The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-06-06

tAcldlueu luACAASs oA Shg R@DC4@
over you"
was upon my feet, conscious OF the
distant sound Of horses hoofS.
What is It? The enemy7"
Rangers; fifty Of them, Judge, an
they'll never pass here without rum
maging around. Quick now, under COW
err"
"But what about yourself7"
Don't worry about me; those fell
lows haven't any evidence against me
yet. They're after you"
/ was through the intervening door
with bound and an instant later had
burrowed under the crumpled papers.
The shifting Of the sun had left this
corner Of the repair shop In shadow,
but was scarcely outstretched In my
hastily improvised hiding place, when
/ heard the blacksmith calmly open
his outer door, where he stood smok-
Ing, clad in leathern apron, awaiting
the approaching horsemen. They
swept about the corner Of the smithy
almost at the same moment, pulling
up their tired horses at sight Of him.
From amid the thud Of hoofs, and the
rattle Of accoutrementa, voice spoke
sharply:
$50 you're here. Farrell. you old
rebel hypocrite. Well, what are you
hiding now7"
Il was not aware that ! had any.
thing to hide. Captain Grant," was the
dignifled response. This is my shop,
an where / should be"
ooh. Aelli We all know you well
enough, you old fox, and wen catch
you red-handed yet, and hang you.
But we're not hunting after your kind
today. Did you see anything OF fel-
low in sarlet jacket along here last
night, or this mornlng7"
failed to catch Farrell's answer,
but the voice of the officer was sut
flciently loud TO reach me.
"A rebel spy; the sneaking rascal
must have swan the Delaware. Well
look about your shop just the same
before we ride on. Mason, take half
dozen men with you, and rake the
place over"
heard the sound OF their boots on
the floor, and burrowed lower in my
box. Two or three entered the old
shop, and began to probe about among
the debris. One kicked the box In
which ! lay, and thrust q bayonet
down through the loose papers, barely
missing my shoulder With teeth
clinched / remained breathless, but
the fellow seemed satisfied, and moved
on, after searching the dark corner
beyond. At last I heard them all go
out, mumbling to each other. and ven
tured to sit up again. and draw fresh
breath. They had left the door ajar,
and had glimpse through the crack.
Farrell was leaning carelessly in the
outer doorway, smoking, his short legs
wide apart, his expression one Of total
indifference. A big fellow stepped
past him, and saluted some one Just
out Of sight.
Nobody in there. SIR" ne reported
"All right, Mason" and Grant came
into view on a rangy sorrel. "Gee
your men back into saddle; wen
move on"
''Think he went this wRy7" asked
the blacksmith carelessly.
''How the hell do l knowl" savage.
ly. "He must have started this way,
but likely he took the north road.
Wen get the chap before night, unless
he runs into Delavan's fellows out
yonder. See here. Farrell" holding in
his horse, wen be back here about
dark, and will want something to eat."
''You will be welcome to all you
And"
''You impudent rebel, you see that
you are here when we come. ! know
you, you night rider, and win bring
you to book yet. Forward men-trotl
Close up the rank there, sergeanti
Wen take the road to the left"
watched them go past. the dust
covered green uniforms slipping BY
the crack Of the door, as the men
urged their horses faster. Farrell
never moved, the blue tobacco smoke
curling above his head, and I stole
across the Uttered storeroom to a cob
webbed window, from which I could
watch the little column OF riders go
down the hill. They finally disaD-
peared in the edge OF a grove. and I
turned around to find the blacksmith
leaning against his anvil waiting for
me.
Genial young fellow, Grant," he
said. Always promising to hang me.
but never quite ready to tackle the
Job. Afraid shall have to disappoint
him again tonight"
"You win not wait for himT's
Hardly. You heard what he said
about Delayani That was the very
news wanted to learn. Now think
both those lads win meet me much
sooner than they expect"
He stepped forward into the open
doorway, and blew three BhrilI blasts
on a silver whistle. The echo had
scarcely died away. when, out from
a thick clump Of trees perhaps half a
mile distant. a horse shot forth, rae