The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-08-02

started desolation that ran as far
as his eye could reach. Red Oaks
had not been spared, and he put Fire
fly to fast gallop, with eyes strained
far ahead and his heart beating with
agonized foreboding and savage rage.
Soon over distant clump of trees
he could see the chimneys of Bar
bara's home-his home, he thought
helplessly-and perhaps those Chin
neys were all that was left. And
then he saw the roof and the upper
windows and the cap of the big col
umns unframed, untouched, and. he
pulled Firefly in again, with over
whelming relief, and wondered at the
miracle. Again he started and again
pulled in when he caught sight of
three horses hitched near the stiles.
Turning quickly from the Road, he
hid Fireiy in the underbrush. Very
quietly he slipped along the path by
the river, and, pushing aside through
the rose bushes, lay down where I'M
seen he could peer through the closely
matted hedge. He had not long to
wait. A white uniform issued from
the great hall door and another and
another-and after them Barbara
smiling. The boys blood ran hot
smiling at her enemies. Two officers
bowed, Barbara courtesied, and they
wheeled on their heels and descended
the steps. The third stayed behind a
moment, bowed over her hand and
kissed it. The watchers blood turned
then to liquid fire. Great God, at
what price was that noble old house
left standing? Grimly, swiftly Err
skine turned, sliding through the
bushes like a snake to the edge of
the road along which they must pass.
He would fight the three, for his life
was worth nothing now. He heard
them laughing, talking at the stiles.
He heard them speak Barbara's
name, and two seemed to be banter
ing the third, whose answering laugh
seemed acquiescent and triumphant.
They were coming now. The boy had
his pistols out, primed and cooked.
He was rising on his knees, just about
to leap to his feet and out into the
startled, paralyzed inactive heap.
Glimpsed through an opening in the
bushes, the leading trooper in the uni
form of Tarleton's legion was none
other than Dane Grey, and Erskine's
brain had worked quicker than his
angry heart. This was a mystery
that must be solved before his pistols
spoke. He rose crouching as the
troopers rode away. If Tarleton's
men were around he would better
leave Firefiy where he was in the
woods for a while. A startled gasp
behind HIM made him wheel, pistol
once more In hand, to find a negro,
mouth wide open and staring at him
from the road.
"Marse Erskinei" he gasped. 1t
was Ephrafm, the boy who mad led
Barbaras white ponies out long, long
ago, now a tall, muscular lad with
an ebony face and dazzling teeth
"Whut you doin' hyeh, sub? Whar
yo' boss? Gawd, Use sutn'ly glad to
see yuh." Erskine pointed to an oak
fright by that tree. Put him in
the stable and feed him"
The negro shook his head.
mo, sub. I'll take de feed down
to him. Too many redcoats messin
round heah. You bettah go In de back
day-dey might see yuh."
Wasn't one of those soldiers wht
just rode away Mr.. Dane GreyT'
The negro hesitated.
"Yassuh."
whats he doing in British uni
form?"
The boy shifted his great shoulders
uneasily and looked aside.
81 don't know, suh-I don't know
nuttin'."
Erskine knew he was lying, but re
spected his loyalty.
go tell Miss Barbara Pm here ant
then feed my horse"
''Yassuh."
Ephraim went swiftly and Erskin,
followed along the hedge and through
the rose bushes to the kitchen door.
Barbara, standing in the hall door
way. heard his step.
came to meet him, with both hand
outstretched, and raised her Lowell,
face to be kissed. "What are you dc
ing here?"
81 am on my way to join Genera
Lafayette"
"But you viii be captured. 1t is dan
gerous. The country is full of Britisl
soldiers"
$50 / know" Erskine said dryly.
when did you get here?"
Twenty minutes ago. / would no
have been welcome Just then. wait
ed in the hedge / saw you had con
pany."
Did you see them?' she faltered.
81 even recognized one of them.
Barbara sank into chair her aIhnz