Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-10-23
CHAPTER u.
An UnweIcOme Companion.

An UnweIcome Companion.
1t was in the chill of cold, gray
morning that | rode into Strasburg,
Jogging along al the rear of a squad
ron of Fifth Virginia cavalrymen who
| CHANGED to be headed for the same
place. These found quarters in the
town, but l proceeded a 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 a 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-defned
shadow within.
Hello there!" / called out, yet In
stinctively drawing a step backward.
is there any room here for a tired
MANI"
The tall, angular figure of a noun
taineer Immediately appeared in the
doorway, and a gray, wrinkled face,
scraggly bearded, looked forth, the
eyes gllnting and filled with sus-
picion.
wal. who be ye. an whut do ye
want yere?"
Il 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 whut may
We be up to a-travelin' alone?"
l smiled, endeavoring to retain my
temper.
See, here, friend" I returned short
ly. Il have as much reason to ask
you such questions as you have me-
However, l am willing enough to an
swer. | am on mrlough, 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
morning light on his withered face,
stared unwinkingly into my eyes.
Il rather reckon l do. young man,
he replied slowly. Fur l was raised
I'D on the Green Briar. What mout
be yer name?"
"Cowan," l answered promptly, my
mind instantly alert, and aware had
made a mistake"
"Ho! Ye don't sayl One O. oil Ned
Cowan's boys?"
NO. l am son Of Widow Cowan.
over on Coal creek"
There was not the faintest glim'
mer in the cold. blue eyes, no evidence
OF any recollection in the wrinkled
face. His jaws rose and fell on the
tobacco which extended his cheek.
81 don't reckon I've been over that
way fer nigh on fifteen year" he said
at last refectvely. An somehow /
don't Just recall no Widow Cowan-
but know oil Ned mighty well. He's
took to the brush with his whole breed
since this fracas started. an som
cusses burned his house. an sent the
oil woman after EN-. It's plumb hell
In Green Brian Maybe yer Cowan, /
but I'm id II ye look like eny o
thet outfit ever see afore. What
part o. the army WIS ye with?"
"sixty-ffth Virginia - Coyington
company Captain Daniels"
The older man chewed awhile in ST.
lence, evidently impressed with the
seeming frankness OF the reply
wal, ye mout be Cowan, o
course" he admitted reluctantly. |
.Enyhow I reckon it don't make no |
great difference. fer If We be goin' ter
Green Briar We kin ride awhile ter
gether. Two is better than oae these
days. Hitch yer boss out thar IN the |
scrub alongside o. mine, an then come |
in we're. Wen eat a bite fust. an then |
lie down q spell, sar I've been a-ridin |
most o. Their night myself"
His voice was hardly as cordial as J
MS words sounded, but ! felt it best |
10 secept the rather surly invitation. |
I LED ny bgrse down the dim path In