The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-27
kGSIS V(zIhers 7hG
- laurel Blooms
70 ...... And Men and Women
~ Live Near Natures Heart.....-

By JOHN McELROY.

second day, as Pollock came over the crest
q hill he saw that which made his blood Doll
Tie was nearing the house of stanch UnloI
man-onc of noted industry and THRIFT wn(
owned a good farm, we'll stocked, and who
dwelt in com fort on the product Of the Labor
of his own hands and those of his sons and
daughters. Consequently, he was bitterly
hated by the slave lords and their myrmi
dons. the Sang-diggers. So far he had es
capped the spoiiation which had been visited
upon Robert Inrule and his neighbors.
Pollock had calculated upon stopping at
his house for supper, and to meet many Of
the Union men Of the vicinity who had re-
ceived word TO gather in.
But before he got to the top of the hill he
saw column of smoke rising which gave him
much nneasiness From the crest he saw
Laban TulIock's stables and haystacks in
flames. wagons standing in the road loaded
with his corn and meat, his cattle collected
around them. and his sons under guard OF a
squad of rebels preparing to move off with
| their spois.
There We're 10 rebels to one Of his !:ttle
! squad, but lie was so enEaged that he did not
STOP to count numberse lmpulslyely he
snatched out his revolver and gathered up his
reinS. A swift glance around showed that
| his companions had done the same. They
| had been so much together that there was 10
need TO speak TO or counsel with them. lie
! sent the spurs into his horses fianks and
| charged straightway down the road
| Some Of the rebels had already seen them,
| and had snatched up their guns and were
| firing hastily nj them. Pollock and the rest
did not lire a shot till they were directly upon
tie rebels. Then Pollock's revolver came
down with swift deadly aim. He singled out
his man every time, and did not fire till he
was sure of him. Every time he touched the
trigger a rebel fell TO the ground. His COM
panions shot no less true, and in an instant
the ground was covered with dead and
wounded
The surprised rebels broke and ran back
up the road and across the fields.
Without waiting to reload their revolvers
Pollock and his friends jumped from their
horses, picked up the guns thrown to the
ground, and began firing after them The
three Tullock boys, who were under guard,
had quickly understood what was happening,
and had followed their example with such
guns as they could hastily snatch up. The
rebel Lieutenant in command of the party
had been back of the house when the rush
was made. At the sound of the firing he
came rushing forward, firing his revolver
a. VIZ AiOi|S
men.
He was splendid specimen of physical
manhood, fully six feet high, and strongly
pToportiOned. His face was furious with
rage when he saw the havoc with his men
committed by the five Unionists Flinging
down his empty revolver he snatched up one
OF the guns and snapped il at Pollock. 1t
had been fired, and was consequently empty.
lie raised it to strike down Pollock with the
heavy barrel, and sprang forward.
''Infernal Tory hound. Lincolnite, Scala
wag Renegade" he yelled. 50 70 air my
meat"
Pollock turned toward him, with the gun
in his hand, with which he had Just fired
long shot at flying rebel
Traitor! Rebel Robber! Murderer Of
unarmed men, Insulfer of women :" re-
piled Pollock, sprnging forward with up
lifted gun. Pm powerful glad T. meet yo',
man for man. I'll stop your villainy, yo
JEFF Davis hound He'll is gapin' for yo.
Yen 90 whar yo' belong monty quick"
lie struck at the rebels head such fear
ful blow that the barrel OF his own and that
OF the one which the Lieutenant threw up 10
protect himself were bent by its force, and
the wosd splintered.
The men stood and glared at one another
for an instant. The bent guns had become
clumsy weapons now, but neither dared try
to get another. They were almost breathless
from the effort Of their first encounter, but
they found enough TO hurl hot curses and def
ance at each other
Then Pollock resumed the attack with a
savage blow at the Lieutenant's head, which
the latter again succeeded in warding off,
and instantly returned the blow. For few
lia capnnnG tho finr.af,, ctr
warded with all the power of their mighty
young arms. The wood on the gun barrels
was beaten off in fine splnters by the force
of the blows, but the combatants grasped the
heavy crooked irons with the frenzy Of des-
peration, and struck furiously and blindly.
The Lieutenant succeeded in landing a
heavy blow on Pollock's left shoulder, which
would have shattered the bones but for the
protection of the thick overcoat Pollock
was almost beaten TO the ground, but he raj
lied his strength for supreme effort, aud,
as the Lieutenant opened his guard TO make
his blow, he brought his gun barrel down
upon the rebels head with force that
crushed through the skull. The rebel sank
to the ground without a groan, and Pollock
fell backward exhausted.
Web Brainard and the rest had fixed bayo-
nets on some of the guns, and rushed to the
assistance Of Pollock, but the movements of
the Infatuated combatants were 50 like flashes
Of lightning that there was no opportunity
for a bayonet thrust without danger to Pol
lock-
g Is he dead?" gasped Pollock, looking to-
ward the Lieutenant.
"Tll make sure" answered Brainard,
thrusting his bayonet through the rebels
heart Hell rob no more Union men, nor
insult their wives and daughters"
The more courageous of the rebels had
stopped III their flight when under the cover
of the woods. They now began a scattering
fire from this. A number had collected in
the road and were acting as if they intended
to renew the fight
Pollock was helped 10 his feet His shout
der panied him terribly, but the attitude of
the rebels aroused him. He reloaded his
revolver, mounted his horse, directed the
Tullock boys to provide themselves with
guns, load them and mount, and he led the
squad III charge upon the rebels in the road
The latter received them with scattering
fire which fortunately did no worse than in
flict slight flesh wound on Web Brainard.
That night Pollock and his party Joined
the rest at the foot Of the gap which led into
Kentucky.
TO be eoDtinued.l
VETERANS IN THE CITY.
Capt. Arnold Brandey, Elkins, w. Va.
Comrade Brandley went out as priy ate, rose