The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-01-21
THE CALL OF THE
CUMBERLANDS =
CONTINUED from page 81

swered all the questions them dawg
hes axed We done treated you al
lyore houn's plumb friendly. Els Re
ter say to 'em. They done come hya
because they hoped they could git m
In trouble. They done failed. The
road belongs ter the county. The.
got = license ter travel hit, but thi
strip right hyar haln't the healthies
section they kin find. reckon ye',
better advise EN- ter move on"
The Lexington man went back. Fol
. minute or two Jim Holman sat
ocowling down in indecision from hii
saddle. Then he admitted to himself
fhat he had done oil he could do with
out becoming the Aggression For the
moment he was beaten. He looked w
and from tho road ono Of the hounds
raised its voice and gave cry. That
bayinE Afforded an excuse for leaving
and Jim Holman seized 1t.
go on" he growled Let's sec
what them ID ours hes ter say
now"
Mounting, they kicked their mules
Into . Jog. From the men inside the
fence came no note of derision, no
hint OF triumph. They stood looking
out with expressionlees, masklike
faces until their enemies had passed
out Of sight around the shoulder Of
the mountain. The Souths had met and
fronted an accusation made after the
enemy's own choice and method A
jury OF two hounds had acquitted
them. II was not only because the
dogs had refused to recognize In Sam
son a suspicious character that the
enemy rode on grudgingly convinced,
but, also, because the family, which
had invariably met hostility with hos.
tility, had so willingly courted the acid
test OF guilt or innocence.
Days passed uneventfully after that.
The kinsmen dispersed to their scat,
tered coves and cabins. Now and
again came rumor that Jesse Purvy
was dying, but always hard on its
heels came another to the effect that
the obdurate fighter had rallied,
though the doctors held out small en-
couragement OF recovery.
One day Lescott, whose bandaged
arm gave him much pain, but who was
able to get about, was strolling not far
from the house with Samson. They
were following a narrow trail along
the mountain side. and. at sound no
louder than the falling of walnut,
the boy halted and laid a silencing
hand on the painters shoulder. Then
followed an unspoken command in his
companions eyes. Leecott sank down
behind a rock. cloaked with glistening
rhododendron LEAKAGE, where Samson
had already crouched and become i'm
movable and noiseless They had
been there only short time when
they saw another figure slipping quiz
city from tree to tree below them.
For a time the mountain boy |
watched the figure and the painter
saw his lips draw in straight line
and his eyes narrow with a CLINT of
tense hate. Yet, moment later, with
= nod TO follow, the boy unexpectedly
rose into view and his features were
absolutely expressionless.
/ 'Mornin'. Jim," he called.
The Sinking stranger whirled with
. start and an instructive motion as
though to bring his rife to his shout
der. But. seeing Samsons peaceable
manner. he smiled and his own de-
meanor became friendly.
"Mornin', Samson"
ssKfpdar atranoa. L. 4htz
hain't we. Jim?' drawled the boy who
lived there. and the question brought
= sullen nush to the others cheek
bones.
Jest a-passin' through" he vouch-
Bafed.
Il reckon ye'd find the wagon road
more handy" suggested Samson.
Some folks might epicion We fer
stealin long through the timber"
The skulking traveller decided to lie
plausibly. He laughed mendaciously.
That's the reason. Samson. was
kinder skeered ter go through this
in the open"
Samson met his eye steadily and
said slowly;
reckon, jim, hit mought be half
IS risky fer we ter walk upstandin'
along Misery es ter go a-crouchin'.
Ye thinks we've been a-shadderin me.
knows jest whar we've been all the
line. Ye lies when We talks bout
'assin' through. Yeve done been spy
n hyar. ever since Jesse Purvy got s
hot, an all tibet time we've done been 8
yerself. reckon hit1l be {
healthier fer ye ter do yore spyin' from !
other side OF the ridge. reckon yer
lllowin' ter git me ef Purvy dies, but |
we're watchin' ye," :
Jim Asberry's face darkened but he ,
said nothing There was nothing to ,
say. He was discovered in the enc, 8
my's country and must accept the ,
terms. /
This hyar time / lets We go back" l
,aid Samson, fer the reason tibet I'm
.ryin' like all hi ter keep this truce. 1
But ye must stay on yore side or
slse ride the roads open. How is ]
Purvy terday?"
Hes mighty porely," replied the
,ther In a sullen voice.
UAu ri0hf Thottc auothor roaaou a.,