The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-28

bOu bANGo y " AlASo
an fureber fur what yo' dun did fur
me, but I'ze got powerful bad news to
tell yo'V'
"Is mother dead?" she asked as the
color went out Of her face and her lips
grew white.
"She was dead when dun got yere!"
Uncle Ben," whispered the girl,
choking back the walls of sorrow which
sought to pass her lips, ~ know yoo
are stiff and lame and sore, but want
you to try to reach the Federal army
and bring help!"
Il hain't hurted much-only jest a
leetle bit--an I'll start right oG!" he
answered. IN 90, an I'll keep gwine
till ! drap down in my tracks,"
God grant that you may be in time!"
she prayed as she turned away TO enter
tho 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 Brayton still further
strengthened the defenscs. The ground
to the south was fairly clear for a
charge, but in no other direction could
body of mon make a rush. The camp
was on the crest of knoll, and no spot
within rifle shot commanded it.
Il figger Jest this way, - said Steve
as he overhauled the ammunition and
saw that both guns were ready for sery-
ice-''that lSe Baxter was sent down
to the house last night to sorteg spy
around fur Captain Wylc. Unsle Ben
didn't smash him hard 'nuff, and he un
:rawled back to the house, got his wife
% fix him up and then skulked off. |
1Ont reckon he IN had fur to 60. 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-
Iillas hain't given up the chase! Befo'
noon sunthin' 5 bound to bust"
And what would you adyise;' asked
Kenton, seeing that Steve was in doubt
abOut something.
Seems to me the situation is about
as follers, replied Steve. 1--WE ar
both Ccnfederates. We've fit in several
battles. We've bin captured and got
away. We've put in heap o. time
chawin up mighty pore ratlons and
marchin up and down the kentry to
prove our patriotism. Do yo' loilcr;'
YES.
That's one side. Now the other is
that a sartin gal luyed yo' let,cr'n she
did Captain Wyle, and fur that reason
he IN has bin tryin to git sheto' yo' by
far means or foul. Hes got the whip
saw on yo and means to hold 10. Ii he
gits hold O. yo' aunthin's goin TO hap
pen. and yo'll be the one to be hurt.
With that major down ON 20 about the
Harris0nburg font, and with lke Baxter
and half a dozen others ready to sw ar
TO anything the captain wants, yo' uu
won't stand no mo show than a coon
cotched in a co'ncrib. Am / right:'
YES. that's about the way OF it, but
what about you: Nou have been my
friend and COmrade from the start. You
have perilod your life to save mine. !
owe youa debt Of gratitude, and don t
want you to sacrifice yourself for my
sake. They have nothing against you
which will not bo overlooked. They
want to get me out Of the way, and
thoro is every chance that they will ac-
complish their object. Iwould bo self
ish to pull You down with mo after
what you have done.
And WHAT qucricd Steve.
GIVE me one Of tho guns, prop me
up over there, and then go! I'll die
right here after making the best fight
cant
"Yank, " said Steve as he moved over
and held out bis hand, "yo' don't begin
to know Steve BraytoniI yo' think he's
any sich critterl was BON right down
thar at Winchester, and I've lived thar
all ny life and hated and abused Yam
KEGS as hard as anybody. / went into
the war with whoop, and l Jest be-
heved everything was plumb right and
all hands round till saw how Tie cap
tain and the hull company was playin
dirt on yo'. Yo' IN 3 Yankee bo'n but
yo's got mo- clean sand in yor craw
than anybody I ever met up with b-foI
I'm goin 70 stick right yere If we uns
git away, I'm g0iu with yo. II them
guerrillas ar too many fur Us, wen
both die right yere"
Kenton protested and argued, but
Stove was determined. lie took q tin
pail which had contained food and filled
it with water at spring not far away.
Then he carefully moved Kenton over
10 the south side Of the camp, propped
him up at loopholo in a sitting posi-
tion and sat down beside him TO wait.
1--WE fggered this out bit, no said
as he peered through his loopholo fNr
sign Of danger. 'If them chaps had
found yo' at the house, yo'd hov bin
carried off TO camp. Ben as they'll
lind yo' yere, and bein as thar'll bo q
font, thar won't be no carryin away if
they git tho better Of us!"
" You mean they'll kill me here and
have done with itt' replied Kenton.
Exactly, and me too! Then thar
won't be any charges, witnesses or trial.
They'll report that we fit to the last,
and it will be all plain sailin fur them
as wants us outer the way. Thar'fore,
in shootin we'd better jest shoot to kill
and git all the revenge we kin. Steady,
nowl think tho critters hey smelt us
out!'
Half a mile up the road from Rest
Haven the gang had loft their horses
and divided into two parties to search
the hills on each side Of the highway.
Steve had caught sight Of two or three
men moving toward the camp through
the scrub.
II won't shoot to kill--not this time!"
no whispered as he thrust the barrel of
the carbine through the opening. I'm
Jest fling bullet down thar to let 'em
1-,a,,, Akot Ibo ronFn1,.o4o Uo..I-ns ...,,...,