The Delta independent., 1915-06-11
CHAPTER v.


From time to time that day, neigh
bors had ridden up to Spicer South's
stile, and drawn rein for gossip. These
men brought bulletins as to the prog
ress of the hounds, and near eundown,
as a postscript to their inform>. .tion, a
volley of gunshot signals sounded from
a mountain top. No word was spoken,
but in common accord the kinsmen
rose from their chairs, and drifted to-
ward their leaning rifles.
They're a-comin' hyar," said the
head of the house, curtly. Samson
ought ter be home. Whar's Tam'rack?"
No one had noticed his absence un-
til that moment, nor was he to be
found. A few minutes later, Samson's
figure swung into sight, and his uncle
met him at the fence.
Samson, I've done asked ye all the
questions I'm a-goin' ter ask ye," he
said, but them dawgs is maxim fer
this house. They've jest been sighted
. mile below"
Samson nodded.
"Now"-Spicer Souths face hard.
ened-"I owns down thar ter the road.
No man kin cross that fence withouten
I choose ter give him leave. Eff ye
wants ter go indoors an stay thar, "
hain't a-goin' ter ask ye no questions.
But, eff ye sees fit ter face hit out, I'd
love ter prove ter these hyar men thet
us Souths don't break our word. We
done agreed ter this truce. I'd like ter
invite 'em in, an let them damn dawgs
sniff round the feet OF every man in
my house-an' then, when they're
plumb teetotally damn satisfied, I'd
like ter tell 'em all ter go ter hell.
Thet's the way l feels, but I'm a-goin'
ter do jest what ye says
Lescott did not overhear the con-
versation in full, but he saw the old
mans face work with suppressed pas
sion, and he caught Samson's louder
reply.
when them folks gets hyar, Uncle
Spicer, Pm a-goin' ter be a-settin'
right out thar in front. I'm plumb
willin' ter invite 'em in" Then, the
two men turned toward the house.
Already the other clansmen had dis
appeared noiselessly through the door
or around the angles of the walls.
Fifteen minutes later, Lescott, stand
ing at the fence, saw strange caval-
cade round the bend of the road. Sew.
erAl travel-stained men were leading
aules, and holding two tawny and i'm
patient dogs in leash. In their num-
ber. the artist recognized his host OF
two nights ago.
They halted at q distance, and in
their faces the artist read dismay, for,
while the dogs were yelping confident
~ and tugging at their cords, young
Samson South-who should, by their
prejudiced convictions, be hiding out
in some secret stronghold-sat at the
top step of the stile, smoking his pipe,
and regarded them with lack-luster
absence of interest. Such a calm re-
ception was uncanny. After a whis-
pered conference, the Lexington man
came forward alone. Old Spicer South
had been looking on from the door,
and was now strolling out to meet the
envoy, unarmed.
And the envoy, as he came, held his
hands unnecessarily far away from his
sides, and walked with an ostentatious
show of peace.
'Evenin', stranger" hailed the old
man. Come right in"
"Mr. South" began the dog-owner,
with some embarrassment, Il have
been employed to furnish a pair Of
bloodhounds to the family of Jesse
Purvy. who has been shot"
heerd tell thet Purvy was shot,"
said the head of the Souths in an af-
fable tone, which betrayed no deeper
note Of interest than neighborhood
gossip might have elected.
81 have no personal interest In the
matter" went on the stranger, hastily.
~ one bent on making his attitude