The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-02-01

house helped me greatly to appreciate
the difficulties to be surmounted. He
had succeeded in his escape by dodg-
ing among the negro cabins where the
attacking line appeared weakest, but
expressed the conviction that even
this slight gap would be securely
closed long before we reached there.
Have they sufficient men, then, to
cover thoroughly all four sides?" l
asked.
ITO the best of my judgment, there
must be fully two hundred and fifty in
the gang. and apparently they operate
under strict military discipline. 1t is
a revelation to. me. Wayne. of the
growing power of these desperate fell
lows. / knew they were becoming
numerous and bold, but this surpasses
anything ], could imagine. More, they
are being constantly recruited by new
arrivals. A party of at least a dozen
came in while | was hiding behind the
stables. l, heard them asking for the
leader
What did they call him?"
"Lory. or Laurie. or something like
that They claimed to be deserters
from Lees army. but two or three of
them wore u uniforms"
Its Red Lowrie," l said gravely.
o impressed than ever with the
seriousness of the situation. Il heard
OF him two years ago-he killed a man
in the Sixth North Carolina, and took
to the hills, Since then he has devel-
oped into quite a leader for such scum,
and has proven himself a merciless
monster. You have no suggestion to
offer as to how we had better attempt
to get in?" ~.
He shook his head despondingly.
What station does Brennan de-
fend?" l asked.
The front of the house; the main
point of attack has been there"
We could distinguish the sound of
firing by this time. and it's continuous
volume convinced me that Cations
estimate of the number engaged was
not greatly overdrawn. AS we topped
the summit of the hill a great burst
of red fire leaped suddenly high into
the sky.
Great God, Wayne! we are too
late!" he cried wildly. Those devils
have fired the house."
With fiercely throbbing heart |
gazed down at the flames far below in
the black valley.
NO." l said with eager relief. 1T is
the stable which is ablaze. See, the
light falls full upon. the white side
of the house. Thank Heaven, we are
not too late"
AS ! sat my horse there, gazing
down upon that scene of black rapine,
unwilling to venture into It's midst
until | could formulate some definite
plan o. action, fully a dozen wild
schemes thronged into my brain, only
to be cast aside, one after another. as
thoroughly impracticable.
I'VE shall have to make a dash for
it, and trust in Cod" said Cation.
guessing at my dilemma.
NO." | answered firmly, there
would be no possibility of success in
such a course. Those fellows are old
hands. and have pickets out. See.
Cation, that is certainly a picket-tire
yonder where the road dips. Every
man of us would be shot down before
we penetrated those guard lines and
attained the house. We have got to
reach their inner line some way
through strategy, and even then must
risk being fired upon by our own peo-
pie before we get within cover"
Even as | was speaking | evolved a
plan of acknowledgements it certainly
was. yet nothing better occurred to
me, and time was golden.
"Ebers," l said. didn't l see an ex-
ira jacket strapped back of your sad
dep. ...,..
1T is no good" he protested We
hemently. 1T O for der rain come"
"All right; hand it over to the Lieu
tenant here. Cation, throw that uni
form coat of yours into the ditch and
don honest gray for once. Sands,
come here. Take your knife and cut
away every symbol of rank on my
jacket; tear it off. any way you can"
y In announcer moment LQeSe necessary
changes had been accomplished.
Now" 1 ordered. pile your sabers
there with mine beside the road; then
hobble your horses, all but the mule:
| shall want him."
Does we go der rest of der way on
foot?" questioned the Sergeant. anx-
iously.
Certainly; and | desire you to re.
member m important thing: let me
do the talking. but If any of you are
asked questions, we are deserters from
Hills corps, tired of the var"
"Mein Gott!" muttered the German,
d~isconsolately. Il hope it vos not long
off. Captain; l am no good on foot in
der dark, by Chiminy."
You had better manage to keep up
tonight. unless you are seeking to
commit suicide. Now. men. mark me
carefully! Load your carbines. Are
you all ready? Sergeant, see that each,
man has his gun properly charged and
capped. You are to carry your arms
as thoroughly concealed as possible;
keep close to me always; obey my. or
ders instantly. and to the letter. We
are but twenty men pitted against