The Delta independent., 1915-09-03

Curious stares followed him and Judge
Smithers turned narrowing and un-
pleasant eyes after him. but at the
point where the ridge separated the
territory of the Hollmans from that OF
the Souths he saw waiting in the road
mounted figure, sitting his horse
straight, and clad in the rough habili-
ments of the mountaineer.
AS Callomb rode up he saluted and
the mounted figure with perfect gray
ity and correctness returned that
salute as one officer to another. The
captain was surprised. Where had
this mountaineer with the steady eyes
and the clean-cut jaw learned the
niceties of military etiquette?
Il am Captain Callomb of F. COM
pany," said the officer. I'm riding
over to Spicer South's house. Did you
come to meet me?'
ITO meet and guide you," replied
pleasant voice. MY name is Samson
South"
The militiaman stared. This man
whose countenance was calmly
thoughtful scarcely comported with the
descriptions he had heard of the
wildcat of the Mountains" the man
who had come home straight as
storm-petrel at the first note of the
tempest and marked his coming with
double murder. Callomb had been too
busy to read newspapers of late. He
had heard only that Samson had been
away"
While he wondered, Samson went
on:
I'm glad you came. If it had been
possible l would have come to you
AS he told of the letter he had written
the judge, volunteering to present him
self as a witness, the officers wonder
grew.
"They said that you had been away
suggested Callomb IF it's not an i'm
pertinent question, what part of the
mountains have you been visiting?"
Samson laughed.
mot any part of the mountains" he
said I've been living chiefly in New
York-and for a time in Paris"
Callomb drew his horse to a dead
halt.
'In the name of God" he incredu-
lously asked, what manner of man
are you?"
II hope" came the instant reply, at
may be summed up by saying that I'm
exactly the opposite Of the nan you've
had described for you back there at
Hixon."
Il knew It," exclaimed the soldier
Il knew that I was being fed on lies!
That's why ! came. / wanted to gel
the straight of it. and l felt that the
solution lay over here"
They rode the rest of the way iI
deep conversation. Samson outlined
his ambitions for his people. He told
too, of the scene that had been enacted
absorption. feeling that the narrative
bore automatic truth on its face.
At last he inquired:
Did you succeed up there-as 6
painter"
That's long road" Samson tol6
him, but | think ] had fair start. J
was getting commissions when | left
Then l am to understandable Off.
Ger met the steady gray eyes and put
the question like a cross-examineI
bullying a witness-"I am to under
stand that you deliberately put behind
you career to come down here and
herd these fence-jumping Sheep"
Hardly that" deprecated the head
Of the Souths. "They sent for me
that's all. OF course, had to come
"Why?"
Because they had sent. They are
my people,
The officer leaned in his saddle.
South" he said, would you mind
shaking hands with me? Some day
want to brag about it to my grandchil
dren."
Callomb spent the night at the house
of Spicer South. He met and talked
with a number of the kinsmen, and, II
he read in the eyes of some of them q
smoldering and unforgiving remem
brance of his unkept pledge. at least
they repressed all expression of cen
sure.
With Spicer South and Samson the
captain talked long into the night. He
made many jottings in note book. He
2z1.