The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-11-29

iot out thar. even II II should be Red
Lowrie and his gang"
Catching firm hold Of Mrs. Bren-
mans hand I sprang down the single
step and closed the door tight behind
u.s. Jed had scrambled TO his feet,
and rubbing himself vigorously with
one hand, utilized the other to drag
outward q rough cupboard. which APP
peared to be portion OF the house
itself. As 1t swung open there was re-
vealed behind II iair-sized opening
extending into the face OF the hill. II
was most ingenious arrangement,
doubtless finding frequent use in those
troublesome times. It's presence par
TALLY explained how Jed had thus fer
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 AZ to make any move
ment dangerous operation. / 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
alnrm you" l 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 only wish l
could discover something upon which
you might sit down"
Pray do not think me 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
TT may not prove TO be Lowrie at
ALL" ! said soberly; "but all these
gentry are pretty mum alike. fear.
However. 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 sort o. gully
bout hundred feet back Thar's
light 'nough ter see ter walk by alter
ye turn the corner, bout twenty
feet or So You uns kin go on down
thar II ye'd rather, follerin' Their dorgs,
but I reckon as how I'll stay right
yere an sorter see how Their OIL woman
comes out.
Where, where was Roderick then?
One blast upon his bugle horn
Were worth thousands men,
II you uns like ter see burned good
fight maybe ye better stay tew-ther
oil woman is pisen II 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
well. old woman" exclaimed one In
voice 20 gruff % to seem almost a.
sumed. pretending to be alone, are
you. with all those dishes sitting ont
on the table; Just bean eaten off. too.
Have MT seen no strange party along
the road this morning, have yer"
Nary one" said Maria, and
knew from her voice she was standing
close beside the fireplace.
Are You Mrs. BungayY'
Il reckon am. II IT'S any q 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 A
What do you want Of himY
Want him TO go long with M:
were hunting some parties. and need
q guide. They toll US up the road
bit he knew every inoh O. these yere
mountings.'
There was pause. as II Maria was
endeavoring to decide as to the hon.
esty OF the speaker. Her final answer
proved the mental survey had not
proven satisfactory. ~ fE
"Wal, reckon" she said calmly.
"as you uns II be more likely ter
find him down bout Connersville."
Then whut's all these yere dirty
dishes doing on the tablet"
He'd sum Yankee officers we're; they
Just rode on down Their trail as you
uns cum up"
Like helll" 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 look around the old she
bang anyhow, and while we're at 1t
you put something on the table for me
and my mates to eat"