The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-27

uuTU1Ig JIle TOCEs, sne mad intended TO
follow him within an hour. 1t had
been settled that kenton must remain
where ho was until force Of Federals
was brought to the rescue or until 1t
was known that he was in no peril from
the Confederates. While it was hoped
that Uncle Ben's mission would be sue
cessful all realized the chances Of its
failure. Both armies were scouting and
raiding up and down and across. A
hamlet or crossroads or bridge held by
the Federals one day would be in possess
sion of tho Confederates on the next,
and vice versa. Uncle Ben might en-
counter troop Of Federal cavalry and
bring them TO the rescue, or he might
be picked up by Confederate troop or
a gang Of guerrillas and sent off some-
where to work on Notifications.
"Mebbe the Yanks will come fust,
and mebbe the Confederates, " replied
Steve Brayton when appealed to for his
opinion. ITS goin to bo nip and tuck,
/ reckon, but with the chances leetle
in favor Of the Confederates. Kin
make bold to offer some adyiceI"
why, certainly" answered Marian
and Kenton in the same breath.
Then let Miss Percy head fur home
10 once. We can't tell what may be
happenin thar or what's goin to happen
yere. She's a Percy and good Conred
5rate, and nobodyll dare disturb the
house. Them blamed guerrillas which
Collered US yesterday may open fire ycro
any mint, and once they do she cant
git away
The advice was full of wisdom, and
Marian prepared to start at once
"Got any we pins in the housoi' asked
Steve as she was ready.
mo.
kin 20 shoot a pistol."
"Of course. have been sorry that
left mine behind us in Winchester"
Then take this revolver It's a big
an, but guess yy kin handle it, Boin
yo' ar a southern gal, no southern man
orter trouble yo', but 20 can'talIus tell
what may happen. If wuss comes 10
wuss, bullets will count fur mo than
words.
Kenton advised her to take it, and
Brayton assisted her down to tho high
way and said as he left her:
"Yo' may hear some shootn up this
way dooriu the day, but don't be nary
us about it and don { run ans risks to
cum and see what the trubble is.
On approaching the house Marian
caught sight Of the horses and men and
realized what had happened and was
happening before she had made out the
figure Of the loyal old slave chained to
the post. She had felt terribly anxious
about her mother as she came along the
road, and she had grown faint at thought
Of the troubles and peril5 surrounding
her, but everything was forgotten the
instant she saw that circle Of men. 1t
was no wonder every man in tho gang
looked at her as IT spellbound when -hu
suddenly appeared IN their midst and
cried out 10 stop Ike Blxter's upliftcI
arm. As women despi-e c0wardice in
a man, SD do men admire anything app
preaching hgroism in a woman. Mar
ian rested one hand ON the naked sh,ul-
der Of the old slave who had trotted her
on his knee as a child thousand times,
and holding the revolver ready for in
stant use IN the other, her slight form
drawn up her brown eyes flashing, her
handsome face haldsOmcr than ever be-
fore, she demanded:
who are you, and what Is the mean
ing Of this;"
Every man instinctiyely fell back a
step or two. Ike Baxter let his arm fall,
and no one dared look the girl full in
the face, For long half minute no
one spoke. Then Ike, shifting from ono
foot to the other and looking past her
instead of at her, muttored
I'VE uns cum yere to captur' that
cassed Yankee and pay this niger of
fur smashin my head last night
Yes, that's what we uns cum furv'
added two or three others.
Marian deposited her weapon on the
ground and proceeded TO cast of the
chain by which Uncle Ben was secured
to the post. Some Of the men crowded
a little nearer and some muttered and
cursed, but no one intorfered. When
the slave was free, she signed to him to
put en- his garments, picked up the
weapon, and sweeping her eyes around
the circle she said;
"You speak of capturing Yankee.
Who is he-where Is he?"
"Yo' know who we mean," replied
Ike Baxter, who was recovering HE as
surance sooneT than the others. I'VE
uns want Kenton, that cussed Yankee
spyp
AYE, he un's the mani" growled
three or four others.
And you call him a Yankee-you,
Ike Baxterl" she replied as she stepped
forward to face him. He enlisted
when You did He fought when you
ran away. He has encountered n score
Of dangers to your one. He has done
more for the cause Of the south than all
Of you combined. When you call him
a Yankee spy, call you a cur, and a
coward, and q disgrace to tho uniform
you wearl"