A Cumberland Vendetta

nting in the woods. The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the litt

ravine to the north. In half an hour, they ran into a path that led up home from the river, and they stopped to rest on a cliff that sank in a solid black wall straight under them. The sharp edge of a steep corn-field ran near, and, stripped of blade and tassel, the stalks and hooded ears looked in the coming dusk a little like monks at prayer. In the sunli

g little fellow, and one may easily find his like throughout the Cumberland-paler than his fellows, from staying much indoors, with half-haunted face, and eyes that are deeply pathetic when not cunnin

he's afeard thar's trouble comm', hit's a-comm'; 'n' I want you to git me a Winchester. I'm a-gittin' big

e 'n' puny, 'n' I want ye to stay home 'n' take keer o' mam 'n'

ckheaded young Jas a-climbin' on stumps over thar 'cross the river, n' crowin' n' sayin' out open in Hazl

, but ugly lines had gathered at his mouth and forehead. The boy's tears came and went easily. He drew his sleeve across his eyes, and lo

d, standing up, his anger gone

he river. The third dropped with shut wings to

excitedly. "He's goin' to wait thar tel

over the ledge; and Rome leaned sudde

he mountain from the party, and on its back he saw the red glint of a woman's dress. With a half-smile he watched the scarlet figure ride from the woods, and climb slowly up through the sunny corn. On the spur above and full in the rich yellow light, she halted, half turning in her saddle. He rose t

he gun and a faint cry of triumph rose from below. It was good marksmanship, but on the cliff Rome did not heed it