The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-01-12

outside from the ridge-pole of the crib,
where they were constantly under the eye OF
either the Deacon or Shorty, who took turns
watching them. That night the Deacon
slept with them under his head, though they
were beginning to turn little, and their in
creasing gamenes5 brought a still larger herd
of dogs about. But the Deacon had securely
fastened the door, and he let them rage
around rs they pleased.
When they were cooked and eaten the next
morning, the Deacon became oppressed with
anxious thought Where were the next to
come from? The boys had improved so re-
markably that he was doubly anxious to con-
tinue the nourslling diet, which he felt was
necessary to s2csIe their speedy recovery
Without it they "Guid probably relapse.
He could think of nothing bat To 20 hack
again to the valley wacre he got the chick
ems. and this seemed a most desperate chance,
for the moment that either OF tie Old couple
set ewes on bin he or she w0lld give The
alarm. He went to sleep thinking abJat the
matter, and when he rose up IN the morning.
and had nothing 10 offer his boys but the
coarse and uninyiting hardtack, pork, and
coffee, he made up his mind to take the
chances, whatever they might bc. He set
out again immediately after breakfast. and
bs cutting across the mountain came to the
entrance to the valley little after noon.
Keeping close under cover of the woods, he
approached within sight Of TIE house, and
carefully scanned it, What to do lie had
scarcely planned. He was only determined
10 have some fresh meat to take back TO
camp. lie was going to get it as honestly
and fairly as he could, but fresh meat he
must have.
He could see no other house anywhere in
the distance, and probably ii he went farther
he would run into reOel bushwhackers and
guerrillas, who were watching from the high
ridges. So long as he kept under cover OF
the woods he would feel all right, for he was
rs skilled in woodcrait as any OF them, and
could take care of himself But If he should
come out into the open fields and road to
cross the valley they would have him at an
advantage. lie was confirmed i'll this fear
by seeing several little clouds of smoke rise
up above the tops of the trees on the ridge.
There's a gung o. rebels in camp over
there " said he to himself, with a wood
mans quick reading of every sign. That
smokes from their fires. faint enough of it
to be clearin ground; people Amt clearin up
at this time O. year; that ground over there
Amt the kind they'd clear up for anything.
Il
cleared, and you don't hear nobody chop
PIN"
He looked again at the house Every
thing was very quiet and peaceful around
it. There was no stock iii the barn-yard or
fields, and the only signs OF life were the
smoke rising from one Of the great stone
chlmneys, the chickens picking and scratch
ing in the garden, and IA couple of negresses,
who occasionally passed back and ioitn be-
tween The main house and another cabin
apparently used as kitchen.
The Deacon had almost made UP his mind
to maTca boldly down to the house, snatch
up few OF the chickens, and make his way
back TO the woods again, before the old
couple could summon assistance. Suddenly
his quick eyes caught glimpse OF something
ut the point where the road from the ridge
came down out of the woods. Then that
something developed into a man on horse
back, who rode forward to little rise,
stopped, and surveyed the landscape cautious
ly, aud then rode forward toward the house.
He dismounted and entered the house. In
q few minutes there appeared unusual hustle
and activity, during which tie man rode back
again, munching rs he went ut piece Of
curnpone and one of meat, which he had
gotten at the house, and held in either hand,
while lis reins lay on his horses neck.
The old woman came out into the yard
with some meat i'll her hand, and the shrill
note oil her orders to the negresses reached
the Deacon's ears, though he could not make
out the words. But he saw one of them go
to the spring and bring water. which she
poured in a wash-kettle set zip in the yard,
while the old woman prepared the beef and
put ii in. the other negress started fire, and