The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-05-11
CHAPTER %.


door.
CHAPTER u.
An URwslesms csMeeNlea.
Il was In the chill Of . eelA. gray
morning that I rode into 0trasbSrg.
Jogging along at the rear q Q squad
ron Of Firth Virginia cavalfyDsa who
chanced to b headed for tAe same
place. These found Quartsss b the
town. but I proceeded . nile - more
south on the valley piks. until |
reached . single-roomsd cabtn. heavy
wooden shutters barring the wtnaows
the door closed and securely fastened.
The place to all appeafances Was de-
serted. and had been for l0aS while.
Although situated scarcely . hundred
feet back from the valley tarnpike.
which was never without it, travslers.
and along which armies marched and
countermarched. the surroundings
were those OF . remote wilderness.
lismounted. and leading my horse.
pressed difhcult passage through the
bushes. To my surprise the rear door
stood slightly ajar. and my eyes per
ceived the movement Of an ill-dedned
shadow within.
Hello therel" called out. yet In
stinctively drawing . step backward.
'Ts there any room here for . tired
mani?
The tall. singular figure Of . noun
taineer Immediately appeared in the
doorway. and . gray. wrinklsl facs.
scraggly bearded. looked fortA. The
eyes giinting and nlled with sus-
picion.
wal. who be ye. an whut do -
want yere!"
Il am q soldier" l replied, rather
shortly, not particularly pleased with
either the mans appearance or man
nsr. Myself and horse are about
worn out. l mistook this for = de-
serted cabin"
"Whar be ye bound! an whut may
~ be up to a-travelin' slone1"
| l smiled endeavoring to retain my
temper.
"See, here, friend" returned short
ly. II have as much reason to ask
you such questions as you have me.
However, am willing enough to an
swer. am on furlough, and am 60
iux home across the mountains to see
my folks. Do you know Raleigh
county?"
| The man, who was now standing up
right in the doorway. one hand grip
ping the barrel Of musket, the early
morning light on his withered face.
stared unwinkinsly into my eyes.
II rather reckon l do. young man" "
he replied slowly. Fur l was raised
up on the Green Briar. What mout
be yer name!"
"Cowan," l answered promptly, my
mind instantly alert. and aware had
made a mistake"
"Ho! Ye don't say! One o OIL Ned
Cowan's boys"
mo. ! am q son Of Widow Cowan.
over on Coal creek"
There was not the faintest glim
mer in the cold. blue eyes, no evidence
of any recollection In the wrinkled
| face. His jaws rose and fell on the
| tODACCO WHICH cAleuVoN ulp ShSch.
81 don't reckon I've been over that
way fer nigh on fifteen year." he said
at last refiectively. An somehow I
don't just recall no Widow Cowan-
but know oil Ned mighty we'll. He's
took to the brush with his whole breed
since this fracas started. an SOM
cusses burned his house. an sent the
OIL woman after 'em. It's plumb hell
In Green Briar. Maybe yer 4 Cowan,
Tut I'm ID II ye look like eny O.
tibet outfit ever l see afore. What
part O. the army WIS ye With"
"Sixty-fifth Virginia - Covington
company. Captain Daniels
The older man chewed awhile In ST.
lence, evidently impressed with the
seeming frankness Of the reply.
Wal, ye mout be a Cowan, o
course" he admitted reluctantly.
"Enyhow reckon 1t don't make no
great difference. fer II ye be goin' ter
Green Briar We kin ride awhile ter
sether. Two is better than one these
days. Hitch yer hoss out thar In the
scrub alongside O. mine. an then come
In yere. Well eat bite fust. an then
lie down a spell, fer I've been a.ridin'
most O. ther night myself"
His voice was hardly as cordial as
his words sounded, but felt 1t best
to accept the rather surly invitation.
! ~ ~ hnra& Ns.s~ ~ ARsDAsA n.