The Huttig news., 1915-11-20
CHAPTER xxliI.
The Cane Ridge Meeting House.

The spot where Noreen lay was not fifty feet distant. but my position gave me no glimpse of her through the tangled brush I must have dozed, for the sun was high overhead when 1 finally aroused myself, and arose to my feet l watered the animals, and seated myself again, this time on fiat stone beside the sream. Surely 1 had never been here before, even in the days of my boyhood's vagrant tramping, and yet that terraeed crest, with the huge rock chimney rising conspicuous at it's center, revived recollection that would not be entirely denied. 1 had seen it before, but from another angle-from the south; from that hillside. perhaps, where the creek headed. Why, that was Cane Ridge!
 l do not know why I laughed. but did-perhaps it was from sudden re lief at thus discovering exactly where we were. and seeing clearly the easier way out. The sound Of foot stepping on a round stone caused me to face about. Noreen was within few feet of me, higher up on the bank one hand holding back the bough of a tree
 "Why were you laughing?" she asked. q thought you had gone until l heard that sound
 ''l had to laugh when the truth finally came to me; that is Cane Ridge"
 "Where-where the Baptist church is?"
 Exactly; where Parson Nichols points out to his congregation the straight and narrow way There is a bride path wonder leading up from the valley, which will save us a five-mise detour. But it means we are still in Cowans country, and to climb there with horses will require the use of daylight"
 You think Anse-"
 ''Is probably back before this, and doing his best to trail us Even ii he does not discover the body of old Ned, he will naturally conclude we will head east. My only hope is that, not having seen Us last night he may imagine we chose the southern route, and ride there first. But if he did, doubtless he would send some one of his men scouting this way"
 You have heard-seen nothing?"
 No, we are too far back; the noise of an army passing along the pike would not reach here If we get to Cane Ridge church before dark, we must trust to luck, and the night for the next thirty miles"
 You fear Cowan's gang more than the troops? Surely they will pursue? ?"
 No doubt; Piekney will be raving. and Raymond crazy to get hand on me. Ay! there will be some galloping of troopers. 1 should have liked to see FoX's face when he heard the news. By heavens! they are like enough to charge him with conspiracy. for he was officer of the day. HQw- ever, do not greatly fear them: they will make noise enough to warn LIS, and couldn't track a bear It is the mountain men we must guard against; they are wolves. You slept well?"
 After the first half hour am rested, and strong. Shall we go now ,"
 When we have eaten There may be no other opportunity, and there is ample time."
 We sat over the poor meal long while, talking like old friends. laugh ing over revived memories, almost for getting that we were fugitives, our very lives at stake. Twice we heard guns, but the reports were but distant echoes, sounding afar off to the vest ward. Yet these made me nervous to get away, and when a number sounded together-almost volley. distinctly audible. hastened to pack what little remained of food on our horses. and led the way. fording the shallow stream, and guiding my horse up the