The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-11-11
CHAPTER VII.
The FLAG Of Truce.

outer plain and the sheltered cove.
Both the dugout and the cabin OF CO
lar logs within the cove were rs silent
and as void Of movement as the rocks
behind them. The young man watched
irst one. then the other. as tireless and
riglant as II he had not been awake
tor twenty-four hcurs.
1t was the dugout that first started
from its nights repose. The door was
thrown away from the casing, and
great uncouth man. strong us giant
and wild of aspect as a savage, strobe
forth, gun in hand, his eyes sweeping
the landscape I'm quick flashing glances.
Almost instantly he discovered the fig
ure perched on the granite block over
looking his retreat. He raised his gun
to his shoulder
The young man fell sidewise behind
the rocks, and bullet clipped the edge
of his barricade. Remaining supine,
he fastened his handkerchief TO the
end Of his whip and waved it above
the rampant Having thus manifested
his peaceful intent, he rose, still hold
ing the flag of truce above his head,
and remained motionless. Brick VIII
lock stared at him for moment In
hostile indecision. then strobe forward.
At the same time an old man. thin,
tall and white haired. issued from the
dugout, evidently attracted by the gun
shot, and soon after the cabin door
opened, and the girl of the cove looked
out inquiringly.
In the meantime the young man slow
ly descended the hill to the oval valley,
while Wilcox hurried forward to meet
him.
Don't you come no fu'ther!' VIII
lock commanded, threatening with his
gun. Keep your hands above your
head until can ship your cargo"
Obedently he stood while. the great
whiskered fellow took the weapons
from his belt and Owed into his hip
pockets.
"That'n do. Now. what do you
want?'
Its hard to put it into a few
words" the other complained. I'D
like to have little talk with you"
"You are one Of them fellows that
come here to run us out Of the coun-
try. amt you? Are your pards out
side there, waiting for a messageT
Nobody knows I'm here or thought
Of coming. Let me put that affair In
its true light The boys are all under
our boss, and when he lays down the
law 1t isn't for us to argue with him.
We carry out orders
unless there's a Brick wilcox in
volved In them ORDERS" returned the
man. with a grim smile.
But it's our duty TO try to carry out
the orders, whether We like 'em or not
So you won't hold that against me-
that little scrimmage of last month.
especially as you came out best man"
II used to have boss myself" VIII
lock spoke uncompromisingly but
when he give me certain orders one
particular night that | recollect
knocked him on the head and put out
for other parts. guess your boss
knowed this wasn't his land. didn't hef
What's going TO become OF this country
when a man isn't satisfied with what
Is his'n? Well, now you've had little
talk with me you can just mosey along.
III send your weapons after you by a
messenger"
The young man cast despalring
glance toward the girl, who stood in
her doorway gravely listening The
man with the bushy white hair had
drawn near, but evidently with no
thought of interfering.
"Willock"-the voice came SO eager,
so impetuous, that the words were
somewhat incOherent-"I've got to talk
TO your daughter. Hold on; don't
shoot; Listen! That's what I've come
for, to see her and-and meet her and
hear her voice. | can't help 1t, can II
It's been two long years since | left
home back east. and In all these two
years I've never seen anything like
your little girl, and-and what harm
can IL doi ! say, have pity on fellow,
and do him the biggest favor he could
enjoy on this earth when II won't cost
you a penny or "a turn or your hand!
I'm just so lonesome. SO homesick, so
dead killed by all these sand hills and
alkali beds and nothing TO talk TO from
one years end TO the next but men and
cattle"
Wilcox glared at him in silence. I'm
gering the trigger thoughtfully.
There I've sat on that hill" he con-
tinued, since 2 o'clock last night wait
ing for daylight so | could ask you to
help Il miserable wretch that's Just
starving 10 death for the sound Of a
girls voice and the sight OF a girls
smile"
1t Is kinder lonesome" remarked
the other grufiiy. lie lowered his gun
and leaned on II irresolutely. You've
sure touched me In the right spot, son.
for ! knows all you mean and more
that you amt even ever dreamt Of;