Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-07-23
III I 8 G 4 LLA N y.
Extract from a new Novel called
HORSE SHOE ROBINSON.

An adventure wherein il is annarent III a, A.. =,
tons OF real life are full as marvellous as I'll
inventions Of romance
On the morning that succeeded the n;rh, /,
Wnlch Horse Shoe Robinson arrived ~ Nh,
go !, ahe STOUT honest sergeant might hav
Deen seen, about o'clock LEAVING the main roo
from Ninety Six at the point where thai Icad;n
70 David Ramsays' separated from il, and eau
Gousiy urging his way INTO the dcep forest b,
the more private path into which he had entered
Inc knowledge that lines was encanped alon
,he Ennoree, within short distance Of the mil
mad compelled him TO make an extensive circui
toreach Ramsay's dwelling, whittier he was nov
bent and he had experienced considerable de-
| lay IN his morning journey, by finding himsei
~ the neighborhood of small foraging parties d
Tories, whose motions he was obliged 10 watcl
ior lear OF an encounter. He had once alread,
been compelled 10 use his horses heels in VIII )
he called fair fght'-and once had TO ensconc,
himself, afuil half hour, under cover of a tbicke
Afforded him by swamp. He now, therefore
according TO his own phrase dived into the In
tie road and scrambled down through the wood
| ,owafus hamsay's with all his eyes about him
looking out as sharply as a fox on fospv NOR.
ming and with this circumspection he wi was mo-
long In arriving in view of Rams ay s house. Like
practIsed soldier, WHOM frequent frays had
taught wisdom, he resolved TO reconnoitre before
ne advanced upon post that might betin posses.
.io' VI -" enemy. ne therefore dlsmounted, fas
tened his horse in a fence corner where n field
OF corn concealed him from notice, and then steal.
thlly crept forward until he came Immediately
behind one of the out houses
The barking Of house dog brought ont n ne .
gro boy, to whom Robinson instantly addressed
the query
where is your master. Won nowder mo,L.,,,,
- stop that dog
Yaick-ya hound'-cried the boy aiming a
blow at the dogs head with his hand
What is you making fuss about -massa d one
gone, sa.'
Whefes'-inquired the sergeant.
Got on his critter, arter he done his breckfus,
and started away like all de world.
Our mistress2
She home sa, Smelling beans
Any sodgers or strangers there?'
All gone, sa,'-replied the negro.
Robinson having thus satisfied himself as TO
the safety OF his visit, directed the bow 10 take
his horse and lead him up to the door. He then
entered the dwelling
Mistress Ramsay said he walking up TO the
dame, who was occupied at table, with large
trencher before her in which she plying that
household THRIFT which the negro described
luck to you madam, and all your house hone
you haven't none Of these cinkering and clatter-
ing bullics about you that are as thick over this
country as the frogs in the kneading troughs-
that they tell Of
Good lack Mr.. Horse Shoe Robinson I, ex-
claimed the matron, offering the sergeant her
hand. What has brought you here What
news?-Who are with you?-For patience sake
tell me-
am alone, said ROBINSON and a little
wettish mistress he added as he took off his
hat and shook the water from il 81 has lust
sot up rain and looks as if it was going TO give
us enough ont. You don't mind doing a little
dinner work Of Sunday, l see-shelling off
beans spose, is tantamoont to dragging sheep
out OF pond, as the pre- achers allow on the Sab.
bath-ha, ba Where's Davy!
He's gone over to the meeting house on En-
noree, hoping to hear something of the army at
Canden-perhaps you can tell US the news from
that quarter!'
Faith that's a mistake, mistress Ramsay
Though don't doubt they are hard upon The
scratches by this time. But at this present spea-
king, command the flying artillery. We have
but one man In the corps, and that's myself; and
all the guns that we have got is this piece of or
dinance, that hangs in this old belt by my side
(pointing TO his sword )-and that ! captured
from the enemy at Bradstock's. ] was hoping
that might find John Ramsay at home-l have
need OF him a recruit.
AN, Mr.. Robinson--John has a heavy life of
it-over there with Sampler. The boy is often
without his natural rest or meal Of victuals, &
the general thinks so much OF him, that he can't
spare him to come home. ! hav'nt the heart TO
complain SO long as Johns services is Of any ac-
count, but it does seem, MIR. Robinson, like
We thought that he might have been here to-
day; yet am glad he did not come--for he
would have been certain TO have got into trouble
w no should come IN this morning, Just after nv
husband had cleveriy got away on his horse, but
young cock-a-whoop ensign, that belongs to
Ninety Six--and four great Scotchrnen with him,
all IN red coats, they had been out thieying I'll
warrant and were now going home again. And
who but they Here they were staggering all
about my house-caling for this-and calling for
that as if they owned the free simple of eve
ry thing on the plantation. And it made my
blood rise, Mr. Horse Shoe, to see them turn
out IN the yard and catch up my chickens and
ducks, and kill as many as they could string a.
bout them-and not daring TO say word
though, gave them piece Of my mind, too
Who is at home with you?'-inquired the
sergeant, eagerly.
answered the dame. And then the filthy to-
ping rioters'--she continued, exalting her voice.
What arms have you in your houses'--asked
Robinson, without needing the DANES rising an.
ger
We have rifle and horseman's pistol that
belongs to John. They must call for drink too,
and turn my house, of Sunday morning, into a
tavern.
They took the route towards Ninety Six you
said, Mistress RamsayH
Yes they went straight forward upon that
road. But look you, Mr.. Horse Shoe, you're
mol thinking Oi golhS alter theiH
Isn't there old field, about mile from
here on the road''-inquired the sergeant still
intent upon his own thoughts.
Certain, replied the hostess You re-
member the cobler who died Of drink on the
read sidc?'
There is shabby ricketty cabin in the mid
die of the field-am right, good woman"
Yes
'And nobody lives in tilt has no door 10 il. ?
There has not been family there, these sew
en- years
Il know the place well,'--saii the sergeant
thoughtfully--' there is woods just on this side
of it,
That's true, replied the dame but what
arc you thinking about, MIR. Robinson
How long before this rain began, was 1t that
they quilted the house,
Not above fifteen minutes
Mistress Ramsay-bring me the rife and
! pistol both-and the powder horn and bullets.
As you say, MIR. Horse Shoe'-answered the
/ 4 IN laau