The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1913-01-17

SIDE" ,t> s- f5F
Are you all ready. sergeant"
asked of the rather heavyweight Ger
man who stood fronting me. his broad.
red face as impassive as though carved
from stone. T FIRE
I've vos, captain.
where IL the rguidei"
dot is him. NIT der mule, amt fit"
be answered. pointing with one huge
hand down the road. e ~
Very well. we will pick him up
then as we 90" rsH Hle
cared 80 little as to whether or not
he accompanied us at all, that We had
advanced some distance before the
thought Of him again occurred to me.
I knew tho gentry fairly well; and had
experienced In the past 30 many ovi-
dences of their stupidity, II not actual
disloyalty. as to prefer my own knowl-
edge OF the country TO theirs. My
thought, indeed. for several miles was
not at all with the little party of
troopers jogging steadily at my heels,
nor, in truth, was it greatly concerned
with the fate Of the expedition. That
was but service routine, and / rode
forward carelessly enough, never
dreaming that every hour of progress
was bearing me toward the most i'm
portant adventure of my life. It was
the German sergeant who recalled me
to the responsibilities of command.
Captain" he exclaimed apologet-
ically, riding UP to my side and wiping
his round. perspiring face with great
energy, I'VE are riding too hard, amt
We? Mein Colt, but der horses will
give out entirely, already"
"Is that sol" l asked in surprise at
his words. A single swift glance
around convinced me he was correct.
for the mounts were exceedingly soft.
and already looked nearly played out
from our sharp pace. Very well.
we will halt here
With a sigh of relief he drew back.
and as he did so my eyes fell for the
first time upon the guide. AS live,
It was Jed Bungay, and when stared
at him in sudden amazement he broke
into broad grin.
"Durn II didn't begin ter think as
how ye'd gone an clar forgot me,
Cap"
Not bit Of II. Jed" and rode up
to him and extended my hand. but
how came you here? Are you the
guide?"
Sure thing. cap; know this yere
kintry like bulk. faded horsemen
from the west. at evening to the castle
pressed BY gum. you put Beelzebub
an me through blamed hard jolt Of
1t so fur"
''Beelzebub"
Eye bet, Their mule; reckon as how
ye amt gone an forgot him. hev yer"
"Bungay, what has become Of Ma
ria?" ii7r
The little mans eyes suddenly filled
with tears.
Il list don't know. cap" he answered
mournfully. "Whin got hum Their
OIL cabin he'd bin plum burnt down.
nary stick o. 1t left. by gum! an Ma
riar she wuz clean gone. Hain't seed
neither hide ner hair o. her since.
thet's fac. An sorter drifted back
ter you uns cause didn't hev nowhar
else ter CO."
did you hunt for her among the old
plantations along the valley?" asked.
deeply touched by his evident feeling.
She very likely sought refuge In
some Of those houses"
He looked at me In surprise. Il
reckon, cap, as how ye don't know
much bout whut's a goin' on In Their
valley fer Their las few months" he
said soberly, rubbing down his mule
as he spoke Tell sye what. thar jist
hain't no plantation houses left thar
now, thet's fac. ieastwfse not north
O. Their lines we uns sorter hol' onto
yit Sheridan he played hell with his
cavalry raids, an whut the blue-bellies
left Their durnedH guerIllas an BUSH
whackers wiped up 90 clean es slate.
Durn II q crow wudnt starve ter death
in Their valley now. Why. cap. them
thar deserters an sich truck 10 or
ganized now till they're mighty nigh
an army. an they, don'tskeer fer nuth-
in les ner q regiment. Il SEQ moro ner
q hundred AM fifty in one bunch up
on Their White Briar two week ago. an
they're worse ner parcel er pirates.
reckon as how they got Marian. but
I'll bet she Civ 'em . hot oil time afore
she done quit ssAi se~fss u
Rumors of this state Of AFFAIRS TO
the north and'west' Of our defending
lines had already reached 'me-indeed.
the verifcation had formed part OF my
instructions; but '8ungay's homely yet
graphic description made the situation
appear terribly real. and my thought
went Instantly forth to those I knew
who might evendt then be exposed to
this great and unexpected danger
The very conception Of Edith Bren-
nan in such hands az these was agony.
| felt could never rest until assured
OF her safety. and since my order
granted me full authority to prolong
my journey. might ascertain whether
or not she yet remained within the
valley.
Jed" asked. my mind finally set
tied. do you know the old Minor plan
tation?"
"Or ledge Minors place? Sure; it's
I'M IN thar an,,th hronch ~ thor O,x-r.