Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-09-05
CHAPTER VI

had gradually cleared away 1t was a
sad home indeed. that of Pete Randolph.
7 His aged father, who for years bad
been constant occupant of his home.
now lay cold in death. His wife and
little son had not been seen or heard of
since the bloody encounter with the out
laws earlier in the day. Simon. too.
had not put in his appearance. and il
was beginning to be feared that he
had run right into his dreaded enemies
on rushing from the house after the
hight had ended. Randolph himself was
suffering great pain from the bullet
wound in his shoulder and the heavy
blow on the head.
Dark, fast flying clouds rolled in dense
volumes toward the east. while low.
mutfied thunder could be heard IN the
west. Darkness came on rapidly and
the thunder peals grew louder and loud
er Binding lightning flashed intermit-
tently with the crash of the thunder.
and soon fearful storm was on. For
few minutes the wind blew in hurri
canes then ceased; the rain drops were
heard on the roof, and drenching au-
tumn rain had begun
Coin to turn KILN cold," said Jim.
as he looked out the window. fur I
never seed hit fail in my life. never
seed thunder shower in the fall NV the
year but what hit wuz follored by a
pinchin' spell o. weather.
The two dead outlaws outside the door
were carried into the house. and laid by
the side of their comrades. Lamps were
lighted and set in different parts of the
room where the five dead desperadoes
lay.
All through the storm hsggard. beard
ed mountaineers had hurried into the
Randolph home. chilled and drenched to
the skin.
At the suggestion of Randolph him
self, three of the mountaineers went
with Reuben to the scene of the early
morning fight near the burned store and
carried the bodies of the three dead out
laws there into the wOodshed.
81 never" said Pete, when the men
had returned, like to see dead men
lying out like chunks of woods, even if
they were my enemies"
You're right" responded Sampson.
you're shore right. Men orter be
treated human en- not like beast Nuth-
in is more disgustin' than ter see the
dead mistreated."
what erbout the man that causes
Their body ter be dead?' asked a rough
mountaineer, who had in some way
learned that Jim had killed most of the
outlaws
well, friend, I'm the man what did
most Nv this KILN" replied Sampson.
but hit had ter be done in defense Nv
this town and Mr. Randolph's home.
en- besides, these men had hand in
butcherin' up me own family in the
most brutal and onreason BILE manner"
Here he stopped abruptly and hung
his head as usual when silent.
The rain was falling steadily outside:
the thunder had been hushed, and save
the patter of rain on the roof not a
sound came from the outside.
The night dragged slowly by, and
many of the mountaineers stretched
themselves on the floor to take a much
needed rest. Only Pete and his three
friends remained awake
The night had been growing chilly
since the beginning of the storm, and
when Sampson again looked out the
window he found the rain already turn
ing to snow.
At last the gray streaks of dawn stole
silently through the windows of the lit
tie home and kissed the dead faces of
friends and foes alike. The weary
mOuntaineers were still slumberinR
heavily, as result of their preceding
days toll. Neither Jim, Reuben or
Pete had closed their eyes, and Ben
Moore had slept but little during the
entire night.
Jim now went to the door, and open
ing it, looked out upon a landscape
covered with carpet of snow, to the
depths of almost an inch. The clouds
had cleared away, and the sun was Just
beginning to peep over the eastern
hills.
Guess I'd better wake the men,"
said Jim to himself, as he turned and |
closed the door. In few moments this ,
was done, and one by one the mountain
eers drifted out of the house and sought
their own homes, only few remaining
behind
Those who remained at the Randolph
home soon began to feel the pangs of
hunger, and Pete himself suggested
that someone take possession of the
kitchen and prepare breakfast for the
men.
This Jim volunteered to do, at the
same time saying: "Ill do the best
can. but at that, I'll promise we all hit il
be bad enough"
He then made his way into the kitch-
en- and in q short time announced that
the meal was ready.