The National tribune., 1898-01-13
By JOHN McELROY.

AN the young ra5cals shoot so well
that hit 5 about as dangerSome as rattle
snakes bite [ have EN- draw bead on 70.
sartinly don't want 'em t take Il crack
at ne.
Miriam rode forward, gave Joyous haIOo,
and beckoned to the boys, who came to-
ward her. When within earshot, she sent
this message, in q voice clear, ringing and
sweet rs the tones Of silver bugle:
Run. boys-hits Clay Pollock
The boys raised whOop that would
have done credit TO an Indian, fired their
guns in the air, and ran forward. Clay Pol
lock spurred his horse 10 meet them.
stop, 80 young catamountS, said Pol
loch laughing. You'll pull my arm clean
oil. Don't 20 know that yo're liable t be
hung or shot for bein' 50 friendly with a
Yenilee sojer S'poSe some o ole Lead
better's spies s Watchin' yo' from the
mounting up thar" -
cole Leadhettcrd better be Iool1in out
Tor his own hide, said Bildad THE
Yapilee Jineral MitchelIs marchin' on
Chattanoogy as fast as he kin come, an
ieadbetter's got all he kin tend t, with
out botherin' about Guns"
dhe first greetings over, the boys studied
Pollock and everything about hin, with
opencyed wonder and admiration. He
looked 81 fine and grand in his blue uni
form, with his heavy overcoat, and mar
tial cap. The bright brass buttons, with
the spread eagle in strong relief, the large
bored, breech loading carbine hanging in
a swivel from the broad shoulder belt, the
heavy revolver, the stout cavalry boots,
the solid, powerful horse, with the magic
brand u. s." on the flank; the army
saddle with its trappings, the cartridge
boxes and the haVerSack were all nlarVclS
10 the simple nlountaineer boys, which
they could not tire Of examining and com
menting upon.
Pollock handed over the horse, carbine
and revolver Ia them for examination, while
he walked on beside Miriam toward the
house. War and all it's accessories were
for the morent far away from his mind.
He had only eyes and thoughts for the tall.
supple girl walking in pride and happiness
by his side, and whom he had ridden 100
miles and dared all manner of dangers to
sec.
When he came in sight of the devastated
farm-thc burned stables, the fire swept
barnyard, the havoc and ruin about the
once prosperous homestead, he gave a
start, and his fercest mood asserted itself.
lnstinctivcIy he put his hand back for his
carbine, as if he would punish the wantOn
raNaGers.
Yes, said Miriam, understanding the
cause with quick intuition. That's Nun
mel ihea's and Sam Griggs's work They
burnt everything but the house, and car
ried of all the stock, but Sarvice- blossom
here, (and she laid her hand on the mares
manc). We won't be able t. give yo' mucn
t eat, Clay. TheJ hardly left US enoughst
keep soul and body together"
II spared Kunncl Bhea when he WIZ in
my hand, said Pollock ercely. Il
wouldn't 'vc done 50, if I'd knowed this
won't do hit agin.'
The Elder and Robert nrule, who had
seen them from the house, came up and
greeted Pollock with paternal affection
May Gods blessings pe upon you"
said the Elder, and upon all who are
doing His work May He preserve YOU
through a! the perils of battle and the
dangers by the way, and bring you safely
through to the end"
Pollock removed his cap, and bent his
head reverently. "Anen," said the rest
fervcntIy.
Look, who's a-comin'?" said Reuben.
They saw a tall, soldierly looking man, in
the uniform OF a rebel Colonel ride slowly
down the hill toward them. He sat his
horse weakly, his form was bent, and q
crutch was fastened TO his saddle. Be
hind him rode a negro with a bundle of
blankets and a couple OF well-flled haver-
sacks on his saddle.
CAS- l live, it is Col Rhea," said the
Elder.
I'olocks face set very sternly and he
reached out and took the revolver from
Bldad.
What's he doing here?" asked Pollock
Hcrceiy- how he GIT away from us?
Has he bin sent here t be killed whar he
done his devilment? This is his own pis-
toI, which | have in my hand. Shall he
die by hit right here"
Don't be hasty, my son." said Robert
lnrule, laying his hand upon Pollock's
pistol arm. Wait, an let's see what he's
got { say
Col Rhea tried to straighten up, as he
saw them, and assume his usual com
manding air, but the effort was painful.
"IIow do you do, sir?" said the Elder
stif1ly. Such thing as not speaking to
any man met upon the highway could
scarcely be comprehended by the mount
aincers. They might shoot him dead the
next instant, but they would speak 10 him
all the same, The others made similar
salutations. The Colonel returned them
with equal stiffness.
81 shall not be hypocritical enough to
wish that you are well,' continued the
Elder. Your appearance shows that Won
are far from that, and that some measure
of the Just retribution due your evil doinps
has been meted out tc you Let it be n
warning of the worse fate that is sure to
befall you if you do not turn from your