The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-11-07

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Great was my anxiety as | ran to the
pace designated to know If the horses
were stiil there. | was doomed to dis
appointment; they were gone. There
was no time for repining over the loss.
must think out the problem of our
immediate action, and that instantly.
Two courses were open to us-wc might
FOLLOW the cavalry northward, or we
could strike out toward the south.
Each plan had its advantages. If we
followed the cavalry. we might succeed
lh coming up with them, in which
event we should be safe, but as they
were mounted and we were not there
was little hope of our ovrrtaking them.
Besides, the guerrillas would expect us
TO follow that course. If we pushed
south, we must abandon all hope OF
railing in with the troopers, but would
doubtless mslcad the gucrrillas and
gain considerable time. We would also
be moving toward the homes of the 9th
crs or the party. l struck out south
ward.
"What arc yo' going that way for
cried Jack.
"1ts the way to CO."
"Well, 80 ahead; Pm going after the
soldiers"
She turned and started northward.
seized her and, taking her in my
arms, carried her along with the rest,
she raining Il shower of blows from
her little fist upon my head. We
pressed on without Il word, till Jack,
either tired Of the situation or becom-
Ing sensible of the nbsurdity OF her
action, promised that if [ would put
her down she would go with us peace
ABLY. | set her on the ground In
very disgruntlcd condition.
II wish Captain ltingold were here"
She muttcrcd angrily. "IIe'd make you
pay TO- that"
The road was SO winding that l did
not fear any one behind could see us
from distance, while. should we leave
IL, our progress would be very slow.
l chose to take the risk Of being seen
ana put as great Il distance as possible
between us and the outlaws while
they supposed they were on our track
In the direction OF the cavalry, for
fclt sure they would expect us to take
tilat course. We had not gone far be-
forc we met lean cOuntryman on
horseback. In Il few words | told him
or our situation and begged him if he
met the gucrrllns to miSleud them.
When he learned OF our starving con.
dition, he pulled Il small black bottle
containing whisky out Of his saddle
bag. | forced every member OF the
party to drink and. tossing the empty
Dottle to the countryman, hurried on
l knew that the Stimulant would avail
us but little while. then would only
make matters worse. Helen walked
on. showing no effect whatever from
the potatlon. Jack danced along as If
she were at picnic party. while Buck
suddenly became brave rs n lion.
"Don't yo' think, Mr.. Brandystone,"
he said. with difficulty getting breath
enough to articulate while walking so
fast, wed better stop an fight 'emY"
Il think you'd better stop talking
and save your breath for walking.a
"Reckon we better stop" said Gin.
GER "an thank de Lawd TO- lcttin us
out O dat trap an pray fo' dem g'rillas
t git los in dc Wilderness"
eve can do that while we're walk.
Ing" said Helen, "and not lose any
time"
"'Spec' dc pra'rs ON de knees Is mo-
etflcacerous," replied Ginger, "but meb-
be we don't need 'em like we did n spell
ago"
Still there was no sound in our rear.
Helen asked if | did not think thut
keeping the road was pretty risky.
told her that | would soon give tie
word to take to the woods. Coming to
q point where there was turn, leav.
Ing straight piece Of road back of us.
/ told the rest to go OH while waited
md watched. | stood casting rlanccs
back till my army reached another
turn In advance, then, pressing for
ward, caught up with them. III this
way kept them In the road and main
tanned rear watch at the same time
Tor nearly half IN hour. Then the
btrcnEth OF the party, which had thus
far been supplied by excitement. sud-
denly began TO droop and |. feeling
that had used all the energy there
was In them. led the way off the road
INTO the heart OF the forest. We had
scarcely got into the woods when we
ncard clattcring Of hOOfS on the road
whether they were made by the guer
rillaS horses or not | did not know. but
l felt sure they were. We waited till
they were out Of hearing, then every
one sank down on the ground.
"Now, Ginger" l said ut Is Il good
time to give thanks"
Getting on his knees, Ginger poured
out the thanks OF the party in words
that came ms smoothly and plcntifully
rs the waters Of n running stream. I.
being Of that persuasion which has for
It's motto. "rrust In God, but keep
your powder dry" and. seeing that Gin
ger was disposed to prolong his thanks
giving indefinitely, got up and started
to find convenient place to hide
soon struck n little pocket formed by
the coming together Of several dcclivi.
ties and surrounded by thickcts. a IT.
tie runnel passed through It, and
STOPPING down, Quenchcd thirst that
was burning me. Returning to the
party, l led them to the retreat had
found for them. then left them to 90 I'm