The state herald., 1915-08-20
1t was simple fashion Or resisnine
regency, but effectual.

IL Wdh bltuptc IdbulOu VI TenI&ulne
a regency, but effectual.
Old Caleb. however, still insurgent
and unconvinced. brought in minor
ity report.
I'VE wants fghtin' men," he grum
bled, with the senile reiteration of his
age. as he SPIT tobacco and beat q rat
tat on the mill floor with his long
hickory staff. I'VE don't want no de,
serters."
Samson amt deserter." defended
Sally. There isn't one of you fit to
tie his shoes" Sally and old Spicer
South alone knew of her lovers letter
to the circuit Judge, and they were
pledged to secrecy.
Never mind, Sally!" 1t was Sam.
son himself who answered her. 81
didn't come back because / care what
men like old Caleb think. / came back
because they needed me. The proof of
a fighting man is his fighting, l reckon.
I'm willing to let 'em Judge me by
what I'm going to do"
So. Samson slipped back. tentative
ly. at least. into his place as clan head.
though for time he found 1t a post
without action. After the fierce out
burst Of bloodshed. quiet had settled,
and 1t was tacitly understood that, un.
less the Holman forces had some coup
in mind which they were secreting
this peace would last until the soldiers
were withdrawn.
When the worlds a-lookin'." com
mented Judge Holman. hits a right
good idea to crawl under logan
lay STILL"
Purvy had been too famous feud-
ist to pass ulsung. Reporters came as
far as Hixon, gathered there sucl
news as the Hollmans chose to give
them, and went back to write lurid
stories and description. from hear.
say. Of the stockaded seat Of tragedy.
Nor did they overlook the dramatic
coincidence Of the return Of Wildcat"
Samson South from civilization to saw
agery. They made no accusation. but
they pointed an inference and moral
AS they thought. 1t was sermon on
the triumph of heredity over the ad.
vantages of environment. Adrienne
read some Of these saffron misrepre-
sentations. and they distressed her.
Meanwhile, It came insistently to the
ears Of Captain Callomb that some
plan was on foot, the intricacies OF
which he could not fathom, to manu-
facture case against number Of the
Souths. quite apart from their actual
guilt, or likelihood Of guilt Once
more. he would be called upon to go
out and drag In men too well fortified
to be taken by the posses and depu-
ties OF the HOLMAN civil machinery.
At this news, he chafed bitterly, and.
still ranking with sense OF shame at
the loss of his first prisoner. he formed
plan Of his own, which he revealed
over his pipe to his first lieutenant.
There's a niger in the woodpile.
Merriweather." he said. "We are sim
ply being used to do the dirty work
up here. and I'm going to do a little
probing OF my own. guess I'll turn
the company over to you for day or
two"
What idiocy are you contemplating
now7" inquired the second in com.
mand.
I'm going TO ride over on Misery,
and hear what the other side has TO
say. I've usually noticed that one side
OF any story is pretty good until the
others told"
IT'S sheer madness. ought to take
you down to this Internal crook OF a
Judge and have you committed to n
strait. Jacket"
II" said Callomb. you are content
to play the catspaw TO a bunch Of us.
sassins. I'm not. The mailrider went
out this morning and he carried a let.
ter TO old Spicer South told him that
was coming unescorted and unarmed
and that my object was TO talk with
him. asked him to give me safe
conduct. at least, until ! reached his
house. and stated my case treated
him like an officer and gentleman.
and. unless I'm a poor Judge OF men.
he's going to treat me that way"
The lieutenant sought yainly TO dis.
suade Callomb. bu, the next day the
captain rode forth. unaceompanied
Curious stares followed him and Judge
Smithers turned narrowing and un'
pleasant eyes after him. but Mt tho
point where the ridge separated the
territory OF the Hollmans from that OF
the Souths he saw waiting In the road
n mounted figure. sitting his horse
straight. md clad In the rough habili.
ments OF the mountaineer.
As callomb rode up he salutcd and
the mounted ngurc with perfect grav.
ity and correctness returned that
salute as one officer to another The
captain was surprised. Where had
this mountaineer with the steady eyes
and tho clcan.cut Jaw learned the
nicctics OF military c,iquettc7
Il am Captain callomb OF r. com.
pany." said the oiflccr. I'm riding
over TO spiccr souths house Did you