Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-23
G{aep[D MIST
A IALF OF CIVIL STRIFE 7.
hcRANDALL PARRISH Y
ILLUSTRATIONS ; zl!:';lz! 36~c.DpI1oDES
- AcHcczURT

I sarily prevent their cooperation. In
deed, the troopers would gladly well
come any excuse which would bring
Cowan's gang of outlaws into closer
connection. And the outfit would
never pass by this church again with
| out searching its interior. Only ca
gerness, haste to overtake us in our
attempted fight, had led to their blind
riding by before. / turned to Har-
wood, who was whispering nonsense
| to Noreen.
What do you mean to do, lieuten-
! anti" / asked quietly, but with my
own mind made up. Remain here?"
| He stroked his small mustache.
| Il thought we might hang on until
midnight, Wyatt, and then, If 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" | 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. ! haven't time to tell you
the whole story now, but it involves
| your cousin as well 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
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"
81 suppose that's right" he admit,
| ted reluctantly. But don't like to
turn tail without hitting 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. 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 common OBJ
ject, and will be like two peas in a
pod. Do as you please, Harwood, 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 / could scarcely dis.
tinguish her presence. But at my d.
rect question she took 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, 81 would like you to
come too"
He laughed, wheeling about in sud
den decision.
Il reckon l might as WE'LL" 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 scattered vol
ley, the pieces not all of the same
caliber, the reports ringing clear Ir
the instant of silence which followed
voice called down exeitedly 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 half moon in tn,
southern sky, we were enveloped II
darkness, but we all of US heard the
sounds of hoofs and the approaching
rumble of wagon wheels. HARDWOOD
turned and faced inward.
IT'S the forage train, boys" he sait
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 as CROPPED m!
way through the narrow door into tn,
vestibule.