The Holly chieftain., 1910-08-05
CHAPTER xv.-contInusd.


There's q line Of the South Caro-
lima militia crawling through the
woods toward Raccoon creek. They
insist that It's a practice skirmish and
that they've come over here because
the landscape Ia naturally adapted to
their purposes"
TITS awfully nice, Of them to like
my scenery. You'd better send your
best man out to meet Col. Gillingwa-
ter Of the North Carolina militia, and
tell him to march all his troops into
tho estate by the north gates. and to
be in hurry. Tell him-tell him
Gov. Jangerfield is anxious to have
the STAFF present In full uniform at
grand ball at Ardsley tonight"
Ardmore rode of alone toward Rae
coon creek to catch a view Of the
enemy. How far would Griswold go?
Ardmore could go as far az Girls
void; yet he was puzzled to know
why Griswold was in the field at all.
These reflections carried him far to-
ward Raccoon creek. and when he had
mounted and tied his horse. the more
freely to examine the frontier. By
jumping from boulder to boulder he
crossed the turbulent tide and gained
the other side with sense of enter.
ing the enemy's country.
"Now." he muttered, II am In South
Carolina"
He drew out his map and held It
against q tree the better to study It,
reassuring himself that his own prop
erty line embraced several sections Of
the forest on the south side Of the
state boundary.
IF Grissy shoots me, 1t will be on
my own land" he said aloud.
He cautiously followed the stream
until, several hundred yards farther
on, and overhanging the creek. he
came upon the log cabin in which Big
Paul had reported the presence Of a
ghost. Paul's story had not inter
ested him particularly, but now that
he was in the neighborhood he re-
solved to visit the cabin and learn If
possible how ghosts amuse themselves
by day. He had thrust revolver into
his pocket before leaving the house
and while he had no idea that ghosts
may be shot. he now made sure that
the weapon was in good order. As he
sat on log slipping the cylinder
through his fingers he heard whis.
ting farther along the creek, followed
quickly by the swapping of twigs un.
der q heavy tread, and a moment later
a tall. slender man broke into view.
The stranger was dressed like a
countryman, but he was enthusiastically
not of the Ardsley force of workmen,
for these wore rough sort Of uni
form. His hands were thrust careless
ly into the side pockets of a gray
Jeans coat. They were thrust in deep.
SO that the coat sagged at the pockets.
His trousers were turned up from
pair of rough shoes and he wore a
gray flannel shirt, the collar of which
was guiltless of tie. He was smooth
shaven. and carried in his mouth
when about dozen yards from Ard
more. Then. as he held the lighted
match above the pipe bowl for an in
slant to make sure his tobacco was
burning. Ardmore jumped up and COW
cred him with the pistol.
II beg your pardon" said the mas
ter Of Ar ley. but you're my pris-
oner!"
The stranger shook the flame out
Of the match-stick carefully and threw
It away before turning toward his
captor.
Young man." he said with perfect
self.possession, don't fool with that
gun, 1t might 60 off,"
His drawl was characteristic of the
region; his tone was one of amused
tolerance. Ardmore was short of
stature, and his knickerbockers.
leggings and Norfolk jacket were
not wholly consonant with the re-
volver, which. however, he leveled
very stea Oily at the strangers head.
You are an intruder ON my proper