The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-19

last hilltop to the rear had given mo an
other sight Of my shadowing pursuers rid
Ing hard. as IL they meant to overtake me.
The little maid sat up straight on the
saddle-horn and looked about her a. II to
get her bearings.
THAT way" she said. pointing short to
the right; and I wheeled the horse into q
blind path that wound In and out among
the trees for long half mile, to end at q
little clearing on the banks Of Q small
stream.
In tho midst of the clearing was q rude
log cabin; and In the open doorway stood
man bent. and aged. q patriarchal figure
with white hair falling to his shoulders
and q snowy beard such as Aaron might
have worn. At sight OF mo the old watcher
disappeared within the house. but mo-
ment later he was out again, lingering the
lock OF an ancient Queen's-arm.
I drew rein quickly, and the little maid
sat UP and saw the musket.
Don't shoot, gran'dadr she cried. Hes
Cappy Jack, and he doesn't eat folkses."
At this time the old man came to meet
US, though still with the clumsy musket
held at ready.
These be parlous times SIR" he said.
half in apology. thought. And then: you
have made friends with my little maid, and
I owe you somewhat for bringing her safe
home"
Nay" said L '-The debt Is mine, mas
much as have the little one for my friend.
It's long since 1 have held trusting child
In my arms, do assure you, sir"
He bowed as grandly as any courder.
II hope her trust is not misplaced. sir;
though for the matter Of that We have
little enough now to take or leave"
You have given It all to the King r.
said l. feeling my way as I had need to.
His eyes flashed and he drew himself UP
proudly.
,,--t.-
see" this with wave OF the hand to
point me to the forlorn homestead. There
is naught left me save this poor hut and
my little maid"
Taken you say7 Then you are not Of
the Kings side?"
He came a step nearer and faced me
boldly. Listen, sir; two of my sons were
left on the bloody field of Camden. and
the butcher Banastre Tarleton slew the
other two at Fishing Creek. A month
since band OF rowing savages, armed with
King Georges muskets. mind you, Sir.
came down upon us at Northby, and this
little maids mother
He stopped and choked, and the child
looked up into my face with her blue eyes
full Of nameless terror. "Oh, want my
mammyi" she said. Won't you find her
for me. Cappy Jackr'
l slipped from the saddle, still claspinS
the little one tightly in my arms.
tHOu5Il, 6lTr i salUi WQeD could trust
myself to speak. This same King Georges
minions have made me a homeless outcast
| too. l live but TO give some counter-stroke,
IL I may
Hal" said tho old man, starting back;
then you are tor our side2 But your uni
form
is that Of an Austrian officer, my good
| sir. which should right gladly exchange
tor the buff and blue. put that can serve
the cause the better in this
He dropped the Queen s-arm, took the
child from me and bade me weIcome to his
cabin and AL 1t held. But was not minded
to make him a sharer in my private peril.
NO." said l. Tell me how may find
Gilbert Town and Major Ferguson's rendez-
Vous, and l WILL ride whilst / can see the
way
he looked at me narrowly. ferguson
lett Gilbert Town some days since II
It's the place you seek, you are gone far
out OF your way; if It's the man
lis the man." l cut in hastily.
The patriarch shook his head.
III You be Of our side, as you say, he
will hang you out Of hand"
SO l can make my errand good care
little how soon he hangs me-"
And what may your errand be? Mayhap
I can help YOU"
1T is to bring him to stand till the
mountain men can overtake him."
The old man trembled with excitement
like boy going into his first battle.
'-Ah, If you could-if you couldr' he cried.
But It's too late, now. Listen: His present
camp is but three miles to the westward on
Buffalo Creek. 1 was there no longer ago
than the Wednesday. IL made my submis-
sion to him-curse him-so that might
mayhap learn Of his plans. He told me all;
how, that now he was safe; that the noun
taineers were gone off from the fording OF
the Broad on false scent; that Tarleton,
with 400 of the legion. would soon be march
ing to his relief.