The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19

saw a boat approaching the shore below
him. He remembered a bride path
sumwhat circu!tous ana steep. that led
from the river below To- where he had
unconscious halted. There were two
men seated in the stern Of the boat
wrapped in military cloaks. \ third was
pulling. They reached the embauk-
ment. My ancestor looked at the fiints
Of his pistols and returned them cooked
To his holsters. All this in state Of
mechanical expectancy he could not ac-
count for
IL id no; wait long, for presently
TWO figures appeared slowly mounting
the bank, which he at once recognized
as IN strangers of the boat. They were
couy,rSug earnestly. My great-uncle
VAS not remarkably bright. but 1t struck
him that the W" strangers had i'm
portant business, to have crossed the
river at that hour; that they We're
strangers and that il was his duty as
sergeant in Lees Legion To- inquire
th,ir business. So squirting his mare
forward. a. they reached the level If
10. elf, hc interposod his somewhat
athletic figure and called on them to
"halt."
than fear. 1t gave my redoubjab,c
ancestor chance to examine them
heenly. Hem! a tall, dark young man.
black eyed and arlstocratic looling-a
gentleman. a middle aged man with a
face rather old, but massive and cncr-
getic; a dignItied chap-some white ruff
| iics on his sleeve ana "A scmi-milltary
| : LEA gentleman also. My great
| unc.e felt "A strong desire to pitch into
| the slim young man by virtue Of his
| personal appearance, but wasn't quite
| so certain about the other.
| The younger stepped promptly for
| ward and with supercilluus air. which
annoyed my ancestor exc, ssively, de-
| manded:
| "Who are you that stay travellers on
| the open road? What authority have
| YOU to address strangers? Fall back
sir"
| My ancestral relative kept his eye on
the spokesman and replied, simply:
MY name is Yont Van Doodle.
am a sergeant in col Lees cavalry
Here is my authority" And he pro.
| duced the shining barrel of pistol from
his holster.
The young stranger laid his hant
| upon the sword and stopped impulsiVely
his dark face grew darker and his thir
cheek lay close against mis- clenchet
teeth; but the elder laid his ruffled hanC
gravely upon the young mans arm ant
turned to my great-uncle:
"Do you not know, sir that this 4
neutral ground?"
| AYE, | do" said my great-uncle. "bu
the times are troublous; 1t behooves al
friends of the cause | profess to b
wary. You are strangers and your at
tire shows you are not of us. You can
not pass until you have given me you
name, your rank and your business"
The elder one again interrupted an
conversed for "A moment earnestly wit
his companion, who once more turne,
to my great uncle:
I'VE are two to your one. II "
choose your opposition would be a Sigh
) barrier. IL We see 1T to comply wit
your demand what reason have We (
believe your rank, your name? Yo
c may be ranger, a cowboy. Your man
, ners," added the young man in hIs-dis
5 agreeable way, rather indicate the lat
I teri"
r Il am rough" said he, with voic
! n little tremulous but a steady, klndlin
A eye; Il am rough, l know, but II l Ii
, at such moment | am TIE first {
A my family who have dsgraced thei
: name. II ! am willing to believe yo,
!. a stranger, you should be as mindfl
r Of me, who dwell here upon the groun
e you trespass on"
The elder stranger stepped forwar
g and holding out his hand said in
{ stately, dignified way: "Your ham
c friend; we have wronged you. bs
leve you, as does my friend. You
= curiosity shall be satisfied, and Col. Le
/ snail know the worth OF his hone,
o sergeant"
s lie again held converse with his youn
n companion. who again turned to m
c iRreat-uncle: