The National tribune., 1898-02-10

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
glad to get chance at you. Order your mel
to cease firing 1 will do the same. We'll
settle this matter between ourselves. / wan
to rid the Southern Confederacy of such
traitor"
The lines ceased firing, and the men leaned
on their rifles to watch the fight
With his pistol drawn the Colonel dashed
down the road. to within rod of where
Pollock sat on his horse with his saber drawn
kunnel Rhea,'' said Pollock, 1 used t
say that l wanted t. shoot yo' with your
own pistol. Now the hate l have for yo
makes ME feel that would be too little salts
faction. Shootin' yo' would he too quick.
Will yO' fight me with your sword?"
You are the challenger said the Colonel,
land so have no right to a choice of weapons.
| But iii waive that without word. I'm too
| eager to get at you to care for arms. I'd
fight you with pen knives, rather than not at
ALL
He put his pistol back in his holster and
drew his sword. 1t was a longer, slenderer
weapon than POllock's, which was reSula-
| ton cavalry saber.
| The instant that the Colonel raised his
sword Pollock dashed at him, and made a
savage blow at his head. The Colonel caught
this with dextrous head-parry," and de-
livered i'll return slash at Pollock neck as
he went'past. Both had perfect command of
their horses, and instantly turned and rode
furiously at each other Pollock delivered
swinging fright cut" at the COonePs
neck, which would have taken his head off
if the Colonel had not skilllully parred it.
He got in a grazing cut on the back OF Pol
tan1- y, IAal
peated by both. Pollock had more despera-
ton and more strength of arm, but the Colo
mel was the more agile, ard the better
swordsman.
Both halted for moment to breathe, and
then rushed together again. Pollock changed
his tactics. He refined his horse to standstll
beside the Colonel's and strove to beat
down his guard by savage downward s. head
cuts.' The Colonel would ward these, and
strive to thrust Pollock through the breast
as he was gathering for another blow. Twice
he got his sword point into POllock's fl&h,
but not deep enough to make disabling
wound. Reused to the last pitch of fury
Pollock struck with such energy that the
Colonel's blade snapped under its mighty
force. Pollock saw the piece fall, and in
stantly changing his saber to tierce-polnt
drove 1t through his ensmy'S heart. lie
drew ii out, as the body fell to the ground,
and waved it trumphantly toward his men,
who raised a cheer and resumed their fire.
At that moment Web Brainard thundered
down at the head of his men. The rebels
attempted to fly but few of them escaped the
vengeful Tennessee cans, each of whom had a
private wrong to settle.
A month later there was the grandest we'd
ding at the Inrule house that had ever been
known in the mountains. Miriam S wedding
dress had been brought from Knoxville, the
first instance of the kind in the history of
Chinkapin Cove. Henry Clay Pollock APP
peared in the full uniform of a Captain of
cavalry, and was attended by his whole com
pany IN uniform. Blldad Irrule wore the
chevrons of a Sergeant, and Reuben those
of a Corporal.
Army ratiOnS formed large part of the
wedding feast but they were veritable
luXurics to the simple mounta;neers For
the 6rst time in their lives they had all the
store coffee they wanted to drink, and
they were raveDOasly fond of coffee. The
bareback was a novel dainty to them, and
the brown sugar luxury.
Peace was not nearly so nigh as they
fondly hoped. 1t took another year of DIES,
perate fighting to win it, but through it all
Cove, at least.
When the surrender came, Henry Clay
Pollock returned with the straw berry leaves
Of a Northumberland on his shoulders.
The war had greatly enlarged his mental
horizon as it had those OF every one Of the
mountaineers engaged in it. A commodious
and neatly painted frame house took the
place of the hewed-log building which for
merly stood for him as the hight of elegance
Equally modern ideas pervaded all his farm
management and his homestead soon became
known as one of the best and most success
full farms in East Tennessee, aud a model
which his progressive neighbors copied
Around HIM and Miriam there has grown
up family of Tennessee largeness, in which
all the sons are as stalwart and brave as their
father, and the daughters good and beautiful
as their mother Over these and Bildad'5 and
Reuben's families Robert Inrue piesdes is
a beloved patriarch. Mrs. Inrule passed
gently away years ago.
Big Bill Hoskins succumbed to the ravages
of 'pine-top" whisky long before the war
closed and Sally became the fitting helpmeet
for one OF the best men in Pollock regiment
The Elder was persuaded to go into poll
tics, and was elected TO Congress for one term
He refused a reelection. To do good aud
serve the Lord were and remain vet his
highest ambition and pleasure. For this
there is no vocation comparable to that to
which he dedicated himself in his youth-the |
ministry of the Methodist Church
The passing years have each added to the |
esteem and veneration in which he is held by
his people. He Is the most welcome OF Wis
itors to thousands Of mountain homes. his |
words have as much authority as the laws OF
the land his advice and counsel are sought
by every one, and his the highest place OF
honor at every mountain gathering
1.-THE end.l
CHAT OF THE CORRIDORS.
We will have recinrncitv with par, ax,o,,t