Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-01-13
Gllep[D MIST
a IAIF or CIVIL STRIFE I.
6rRANDALL PARRISH "
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! thought we might hang on until
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 thinkr'
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 we're led by men who
would so to any extreme to effect our
capture. ! haven't time to tell you
the whole story now. but 1t involves
your cousin as well as myself. They
rode straight on because they were
convinced we were still ahead Of them.
It's likely they know better now, and
will search every ravine and covert on
their return. II the forage train Is
moving this way those cavairymen 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 l don't like to
turn tail without hitting blow-it's
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 Cuerrillas. They
would outnumber you four to one; and
they are fighting men,"
"You think they will combine?"
IF they meet, and there is an en-,
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
They might quarrel later over results
but now they possess a common OBJ
ject, and will be like two peas In q
pod. Do as You please. Harwood. but
I am not under your command. and, II
you choose to remain here, we will
ride on alone. VIII you go with me
Noreen?"
She had not spoken, and in the fast
increasing gloom l could scarcely dis
| tinguish her presence. But at my di
| rect question she took a step towart
me. and I felt the presence of he,
hand on my sleeve.
| YES" she said simply, "whenevel
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.
Il reckon l might as well," he ad
mitted spontaneously. Wharton
have the pickets drawn In, and thu
men mustered. well start-Grea
God! What Is that?"
| 1t was the sound Of scattered vol
ley. the pieces not all OF the sam
caliber. the reports ringing clear. Il
the instant of silence which followe,
q voice called down excitedly frou
the tower:
There Is firing to the east. sir.
Harwood swore as he strobe acros
to the nearest window on that side
Except for a faint tinge of light Il
the west, and half moon In tn
southern sky, we were enveloped Il
darkness. but we all of US heard tn
sounds of hoofs and the approachin
rumble of wagon wheels. Harwoo
turned and faced inward.
Its the forage train. boys" he sal
sharply, with q bunch OF cavalry rit
ing ahead. Get to the windows, bu
be quiet about it-you know the Of
ders. Wharton. have the men load
come with me, Wyatt, where we ca
see out In front"
Noreen chung to me as / CROPPED m
way through the narrow door into th
vestibule.