Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-09-09
CHAPTER II.
An Unwelcome Companion.


1t was in the chill of a cold, gray
morning that I 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 a mile or more
south on the valley pike, until l
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 it's travellers,
and along which armies marched and
countermarched, the surroundings
were those of remote wilderness. l
dismounted, and leading my horse,
pressed difficult passage through the
bushes. To my surprise the rear door
stood slightly ajar, and my eyes per-
ceived the movement of an ill-defined
shadow within.
Hello there!" | called out, yet in.
stinctively drawing a step backward
"Is there any room here for a tired
man."
The tall, angular figure of a noun
taineer Immediately appeared in the
doorway, and gray, wrinkled face,
scraggly bearded, looked forth, the
eyes glinting and filled with sus-
picion.
wal, who be We, an whut do We
want yere"
81 am a soldier" l replied, rather
shortly, not particularly pleased with
either the mans appearance or man
ner Myself and horse are about
worn out. 1 mistook this for a de-
serted cabin"
"Whar be We bound? an whit may
we be up to a-travelin' alone?"
I 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, I am willing enough to an.
swer. l 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 musket, the early
morning light on his withered face,
stared unwinkingly into my eyes.
Il rather reckon l do, young man"
he replied slowly. Eur / was raised
up on the Green Briar. What mout
be yer name?"
"Cowan," l answered promptly, my
mind instantly alert, and aware l had
made mistake"
"Ho! Ye don't say! One O. Of Ned
Cowan's boys?"
mo l 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 I've been over that
way fer nigh on fifteen year," he said
at last ref1ectively. can somehow
don't just recall no Widow Cowan-
but l 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 the
OF woman after 'em. It's plumb hell
in Green Briar. Maybe yer Cowan,
but I'm ID if We look like eny O.
tibet outfit ever / see afore. What
part O. the army wus We with?"
"Sixty-fifth Virginia - Covington
company, Captain Daniels"
The older man chewed awhile in ST.
lence, evidently impressed with the
seeming frankness of the reply.
oval, We mout be a Cowan, O.
course" he admitted reluctantly.
"Enyhow l reckon it don't make no
great difference, fer if We 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 bite fust, an then
lie down spell, fer I've been a-ridin'
most O. Their night myself"
HIS voice was hardly as cordial as
his words sounded, but l felt it best
to accept the rather surly invitation