The National tribune., 1897-11-25

dies have done me-"
I have more time. Bring up his horse Bill
dad -
You unhung traitor and Lincolnite. " re-
sponded the Colonel; this is my punish
ment for nay mistaken mercy to you. should
have hanged YOU week ago ought to pay
dearly for that criminal weakness -
1.-The Lord would no more have let you
hang me week ago. son of Belial than He
would let You hang me to-day. But we waste
time. Get on your horse
The Colonel would have resisted, but there
was no resisting the stalwart arms of Robert
Inrule and those around him. He was mounted
on his horse, which Eiidad had brought up,
and the Elder mounted another and took in
his left hand the rcinS of the Coone's.
Set fire to the house, Bldad. and then
LET rs get back to the mountains rs quickly as
possible. Brother Inrule, you and your men
march behind us and bring up the rear"
Then. raising his voice TO its loudest pitch,
he called out to the rest in tones that rang
through the thick moist air like a trumpet
9 To the mountains, o, Israel! Back to
your hills, 0, men of Judah Everyone
start Immediately for the mountainsi Set
fire to everything that will burn, and gather
around us at once Brethren and friends,
load your guns and have them ready Come
away, all of you! "
Part of the men were engaged in plumber
ing the camp, with especial attention to the
guns and ammunition. Some had captured
horses, which they mounted Others were
keeping up spirited skirmish with groups
OF rebels gathering on the knobs across the
ravine that ran along the rear Of the camp
| W. I..xk l. Al.
were too used 10 obeying the Elder to think
Of not mindng his words.
Laden with the guns and cartridge boxes
and other spoils they had picked up, they
began TO flock toward the Elder as he led the
way out of camp with his prisoner.
The sun was rising clear and bright, and
dissipating the mists as they started They
took this as confirmation of their belief that
the storm was the direct interposition of the
Lord, and that he was now smiling on them
in approval.
As they fell back Robert Inrule scattered
his men behind the fences and opened fire on
the rebels, who were coming through the
camp in pursuit. They checked them until
the rest of the column had gained some dis
lance. when Inruie fell back to another line
of fence, when the performance was re-
peated. Thus they slowly worked their way
back across the valley If they could once
get across the main road which led through
the center OF the valley they would be safe.
and have their prisoner secure. As they ap-
preached this the Elder watched it anxiously,
and sent word back to Robert Inrule to get
his men well together, and be prepared for
any emergency.
The Colonel spoke for the first time
Unhung villains that you are, you have
wonderful sight of military skill That In
rule, who is commanding the rear guard,
shows more soldiership than any Captain
| have. He is another man | should have
| hanged on sight. The devil, your master,
has taught you some good lessons"
Say, rather, you blasphemer," said the
Elder sternly, that it is God who has
taught our hands to war and our fingers to
fight
Anyway" replied the Colonel "when |
get ont of this my first business will be to de-
prive the devil Of some of his finest gradu-
ates in the art of fighting You're entirely
too smart to be allowed to live long,
You are not going to get out of this,
You satrap Of rebellion" said the Elder
grimly.
. Don't speak too confidently, seditious
Bible-banger, till we get past this road The
| cavalry have orders to patrol this every morn
| ing, to catch your fellows who are try
ing to get to the enemy in Kentucky / have
been watching for the patrol for some time. |
know the Captain in command He is a
| dashing fellow, and likes nothing better than
| to get chance at you Tories. All, there he
| comes now"
As he spoke company of cavalry appeared
coming over the crest of the hill
The mountaineers were vet some distance
| from the road. The quick eye of the elder
| took III the situation at once He turned in
his saddle and shouted in tones that rang
! clear over the valley:
Men, get over the road in all haste |!
| Break for the road Break for the road. -
Everyone heard him and rushed across the
| road, and into the cover of the woods
The cavalry came on ut a gallon yelling
viciously.
The Elder started his horse ahead and tried
to drag the Colonel's after him. bat the Colo
mel spoke to his steed, which planted his fore
/ feet and refused to stir, though the Elder
| tugged hard at the reins. The Colonel shower
ed him with curses and taunts
Just keep on. he said. Hold on to him
I'll have you back in my hands in minute. -
| The Elder saw this clearly; in another
minute the cavalry would recapture him.
lie relinquished the reins. with a parting
anathema at the Colonel, struck his horse a
sharp cut, and sped up the muddy road fol-
lowed by volley from the cavalry, which
cut the leaves and twigs, but did him no
| harm.
Some cavalry dashed after him, but drop
ping from the woods, opened by Robert In
rule and those with him, turned them bacl,
The Elder rode into the woods gathered his
men about HIM, and led them back to the
mountains, followed respectful distance by
the cavalry, which exchanged long range shots
| with tie mountaineers.
To be continued