The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-10-22
OLD SQUIRE.

Continued from Hrs. page,

Quarles!"
Lets have fhdt one thing"
Little Mac is a gentleman whispered
the Confederate.
Come in said Mr.. Quarles. but at the
same instant he stretched out his clenched
ing with face to the porch-and cried,
Get out of here, you rebel"'
amazement, Wait, down at the road"
Mr.. Quarlesl was not long in coming.
He gave all needed information in regard
to the roads and the country, but knew
nothing of the movements of the Federal
cavalry. He advised the Confederates to
hide now, and make their way by night,
for it was rumored that Stuart's enemies
were gathering in his front and rear.
I'VE must go on, sir" said Morgan.
Every hours delay increases the dan
ger"
Your horses are none of the best. !"
said Quarlcs; and l don't see the U. S.
brand on one of EN-"
NO; branded nothing at all; they are
private property"
well, / don't see how yOu men can
make it by daylight You might ride in
your shirt sleeves, just like many of the
Yankees do in this hot weather; but if
you get any ways near 'em your horses
would give you away, even if your
brceches wouldn't Mr. Quarles's voice
was loud and his manner positive.
Cant help it. We must risk it, sir.
Stuart is pushing north, and we must over
take him this night, or We shall never do
it."
II think / could help you in the matter
of the horses" said the old man with less
emphasis, certainly, but more .delibcration.
"One of ny ncIghbors has half n dozen
good u. ). horses, and l think he'd like to
swap. Good horses, too; he bought 'em
when they were thin. and he's brought en-
out all right. He's afraid the Yankees
may give him trouble about 'em some day.
and he'll be glad to trade for cattle not
branded"
I'VE must go on" said Morgan.
We'll, my friend, III tell you the
straight truth. I'm interested in those
horses myself, md | don't mind telling
you that they never were broken down.
They are good animals. I got EN- by
slant. and I'm in constant fear that they
will be claimed by the Government. They
are long way better than the ones you
are on. and if you want good trade nows
your time"
Where are they?" the Sergeant asked,
with some show of interest.
Right on your road. You won't lose
half an hOur-yon'il gain time. for they
are fresh and will stand pushing. They
are at the third place you'll pass on your
left. If you say so, I'll get there before
you do"
"All right Mr. Quarles; come ahead;
well look into it" and Morgan gave the
word to mount.
Dan" says Joe. I'm a-thinkin' that
old fellow is in n close place and wants us
to help him out. reckon he stole EN-.
Anyhow, here goes for pul!in' off my coat;
I'll agree to that part of his doctrine"
The road was-full of hoof prints, all
pointing norlhWarl. In this tlickly popu-
lated country ,farp. houses were all about.
the smoke ofgprepariug breakfast rising
from many ciiimneys-hardly were they
ever beyond sight of n chimney. Yet
streams. and ymnny small groves and
orchards. Their rDad now turned almost
lue northeast. a.. .....,...,. ..,,.,.... Oh.
What do You, think about the swap,
George"
d Depends on what he offers" Scney
replied. ''ImrnOt igoing to be cheated in
order to get NJ T.: s. horse. ! don't want
one quite that. bad; but hope he is tell
ng the truth. for ours are none the better
Tor want of rest. Iir ought to he willing
% do almost anytbimr for the sake of
safety, - Don't you believe that he is in
crested in some; of Mosby's people, or
some other people like MoSby's?" D.
Yes, Eve little doubt Of it, replied Nor
gan. ~. 80
You know / was with Mosby on enc
If his raids over here. and the men cap
urcd more horses than they knew what
o do with. What do you suppose they did
with emp
They ought to have killed en- said
Yes. but they ddn't-that is. all of
en-. Some of the men sold 'em for a
song TO the farmers. and some of EN- Just
saye.'em away, or turned EN- loose, which
amounted TO the same thing, for no doubt
he farmers got EN-"
But if they're branded, orr men ahead
would be likely TO take en-
'Oh, Dan. he's got 'cm well hid ont
ie's so afraid of the Yanks that I'm hope
word to convince him that ! was not try
ng to get the best of him-he was afraid
was Il detective or something"
"Mahs Dan, you betteh go mighty slow
'-swappIn feb dem bosses you amt nuv-
'eh know notll'n' about. De good book
lit say Wen you mex trade you mus
edge right; dat Misteh Squalls he in IL
mighty big swivel about swappin'."
Yes, Squire, wen not jump at the
hing. When we get there. | want you
o keep both eyes open-lOok at all of
point"
"Yessah, spec he done shut 'em up in
lie daytime, an tuhn 'em loose in his |
'astuh at night; an den he amt fed em
10 Gavin an de las one of 'em is got de
couahs f'om eatin' noth'n' but green
;rass: an hit'll be Gawd's blessin' ef |
ley aint got de tendcli huff, too. feh de |
,oOd book hit say dat lie boss got to eat
lie hand Gavin ct lie gwine to stan up to
he business"
''You must look close, old man, and not
ct us he cheated"
IF they swindle Squire. they'll have to |
,ct up before day says Armstrong.
''iessah, dat de Gawd's troof but dat |
'Iisteh Squalls lie done tuck an got up |
'efo'e day dis mawnin'; wen | come up
o him, lie dess a-smokin' his pipe dess lax |
t was atteh breakfus', an hear we is,
int had not a mou'ful yit.'
The third place on the left was reached. |
tall gate was already open ut the only
ntrance way through an impcnetrabe |
ledge. Mr.. Quarles had d;stanccd them
lad known how to take Il short cut. he
aid. He led the way up to Il dwelling of |
ONE former comfort. but now greatly in
iced of repairs. Behind the house, on n
teep slope, stood a large barn, to which
uifdns the whole party descended. In
he stalls were nine horses. all of them evil
entIy ex-FTder:tl. Squire went the
Ounds.
dis un got thee wife hufs-dess es
Don have a cow the cd man muttered.
lie went out in tie barnyard and returned
With heavy, stone and struck repeatedly
he loofs of tlle animals he liked.
"Yessah, Mfahs Dan, Mistah Squalls he
ay he done fed 'em avn dry feed all de
ime-an' some o de cobs izh hcah Wit.
mt you dummy hoy long desc crittehs can
tan up undeh Sou weight an Mahs
'b1 hlpy's uofs NJahs Ina's nnthah. |