The Holly chieftain., 1916-01-14
CHAPTER v.
The Nioht Attack

CHAPTER v.
The Night Attack.
The Incidents of that ride do not re-
main with me in any special clearness
OF detail. We rode steadily, keeping
well together, conscious that in all
probability we were watched by hos
tile eyes. peering out from behind rock
and thicket. We foraged through de-
serted shacks. finding poor reward.
yet managed to subsist, although with
munger unsatisfied. The men grum-
bled and Fox swore, as, long before
night came, he comprehended the fact
that We we're on a FOOLS errand; that
his little squad was being lured deeper
ana deeper into hostile country. but
no opportunity to turn aside present
ed ITSELF The night overlook US in
the midst of mountain solitude. Tho
scouts had discovered spring at the
bottom Of rocky hollow, and there
FOX reluctantly ordered camp to be
made. the horses finding scant pas
turage beyond. The grumbling and
cursing soon ceased, however, and
those not on duty slept fltfully. I
made the round of the sentries with
Fox. slipping and stumbling over the
rough way. through the darkness.
This weird place gets on the
nerves." he said, as If half ashamed Of
the confession. do you know, Ray.
mond. have felt for the last hour as
II we were, riding into some trap" He
glanced nervously behind him. 81
don't believe there has ever been 4
Federal detachment down as far as
this before. We're in old Ned Cowan's
country"
"Confederate?" 1 asked. interested
at once by the name.
Heaven knows! To the best of my
belief the fellow doesn't give whoop
for either side. He's Just a natural
born devil and this war gave him q
chance to get the hell out Of his sys-
tenn. Still. guess. he calls himself
. Reb."
And his followers?"
Mountain men mostly, together
with bunch OF deserters and con-
scripts from both sides. Nobody
knows how big band he has, but It
would take an army to run them out
of these mountains. We had orders
to do it-but PINE! Ramsay came
down as far rs Fayetts Court House
with 4 regiment of Infantry, and a
cavalry guard, and sent out nag of
truce asking the old devil to come in
and talh with him. He actually did
cone; rode right up to headquarters.
with . dozen Of his ragged followers,
heard what Ramsay had to say, and
then simply told the general to 60 to
hell, and rode on again"
Were you there? Did you sec the
mGn?"
mo. but the sergeant did; he was
detailed at that time as headquarters
orderly"
"Yes." ! said. determined on my
course. Il was talking with Hayden
during the noon halt. He described
Cowah TO me, and believe he is the
same man encountered at Hot
Springs, Captain Fox-the fellow Tay-
ior we are In pursuit Of"
The captain stared into the black
night, silent for several minutes.
1--WE been suspecting the same thing
for the last three hours" he admitted
1t last slowly. "and that he hoped we
would follow him. The fellow hasn't
ridden fast, and has purposely left q
plain trail. More than that he was
expected along this road and there
were relays of horses waiting. He
only changed once, but he was met by
another party near that ruined mill
Ever since then have felt that we
were being watched by unseen eyes.
Did you observe the curl Of smoke to
our right Just before dark-how 1t
rose and fell In rings?"
Il saw the smoke. yes-a thin spiral,
but supposed 1t to be from the chin.
ney of some mountain shack"
well, 1t was not. That was an out
side fire, and the smoke was smoth-
cred and then thrown up by blankets.
That u tteir way Of signaling. tell