Second installment

Heart pounding, Lillian felt around till her hands fell on an old  apple crate.
Easing the greasy, slippery ham into her tow-sack, she eased back through the smokehouse door  and crouching, made her way toward the back of Ole man Barlows house where the root cellar was.

Just as she turned the corner the hound dog who had been sleeping under the floor, let out a mighty bellow, thumping and scratching trying his best to get to Lillian.

A lamp was lit and Ole Man Barlow hit the porch, shotgun in hand.

“What’s wrong with you, you dat burned hound! You sound like a grizzly is on yer tail! Come here you egg suckin hound” Ole man Barlow said, stepping off the porch.

Lillian squeezed behind a bunch of scrawny hollyhocks and held her breath.

Ole Man Barlow took a glance around the yard and seeing nothing turned back towards the house “Dog, if you wake me up one more time baying at the moon I’m gonna let the old woman at you with the fryin pan!”

Lillian had been creeping backwards while the dog and man were both looking the other way and made it to the corner of the house before he shut the door.  She heard the dog snuff out its breath then lay down on the porch.   Barely daring to breath she crouched near the door to the cellar until the light went out then waited for what seemed like an eternity before risking opening the door.   

With only the light of the half moon she could barely make out baskets and bags of taters, onions and apples.  She grabbed some of each, shoving them into her bag.  Straining to lift the bag over her shoulder silently she peered around the door to make sure the dog was not around then slipped out, closing the door behind her.  As fast as she could without making  noise she made for the fence line and crawled under again, dragging the now full sack behind her.  Finally letting out her breath fully she stopped to wipe the sweat away.   
Now to get back in the house, divide up the food and get out again without Granny waking up. She’d already written a note she’d leave so Granny wouldn’t worry overmuch.

Lillian slipped back into the old house and grabbing a knife began shaving off pieces of ham and wrapping them in oil cloth. She put that along with a few apples and potatoes, her spare pair of socks, a cup, a flint and Grandpa’s hunting knife in her bag.  Slipping the note out of her pocket she propped it up by the ham and taking one last glance around she went out the door into the darkness.

Granny opened her eyes as soon as the door closed behind her.  She knew the girl would leave to go find her father and as ashamed as it made her she had decided it was probably for the best. She’d return the food to Barlow in the morning and promise to pay him back for what was gone.

Now Lillian knew her Papa had left with Cousin Jerry; She figured the best way to find  Pappa was to head to.Jerrys cabin over on Piney Ridge.

She was pretty scared because to get to Piney ridge she would have to go through the Deadling where the McAfees and Brodys lived. Papa always said they was bad news. Secretly Lillian thought Leif  McAfee was a handsome man. Coal black hair and eyes as blue as a robins eggs sent shivers down. Lillians spine.

But enough daydreamin.Lillian set off ,up the spring branch.  Two hours of hard walkin should get her to Jerrys place. Lillian had been walking about an hour when she starting feeling like someone was watching her,following just in the shadows.

Lillian reached in her bag and pulled out her  grandpa’s knife. Not so much for protection as for comfort. she knew there was all manner of wild animals in there ole woods and she didn't want to walk up on a big black bear.

Heart hammering in her throat Lillian picked up her pace.  Up ahead was a bend in the trail.  Lillian quickly left the path by the branch and crouched behind a big beech tree.Holding her breath to still the pounding of her heart, she waited and listened. Lillian was getting to her feet, feeling silly for thinking there was anyone about,  when all at one a large hand clamped over her mouth and the other wrapped around her skinny waist.

Kicking back and squirming around she tried to scream and bite through hand over her mouth.  

“Quiet girl!” A rough voice rasped in her ear “Dammit, stop thrashin’ about and settle down, its me, your cousin Jerry for God’s sake settle down”

Cousin Jerry.  If cousin Jerry was here then Pappa must be here or nearby.  She stilled immediately.  Jerry slacked his grip and Lillian turned to look at him.  It was hard to make out in the dim light but he looked bad, dirty and skinny.  She opened her mouth to ask about Pappa but Jerry clamped his hand over her mouth again and shook his head, gesturing for her to follow him. She nodded and he took his hand off her mouth and took her arm instead leading her up the rise into a thicket of laurels so dense they had to worm their way through.  

After what seemed like an eternity Jerry stopped and looked all around then put his hand up to his mouth and hooted softly like a barn owl three times. Lillian stared at him but then caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned. Pappa!  He stood with a rifle pointed in their direction causing the cry of joy that had been on her lips to die.  Stepping a few steps closer he lowered the gun and turned, motioning them to follow.

Lillian’s mind was whirling!  Pappa was okay, but what was going on?! She stumbled after the two men for a short distance. Pappa stopped and dragged brush away from an opening in the side of the hill, motioning them inside. He followed, pulled the brush door camouflage back into place behind him.  Inside a narrow rock opening led about 10 feet or so with a slight downward angle.  Lillian followed Jerry and let out a soft gasp as the rock opened up into what seemed like a huge stone room.   Wooden crates were stacked against one side and a still was setup on the other side. Bedrolls other items showed the pair had been staying down here for some time.  

Eyes wide she turned around and faced her father.  “Pappa, what is going on? Why haven’t you been home?”