The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-26

tnck-R cross-buttock shifted suddenly "a
q shouIder-lift-which seat him flying over
head to land all abroad in the soft clay OF
the landslide
The effect Of this little triumph was magi-
eel and wholly unlocked for. When he had
gathered himself and set HIS limbs In order,
Ephraim Yeates sat up n thrust out 9
clsw-like hand.
Put 1t there. stranger" he said. Y
reckon es now that settles IT. Old Eph
Yeate5 II share fair. powder n lead.
parched corn and pan-meat with the man
that can Hop him Hathaway. Whilst ye're
a-needing a friend in the big woods-a raw
meat-esting Injun-skinner that can Jest
primarily vhop bis weight in wildcats-why.
old Eph's your man: from now on, II not
sooner" AZ ] in this wise began an alliance
the like Of which. for true-blue loyalty on
this old bOrderers part these colder-hearted
times OF yours. my dears. will never see.
As you would guess. / gripped the hand OF
pledging most heartily. pulling the old man
to his feet and protesting IL was but a
trick he would never let another play on
him. And then we four fell upon the deeTs
meat. which was by this ime-not cooked.
TO be sure. but scared a little on the out
side in true hunter fashion.
While We ate. Richard spoke freely OF our
intendings: and IN return Ephraim Yeates
was able to confirm Mr.. Gilbert Stairs war
news to the letter. For all his Tory bias
and prejudice. 1t seemed that Margery's
father had spoken by the book. Gatess
army was crushed and scattered to the
four winds: Thomas Sumter's free-lances
had been attacked. worsted and driven,
with the leader himself SO soFely wounded
that he was carried from the field in .
blanket. siung between the horses of two
OF hts men: and, as was to be expected, the
Tcries were up and arming IN all the north
country. Truly, the prospect was most
gloomy and the outlook for the patriot
III
George himself could wish.
"But you. Ephraim. and the chief. here;
are you two running way like all the
othersT' Richard would ask
The old hunter growled his denial be-
tween the mouthfuhs OF scarce-varmed
meat. - reckon sz how tits t'othsr way
round; we're sort o. camping on the red
coats trail. e. I allow. Amt we. Chief.
heyg"
The Catavba's assent was . cultural
"Wahr' and Ephraim Yeases went on TO
explain
Eye see. tits this-away. You took q laugh
out'n me. Cap'n Dick, for spying round on
that there Britisher hoss-Captain and his
redskins; but long to'ards the last 1 met
up with a thing r two wo'th knowing.
Twas a powder and lead cargo they was
awaiting for; n they're allowing TO
sneak it through the mountings to the over
hill Cherokees."
III. says DlCh.
The old man cut another slice OF the ven
ison and took his time TO impaie Il on the
forked toasting stick.
"weI. then / says to the Chief. here.
says /. Chief. this here's our A-number-
one chance to spile the egyptians: get heap
gun, heap powder. heap lead. heap scalp
The Chief, he says. 'Wahg-Which Is good
Indiantalk for anything ye hke.-and 30
here we are, hot-foot on the trail o. that
there hoss-Captain n his powder var
mintE-"
"AloneT' said I. in sheer amaze1nsnt AZ
the brazen efontery OF this chase Of halt
9 hundred well-armed men By two.
The old hunter chuekled his dry little
laugh. I'VE amt sIch tarnatIen big fools
sz We look. Cap'n John THERE'S a good
plenty Of EN- to wallop US, ex IN allow, II
II come TO fighting 'em fair and square. But
there'H be some dark night : other whenst
We can slip up on EN- and raise q scalp r
two and ltt what plumber We can tote;
hey. ChiefT"
But now Richard would inquire what time
In the night the powder convoy left Apple
by Hundred, and IL Gilbert Stairs York
District guests a Travelled with It. To
these askings Teates made answer that
FaIconnst and his troop. with the Cherokss
contingent, had taken the road at midnight.
or ~theraabouts; and that the Witherbyz.
with Mistress Margery riding her own
black mare. and her maid on . pillion be-
hind . negro groom. had passed some tive
hours later.
This was as We had hoped it might Be;
but when Dicks satisfaction would hays
set itself Ia words. the old hunter made q
sudden sign Of silence and quickly nuns
himself full Length to lay his ear to the
ground Whereat we all began likewise &c
listen. for /. for one. heard nothing I'll
Yeates said: "A hoss: a-taking the back
track like old Iehu the son Of Nimshi wa