The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-09-21


that city. lie had taken part In a
brilliant pageant called the "Mischi.
ANA" which was staged by Andre,
and was reported close friend Of
that III fated young gentleman.
After the fight at piqua. with Clark
ErSkinc put forth for old Jerome San
ders' fort. lie found the hard days
u want over. There was not only
corn IN plenty hut wheat potatoes,
pumpkins, turnlps melons. Game was
plentiful. and cattle, horses. and hogs
had multiplied on cane and buffalo
clover. Indeed. II was comparative
~ peaceful fall. and though Clark
pleaded with him. Erskine stubbornly
set his face for Virginia.
At Williamsburg Erskine learned
many things. Colonel Dale, now a
general, was still with Washington and
Harry was with him. Hugh was with
the Virginia militia and Dave with
Lafayette.
TarlrtOn's legion of rangers in their
white uniforms were scourging yir-
ginIa ms they had scourged the Car.
olInas Through the James River
country they had gone with fire and
sword burning houses, carrying OF
horses destroying crops. burning grain
Ia the mills, laying plantations to
waste. Barbara's mother was dead.
Her neighbors had moved to safety,
la h.. ri a . 4,
old Nanny and Ephraim ut Red Oaks,
unless that, too. had been recently
put TO the torch. Where, then, would
he find her?
Down the river Erskine rode with a
sad heart. At the place where he
had fought with Grey he pulled Fire
fly to u sudden halt. There was the
boundary of Red Oaks and there
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 n distant clump of trees
he could see the chimneys of Bar
bara's home-hls home. he thought
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 FREELY In again, with over
whelmiDg relief. and wondered at the
mir h. Ia,
pulled In when he caught sight of
three horses hitched near the stiles.
Turning quickly from the road. he
hid Firefy 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
walt. 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 courtesled. and they
wheeled on their heels and descended
the steps. The third stayed behind a
moment. bowed over her hand and
kissed II. The watchers blood turned
then 10 liquid fire. Great God, AT
what price was that noble old house
left standing? Grimly, swiftly Err
skine turned, sliding through the
bushes like 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 tn 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
10 leap Ia his feet and out into the
road, when he fell back into
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. lie rose crouching as the
troopers rode away. II Tarleton's
men were around he would better
leave Firehy where he was in the
woods for while, A startled gasp
behind hun made him wheel. pistol
once more In hand to find a negro.
mouth wide open and staring at him
from the road
"Marse Erskine," he gasped IL
was Ephraim, the boy who had led
Barbara's white ponies out long, long
ago, now tall, muscular lad with
an ebony face and dazzling teeth.
"Whut you dom hyeh. sub? Whar'
yo' boss? Gawd. Use sutn'ly glad Ia
see yuh." Erskine pointed to an oak.
Right by that tree. Put him in
the stable and feed him"
The negro shook his head.
"No. sub. III take de feed down
10 him. Too many redcoats messln'
round heah. You bettah go In de back
day-dey might see yuh."