The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-04-21
Qlep[D MIST
ATAIF OF CIVIL STRIFE 7.
6cRANDALL PARRISH "
ILLUSTRATIONS zI!:'l!;[ & ~c.ppI1oDf5

i thought we might hang on until
| midnight, Wyatt, and then, IL 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" 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 go to any extreme to effect our
capture. l haven't time to tell you
the whole story now, but it involves
your cousin as we'll 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 cavalrymen are
with it 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 a blow-it's
not the style of the Third Kentucky.
We could give good account of our
selves against those Yankee troopers.
Possibly; but not against 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 combine?"
IF they meet. and there is an ex-
planation-yes. Cowap 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
pod. Do as you please, HARDWOOD, but
| am not under your command, and. if
you choose to remain here, we will
ride on alone. Will 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 d.
rect question she took a step toward
me. and ! felt the presence of her
hand on my sleeve.
YES" she said simply, whenever
you think best. Cousin" she added, |
glancing across her shoulder at the
perplexed officer, Il would like you to |
come too"
He laughed. wheeling about in sud-
den decision.
II reckon l might as WELL" he ad- |
mitted spontaneously. Wharton, |
have the pickets drawn in. and the |
men mustered. We'll start-Great |
God! What is that?"
1t was the sound of g. scattered vol
ley, the pieces not all of the same
,aliber. the reports ringing clear In
he instant of silence which followed
l voice called down excitedly from
he tower:
There is firing to the east, SIR"
HARDWOOD swore as he strobe across
o the nearest window on that side.
Except for faint tinge of light In
he west. and half moon in the
southern sky, we were enveloped in
darkness, but we all OF us heard the
ounds of hoofs and the approaching
umble of wagon wheels. Harwooc
urned and faced inward.
IT'S the forage train, boys" he said
harply, with bunch of cavnlry rid.
ng ahead. Get to the windows, but
e quiet about it-you know the or
ers. Wharton. have the men load;
ONE with me. Wyatt. where we can
ee out in front"
Noreen chung to me as l CROPPED my
ray through the narrow door into the
estibule.