Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-03-08

| situation before us. My own knoWl-
! edge OF the environments of the Minor
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?"
asked
! TO 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
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 tl.t
stables | 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 our uniforms"
Its Red Lowrie," | said gravely,
more impressed than ever with the
seriousness OF the situation. Il heard
OF him two years ago-he killed man
in the Sixth North Carolina, and took
to the hills. Since then he has devel-
oped into quite leader for such scum,
and has proven himself 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?" | 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
1 volume convinced me that Cations
estimate of the number engaged was
not greatly overdrawn As we topped
the summit of the hill 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 l
gazed down at the flames far below in
the black valley.
NO" 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 l could formulate some definite
/ plan Of action. fully a dozen wild
schemes throngsd into my brain, only
to be cast aside, one after another, as
| thoroughly impracticable
I'VE shall have to make dash for
1t, and trust in God" said Cation.
| guessing at my dilemma.
NO" answered firmly, there
would be no possibility of success in
such 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"
! Ever as l was speaking evolved a
plan of action-desperate it certainly
was, yet nothing better occurred to
me, and time was golden.
'Ebers," l said, didn't see an ex-
ira jacket strapped back of your sad
dle?"
1T is no good" he protested We
hemently. 1t. vos 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"
IL eAhOtAOA lAGSS u6CSSS6Fy
changes had been accomplished.
Now" 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 one important thing: let me
do the talking but If any of you are
asked questions. we are deserters from
Hills corps, tired of the war"
/ ''Mein Gott!'' muttered the German,
dssconsolately 81 hope it vos not long
OF, Captain; 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 IS possible;
keep close to me always; obey my or
ders instantly, and to the letter. We