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

I D ~
| mans hand sprang down the single
step and closed the door tight behind
us. Jed had scrambled TO his feet
and rubbing himself vigorously with
one hand, utilized the other 10 drag
outward rough cupboard. which ap.
peared TO be portion of the house
itself As it swung open there was re-
vealed behind it fair,sized opening
extending into the face of the hill. II
was most Ingenious arrangement,
doubtless finding frequent use in those
troublesome times. Its presence par.
tally explained how Jed had thus far
escaped the CONSUMPTION officer. Into
this hole we entered one at a time,
and when the heavy cupboard had
been silently drawn back into place.
found ourselves enveloped In such
total darkness as to make any move
ment dangerous operation. l felt
the clasp of my companions hand
tighten, and knew that her whole form
was trembling from intense excite
ment.
DO not permit the darkness to
alarm YOU" | whispered softly, bend.
ing down as | spoke until | could
feel her quick BREATHING against my
cheek. Our visitors are not likely to
remain longer than will be necessary
TO get something to eat They need
never suspect our presence, and all
we have to do is to wait patiently
until they move on. l only wish
could discover something upon which
you might sit down"
Pray do not think me a coward"
she answered, but have heard of
this man Lowrie in the Federal camps.
and would rather die than fall into
his hands"
had heard Of him also, and OF his
outrageous treatment of women The
memory caused me to clasp my hand
warmly over hers, and set my teeth
hard
ut may not prove to be Lowrie at
all" said soberly; but all these
gentry are pretty NUN alike, fear.
| However, l promise that you shall
never fall alive into the hands of any
Of their breed"
Before she could answer me other
than by slight nesting closer in the
darkness, Bungay whispered: This
yere hole, Cap, leads down ter the
right, an comes out in a sort o. gully
bout a hundred feet back Thar's
light 'nough ter see ter walk by alter
We turn the corner, bout twenty
feet er So You uns kin go on down
thar if ye'd rather, follerin' Their dorgs,
but l reckon as how I'll stay right
yere an sorter see how Their OF woman
comes out
"'Where where was Roderick then?
One blast upon his bugle horn
Were worth a thousands men,
If you uns like ter see burned good
fight maybe ye better stay tew--ther
oil woman is pisen If she once gifts her
dander up"
His voice was expressive of great
expectations. and had reason to be-
lieve his faith In Maria would be
Justified. Before any of us, however,
had time to change our positions we
heard the fellows come stamping
roughly into the cabin. The thin slabs
which divided us scarcely muffled
their loud voices
We'll, old woman" exclaimed one in
voice SO gruff as to seem almost as
sumed, pretending to be alone, are
you, with all those dishes sitting out
on the table; just been eaten off, too.
Have mt seen no strange party along
the road this morning, have ye?"
Nary a one" said Maria, and
knew from her voice she was standing
close beside the fireplace.
Are you Mrs. Bungay?"
II reckon l am, If it's any O. yer
business"
Don't git nifty, old woman, or we're
liable to give you lesson in polite
ness before we leave" The leader
dropped the butt of his gun with
crash on the floor. Where is the lit
tie sneak, anyhow"
What do you want of him."
Want him to go long with US;
we're hunting some parties, and need
a guide. They tol us up the road a
bit he knew every inch O. these yere
mountings."
There was a pause, as II Maria was
endeavoring to decide as to the hon
esty of the speaker. Her final answer
proved the mental .urvey had not
proven satisfactory.
wal, / reckon" she said calmly.
"as you uns II be more likely ter
find him down bout Connersville."
Then whut's all these we're dirty
dishes doing on the table,"
He'd sum Yankee officers yere; they
just rode on down Their trail as you
uns cum up
Like hell" calculated the fellow
with complete loss of temper See
here. old woman, we're too old birds
to be caught with any such chaff.
Well take a look around the old she
bang anyhow, and while were at 1t
you put something on the table for me
and my mates to eat"
yr-1. rO.0h