Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-01-13
Glep[D MIST
a LALF or CIVIL STRIFE I.
6rRANDALL, PARRISH II
\ sl!::'!:! & ~c:DpnoDEs

midnight, Wyatt, and then, Ii nothing
happened, take the back trail. l don't
want to pass another day In this
cussed hole. What do you think?"
THAT the sooner we get away the
better" l 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 90 to any extreme to effect our
capture. ! haven't time to tell you
the whole story now. but 1t involves
your cousin as we'll as myself. They
rode straight on because they were
| convinced we were 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 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 | don't like to
| turn tail without hitting a blow--it' q
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 combi.
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 combinef"
IF they meet, and there is an ex.
planation--yes. Cowan doesn't care
which aide 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 a
pod. Do as you please. Harwood. bu,
I am not under your command. and, II
you choose to remain here. we will
ride on alone. VIII you 60 with me
Noreen?"
She had not spoken. and in the fast
increasing gloom I could scarcely dis
tinguish her presence. But at my di
rect question she took step toward
me, and I felt the presence OF bel
hand on my sleeve
Eyes," she said simply, "wheneve,
you think best. Cousin" she added
glancing across her shoulder at the
perplexed officer. Il would like you e
come too"
He laughed. wheeling about in sud
den decision.
Il reckon l might as WELL" he ad
mitted good-humoredly. Wharton
have the pickets drawn in. and the
men mustered. "We1l start--Grea
God! What Is that?"
1t was the sound Of a scattered vol
ley. the pieces not all OF the same
caliber. the reports ringing clear. II
the instant OF silence which followed
a voice called down excitedly from
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 II
the west, and q half moon In tn.
| southern sky. we were enveloped II
darkness. but we all Of US heard tht
sounds OF hoofs and the approachin,
rumble of wagon wheels. Harwoot
turned and faced inward.
IT'S the forage train. boys" he sale
sharply, with bunch OF cavalry rid
ing ahead. Get to the windows, bu
be quiet about it-you know the or
ders. Wharton, have the men load
come with me, Wyatt, where we car
see out In front"
Noreen chung to me az l CROPPED m,
way through the narrow door into tn,
vestibule.