Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-09-12
CHAPTER VII.

Inc son wa just peeping over into
the frosty little valley when our heroes
set out. They walked very rapidly IN
I'll the upper end of the villagc was
reached, when they gredually slscl ened
their speed and moved forward in
slow creeping manner until they reach
cd the spot where Jim and Reuben had
met Simon Randolph the morning of his
robbery.
Here, " said Jim, addressing Pete.
is whar we met yer brother o.b.r
day after his experience with the Cen
perhead. -
i don't much blame him for being
frightened as he was after having come
IN contact with that old scoundrel, &"
said Pete.
That's So" interrupted Reuben
fer lone man sartin has no business
IN the mountain nigh to that hellish crit
ter, and don't blame him a bit fer
glt'in' away es fer and quick cs posi-
BILE"
ut might be a good deal safer for
US said Ben Moore, ''if we were maI,-
ing the distance longer between our
selves and him and his gang instead of
shortening 1t, as we are now doing
Hit might e the safest" replied
Jim, but safeness is not what I'm
after. Eff hit WIZ I'd be gwine t'othor
way. But safe err not safe I'm 'bleeced
ter go on.
Beg pardon" replied Moore apollo
getically, 4 wouldn't think of turning
back, either, but all must admit that
we are taking great risk in following
this bunch"
Il agrce to that, - said jim. but I'm
so usen to danger now that don't keer
but LITTLE fer his."
We Will have to face many dangers
and perhaps death before accomplis hing
our undertaking" said Randolph. for
II Is difficult and dangerous indeed fol-
lowing band such as this"
Here, Mr. Randolph, " said Reuben
pointing to place in the pathway. lis
whar yer brother wuz robbed a few
minutes afore we met him down van
der"
is that so, ;" returned Pete, "I'u bet
he was glad to have that old scoundrel
tell him to doubie-quick it towards town
after having been robbed"
"He certainly wuz coming like the
north wind when he met Jim and me-
en- seemed purity we'll satisfied with his
escape, " sale Ruben.
The party had already paused and
were examining the path very carefully
when the rattle of dry leaves in a clump
OF rhododendron shrubs nearby attract
ed their attention. Each man Crashed !
his gun with frmer grip and turned
his eyes in direction of the sound. The !
were shaking as though
someone was moving among them.
'Tryin' to skeer US like l some times
10 squirrel by shakin' 'em la'rel."
thought Jim as he fixed his piercing
Eyes on the moving shrubbery.
They stood waiting expectantly for
he supposed robber to make his an.
'earance, but to their establishment q
rant catamount glided from the bushes
nto the path and boldly disputed their
way.
Jim's rife leaped to his shoulder inst
ntly and sharp report smote the chill
mountain air. With cry of agony
ne animal leaped high into the air and |
ell gasping and struggling in death.
Jim's bullet had found its way into '
he forehead of the ferce brute lust I
lidway between its eyes. 1t was s
cry large specimen of its kind, measur- t
lg tive feet from tip to tip. r
IL guess" said Reuben, ''that this c
ere critter wuz goin' ter try ter piav y
b julie on Us" o
Yes" said Jim, looking down at the b
lad cat, 'ye air shore a bad actor. but J.
'u're no match fer this ole gun o. mine.
It that makes no diff 'ence, fer many "
user varmint than you hez received ."
8 final summons from blt. HIT wuz
iy day afore yest'dsy that critter
It'll human form, but shorely not 2 y
man soul, wuz called to a unknown <
'rld by its report" ~
The little group fingered for a short ~
ne around the dead cat, then remem- m