The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-12-24
CHAPTER II.
An UnweIcome Companion.

An UnweIcome Companion.
It was In the chill of cold gray
morning that rode into Strasburg.
jogging along at the rear of squad
ron Of Fifth Virginia cavalrymen who
CHANGED to be headed for the same
place. These found quarters in the
town, but ! proceeded mile or more
south on the valley pike, until |
reached a single-roomed cabin, heavy
wooden shutters barring the windows
| the door closed and securely fastened.
The place to all appearances was de-
serted, and had been for long while
| Although situated scarcely hundred
feet back from the valley turnpike,
which was never without its travellers,
and along which armies marched and
countermarched, the surroundings
! were those of remote wilderness.
dismounted, and leading my horse,
pressed a difficult passage through the
bushes. To my surprise the rear door
stood slightly ajar, and my eyes per
ceived the movement Of an ill-defned
shadow within.
Hello there!" l called out, yet in
stinctiveiy drawing step backward.
is there any room here for tired
MANI"
The tall, angular figure of a noun
taineer Immediately appeared in the
doorway, and a gray, wrinkled face,
scraggly bearded, looked forth, the
eyes glinting and filled with sus-
picion.
Wal, who be ye, an whit do ye
want yere?"
81 am a soldier" | replied. rather
shortly, not particularly pleased with
either the mans appearance or man
ner. Myself and horse are about
worn out. | mistook this for a de-
serted cabin"
"Whar be ye bound? an whut may
We be UP to a.travelin' alone?"
| smiled, endeavoring to retain my
temper.
"See, here, friend" returned short
ly. Il have as much reason to ask
you such questions as you have me-
However, am willing enough to an
swer. am on furlough, and am go
| ing home across the mountains to see
my folks. Do you know Raleigh
county?"
The man, who was now standing up
right in the doorway, one hand grip
ping the barrel of a musket, the early
morning light on his withered face,
stared unwinkingly into my eyes.
81 rather reckon | do, young man"
he replied slowly. Fur was raised
up on the Green Brian. What mout
be yer manner"
"Cowan." | answered promptly, my
mind Instantly alert and aware ] had
made mistake"
"Ho! Ye don't say! One O. OIL Ned
Cowan's boys?"
"No. am son of Widow Cowan'
over on Coal creek"
There was not the faintest glim'
mer in the cold, blue eyes, no evidence
| of any recollection in the wrinkled
face. His jaws rose and fell on the
tobacco which extended his cheek.
81 don't reckon Two been over that
way fer nigh on fifteen year" he said
at last reflectively. can somehow !
don't Just recall no Widow Cowan-
bnt know OIL Ned mighty well. He's
took to the brush with his whole breed
since this fracas started, an SOM
cusses burned his house. an sent tue
OF woman after 'em. It's plumb hell
in Green Briar. Maybe vera CoWan,
but I'm ID If We look like eny O
thet outfit ever l see afore. What
part O. the army wus We with?"
"Sixty-fifth Virginia - Covington
| company, Captain Daniels"
/ The older man chewed awhile In 81
lence, evidently impressed with the
| seeming frankness OF the reply.
wal, We mout be Cowan, o
course" he admitted reluctantly.
"Enyhow reckon 1t don't make no
great difference, fer If ye be goin' ter
Green Briar we kin ride awhile ter
/ gether. Two is better than one these
days. Hitch yer boss out thar in the
scrub alongside O. mine. an then come
/ in yere. Well eat a bite fust, an then
lie down a spell, fer I've been a-ridin'
most o. Their night myself.
His voice was hardly as cordial as
his words sounded. but | felt it best
to accept the rather surly invitation.
/ / led my horse down the dim path In