The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-30

ton to the preacher than to walking
about Zion and telling the enemies
thereof. At all events, we Were well
out of the wood before any alarm was
given. But when they saw us come
then indeed there was a buzz and u
stir among them like bees Swarming
Certain of the stronger and more de-
termined men drew themselves TO-
gether into some sort of disciplined
order about the preacher But the most
part of them ran every way, making
especially for large wild moss with
many quaggs and green Shiny NOR
asses, over which they supposed our
heavy horses could hot SO.
1t so CHANGED that my own squadron,
with Col Douglas at it's head, was the
first to reach the little band of the ia
naticals that stood at bay at about the
preached. AS we came, tall, gray
headed man among them whom for
the press l could not see clearly gave
the word Of command, and they fired ir-
regularly when we were about thirty
yards from them. ] saw the smoke
spring white as it had been under the
very nose of my horse. At my elbow
Jock Cannon, for ordinary my rear
rank man, grunted, fell forward on his
horses neck, and his sword dropped
from his hand. Looking about me, l
could see several saddles wounded or
that killed, l knew not. So there ran
the word along the line of our charge
that no prisoners We're to be taken, eX
cept the preacher, on whose head there
was a price. And in a moment we We're
among them, and / was striking down
the sword blade of the man who op-
posed me-a stout country man who
had a cloak wrapped about his left arm
for guard. But there was no seeing
much, for the place where we fought
was in a hollow. and what with the
lack of wind and the much firing, all
was turmoil and a confused smother of
the blue reek Of powder.
Now, mine enemy was a stout lad
enough, but with his heavy blade and
small experience, he could not hope to
keep it up with an exercised soldier of
His Majesty. So l had presently his
sword out of his hand, and was just
about to cleave him to the brsket, when
my gentlman, instead of crying: Quar-
teri" as many of them did, leaped at
me with a broad -bladed dagger knife
before had time to shorten grips on my
sword.
And then, when his face was near
enough mine to see clearly through the
smoke, and his knife within six inches
of my buff coat l saw who he was
mine own brother Duncan. And at the
same moment he knew me.
Patrick" he cried, and let his knife
drop.
Lord love you-Duncan." said.
stopping my horse. Get out of this as
fast as you may. Are there any more
of the Irongray folk among them?"
1--WE are all here together" he said,
"all except Martin"
The tide of battle had somewhat
acSad Swapninor tho rpriir
so bade him slip away as quietly as he
might; for by this time the line had
broken, as was usual, into great num-
Der of separate combats. So 1t was with
little difficulty that I let Duncan es-
cape through my fingers, pretending a
misunderstanding with my horse, and
pursuing after him vainly with a loud
outcry.
When I returned, I found that the
skirmish was over, and all the fanati-
calls either dead or captured.
looked carefully at the former, one
after another. There were none of them
that / knew, till 1 turned a tall man
lying face down in the moss. who had
been slain at the first fire. 1t was the
dead body of my father, John Vernon,
of Irongray.
Then 1t was that the enormity of
taking part against my name and folk
was first fully brought home to me.
For mostly 1 had loved the horseman-
ship part Of this soldering business
the clattering gayety of the march. the
mastering in haste. the cool night rides.
the constant change of quarters. the
thrilling trump of battle, and the COM
panionship of Just such brisk. needless
lads as myself. But when l saw my
fathers dead body lying there. with the
| moss-water running down his beard
and mixing itself with the blood from
his deadly wound. the black side Of my
| trade came over me. I felt like the mur-
derer of my father and the traitor they
called me at their society meetings.
And of that was very soon to be re-
| membered For we had taken the
preacher lad.
Sure. tits Pat vernors self we have
caught at the conventicling." cried
| Driscoll. the Irishman; 1--WE will even
make him deliver himself to Satan for
prosecuting the saints. and then shoot
himself for field-preaching."
| And with that I went forward. and
| there. with his hands tied behind his