The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-11-09
dialect was not that of those noun.

tains.
Even as he uttered these last words.
throwing into them a threat more in
the tone than the language. became
6ware OF a thin ray of light pene-
tratiHE the seemingly solid wall Just
in front of me, and bending silently
forward could dimly distinguish the
eliiptical head OF Bungay as he applied
one eye to a small opening he had
industriously made between the logs.
Grasping Mrs. Brennan firmly by the
hand so that we Jhould rot become
separated, l crept across the interven-
ing blackE 2ss, and reached his side.
Holy smoke, Cap" the little man
mCttered In suppressed excitement, as
he realized my presence, ITS goin'
ter be bilin' hot in thar mighty soon.
Mariar's steam is a risin'."
He silently made room for me, and
bending down so as to bring my eye
upon a level with his, managed to
gain some slight glimpse Of the scene
within the cabin.
hl lDuh6dy blOOo I'LL boSA
to the fireplace, an iron skillet firmly
gripped in one hand. Her face was
red with indignation, anT there was
look in her eyes, together with a
defiant set to her chin, which prom
ised trouble. In front Of her, care
lessly resting on the table, his feet
dangling in the air, was sturdy
looking fellow Of forty or so. with
red, struggling beard covering all the
lower half Of his face. and weather
worn black hat pulled so low as al
most to conceal his eyes. His attire
was nondescript, as though he had
patronized the junkshop OF both
armies. In his belt were thrust a re-
volver and a knife, while within easy
reach of his hand q musket leaned
against a chair. Two others Of the
party, younger men, but even more
roughly dressed than their leader.
! were lounging between him and the
door.
Bungay chuckled expectantly.
20 Lord! If they only git the OF
gal Just little more rlled." he whis.
pered hoarsely, jumping up and down
on one foot in his excitement, they'll
hev ther fight OF their life."
do you know the fellows?" asked
"Is that Red Lowrie?"
He shook his head.
Never laid eyes on any Of 'em
| Of hut hAf fhnu'rn on06
Reckon they're a part O. his crowd"
The man who posed as the leader OF
the party picked up the empty cof.
| fee-pot beside him and shook it.
Come, now, Mrs. Bungay," he com.
anded, Il tell you we're hungry, SO
trot out some hoecake and i'll up this
pot, unless you want t. reckon with
Red Lowrie."
The woman stood facing him, yet
never moved. could see a red spot
begin to glow in either cheek. If
had ever doubted it, knew now that
Maria possessed a temper of her own
"You amt no Re-, Lowrie," she re-
torted.
uC lSllOW CoolLJs
mo more l ain':, old woman, but
reckon we amt so durn far apart
when 1t comes to getting what we &C
after Come, honest now, where is
the little white.livereL cur that runs
! this shebang?"
Whatever Maria miOht venture tc
call her lord and master in the
privacy of home, 1t evidently did not
soothe her spirit to hear him thus
spoken Of by another.
IF Jed Bungay wus hum" she an
swered fiercely, her eyes fairly blaz
ing, Il reckon you would mt be sprawl
in on thet thar table fer long"
Wouldn't l, now Well, old hen
we've fooled here with you about az
long as care to. Bill, go over there
and put some Of that bacon on to fry
If she doesn't get out Of the way III
give her something to jump for" And
he patted the stock Of his gun.
Instinctively drew my revolver
and pushed its black muzzle into the
light under Jed's nose.
Shall l give him a dose?" / asked
eagerly.
mot yit; O Lord, not yit!" he ex
claimed. dancing from one foot to the
other in excitement Let ther oil
gal hev a show. l reckon she's goot
ter ther whole three of 'em, less they
shoot"
Bill came up grinning. He evident
ly anticipated some fun, and as he
reached out grimy hand for the slat
of bacon, took occasion to make some
remark. What 1t was could not hear
but l noted the quick responsive flasE
in the woman's eyes, and the mex
instant with a crash she brought the
iron skillet down with all her strength
on top of the fellows head Withou
even a groan he went plunging down
face foremost. in front Of the fire. II
another moment she was battling like
wild fury with the other two.
1t was quick, intense struggle. The
man near the door chanced to be thC
first in, and he received a blow from
the skillet that most assuredly wouIC
have crushed his skull had he no
lodged; as it was 1t landed upon hi
shoulder and he reeled back sick ant
helpless. BY this time the fellow will
the red beard had closed upon her
and wrested the skillet from her hand
Struggling fiercely back and fortl
across the floor. Maria tripped owe
the body Of the dead dog and fell
but as she did 30 her fingers graspet
the red beard Of her antagonist. !
yielded to her hand. and bare of face
save for dark moustache, the LhaI
stood there, painting for breath. abov
her. Then suddenly. almost at N,
very ear, voice cried.
1T 1T