. Ii he
gifts hold o. yo', sunthin's goin to hap
pen, and yo'll be the one TO be hurt.
With that RAZOR down on yo' about tho
Harrisonburg font, and with Ike Baxter
and half dozen others ready to sw ar
to anything the captain wants, yo' un
won't stand no mo show than coon
cotchsd in co'ncrib. Am / rightt"
u es, that's about the way of it, but
what about your You have been my
friend and cemrade from the start. You
have periled your life to save mine.
owe you debt of gratitude, and don't
want you to sacrifice yourself Tor my
sake. They have nothing against you
which will not be overlooked. They
want TO get me out OF the way and
there is every chance that they will ac-
complish thei1 object. would be self
ish to pull you down with me after
what you have done. :"
And what2" queried Steve.
give me one of the guns, prop me
mp over there, and then gol% I'll die
right here after making the best fight
can't
"Yanls, said Steve as he moved over
and held out his hand, "yo' don't begin
to know Steve Brayton if yo' think hos
any sieh erittor! was bo' n right down
thar at Winchester, and I've lived thar
all my life and hated and abused YAM
KEGS as hard as anybody. l went into
the war with whoop and l jest be-
ieyed everything was plumb right and
all hands round till saw how the cap
tain and tho hull company was playin
dirt on yo', Yo' un's Yankee BON. but