The National tribune., 1897-11-04
sySorSIs OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

sySOPSJS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.
The scene of this sorry of the war period Is
laid In the Southern Aiicgany Mountains. The
hero. Henry Clay H"!lock, is a sturdy young
uountainccr; the heroine. Miriam lnrnle,
the daughter of Robert lnrule, one OF the
descendants of the honest, hardy men who
penetrated into the mountains. and amid lla-
neer hardShips aud dangers. located rude but
comfortable hOmes;ead@. Mrs. lnrule Is an
invalid. Inruie and his family ale intensely
l5yal and religious. Secession has already
startled tho country, and Fort Sumter has
fallen.
Tie narrative onens with young Miriam
engaged in spinning on the veranda OF her
fathers house. She is interrupted by Inc
arrival of Elder StOrumont, a Methodist circuit
rider Later Miriam's sweetheart. Pollock.
arrives. The two expect 10 be married III a
few months.
Col. Rhea. a bitter Secessionist and slave
owuer also comes. with his overseer, sam
Griggs man of low instincts aud rnianiy
appearance. A political discussion follows be
tween Inrule. Stonmont and Pollock on he
one side and Rhea on the other. Rhea goes OH
euraged at the loyal expressions OF the others
and vows 10 teach them their duty
After his departure, Elder Stornmonf In a
solemn way. predicts a period OF dread civil
strife. When evening comes, Il band OF sece.
sionisi. of the class known IS Sang diggers, led
by Jim iIuskins, dash by the house and hrc
q shower of bullets over it, the while hootins
and yelling. Pollock lashes out and unhorses
TWO OF the men and the rest run away.
That night rs the laruies sit around the
great fireplace Sally lIoskius appears with her
babe in her arms, and says she has left her
husband. Jim. becaH,e of his continual III
treatment and begs IN he allowed 10 stay AMI
work cut her living with the lnrues; other
wise she will drown herself and child. She
eventually is allowed TO stay indefinitely.
Next morning Inrulc's sons and plucky
Miriam escort Pollock over the mountains
homeward. A they anticipate. Big Jim Hos
kins aud his brothers attempt 10 ambush FOL
lock, hut are scared away. Col. Rhea aud the
JEFF Davis Guards try to disperse Il mass meet
ing of the moumtainreIs at Mt. GIit0a the fol-
lowing Sunday, and fail.
Sol Blenker, an old man, keeps stillery,
and is one of the leaders among the Sang
diggers of Chinkapin Cove. Jim Hoskins and
others gathered one morning at his place
Hoskins threatens to thrash Elder Stornmsnt
The Elder suddenly appears, and when jim
attacks him settles the affair by powerful
blow.
After the Elders departure Griggs, -
rebel Captain. enliss the whole parry willy
nilly. Next day they try To arrest young
Pollock, who is with the Inru!e boys and
Miriam. Grisgs gets bullet in the ribs, and
his crowd fees.
Pid Pancake and Wills Cluke. two of the
Sang-dlggers, set fire TO Inruies stable and are
captured. lnrule lets them 90. Disguised at
the failure of Griegs aud his men 10 capture
Pollock. Rhea leads his men in two parties to
attack Poiocks home; the attachments fire
into each other in the darkness and several
are nurt. Rhea vents his wrath by burning
Pollock's property. Pollock and the men. who
are going 10 JOIN lie army in the nighttime,
FIRE into the headquarer OF a rebel regiment al
Cumberland GAP. They pass over the border
into Kentucky, and reach Camp Dick Robin
son.
They meet the famous Gen. Nelson. His
abuse and epithets infuriatc Pollock, who
threatens the General with thrashing. At
that moment note is handed Nelson no an
nOunces that certain force of rebels Is within
striking distance, and he will give the Ten
Besseeans chance to show their mettle. He
stTaIgbtwsy moves out to attack. leading the
way himself. The Tennesseeans respond with
an admiration for the General that obliisrates
their hot anger. They capture. among others,
one whom they believe is Bill StanwoOd, q
notorious rebel.
The oecessionists prepare TO deal severely
with the oyalists. whom they call Tories
they especially inceused at Elder Storm
mont, who Is too active for their comfort. The
1nruie hoys aud Miriam. GA their way to b.s4 n
an Important brllse, encounter squad OF
rebel cavalry. The Lieutenant IN command he
comes too attentive 10 Miri=m hut before the
boys ard he came TO blows about il she turns
her horse into the woods. They set fire to the
bridge.
Gen. George H. Thomas lakes command oil
Camp Dick Robinson. lie caplivates the Ten
nesseeaHs by ms manner. The ,ebe! Gen. Zall
collier makes an advance. and Pollock and his
comrades are sent out 10 secure information as
70 his movements.