Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-04-27
The Red Mist
copyr GIFTED by A. 6. Mcclurg & Co.

While reither would likely confess his
purpose to the other. yet their mutual
interests would naturally suggest an
alilance. And there was no war feud
between the two which would neces-
1 sarsly prevent their cooperation. In
dseo, the troopers would gladly well
come any excuse which would bring
CoWan's gang Of outlaws into closer
connection. Ara TIVE outfit would
never pass by this church again with
out searching its interior. Only ca.
gerness. a haste to overtake US in our
attempted flight. had led to their blind
riding by before. | turned to Har-
wood. who was whispering nonsense
to Ncreen.
hat do you mean to do. lieuten-
anti asked quietly. but with my
own mind made up. "iserain here?"
he strolSed his small mustache.
thought we might hang on until
midnisht. Wyatt. and then, if nothing
happened take the back trail. don't
want to pass another day ir this
easssd hole. What de- you think?"
THAT the sooner We set away the
better" | answered prc,nptly Your
position here IS far more dangerous
taail you appear to realize. Both those
parties travelling east were in search
after us; they were led BY men who
would SO tG a.iy extreme u effect our
capglre. haven't time to tell you
tna Whole story nos. bur it involves
Your cousin as wen as myself They
rGge straight on because they were
convinced Wawere still ahead of them.
IT'S likely they know better now, and
VIII search every ravine ard covert on
their return. III the forage train is
moving this way those cavalrymen are
With ii in addition to the regular
enard, ard you will never dare attack
with Your small iorce. The only
chance YOU have OF BRINGING your
command safely hack to Covingtcn.
lieutenant. is to get awav before your
presence here is suspected"
Il suppose that's right" he admit.
ted Reluctantly. "l:ut don't like to
turn tail without hitting a blow-it's
net the style of the Third Kentucky.
We could give good account OF cur
selves AGAINST those Yankee troopers"
Possibly; but not AGAINST combi-
hnatlcn of troopers, wagon guard. and
cowan's gang of guerrillas. They
would cutnuMber you four to one; and
taey are fighting men"
You think they viii comtine?"
IF they meet. and there is an ex-
planat;on-yes. Cowan doesn't care
which side he fights on so he gains
his end. and the cavalry commander
will wclcnme any re-enforcements.
They might quarrel later over results,
but now they possess common OBJ
iect. and will be like two peas in
pod. Do as you please. Harwood, but
/ am not ucdcr your command, and, If
You cheese to remain here, we will
ride or alone. VIII you 90 with me.
Noreen?"
She had not spoken, and In the fast
increasing gloom | could scarcely dis
tinguish her presence. But at my d.
rect question she took step toward
me, ard ] felt the presence of her
hand en- my sleeve.
Yes She said simply, whenever
you think best. Cousin" she added.
, glancing across her shoulder at the
. per.lexed officer. 81 would like you to
come toe"
He laushed, wheeling about in sud-
den decision.
Il recHon I might as WE'LL" he ad-
nitted good hu,noredly. Wharton.
have the pickets drawn in. and the
men mustered "We'll start-Great
Cod. What is that"
IL was the sound of scattered vol
ley, t3ie pieces not al of the same
caliber, the reports ringing clear. In
the instant If silence which followed
Q voice called down excitedly from
the tower
There is firing to the east, sir"
Harwcod swore az he strobe across
to the nearest window on that side.
Except for faint tinge of light in
the vest, and a half moon in the
southern sky. we were enveloped in
darkness, but we all of us heard the
sounds of hoofs and the approaching
rumble of wagon wheels. Harwood
turned and faced inward
ITS tie forage train, boys" he said
sbarNly. with bunch Of cavalry rid
ing ahead. Get to the windows, but
be quiet about il. you know the or
ders Wharton, have the men load !:
come with me. Wyatt. where we can
see out III front"
Ncracn chung to me as grcped my
way through the narrow door into the
yestibule.