The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-02-18
Cflep[D MIST
A IALE or CIVIL STpIT[ Y.
GRANDALL PARRISH II
ILLUSTRATIONS 9FcDpHoDES

sarily prevent their co-operation- 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 flight. had led to their blind
riding by before. I turned to Har-
wood. who was whispering nonsense
to Noreen.
what do you mean to do. lieuten-
snt7" | asked quietly. but with my
own mind made up. Remain heref
He stroked his small mustache.
Il thought we might hang on until
midnight. Wyatt. and then. II nothing
happened take the back trail. ! don't
want to pass another day In this
cussed hole. What do you thinkr
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 we're In search
after us; they we're led by men who
would 60 to any extreme to effect our
capture. 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.
Tis likely they know better now, and
will search every rayine and covert on
their return. II the forage train Is
moving this way those cavalrymen are
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 a good account OF our
selves against those Yankee troopers. "
Possibly; but not against comb.
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?"
III 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 Q
pod. Do as you please, HARDWOOD. bui
| | am not under your command. and, 4
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 di
rect question she took step towart
me. and | felt the presence OF he
: hand on my sleeve.
YES" she said simply, "wheneve
you think best. Cousin" she added
glanclng across her shoulder at tn
+ perplexed officer. Il would like you t
come too"
He laughed, wheeling about in sud
den decision.
a reckon l might as WE'LL" he ad
!. mitted good-humoredly. Wharton
:, have the pickets drawn in. and tn
men mustered "Well start-Grea
God What is that?"
It was the sound of scattered vo
ley, the pieces not all OF the sam
caliber, the reports ringing clear. 1
the instant of silence which followe
! voice called down excitedly fror
the tower:
There Is firing to the east, sir.
HARDWOOD swore as he strobe acros
to the nearest window on that side
Except for faint tinge Of light 1
the west, and a half moon in tn
: southern sky. we we're enveloped 1
darkness. but we all of us heard tn
: sounds of hoofs and the approachin
= = rumble of wagon wheels. Harwoo
= turned and faced inward.
!, ITS the forage train, boys" he sal
:, sharply, with bunch of cavalry rit
I ing ahead. Get to the windows, bu
: be quiet about it-you know the o.
> ders. Wharton, have the men load
: come with me. Wyatt. where we ca
!. see out in front"
! Noreen chung to me as ! CROPPED m
. way through the narrow door into th
q vestibule.