Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-12-10
0flepFD MIST
A 1ALE or CIVIL STRIFE Y.
@7RANDALL PARRISH Y
ILLUSTRATIONS sg!:,!.E z8l-cDP1oDE5



everything.
rode toward Hot Springs as rap
idly as dared, watchful of every
deepening shadow, until came TO the
first struggling houses. These were
dark and silent, and not so much as a
dog barked as walked my horse eau
tiously forward toward the main
street. | saw but one dim light stream
ing through an uncurtained window Of
what looked like law ONCE. and
passed close enough to learn that a
group of men within we're playing
cards. 1t was highly probable these
belonged to the majors escort. !
passed the place unobserved and rode
on into the night, feeling had escaped
from immediate danger. At what l
took to be the tavern corner discov-
cred the road leading to the left and
turned in that direction, assured that
it would lead directly into the heart
OF Green Briar. The road ran through
thick woods, the darkness intense, and
as the way was silent and seemed de-
serted gave the animal the spur.
must have loped along thus for ten
minutes, all thought Of pursuit already
dismissed, and my mind occupied with
plans for the future, when the woods
suddenly ended in a bare ridge, the
ribbon Of road revealing itself under
the soft glow Of the stars. know not
why heard no sound Of warning, but
at the instant, half dozen shadows
/ doomed up blocking the path. bare
ly had time to rein in my horse before
we we're intermingled, the surprise ev.
identity mutual, although one of the
newcomers was swift enough to seize
my animals bit. and hold him plung-
ing in fright. chung to the stirrups,
aware of the flash of a weapon In my
face, and an oath uttered in a gruff
voice.
I'm Gods name! where did you come
from? Here, Snow, see. what this fell
low looks like"
The speaker had a wide-brimmed
hat, drawn low over his face, and a
cape concealed his uniform. But
Snow wore the cap Of the Federal cav
any anu hhOW hau ldlA0u AhtO
Yankee hands.
II have no objection to telling you
my name and rank" l said coldly,
but lower that gun first; am in uni
! form"
The rather contemptuous tone of
voice employed had greater effect on
! the fellow than the evidence of his
eyes, His arm fell to his side, al
though he still retained grasp on my
Bride
$50 see," but with no cordiality in
the words. But that is hardly con.
vincing. Federal officers are rare birds
who ride these roads alone. Who are
you, sir, and why are you here?"
Perhaps / may be privileged to ask
first by what authority you halt and
question met"
He laughed, and waved the weapon
he still held toward the others of his
party.
Our force alone is SUFFICIENT author
ity l should suppose. However, viii
set your mind at rest--I am Captain
Fox, in command of a detachment Of
the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry"
."Oh. yes" l responded more pleas
antly, "of General Ramsay's command
You know Major Harwood, no doubt?'
I'VE are OF his escort" both suspi
cion and command lost before my coo
assurance. You are in the service
sir?"
Third United States cavalry; on re
cruiting detail. l was to meet Har
wood at Hot Springs. but was toll
he had gone to Green Briar."
by whom?"
"a scout l met by chance; he CAV
the name Taylor"
The captain swore grimly, glancin
across my horse into the face of tn
| trooper opposite.
u We'll, this stumps mel" his voic
grown suddenly harder. 1T doesn
! sound straight. for we left him safel
} in Hot Springs an hour before sur
! down. and he had no purpose at tina
time except to walt there for Taylor
! Do you carry any papeFs?"
drew the official envelope from m
. pocket, and held it out to him calml,
7 He opened the flap.
3 "A little light, Snow-yes, mate
: will do"
. The fame lit up their faces-tlfe OF
Q Ger a thin-faced man with mustach
a and imperial, his teeth oddly prom
0 nent; the trooper older in years, bt
r smooth-shaven. with deep-set eyes an
i square chin. Their uniforms wei
b dusty and well worn. The other
s clustered behind, remained mere sha
t ows. The captain took in the natul
v of the document at a glance, and