Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-09-15

Believing it to be merely her over.
: wrought nerves which were at fault,
sought to soothe her. 1T was prob
ably no more than a shadow" l said,
crossing to her side of the table, to
enable her better to feel the influence
OF my presence. Let us be content
70 sit here by the door, for we should
be taking too great risk Of discovery
If we ventured into the open"
had barely spoken these words and
placed my fingers on her hand to lead
her forward when the small door
which opened into the shed was
thrown back noisily, and two great
shaggy dogs, the evident mates of
the dead brute at our feet, leaped
flercely in. She shrank toward me
with a sob of terror; but even as l
drew revolver from my belt, a man
and woman appeared almost stimuli
taneously in that same opening.
Down, Douglas down, Roderick!
Ha! There lies Red Murdoch, stark
and stiff!-down, you brutes; you'll
be dead yourselves sometime"
The man strobe forward as he
spoke, clubbing the frenzied brutes
with the stock of the long rifle he
carried.
yelled on the view the opening
pack" he quoted, as he distributed
his blows impartially to right and left;
rock, glen, and cavern paid them
back Them thar be SCOTS words,
stranger, an l reckon as how oil Sir
Walter knew whut he wus writin'
bout. Stop tibet blame youlin', you
Roderick, er I'll take t'other end O.
this gun ter ye."
He redoubled his efforts for peace,
finally driving the rebellious beasts
back into one corner, where they sat
upon their launches and eyed us visit
fully.
"'Two dogs of black Saint Huberts
breed, unmatched tor courage, breath,
and speed" he exclaimed, wiping the
-perspiration from his face with the
back of one hand and staring at US,
specially the breath"
He was fierce-looking little fellow.
scarcely more than a half-grown boy
in size, with round, red face full of
strange wrinkles, and head as oddly
peak-shaped as | ever looked upon. 1t
went up exactly like the apex of a
pear, while the upper portion was
utterly bald. He formed most re-
markable contrast to the tall, raw
boned angular female who doomed up
like a small mountain just behind him.
81 reckon as how you uns he'd quite
bit of scrap afore ye laid tibet
thar dorg out, stranger" he said, a
half-angry tone lurking in his deep
voice 1.-The fleetest hound in all the
North an I'm burned if l jist likes
ther way you uns makes yerselves ct
hum in this yere cabin"
"Shet up, Jed Bungay," cut in his
better-half, sharply, and as she spoke
she caught the little man unceremoni-
ously by one arm, and thrusting him
roughly to one side strobe heavily
forward until she paused in the centre
Of the room facing us with her arms
akimbo.
Nov I'd jist like ter know" she
said savagely, "who you uns be,
breakin' into a house, and KILN a
dorg, an eatin' up everything we
uns got without so much as a sayin'
by yer leave er nuthin'. | reckon as
how you uns don't take this yere
cabin fer no tavern?"
Madam" | said with a low bow,
sit is misfortune, not desire, which
has caused US to trespass upon your
hospitality. We will very gladly pay
you literally for any damage done. !
am an officer in the Confederate SER
vice, and the breaking down of our
horses compelled us to take refuge
here in order that this lady might
not be exposed to danger from rowing
gangs of guerillas The dog attacked
us in the dark, and we killed him in
order to save our lives"
"'The deep-mouthed bloodhounds
heavy bay resounded up the rocky
way" calculated Bungay with dan
cling eyes.
"Drat yer potry. Jed Bungay! we
dew make me tired fer suah.' She
turned back to us, and from her first
words it was plainly evident she mad
been impressed with but one sentence
of my labored explanation.
Did you uns say as how ye'd pay
fer whut We ct anG fer tibet truck We
busted?" she asked doubtfully.
Certainly, madam, and l TOOK
some money from my pocket as evil
dence of good faith. What would you
consider due you?"
The grim, set face relaxed slightly
while she permitted her husband to
edge his way little more into the
| foreground.
oval, stranger, I sorter reckon as
how bout four bits i'll squar things
dorgs is mighty durn cheap hereabout
enyhow. Give me Their four pits,
mister, an I reckon as how 1t II
| be all right"