Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-09-30
CHAPTER il--Continued.

CHAPTER iI-Continued.
Things has changed sum since
then. ltobody lives ter hum envy more.
It's sue hell In Green Briar these
days--somebody is gettin' kilt every
day cr two. The cusses travel in
gangs, murderin' an burnin' from one
end o the county to the other" He
stoke in an even. drawing voice. with
not the slightest show of emotion, as
though telling an ordinary bit Of
hews: Did II I know which outfit
Is the wus-the Yanks or the Rebs."
Which are you WITH"
Who, me?" He paused in his bolt.
ing OF food, and gave vent to an I'm.
pleasant laugh. Il rather reckon Ii
would puzzle the Lord Almighty ter
find that out. l don't give a whoop
fer neither of 'em. I'm fer OIL Jem
Taylor. an it keeps me tolor'ble busy
tending ter his affairs, without both
erin bout no government"
Then your name Is Taylor?"
Il reckon it has been for bout sixty
years. Thar's slew O. Taylors over
along Buffalo crick, an SOM Of 'em
are Yanks. an parcel OF 'em are
Rebs, but they don't git OIL Jem ter
take nary side. At that, I'm gittin' all
the fightin' banker AFTER Naturally,
I'm peaceful critter, IL tn cusses let
me alone"
Quoted down some over there late.
ly, hasn't it,"
Huh! Thar's a regiment o. blue
coats at Lewisburg, an few cavalry
men ridln' Their pixies. Don't amount
ter hill O. beans as fer as Their boys
are concerned. All they got ter do Is
go further back in the hills. an BE- a
bit more keerful. I reckon, young
man. yell find plenty o. deviltry going
on In Green Briar. IL We ever git out
that away. Wal, thet's all thar Is fer
us ter eat. an I'm goin' ter take a
snooze"
He closed the door. fastening it So
curely with q wooden bar. and
stretched himself out on the floor.
The room was dark, as the only win
dow was tightly boarded up. and using
my bundle for pillow, lay down
also. In a short time his heavy
breathing was evidence enough that
Taylor slept. Slowly my heavy eyes
closed, and | lost consciousness.
The sun was below the mountain
ridge, when the heavy hand of the old
mountaineer shook me into sudden
wakefulness. With nothing left TO
eat we were not long in preparing for
departure, endeavoring vainly to get
my silent companion to converse. be.
ing rewarded merely by grumbled and
evasive answers. Finally I desisted
In the attempt, content to follow his
lead. Taylcr astride his sorrel, with
gun resting grimly across his knees
rode straight through the brush, away
from the pike. down the valley of a
small stream. In crossing the horses
drank their fill.
How about the valley road?"
asked as we climbed the opposite
bank
The leader glanced back at me.
sight NOR quiet" he answered gruffiy
Soldiers been marching over the pike
all day. Mout be all right fer yer, II
yer've got a pass-but ain't got none
Well hev' good 'nough ridin' in bout
a mile NOR"
You are aiming for the cutoff"
II be--yer do kno' sumthin' of this
yere kintry. reckon, but yer've go,
more eddication than eny Cowan
ever hooked up with afore. Yer dont
talk none like mountin' folks"
drew a quick breath, sensing the
return OF suspicion.
That's true" l admitted readily
You see ! went to school at Coving
ton; they were going to make g
preacher out of me-
Taylor stared into my face, his
vague suspicion seemingly gone.
Well, I'll be d--d--a preacher"
He rode on into the dusk, chuckllng
and | followed. smiling to myself, glad
that the mans good humor had been
20 easily restored.
We were fed at hut back in the
foothills, where an old couple, the man
lame, were glad enough to exchange
their poor food for the late news from
the army. i'm which they had a son
Then we rode steadily to the south
When dawn came we were to the west
OF Waynesboro. In broken country, and
all through those long night hours
scarcely a word had been exchanged
between Us. We camped finally in the
bend OF small stream, where high
banks concealed US from observation
There was little to eat In our haver
sacks, but we rnunched what we had
and Taylor, his eyes on the horses
broke the silence
i reckon the critters don't neet
nore'n couple hours rest" he said
They amt been rid noways hard. an
I'm fer gsttin' through the gap durin
asyligat-the road amt overly goot
fast now"
Across the mountains? Is there
a gap here?"
Tier road ter Hot Springs Is 'boEl
tE-o r9SleS below yer I cum over Il