The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1915-12-23
QEleRLD MIST
A TALf OF CIVIL STRIFE 7.
6foRANDALL PARRISH "
ILLUSTRATIONS ;:lI:,1!1! 68~c.DpHoDES
~1hcNcCZUPc

tHOuBHt we WlBHt uduB VII uHti'
midnight. wyatt. and then. II nothing
happened take the back trail. ! don't
want to pass another day In this
cussed hole. What do you Think"
THAT the sooner We get away the
better" | answered promptly. Your
position here is far more dangerous
than you appear to realize. Both those
parties travelling east were In search
after us; they were led by men who
would go to any extreme to effect our
capture. | haven't time to tell you
the whole story now. but II involves
your cousin as well as myself. They
rode straight on because they were
| convinced we we're still ahead Of them,
Tis likely they know better now, and
will search every ravine and covert on
their return. II the forage train Is
moving this way those cavalrymen are
with 1t In addition to the regular
guard. and you will never dare attack
with your small force. The only
chance you have Of bringing your
] command safely back to Covington.
| lieutenant. is to get away before your
presence here is suspected"
Il suppose that's right" he admit
ted reluctantly. But ! don't like to
turn tail without hitting n blow--its
not the style of the Third Kentucky
We could give a good account of our.
selves against those Yankee troopers
| Possibly; but not against a comb
bination Of troopers, wagon guard. and
, Cowan's gang of guerrillas. They
would outnumber you four to one; and
they are fighting men"
you think they will combine?
IF they meet, and there is an ex
planation-yes. Cowan doesn't care
which side he fights on. so he gains
his end. and the cavalry commander
Will welcome any re-enforcements
rhey might quarrel later over results
but now they possess "a common OBJ
iect, and will be like two peas In {
pod. Do as you please, Harwood. bu
am not under your command, and, 1
you choose to remain here, we will
ride on alone. Will you 60 with me
Noreen?"
She had not spoken. and in the fast
increasing gloom could scarcely dis
tinguish her presence. But at my di
rect question she took a step towar,
me. and felt the presence of he
hand on my sleeve.
Yes" she said simply. "wheneve
you think best. Cousin" she added
glancing across her shoulder at tn
perplexed officer. Il would like you +
come too"
He laughed. wheeling about In SUD
den decision.
II reckon ! might as WELL" he az
mitted good.humoredly "Whartor
have the pickets drawn in, and tn
men mustered. "Well start-Grea
God! What is that?"
1t was the sound Of a scattered vo
ley, the pieces not all of the sam
, caliber, the reports ringing clear.
the instant of silence which followe
a voice called down excitedly froI
, the tower:
There Is firing to the east, sir
Harwood swore as he strobe acros
, to the nearest window on that sid
, Except for a faint tinge OF light
, the west, and half moon in tn
, southern sky, We were enveloped 1
darkness. but we all of us heard tn
). sounds of hoofs and the approachin
y. rumble Of wagon wheels. Harwoo
turned and faced inward.
ITS the forage train. boys" he sal
sharply. with bunch of cavalry RI
ing ahead. Get to the windows. bl
n be quiet about it--you know the O
n ders. Wharton. have the men load
h come with me. Wyatt. where we ca
see out in front"
Noreen chung to me as CROPPED m
way through the narrow door into Il
v vestibule.