The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-01
4 Mountain Missionary.
By ALFRED R. oALHoUH.
fCopyright. 1896. by American Press AssociAr
= tion.l
CHAPTER III (Continuedl

Inc l-J--S.s ..... ioporJea suspicious
men seen in the distance since daylight
These men were gathering along the
line Of the trail over which the fuEitives
must pass on their way to the north
They were I'm considerable force, and
that they were not friends was manifest
from their actions
The cabin might afford some shelter
from storm. but it was worse than
useless AZ place Of defense On spur
of the hill to the north and about
quarter of mile from the cabin Brad
ley had either discovered that morning
or knew in advance Of q place that Of
fered advantages for defense. Without
any excitement he told the men in and
about the cabin that there were stran-
gers in sight, and that fight might be
looked for before they could resume
their journey.
The men seized their rifles, the horses
were resaddled, and as Mrs. Peters and
her daughter preferred to walk the an
finals were led to the point indicated
This Has bare projection OF the hill,
where msss Of irregular rocks afford
cd place of concealment for larger
force than required it now, but al 1t
was some distance from wood and wa
ter it was not desirable place In which
to stand a protracted siege.
The fugitives were not kept long in
doubt as 10 the character of the people
who had aroused their suspicion. Brad
ley was disposing his men at the points
where their rifles could best check an
approach when Ella Peters, who was
looking down the slope, called out:
'There is man approaching with a
white flagr'
The white flag proved to be hand
kerchief fastened to the end of sword.
This was responded to by fastening Ell
las handkerchief to the end Of rifle,
which Dick Bradley carried, as he and
Father Peters walked down to meet the
two men in gray who were approaching.
The fear that these people belonged to
Het Magoone's gang was soon set at
rest They were dressed in gray uni
forms, and the network Of gold lace on
the collar and sleeves Of one Of the men
indicated that he was an officer. As
Father Peters and Bradley went down
the former should do the talking. So,
when the Confederate announced him.
self as belonging 20 General Zollicof-
fer's command and peremptorily de-
manded to know who the people up the
hill were, he was answered:
1--WE are Union men making our way
60 the north, but we do not want fight
unless it is forced on u.s. :"
"Why are you going north?' was the
next question.
eve deny your right to ask, replied
Father Peters.
II am here to prevent recruits going
through to the enemy, and if you do not
surrender you must take the conse-
quences. said the Confederate
"We are quite ready for that" " said
the old clergyman.
"And if nothing but fight will suit
yo' uns, broke in strong Dick Bradley,
''come on, just as quick ez yo' uns dog
gone please. Now, go back and tell yer
Eibils that. "
The Confederate became gentler after
this, but beyond learning the purpose Of
each other the truce resulted In no good.
AS soon as Father Peters and Bradley
rejoined the party two young men, who
declared that they could reach Camp
Dick Robinson without food or sleep,
We're detailed to make their way to the
north and to inform the first Union
troops they reached Of the condition Of
the fugitives whom they had left be-
hind. This precautiop proved tho sal
vation of the mountaineers.
The Confederates numbered about 100
men, cavalry or mounted rifles, as could
be seen when the clouds rolled away and
the sun came out. The enemy were
green and undrilled, as were most Of the
troops on both sides at that time, but
the officer in command evidently under
stood his business Leaving q guard
with the horses grazing In the valley, he
advanced his men in open order and
evidently with orders to protect them
selves as best they could they came with
in rifle reach.
81 recall" said Miss Peters, "that
saw oil this without any increase of
fear, nor was / at all shocked at seeing
my father on his knees with his rife
protruding through an opening in the
rocks. Indeed it appeared to me like an
act of habitual devotion. WANTED to do
something and IL there had been an un-
used rifle within reach / am sure /
should have obeyed the impulse to use it.
"Inever admired strong Dick Bradley
so much before l expected that he
would rave and swear but instead he
went softly from man to man, uncaring
for the exposure, and whispering: Low
and stiddy, boys. Low and stiddy, and
not too doggone highP"
Itwas not till a dozen men had fallen
that the Confederates began TO get true
estimate OF the enemy. This was the
first conflict in which any of them had
ever participated, and so the courage Of
the bravest began TO cool at the sight of
blood. They threw themselves on tho
ground and opened mild fusillade at