The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-08-19

"No," said Pollock "Hit was only the
wind. Thar's nobody nur nothin' "--
Before he could finish his sentence she fired,
and he could see by the way the leaves flew
that she had aimed low down.
Three shots instantly replied, but the
shooters were evidently flustered, for the bull
lets went wild The next moment Big Jim
Hoskins and his two brothers dashed out of
the copse and fled up the mOuntainside,
among the rocks. Pollock and Bidad fired
as quickly as they could bring their guns
down. but it was too late. Reuben came
charging up and wanted to chase, but the
mountain-side was too precipitous even for
his venturesome colt.
They reloaded their guns and held a
council. They decided that this would end
the ambush for that day, at least. Miriam
was now content to let Pollock go on alone,
while she and the boys returned to their
home All were to meet again the next Sun
day at the ''big meeting" at Mt Gilboa
Church.
Religious meetings are to the mountaineers
far more than mere devotional. assemblages.
Though they bring to them religious fervor
not surpassed by any people in the world, re-
ligion is far from being the only object of
their gatherings. They are survivals OF the
ancient customs Of our free, seli-governing
race, where all the people of district would
gather together to discuss and settle every
matter of common interest to them, from the
maintenance of law and order among them
selves to the adjustment Of their relations
with the peoples of adjoining districts
Nowadays, and in thicsly-settled COM
munities, people meet at one set of places for
religion, at another for politics, at others for
trading, social intercourse and the other
affairs Of life. TO the primitive mountain
people the religious meetings combine all
these purposes, together with those of the
daily newspaper The ordinary meetings
bring together the people OF one particular
neighborhood 'big meetings" those of
several neighborhoods. Friends living far
apart come together, young people seek
mates, lovers meet great deal of quiet
trading is done, the condition of the country
is discussed, judgment is passed on the
character and acts of public men, big and
little, and public opinion is made up.
Every one knew that the big meeting at
Nit. Gilboa would be one of extraordinary
size and deep interest The hearts of the
mountainous were stirred as never before by
the rumors of mighty political events. They
wanted to embrace every opportunity to get
together, talk the matters over receive the
advice Of their leaders, and determine their
course.
Shortly after "sun-up"-as the homely
mountain-phrase is-men began to gather in
the pleasant chestnut grove around the little
church. They brought food for the day with
them, and also their guns. 1t was almost as
natural for mountaneers to carry their guns
4 70,
to carry canes Possibly cane-carrying is
related to the gun-caITying habits Of our an
cestors
Most of them rode to the place, for the
roads were not favorable to vehicles Some
of the men carried y their wives on pillow
behind their saddles some carried a child
| behind, while their wives, riding separate
horses, carried one child behind and one in
| their arms. Young men and women of
| manageable age rode, rs q rule, their own
horses, which had sbeen given them by their
| fathers when colte and carefully reared by
| them. They had made appointments long
before to " jine y one,another at certain CT SIS
roads.
| There was exuberant greeting when the
little parties came together; they galloped off
on side roads to separate from their sOberer
and slower-gong elders, and made the green
woods ring with their laughter and merry
singing.
The higher the sun rose the greater became
the crowd The matured men were largely
of one physical typetall, rather slender, but
very sinewy, full bearded, with long black
hair deep-set eyes and strongly-cut features.
They spoke in a soft drawl but with an
almost mournful seriousness. Life was very
earnest and real-too often tragic-with
them. They gathered in little groups about
men of local reputation for WISDOM and
these groups would coalesce into much larger
ones as men Of still wider fame arrived.
1 Two Or thraa ccora Of tho voupuar x,,o,, -,