University of South Carolina Libraries
The Call of the Cumberlands 1 By Charles Neville Buck With Illustrations from Photographs of Scenes in the Play (Copyright, tgij. by W. J. Watt & Co.) 3 SYNOPSIS. On Misery creek. nt the foot of a rook from which he has fallen. Sally Miller finds George Lescott, a landscape paint- , er. unconscious, and after reviving hl:n. goes for assistance Samson South and 8a!ly, taking Lescott to Samson's home, are met bv Splcer South, head of the family, who tells them that Jesse Purvy lias been shot and that Sumson Is suspected of the crime. Samson denies It. The shooting of Jesse Purvy breaks the truce In the Hollman-South feud. CHAPTER IV?Continued. He sauntered down the road, but, when he had passed out of vision, he turned sharply into the woods, ahd began climbing. His steps carried him to the rift in the ridge where the white oak stood 6entinel over the watch tower of rock. As he came over the edge from one side his bare feet making no sound, he saw Sally sitting there, with her hands resting on the moss and her eyes deeply troubled She was gazing fixedly ahead and her lips were trembling. At once Samson's face grew black. Some one had been making Sally unhappy. Then he Baw beyond her a standing figure, which the tree trunk had hitherto concealed. It was the looee-knitted figure of young Tamarack Spicer. "In course," Spicer was saying, "we don't 'low Samson shot Jesse Purvy, but them Hollmans '11 'spicion him, an' I heered just now thet them dawgs was trackin' straight up hyar from the mouth of Misery. They'll git hyar against sundown." / Samson leaped violently forward. With one hand he roughly seized hie cousin's shoulder and wheeled him about. "Shet up!" he commanded. "What d n fool stuff hev ye been tellin' j Sajly?" For an instant the two clansmen -stood fronting each other. Samson's lace was set and wrathful. Tamarack's was surly and snarling. "Hain't I got a license teKtell Sally the news?" he "Nobody hal\t got no license," retorted the youn&pr man in the quiet of coldflHBttMVr tel1 Stilly nothln' ^ ^ .1 - . II ^ mlr- tKHT^Q tGrTllOW ( pretty soon. Tliem dawgs?" HP "Didn't I tell ye ter shet up? eon clenched his fists, and took forward. "Ef ye opens yore o^iuu, i ill a-guiu 161 bUlttHU 1111 git!" L Tamarack Spicer's face bla< B and his teeth showed. His rigl swept to his left arm-pit. Out he seemed weaponless, but ? mm knew that concealed beneal hickory shirt was a holster, mountain fashion. "What air ye a-reachin' B Tam'rack?" he inquired, his lip; B Ing in amusement. B "Thet's my business." B "Well, git hit out?or git out V afore I throws ye offen the clift B Sally showed no symptoms of B Her confidence in her hero wa lute. The boy lifted his ban BV pointed oil down the path. B and with incoherent muttering, Hl, took himself away. Then oi Sally rise. She came over, anc hand on Samson's shoulder. B blue eyes, the tears were well! B "Samson," she whispered, "ef B atter ye, come ter my house. H hide ye out. Why didn't ye B Jesse Jurvey'd done been shot I "Hit tain't nothin' ter fret Sally," he assured her. He F awkwardly, for he had been tra \ regard emotion as unmanly. hain't no danger." She gazed searchingly into h ^ _ ana men, with a short sob, thi r " arms around him, and buried fa on his shoulder. "Ef anything happens ter > ( son," she said, brokenly, "hit j kill me. I couldn't live withoi Samson. I jest couldn't do hit t The boy took her in his an pressed her close. His eyes wi |l ing off over her bent head, and I twitched. He drew his featui I a scowl, because that was the < I preseion with which he coul guard his feelings. His voi K husky. 'I reckon, Sally," he said, "I < live withouten you, neither." I The party of men who had I at morning from Jesse Purdy Mk had spent a hard day. The ro lowed creek-beds, crossing ? Hj crossing waterways in a fashi m gave the bloodhounds a hundi K fling difficulties. Often, theli lost the trail, which had at fir so surely taken. Often, they and whined, and halted in pet but each time they came to where, at the end, one of thei raised his muzzle skyward, ai Toward evening, they were ^ up Misery along a course less The party halted for a momen I and, ae tbe bottle was passed, t from Lexington, who kad brou dogs and stayed to conduct th< put a question: "What do you call this creek' -Hit's Misery." 1 "Does anybody live on Misery that ?er?that you might suspect?" The Hollraans laughed. "This creek is settled with Souths thicker'n hops." The Lexington man looked up. He knew what the name of South meant to a Hollman. "Is there any special South, who might have a particular grudge?" "The Souths don't need no parti'lai grudge, but thar's young Samson South. He's a wildcat." "He lives this way?" "These dogs air a-makin' a bee-line fer his house." Jim Hollman was speaking. Then he added: "I've done been told that SaniBon denies doin' the shootiu', au' claims he kin prove an alibi." The Lexington man lighted his pipe and poured a drink of red whisky intc a flask cup. "He'd be apt to say that," he com mented, "These dogs haven't any prejudice in the matter. I'll stake mj life on their telling the truth." An nour later, tne group nanec again. The master of hounds mopped his forehead. "Are we still going toward Samsoc South's house?" he inquired. "We're about a quarter from hil now, an' we hain't never varied from the straight road." "Will they be apt to give uf trouble?" Jim Hollman smiled. "I hain't never heered of no Soutt submittin' ter arreet by a Hollman." The trailers examined their fire arms, and loosened their holster-flaps The dogs went forward at a trot. CHAPTER V. From time to time that day, neigh bors had ridden up to Splcer South'! stile, and drawn rein for gossip. Thesi men brought bulletins as to the prog ress of the hounds, and near 6undown as a postscript to their information, j volley of gunshot signals sounded fron a mountain top. No word was spoken but in common accord the kinsmer rose from their chairs, and drifted to ward their leaning rifles. "They're a-comin' hyar," said th< head of the house, curtly. "Sameoi ought ter be home. Whar's Tam'rack?' No one had noticed his absence un til that moment, nor was he to b< found. A few minutes later, Samson'i figure swung into sight, and his unch met him at the fence. "Samson, I've done asked ye all th< questions I'm a-goin' ter ask ye," h< said, "but them dawgs ie makln' fe: this house. They've Jest been sighte? a mile below." Samson nodded. "Now"?Spicer South's face hard ened?"I owns down thar ter the road Nn man kin crnaa that fence withnutei I choose ter give him leave. Ef y hit all But ef ^ face hj " Sam- ,ove ter Prove ter these hyar a step us 5ouths don't break our w< mouth done aereed ter this truce. I'< L Now, ,nvlte 'em ,n> an' let them dan sniff round the feet or every :kened. my house?an' then, when it hand P,umb teetotally damn satu wardly ter te^ em a" ter 80 Samson Tbet's the way I feels, but I'i Lh the ter do ^e8t wbat ye says." worn Lescott did not overhear versation in full, but he saw atter man'6 face work with suppre: s twist- slon' and cau8ht Samson reply. "When them folks gets hyi yeself sPlcer. I'm a-goin' ter be ' alarm. a abeo- ,-4&. id. and Slowlv faSr Spicer %M M iten ye, ?They Have Followed The Here." 11s, and ere gaz- right out thar in front. I* his lips willin' ter invite 'em in." 1 es into two men turned toward the h only ex- Already the other clansmei d safe- appeared noiselessly through ce was or around the angles of the 1 Flffppn minutpR l?tpp T.popr couldn't Ing at the fence, saw a etran cade round the bend of the rc started eral travel-stained men wer 'a store mules, and holding two tawn >ads fol- patient dogs in leash. In tl ind re- ber, the artist recognized hi on that two nights ago. ed baf- They halted at a distance r noses their faces the artist read dit at been while the dogs were yelping i circled ]y and tugging at their core plexlty, Samson South?who should, a point prejudiced convictions, be h n again in some secret stronghold?e id gave top step of the stile, smoking and regarded them with a li working absence of Interest. Such a broken, ceptlon was uncanny. Afte; t's rest, pered conference, the Lexini he man came forward alone. Old Spl ght the had been looking on from 3 chase, and was now strolling out to envoy, unarmed. >' An/I H/x onvnv oa ho onmo ' hands unnecessarily far away ? Bides, and walked with an ostentatious show of peace. ' "Evenln'. stranger," hailed the ^4'd i man. "Come right In." "Mr. South," began the dog-owner, i with some embarrassment. "I have ; been employed to furnish a pair of bloodhounds to the family of Jesse i t'urvy, wno nas oeen snot.'' "1 heerd tell thet Purvy was shot," - said the head of the Souths In an afi fable tone, which betrayed no deeper note of interest than neighborhood gossip might have elicited, f "I have no personal Interest in the i matter," went on the stranger, hastily, . as one bent on making his attitude ! clear, "except to supply the dogs and i manage them. I do not in any way direct their course; I merely follow." "Ye can't hardly fo'ce a dawg." Old > Spicer sagely nodded his head as he made the remark. "A dawg jest natch. er'ly follers his own nose." "Exactly?and they have followed ' their noses here." The Lexington man found the embarrassment of his posll tion growing as the colloquy proceedI ed. "I want to ask you whether, if these dogs want to cross your fence. I [ have your permission to let them?" The master of the house crossed the t stile, the low sun shining on his sh6ck i of gray hair, and stood before the manliunter. He 6poke so that his voice ( carried to the waiting group in the road. "Ye're plumb welcome ter turn them i dawgs loose, an' let 'em ramble, stranger. Nobody hain't a-goin' ter hurt 'em. I sees some fellers out thar with ye thet mustn't cross my fence. Ef they does"?the voice rang menacingly?"hit'll mean that they're a-bustin' the truce?an* they won't never go out ag'in. But you air safe . in hyar. 1 gives yer my hand on thet. 3 Ye're welcome, an' yore dawgs is wel> come. I hain't got nothin' 'gainst . dawgs thet comee on four legs, but I t shore bars the two-legged kind." ^ There was a murmur of astonish, ment from the road. Disregarding Jl, , Spicer South turned his face toward , the house. "Vou boys kin come out," he shouter, "an* leave yore guns inside." ? The leashes were slipped from tKe 1 dogs. They leaped forward, and made directly for Samson, who eat as un. moving as a lifeless image on the top 2 step of the stile. There was a half-mos ment of terrific suspense, then the s beasts clambered by the seated figure, passing on each side and circled ? lessly about the yard?their quest une ended. They sniffed indifferently about r the trouser legs of the fnen who sauni tered indolently out of door. They trotted into the house, n"id out again, and mingled with tlitJ(j ongrel home |. pack that snarled at, *ro^ied hosI tillty for this invasi/g ^jjThen, they a came once more to tm gou*- *bey e climbed Out, Samsoniy he)h j?achd| e up and stroked a taw^^^^^JtndjB uesUonJ^'istailTnrriendship, lefore it t out. I'd I down to the road, andttrotted men thet onward. 1 3rd. We "I'm obliged to you) sir." i i like ter man from the Bluegrass, with in dawgs of immense relief. ^ ' man in The moment of suspense they're Past. and> in the relief of the ified, I'd clash, the master ofi' hound: ter hell. that his d?B8 stood branded m a-goin* trailers. But when he rejoi group in the road he found the con- iooking into eurly visages, i ' the old features of Jim Hollman in pi ssed pas- wefe black in their scowl of 's louder in? wrath. "Why didn't ye ax him," ir, Uncle kinsman of the man who 1 a-jettin' shot? "whar the other feller's "What other fellow?" ech Lexington man. Jim Hollman's voice rosi lently, and his words driftec meant them to, across to the the clansmen who stood in I l. of Snicer South. ^ "Them dawgs of your'n < ink Misery a-hellin'. They hain fc laW turned aside, an' onless they'i ornery, no-'count curs thet doi ^ their business, they come f B reason. They seemed might I ested in gittin' hyar. Ax thei in thar who's been hyar th< hyar now? Who is ther fe got out afore we come hyar?" At this veiled charge of d< faces of the Souths again b and the men near the dooi jMcpB house drifted in to drift presf ViBpI OKfin, swinging discarded 1 ters at their sides. It seem graflSSgji ! after all. the incident was no ; The man from Lexington, find self face to face with a new ( ir Moses turned and argued in a low vt the Hollman leader. But J man, whose eyes were fixed m plumb son, refused to talk in a in riisa, the tone, and he shouted his repl lObue. "I hain't got nothin' ter i fca.l dis- ; about," he proclaimed. "Go t! ? door j who hit war thet got away fro tvajl*. j Old Spicer Soutii stood lej >tt, stand- ; his fence and his rugged coui tgc cavnl- | stiffened. He started to sp tad. Sev- Samson rose from the stile t e leading j in a composed voice: y ynd im- | "Let me talk to this fell lelr num- i Spicer." The old man nod s host of i Samson beckoned to the owm I dogs. J, and in "We hain't got nothin' ter nnuy, for. I them fellers with ye," he an confident- briefly. "We hain't axin' 'en' la. young tions, an' we hain't answer! by their Ye done come hyar with' tit idlng out we hain't stopped ye. \\'e've lat at the swered all the question,** thei ; his pipe, lies axed. We done treated ack-luster yore houn's plumb fr/iendly. calm re- them other men, we Ij^aln't gc r a v.'his- fer say to "em. They? done c< gton man becaime they hoped tfiey coul cer South in trouble. They dt^ne faile the door, road belongs ter tht? count meet the ! got a license ter traivel hit, strip right hyar hainl't the 1 , held his section they kin find! I ret ' from bia : better advise 'em ter I move c ? 1 The Lexington man went back. For a minute or two Jim Hollman aat scowling down in indecision from his saddle. Then he admitted to himself that he had done all he could do without becoming the aggressor. For the moment he was beaten. He looked up and from the road one of the hounds raised its voice and gave cry. That baying afTorded an excuse for leaving and Jim Hollman seized it. "Go on," he growled. "Let's see what them d d curs hes ter Bay now." Mounting, they kicked their mules into a jog. From the men inside the fence came no note of derision, no hint of triumph. They stood looking out with expressionless, masklike faces until their enemies had passed out of sight around the shoulder of the mountain. The Souths had met and fronted an accusation made after the enemy's own choice and method. A jury of two hounds had acquitted them. It was not only because the < dogs had refused to recognize In Samson a suspicious character that the enemy rode on grudgingly convinced, but. also, because the family, which Jim Hollman. | had invariably met hostility with hostility, had bu willingly courte(j th^actd ju5y "^Days passed uneventfully al gln^erlj The kinsmen dispersed to th tered covesI and cabins. N 9aid th? again came a rumor that Jest a voice was dying, (but always hard heels came another to the efl seeraet the obduratfe fighter had averte< though the doctors held out s > forgot couragement of recovery, as false One day Lescott, whose b ned the arm gave him much pain, but himsell able to get about, was strollinj and the from the house with Samsor irticulai were following a narrow tra a?? V* rt ?*? "U- ? 1 ? A ? oujwtucAv vuo uiuuiiimu ir'UC, cl I1U, Ul & fc louder than the falling of a growled the boy halted and laid a f tad beer hand on the painter's shoulde at?" followed an unspoken commar oed th? companion's eyes. Leecott sai behind a rock, cloaked with g 8 trucu rhododendron leafage, where 1, as h< had already crouched and bee ears ol movable and noiseless. T1 the yard been there only a short tin they saw another figure slipi :ome up etly from tree to tree below tl 't never For a time the mount! e plumb watched the figure and the n't know saw his lips draw in a strai or some and his eyes narrow with a ty inter- tense hate. Yet, a moment lal n fellers a nod to follow, the boy unex ut hain't rose into view and his featur Her thet absolutely expressionless. "Mornin'. Jim." he called. ?ceit the, The slinking stranger whirl lackenedi a start and an instinctive m * of thel though to bring his rifle to hi mtly out der. But. seeing Samson's pi synches- manner, he smiled and his led that, meanor became friendly, t closed.; "Mornin*, Samson." ling him-i "Kinder stranger in this lifticulty, hain't ye, Jim?" drawled the 1 ... I .. . ' - - >iie who; lived there, and the question im Holl- a sullen flush to the other*! on Sam- bones. odulated "Jest a-passin' through," h( V' safed. whisper "j i?,jkon ye'd find the wag ax 'em more handy," suggested m hyar." "Some folks might *t>picion ming on. stealin' 'long through the tlm ntenancej The skulking traveler decidi eak, bug plausibly. He laughed mendi ind sand, "That's the reason, Samson. 1 kinder skeered ter go throu er, l^nc' country in the open." ded 'and Samson met his eye stead ar oh the said slowly: / | "I reckon, Jim, hit mought /say ter [es risky fer ye ter walk up ' ounced, Vilong Misery es ter go a-ci no q<>es-, Ye thinks ye've been a-shadde in* none.: j knows Jest whar ye've been iwgs an'{time. Ye lies when ye talk done an-| j,aj>sin' through. Ye've clone b( in dawge jn> hyar, ever since Jesse Pu you an'| 8hot, an* all thet time ye've do Es fer matched yerself. I reckon 1 >t notliin' healthier fer ye ter do yore spy >me hyar t'other side of the ridge. I rec Id git me' aiiowin' ter git me ef Purvy d id. Thet we're watchln' ye." y. They, jjm Asberry's face darkened but this' aaid nothing. There was not lealthiest 8ny. He was discovered in t :kon ye'di ,ny's country and must %co ,tt*" 1 enemy's terras. I I J: k "This hyar time I lets ye go back, said Samson, "fer the reason thet I'l tryln" like all h?1 ter keep this true But ye must stay on yore side t else ride the roads open. How Purvy terday?" "He's mighty porely," replied tl other, in a sullen voice. "All right. Thet's another reasc why hit hain't healthy fer ye ov? hyar." The spy turned and made his wa over the mountain. "O n him!" muttered Samso his face twitching, as the other wa lost in the undergrowth. "Some da Put a-goin' ter git him." Tamarack' Splcer did not at on< reappear, and when one of the Soutt met another In the road the customai dialogue would be: "Heared anythir of Tamarack?" . . . "No, hev you' "No, nary a word." As Lescott wandered through tl hills, his unhurt right hand began cr ing out for action and a brweh 1 nurse, as lie waicnea, aay unci u? the unveiling of the monumental hil and the transitions from hazy, wrait like whisperB of hues to strong, flarii riot of color, this fret of restlessne: became actual pain. He was wastii wonderful opportunity and the ere tive instinct in him was clamoring. One morning, when he came out ju after sunrise to the tin wash bas at the well, the desire to paint was c him with compelling force. The hil ended near their bases like things b ten off. Beyond lay limitlesB streai ers of mist, but. while he stood at gai the tilmy veil began to lift and flo higher. Trees and mountains gre taller.' The sun, which showed fir as a ghost-like disk of polished alun num. struggled through orange ai vermilion into a sphere of llvli flame. Lescott heard a voice at b side. "When does ye 'low ter commen palntin'?" It was Samson. For answer tl artist, with his unhurt hand, imp tientlv tnnnpd his hnndaccd wrist. "Ye still got yore right hand, hall ye?" demanded the boy. The oth laughed. It was a typical question. ! long as one had the trigger finger 1? one should not admit disqualiticatic "You see, Samson," he explain* "this isn't precisely like handling gun. One must hold the palette; m the colors; wipe the brushes and half a dozen equally necessary tlilni It requires at least two perfectly go hands. Many people don't find ti enough." "Hut hit only takes one ter do t paintin', don't lilt?" "Yes." "Well"?the boy spoke diffident but with enthusiasm?"between t two of us we've got three hands, reckon ye kin lam me how ter them other things fer ye." Lescott's surprise showed In 1 ter that. ^?^Wy hit hain't none c eir scat- ness, but, all day yestidd fow and day befo', I was studyln' le Purvy here thing, an* I hustled I on Its thet corn weeded an' now 1' :ect that Ef 1 kIn help ye out I the rallied, by?" He paused and lool mall en- '"Ely at the artist. , Leecott whistled and the landaged 1'ghted into contentment, who was ' Today, Samson," he ? not far "kescott, South and Con i. They busy." iil along 11 the first time he tound no Samson smile, and, althoui walnut. Pression was one of sheer silencing herent somberness loaned r. Then of the wistful, id In his When, an hour later, th nk down out. the mountain boy carrl listening aphernalia and the old ma Samson ftt the door watched them ome lm- half-quizzical, half-disapprov ley had As the boy, with remar le when tude, learned how to adjusi ling qui- aid arrange the parapherna hem. 8at drinking in through tt lin boy tbe stretch of landscape he painter nilned to paint, ght line Then, while he painted, tl glint of tbe Palette, his eyes rivet ter, with canvas. which was growlr pectedly blank to a mirror of vistai es were bo>''8 pupils became deeply The day of painting wa by others like it. The di led with J-escott's left hand made th otion as coniI?anionship of the boy is shoul- that needed no explanation < eaceable 1,u>?gh not a matter of appr own de- uncle. Another week had pass* the reappearance of Tamart country ?ne afternoon I<escott ai boy who were n,one on a cllff-prote brought and the Painter had JU8t s cheek w,th u,nber and neutral tint sketch of his next picture. 5 vouch. (TO UK CONTINUE Tribute Money. ;on road Fancy long ago said that Samson, marks on either side of the 1 ye fer haddock were made by the ber." finger and thumb ns they id to lie while extracting the trlbu iciously. fpom his mouth. Hut alas I was The haddock is not found : gh this of Galilee! Most of the flsl long to the barbel family, a Illy and has ever told us authoritat particular variety the tribu be half fl8h belonged to. The "ha standln' Gf the tribute was 112 gr ouchin' weight of silver, say nearly rln* me. Gf an ounce, worth aboui all the cents today, but greatly moi ;b 'bout days. een spy rvy got The Girl Who Is In De ne been There is a price on the hes ilt'll be pretty girl who can bake goc in' from Most any girl can look prt kon yer the parlor ohandelier or li lies, but moonlight, but, ah, how few look at next morning at 6:31 , but he fewer can Bet before the hi htng to at breakfast a plate of appc he ene- biscuits, and for the one wl ept the boys are searching the girls.?Hamilton Record. l ===== i : mmwnonal i : sunmfsoiool ; lesson (By E. O. SBLIiERS. ActlnK Director of iy Sunday School Course. Moody Bible Institute. Chicago.) ? LESSON FOR MARCH 14 iy SAUL GAINS HIS KINGDOM. : *8 LESSON TEXT?I Samuel, chapter 1L y GOLDEN TEXT?Ho that Is slow to an- . per Is better than the mighty: and he .?? that rulcth Ills spirit, than he that tuketh a city.?Prov. 16:32. ,e In order to repay Israel's victory un y" der Jepthah, Nahash the Ammonite de- j to inanded the right eye of those beBieged y> in Jabesh in Gilead, knowing that the , left eye would be hid by their shields and they would thus be incapable of 1K warfare. For Israel to make any cov- | 38 enant with the Ammonites was con- yM ] trary to God's commands (Ex. 25:32; a* Deut. 23:3). I. The Cry of Jabesh, vv. 1-3. This 8 event probably occurred about a month after the previous lesson. It waa a * proud, haughty demand made of these | Israelites. Exhausted and hopeless, . f " they had offered to become servants in J M ' order to live. So today we frequent- ^ M ly find men willing to compromise i with the world and the devil, who only > |V hold them in derision and contempt !_, (v. 2). Compromising Christians are %(j always blind leaders of the blind (Matt. s_ 15:14; 6:22). The demand of Nahash lB would also bring reproach upon Israel, yet this same king afterwards showed ce kindness to David (II Samuel 10:2). History records that Emperor Basil II actually sent an army of 14,850 I )a_ sightless men back to the king of Dulgaria, who died of grief and horror. 1 II. The Conquest of Ammon, vv. 411. Nahash granted the request for I a seven days' respite. Here was Saul's >ft opportunity?wrongs to be righted and |n people to be saved. Saul had held his peace since being anointed by Samuel, a employing his time in everyday toll ,jx and duties (v. 5), for the messengers do <l?d not find Sllul at homo idle. The 5a_ tidings of this insult were told to the od people who lifted up their voices and KO wept. (v. 4). The news of this threatened calamity reached Saul's ears and ho ids conduct effectually put to silence those "worthless fellows" who despised him and had brought no prestly ents at his anointing (10:27). Instead he of tears Saul is moved to deeds: Like I Cincinnatus and Israel Putnam, he left do the plow to take up the sword. Saul did not, in his own strength, under* 4 lis take to relieve Jabesh, for "the Spirit J >f my bust- Judges &10; 11:29; 12:25; Lukd tlL ly an* the 49; Acts 10:38). This moved Saul to 'bout this anger, not alone at such an evidence up an* got of cruelty, but more at the contempt m through. Nahash had for God and his people. >ught meb- Saul associated himself with Samuel, ced appeal- the man of God, and summoned th<y nation of Israel to his side. >n his face The Holy Spirit gave Saul clear assurance of a call from God, and he reannounced. sponded with unquestioned faith apany get (Rom. 8:31). The people responded with great rapidity, for the fear of uuu ueeu uod came upon them also. We have gh the ex- the good news of a better deliverance delight, in- from a more subtle foe to proclaim it a touch in the present age. They all resorted to Bezek, west of the Jordan. The le two set messengers returned bearing a mes* ed the par- sage having two meanings (v. 10), and n standing that helped to keep Nahash ignorant off with a of Saul's actions on the other side of ing glance, the river. Dividing his army into comkable aptl- panies Saul attacked the enemy "in t the easel the morning watch," and completely lia, Lescott overwhelmed them and put them to lirsty eyes rout. As the Ammonites had refused had deter- (Q 8how any mercy, they in turn were judged unworthy of mercy (v. 11, see le hoy held aiso James 2:13; Matt. 7:2). ed on the -p^e Crowning of Saul, w. 12-15. ig from a saupB victory so impressed the people 9 and the tj,at demanded to know of Samhungry. uej w^0 wag ^at jia(] refu8ed him s followed a{, jt|ng> desiring to put them to death, sabllng of Ooitl . . o?ui diiuwcu ma wisuom by not pere constant lAA. . . a matter such a course of action. Many or anoloev to(*ay refuse God's divinely appointed rival to his klnR who w111 yet be elad to acknow1' edge him (Luke 19:27; Phil. 2:10). >d without ,n the next l)laco Saul did not claim ick Spicer. credlt for victory for, said he, id Samson "The Lord hath wrought deliverance cted shelf, ln Israel" (v. 13 R. V.). All real vicblocked in tories come from God (Ps. 44:4-8; I the crude ^'or- 15:10)- This was the true kingly spirit. Saul reaped the reward of r>.) his humility, his forbearance, courage and activity ln the loyalty and pride of the people. Samuel gladly the black sliured in the success of Saul an 1 led lead of the tjie peopie to Gllgal for the cro' 'ning 5 Apo8^le* ceremony. This was the place Ahore held him, jBraej had first encamped tindor the te mnnev . leadership of Joshua and whei'e the for fancy! twejve stones from the river ha?i been In the Sea set up ag a testimony to God's real i there bo- pesence und deliverance, nd no one gaul had naturai and physical char* ively w a ftCterlstlcs calculated to make .lim a if hw 1" great and useful king?self-restraint, . 8 modesty, military Invention and a car " rt?I Paclty for leadership, a qua f(e waa shrewd, patient and ttenert thirteen re In those ouff .. .. . ,. # He thus stood on the threshold of his kingdom with the possibilities of mand. untold usefulness and blesBlng. id of every We are "kings and priests unto id biscuits. God." He has ushered us Into his itty under kingdom. Power, usefulness, tnflul the soft ence, helpfulness, victory ove~ sin are will do to before us. "Napoleon said that his ), and still nobility dated from Arcole and Mareningry men go. May ours date from the victories stlzlng hot 0f i0ve over the evil within us and in 10 can the t]je world." "This is the victory that world nf overcometh the world, even oar faith" (I John 5:?>