Henry C. Rowland

“ The woods were strangely still. At the right a squirrel broke into a scolding chatter, and at the sound each man started; grasp on weapons tightened.
Suddenly the leader paused, motioning silence.
Beyond a bend rang sharply the clank of iron on stone. There followed the muffled shock of many hoofs. Quickly around the turn of the road swept fifty horsemen, glittering with hate and weapons.
These were the guerrillas.
The leader of the band threw back his tawny locks, and, swinging in his saddle, yelled to the others:
"Yeah they are, boys! Kill the Yankees!" ”

“ The horsemen headed back for the turnpike, the captain marveling in silence.
"Who is that fellow?" he asked presently.
"That man is not much to look at, but he represents one of the most efficient corps in the pay of the United States. He is a Kentucky mountaineer, and is one of a good many who have been sent down here and scattered through the woods to neutralize the guerrillas. He's a 'pore white,' and he hates these rich planters, who consider him beneath a negro, more than a Johnny reb hates a Yank. ”

“ Arnold shook his head. "If I am any judge of human nature, that had nothing to do with it. Gordon is a different type of man. If he had wanted personal revenge he would have taken it across his doorsill and a troop of cavalry would not have stopped him. We have made him an enemy to the Union, perhaps, but he will look for satisfaction through the Federal courts. This Walker is different; he is what we call, down here, a guerrilla, and is neither for North or South but strictly for himself. There are a good many of his sort through these mountains. ”

“ Man, those hungry beasties would eat up my farm, fences and all. Look at yon fields; crops half grown, and a fruit orchard that will bear this year for the first time. How long, think ye, would those wastrels o' yours hold that herd in check? It's simply reedic'lous!"
"I am sorry, Mr. Gordon, but this is a military necessity. The army has got to be fed, farm or no farm."
Gordon's cold gray eyes blazed with anger.
"I wull not permit it, sir!" he thundered. "If you turn those cattle into my farm you do it under my direct protest. I wull not tak' a cent. ”

“ Those steers don't belong to me and they don't belong to you, and if they can't travel they'll be boarded out at the Government expense until they're sent for. I think I've said something like this to you before, and if I ever have to say it again I'll march you down this pike in irons to the nearest guardhouse! D'ye see? Now get along with you and chase those steers out onto the pike. Your business is to drive 'em—not to sell 'em!"
Arnold tried to see Kenneth Gordon to arrange for the care of the worn-out cattle, but the farmer would not speak with him. ”

“ I'll bet that man Saunders knows now who shot that hole in your hat and where to find the man when he wants him. By this time to-morrow the grapevine telegraph will have passed the word through these hills, and any son of a gun of a guerrilla who rides down the big road to meet me when I come back will have to pass more than one rifle that doesn't miss. ”

“ The captain looked skeptical. "Just the same, I'd hate to bank much with a crowd like that. They've got no organization."
"Haven't they, though?" cried Arnold warmly. "Don't you make any mistake about that, captain. Of course, I suppose you army people think that there can't be organization without brass buttons and gold lace ”