Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-07-14

why, certainly, answered Marian
| and Kenton in the same breath.
"Then let Miss Percy head fur home
TO once. We can't tell what may be
happenin thar or what's goin to happen
yere. She's Percy and good Conted-
crate, and nobodyIl dare disturb the
house. Them blamed guer1illas which
follered us yesterday may open fire yere
any mint, and once they do she can t
git away"
The advice was full of wisdom, and
Marian prepared to start at once.
"Got any pins in the house:" asked
Steve as she was ready.
"No."
Kin yo' shoot pistol?"
"Of course. I have been sorry that
| left mine behind US in Winchester. y
Then take this revolver. It's big
un, but guess yo' kin handle it. Bein
yo' ar a southern gal, no southern man
orter trouble yo', but 20 can't allus tell
what may happen. If wuss comes to
wuss, bullets will count fur mo than
words.
Kenton advised her to take it, and
Brayton assisted her down to the high
way and said as he left her:
"Yo' may hear some shootin up this
way doorin the day, but don't be narv-
us about it and don't run any risks to
cum and see what the trubblc 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 perlls surrounding
her, but everything was forgotten the
instant she saw that circle of men. 1t
was no wonder every man in the gang
looked at her as if spellbound when she
suddenly appeared in their midst and
cried out to stop Ike Bakers uplifted
arm. As women despise cowardice in
man, so do men admire anything APP
preaching heroism in woman. Mar
ian rested one hand on the naked Shout
der of the old slave who had trotted her
vi hio hitS do a SHilu q tLOuHdHa
and holding the revolver ready for in
slant use in the other, her slight form
drawn up, her brown eyes flashing, her
handsome face ha.idsomer than ever be-
fore, she demanded:
'Who are you, and what is the mean
ing of this?"
Every man instinctively fell back a
30 l. l.; F.J1
and 10 one dared look the girl full in
the face. For a long half minute no
one spoke. Then Ike, shifting from one
foot to the other and looking past her
instead of at her, muttered:
1--WE uns cum we're to captur' that
cussed Yankee and pay this niger off
fur smashin my head last night'
Yes, that's what we uns cum fur!"
added two or three others.
Marian deposited her weapon ON the
ground and proceeded to cast off the
chain by which Uncle Ben was secured
to the post. Some of the men crowded
little nearer. and some muttered and
cursed, but no one interfered. 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 10 he?'
"Yo' know who We mean" replied
Ike Baxter, who was recovering his as
surance sooner than the others. I'VE
uns want Kenton, that cussed Yankee
SPY"
AYE, he un's the mani" growled
three or four others.
And you call him a Yankee-you,
Ike BaxterI" she replied as she stepped
forward to face hlm. He enlisted
when you did He fought when you
ran away. He has encountered Il 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
coward, and disgrace to the uniform
you wear!"