The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-12-31
CHAPTER II.
An Unwelcome Companion.

An UnWeIcome 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 mile or more
south on the valley pike, until !
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 a long while
Although situated scarcely hundred
feet back from the valley turnpike,
which was never without its travellers,
and along which armies marched and
countermarched, the surroundings
were those of a remote wilderness.
dismounted, and leading my horse,
pressed a 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 luSTG. L Cdllcu Oul, yet
stinctively drawing a step backward.
is there any room here for tired
MANI"
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 ye, an whut do ye
want yere?"
81 am a soldier" | replied, rather
shortly, not particularly pleased with
either the mans appearance or man
ner. Myself and horse are about
worn out. | mistook this for a de-
serted cabin"
"Whar be ye bound? an whit may
We be up to a-travelin' alone?"
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, | am willing enough to an
swer. | 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
light on his withered face.
stared unwinkingly into my eyes.
81 rather reckon | do. young man."
he replied slowly. Fur | was raised
up on the Green Briar. What mout
be yer name?"
"Cowan," | answered promptly. my
mind instantly alert. and aware had
made mistake"
"Ho! Ye don't sayl One O. OIL Ned
Cowan's boys?"
mo. am son Of Widow Cowan.
,ver on Coal creek"
There was not the faintest glim
ner in the cold, blue eyes, no evidence
# any recollection in the wrinkled
ace. His Jaws rose and fell on the
obacco which extended his cheek.
81 don't reckon I've been over that
yay fer nigh OF fifteen year" he said
t last reflectively. "An' somehow ]
ont just recall no Widow Cowan-
ut know OIL Ned mighty well. He's
1ok to the brush with his whole breed
ince this fracas started, an som
uses burned his house, an sent the
I woman after em. It's plumb hell q
Green Briar Maybe yer Cowan,
ut I'm Id If ye look like eny o
let outfit ever / see afore. What
art O. the army wus we with?"
"Sixty-ffth Virginia = Covington n
,mpany, Captain Daniels"
The older man chewed awhile in ST. =
nee, evidently impressed with the Y
eming frankness of the reply.
wal, We mout be Cowan, O.
urse," he admitted reluctantly !"
,nyhow ! reckon it don't make no u
eat difference, fer If ye be goin' ter 81
.een Briar we kin ride awhile ter y
Their. Two is better than one these IL
VS.. Hitch yer boss out thar in the ~
rub alongside o. mine, an then come
yere. Well eat bite fust. an then
down d spell, fer I've been a-ridin
,st O. Their night myself. az
His voice was hardly as cordial as
words sounded. but felt 1t best tn
accept the rather surly invitation.
cd my horse down the dim path In tn