The National tribune., 1897-11-11
SYNOPSIS Or PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

rNoPSIs Or PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.
The scene of this story of the war period j:
laid In the Southern Allrgany Mountains. The
hero. Henry Clay Pollock, is a sturdy yOuns
mountaineer; the heroine, Miriam lnruis
the daughter Of Roie cit Inrule, of the
descendants of the honest, hardy men wht
penetra.ed into the mountains and amid pie
neer bardships and dangers. located rude but
comfortable homesteads. Mrs. Inrule is al
invalid. Inrule and his family ale intensely
loyal and religious Secession has alread
startled the country, and Fort Sumter ha:
fallen
The narrative opens with young Miriam
engaged IN spinning on the veranda of heI
fathers house She is interrupted by the
arrival OF Elder Stornmont. Methodist circuit
rider. Later. Mirian's sweetheart, Pollock,
arrives. The two expect 10 be married in a
few months.
Col. Rhea. s bitter Secessionst and slave
swner also comes, with his overseer, sam
Griggs, a man OF low instincts aud ruihaniy
appearance. political discussion follows be-
tween Inrulo. Stornmont. aud Pollock on the
one side and Rhea the other. Rhea goes OF
enraged AT the loyal expressions OF the others.
aud VOWS to teach them their duty.
After his departure. Elder Stornmont. in a
solemn way. predicts period OF dread civil
strife. When evening comes, band o! Seces-
sionists Of The class known ae Sang diggcTs, led
by Jim Hoskins, dash by the house and fire
show of bullets over it, the while hootns
and yelling Pollock aashes out and unhorses
two of the men ana the rest run away.
That night IS the laruIcs sit around the
great fireplace, Sally loskius appears with her
babe in her arms. and says she has left her
husband. Jim, becaa~e of his continual Ill
treatment, and begs 10 he allowed to stay and
work out her living with the lnrules; other
wite she will drown herself and child. She
eventually is allowed to stay indefinitely.
Next morning lnrnie's sons and pucky
Miriam escort Pollock over the mountains
homeward. As they anticipate. Big Jim Hos
kins and his brothers attempt to ambush Pol
lock, but are scared away. Col Rhoa and the
JEFF Davis Guards try To disperse mass meet
ing of the mouutsinrers at Mt Gilboa the fol-
lowing Sunday, and fail.
Sol Blcnker, AL old man, keeps a 'stillery.
and is one of the leaders among the Sang
diggers OF ChiBkapin Cove. Jim Hoskins and
others are gathered one morning at his place.
Hoskins threatens to thrash Elder Stornment.
The Elder suddenly appears, and when Jim
attacks him settles the affair by one powerful
blow.
After the Elders departure Griggs. as a
rebel Captain, enlisls the whole party willy
Blly. Next day they try 10 arrest young
Pollock, who is with The lnrule boys and
Miriam. Griggs gets bullet in the ribs, aud
his crowd fees.
Pid Pancake and wills Cluke two of the
Sang-dIecers, set fire to lnrule's stable, aud are
captured. Inrule lets them go. Disguised at
the failure OF Griggs aud his men To capture
Pollock, ihea leads his men in two parties to
attack rolock's home; the attachments fire
into each other in the darkness. and several
are hurt. Rhea vents his wrath by burning
POllock's property. Pollock aad the men. who
are going 10 join the army In the nighttime,
fire into the headquarters of a rebel regiment at
Cumberland GAP. They pass over tho border
into Kentucky, and reach Camp Dick Robin
son.
They meet the famous Gen. Nelson. His
abuse and epithets iufnriate Pollock. who
threatens the General with a thrasbing. AT
that moment note is handed Nelson, vino an
nounces that certain force of rebels is within
striking distance. and he will give the Ten
nesseeans chance to show their mettle. He
etraightnsy moves out TO attack, leading the
way himself The Tennesseeans respond with
an admiration for the General that obliterates
their hot anger. They capture. among others.
one whom they believe is Bill Stanwood, a
notorious rebel.
The Secessonists prepare to deal severely
with the loyslsts. whom they call Tories:
they are especially incensed at Elder Storm
mont, who Is too active for their conforf. The
lnrule buys and Miriam. on their way To burn
important bridge. encounter a squad of
rebel cavalry. The Lieutenant in command be-
comes too attentive 10 Miriam, but before the
boys and he came TO blows about il she turns
her horse into the woods. They set fire to the
bridge.
Gen. George II. Thomas takes command of
Camp Dick Robinson. He captivates the Ten
nesseeans by bis manner. The rebel Gen. Zslli-
Golfer makes an advance. and Pollock aud his
comrades are sent out 10 secure information as
10 his movements
Elder Stornmont several times narrowly es-
capes capture by the rebels. Robert Iarule
and his SONS are arrested for burning the
bridge over Red Bud Greek Tie Elder in a
note to Col. Rhes, declares he is responsible for
the work, and offers TO give himself I'D upon
release o. tie Iprnies. Rhea accepts the propo-
siton.
A ruInor that the Elder was about to make
has appearance, and in some way save the
lnrules, Ian through the crowd OF rebel sol
diers and Union men gathered about the
courtroom. Both were deeply stirred by it.
The rebels were excited as to what new
device their resOuTceful enemy was about to
practice. The Union men were fearful of
they knew not what. They had had 50
many fearful blows tat they dreaded every
thing
Esau Warner was closely watched as he
left the courtroom with the Colonel's note in
his hand. He walked straight to where a
tongue OF woods projected down from the for
est clothing the mountain side, and in few
minutes resppeared riding the Elders horse.
while the Elder walked alongside
More calmly resolute than ever looked the
Elders face as he strode toward the door. ex-
changing greetings with those of his anxious
eye lock who stood around, and regarding
tie rebels with a cold glance OF disdain.
He walked directly into the courtroom
IL -. q q 4
siincti'eiy 10 let hlni lEs lie called ont IN
TIE authoritative tone ia which be was wont
10 direct meetings
Col Rhea. J am here Release the In
rules a once"
An ezGitant flush burned in Col Rhea's
face l8e looked at tie Elder for an instant.
as if 10 satisfy himself that il was really he
and ti.cn commanded
Capt. GTigcs, take Elder Storumont into
custody. and guard him with the utmost
closenCss. Take Robert lnrulc and his tgo
sons onts.Gc the COURTROOM and lei them 90. y
Capt. Ssm G:igg- put is large. coarse
hand lnughly or the Elders shoulder. whose
face TelG,lcd at the rude touch. and he in
voluntarily clenched his fist. Then he re-
mcmbc.ed himself, and submitted IN silence
Griggs called 10 two men. who picked up
their Layoneted guns and placed themselves
Oh either side Of the minister.
ACw," ordered Grggs, III "A loud rough
voice. = wan; yo' 4 stay with that cantin'
ole devil every minute till | relieve yo'