The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-12

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accompanied BY hisstwo sons, .wash''
and SAM" and having in charge q body
of refugees, 10 men aRd one boy, started
on one of his accustomed journeys win
Refugees Line" TIA party was well
armed. Uncle Jimmp and his sons carry
ing two revolvers eactF The refugees had
revolvers only. the 14ssysar-old boy carry
ing small one.
| Moving rapidly, bdpfcautiously, to the
"Big Spring of the Sheiandoah," the head
water of the North RiEer. some II miles
northward of White, Oak Lick, thence
along the North MotifGtain Range in the
direction of Spook's Sduseway. some Is
miles further on, UScle Jimmy always
in the van, followed ,fhS Wash and Sam
and the refugees, ,i9 sthe order named,
trailing in single file the party reached
the causeway that spans great rift in the
| Divide
Refugees often carried large Sums Of
money, fact of which the bushwhackers
were perfectly cognizant. As "Black
Sam" said. they robbed the refugees
| ''a-cOmin' an a-gwine'-going North and
coming South.
Before exhibiting the refugees and there
by exciting the cupidity of the hushwhack-
ers, Uncle Jimmy resolved first to go alone
to Newel's headquarters, inform the Chief
of his mission, and. if possible, enter into
a treaty offensive and defensive" Pend
ing negotiations, he directed the refugees
to lie down and keep perfectly still. Ac-
companied by his sons, he then crossed
the narrow passway over the divide"
They had scarcely reached the north side
when they were challenged by a lone bush
| whacker standing in the path, some 70
yards distant. Instantly recognizing the
man. Uncle Jimmy imperatively called,
| Come here, Sam Harding; know YOU"
Harding cried, "Who are your"
Jimmy Todd and SONS, friends to Sam
Harling and the UniOnv'
Harding rapidly advanced, as command
ed, and extended his hand, greeting his old
friend gladly. He briefly told Uncle jim
outlaw band and his connection with it.
Replying, Uncle Jimmy said: "Sam
Harding, you and your band, against
whom, by the way, have nothing in par
ticular, occupy points directly ON my route,
and l tell you now, no man, or band OF
men like yours, can Obstruct my pathway
and live. 1 want to see your Captain.
SAINT, that Uncle Jimmy always Com
manded," in the fullest sense of the term.
| Harding disappeared, but soon returned
with his Chief, who with characteristic
grace declared that be felt himself highly
honored to meet SO famous man as
James Todd, of White Oak Lick, scout,
guide, and hero of Bald Mountain. Hav-
ing duly acknowledged Capt. Novels
ELUSIVE greeting, Uncle Jimmy said:
| Captain Newell, I am on my way to
Cumberland with party of refugees to
whom l have promised safe conduct. l
intend to keep my word. Now, your posi-
ton here on North Mountain is directly
on my established route from White Oak
Lick to Cumberland. must not be divert
ed from my course. l shall travel my
usual path, peaceably if can, forclbly if
| must Il trust you understand. Your
band must not modest the refugees-they
must not be robbed"
Said Newell: ''Mr. Todd, neither your
self nor the refugees shall be molested.
You are a man for whom l entertain dis
tinguished considerations l am in full
sympathy with your operations along Re
fugee's Line Pleasescommand me-"
Uncle Jimmy then assured Newell that
his camp was insecure; that he would
certainly be attacked by, the Confederates
in overwhelming force1within a week. He
advised Harding toIesdnd his wife and
daughter home, and himself seek a refuge |
on friendly soil. He suggested that the |
band should proceed porthward by a route |
somewhat similar to- hfs own, reminding
Newell that his Lieutenant was familiar
with the intervening ebnntry. Newell him
sell, lie IHOuRuI, WOun OUiy Oulcty AZ
far country, Canada, perhaps.
Uncle Jimmy had fully advised Newell,
but not caring to bee6me involved with |
the outlawed bush w}aackers, he circum-
specify avoided and ignored amy suggestion
of a coalition of fofees'o.c : 49,
Wash Todd having been sent back
across the causeway to bring forward the
refugees, they came trailing along and
were saluted by Newell and Harding.
r,hoo En- IIuola cyrrpricn tho
tire bushwhacking band, in response to
some mysterious signal, suddenly appear
ed, formed in line, and stood at present
arms" while the refugees were trailing
by. Sue Harding and her mother lent
color to the scene, Sues shining pistol be-
ing visible at her belt.
Resuming the trail, Uncle Jimmy went
to the front,
"And true to promise led the way,
By thicket green and mountain gray,
A wildering path!-they winded now
Along the precipice's brow"
STAND AND DELIVER.
On the following day a sentry gave a
signal that called out the whole band. He
had seen four men cautiously advancing
on the further side Of the causeway.
Thinking they were possibly the advance
guard of Confederate troops, he sent in
the alarm. Having examined the distant
strangers through his field glass, Newell
turned to his waiting band and said:
Men, the strangers are refugees, and,
judging from their appearance, l think
they have mOney-a thing we need. We
will capture them, relieve them of their
riches, and then let them depart in peace.
This shall be our last exploit of BUSH
character"
Quickly and silently he disposed the
men in a thicket that commanded the path
way. and warned them that if it became
for any one of them to fire, he
must not shoot to kill. He thought there
would be no occasion for shooting at all.
Continuing to approach along the trail,
the refugees crossed the divide" uncOn- I
scious of lurking danger.
At the proper time in obedience to the {
signal, the band arose as one man. The '
surprising suddenness of the apparition so
three of the refugees that they
instantly threw up their hands in token of
surrender. One of the party, however,
showed disposition to fight. Notwith- {
he was confronting largely supe- l
'ior numbers, their guns covering him, he {
rev his pistol, but before he could fire, l
Newell closed in ON him and struck the pis- {
:Ol from his hand, disabling his arm.
The Chief then ordered the prisoners in !
inc, and while the band stood in silence, Q
mere spectators, he relieved them, seria- Q
i'm, of their money, watches, and other t
IN noh1oc Tho v,ksx fhon d