Part 4 (2/2)
”Reckon we air jest as liable ter be shot down as Confed'rates, ain't we?”
”Such men as you would be a disgrace even to the Confederacy, Wolfall,”
interposed Levi Bedford, his honest eyes flas.h.i.+ng fire. ”Years ago Duncan Lyon saved you from a long term in prison, and this is how you reward his brother and his nephews.”
”Don't preach, Bedford, I ain't ust to hearin' on it. Times is changed, an' if the Lyonses is gwine to take a stand ag'in the best interests o'
this State, why they hev got to take the consequences, thet's all.”
”Kentucky has declared for the Union and we are on the right side,” said Deck. ”Let us come to an understanding of the situation. What have you done with my mother and my two sisters?”
”I reckon Leftenant Denny has 'em safe, sonny. Them's nice clothes, sonny, but a gray suit would look a heap sight better.”
”Are they still at the mansion?”
”They air onless the leftenant has took 'em away.”
”What do you propose to do here?”
”Enjoy ourselves, sonny.”
”Which means that you are going to confiscate all our stores and steal our valuables.”
”As you please, sonny. If yer come only to abuse such gents as we air, better be gittin' back, sonny,” and now the Kentucky guerilla tapped his horse pistol significantly.
”How many are there of you?” went on Deck, hardly able to resist keeping his hands from the ruffian.
”Twict as many as half, sonny. Is that all ye want ter know?”
”I see you are not inclined to meet me fairly,” continued Deck, sternly.
”I order you to leave this place at once.”
”Ain't obeyin' orders jest now, sonny.”
”Very well; then you and your comrades in this raid must take the consequences if you are captured. Moreover, my men and I will shoot you down like dogs if we get the chance,” and Deck turned back, followed by Levi.
”Thet shootin' won't be all one-sided!” called the guerilla after the pair, and disappeared into the barn.
When the major and the overseer returned to Fort Bedford, Artie wished to know immediately what had been accomplished.
”Nothing,” answered Deck, his face clouded in perplexing thoughts. He was almost ”stumped,” although he did not care to admit it.
A shout was now heard along the creek, and looking from the fort those within saw five colored men standing at the clearing. They were the slaves that had followed the first detachment to Lyndhall. With the colored men were three whites, farmers living in the vicinity who had called at Lyndhall on business and who had been persuaded by Margie and Kate to join in the defence of Riverlawn.
”Eight more guns,” said Artie. ”That gives us sixteen all told. Hang me, if I'm not in for making a rus.h.!.+”
Deck's face began to brighten. ”Levi, how many men do you think are at the barn?”
”I saw four looking from behind the doors,” answered the overseer.
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