The North-Carolina standard., 1841-05-19


| a ganst him. There was no time to be lost
His only chance of escape at once flashed across
his mind, and he Immediately set about execut
ing it. He rode his horse up TO the pond aIrea
dy mentioned, and tied him fast to a tree He
then took off the greater part of his clothes and
left them near bis horse, to induce the suspicion
that he had concealed himself in that pond
But that very far from his real intention -
He walked in the water near the margin of the
pond, until he had gained the side opposite to
which he had tethered his horse, and choosing
with some caution the place at which he could
hest leave ii, he set off at rapid rate through the
pine woods towards home, distance of sixteen
miles.
In the meantime the three troopers, who, as
Captain Rumph truly supposed, were a party
detached to seize him if they could, returned to
their main body. consisting of about twenty men,
under the command of Lieut.. Parker, and re-
ported the situation in which they had left Capt
Rumph. Without loss of time the whole party
set off to overtake him. Upon their arrival at
the pond, they found that the wagons had pro-
ceeded but little distance from the spot which
they occupied when the three Tories passed
them, and Captain Rumphs horse and clothes
were in the same situation in which they had
been left by him. The whole party rode up 10
the wagon, and fercely inquired Of poor House
lighter, who was pale with terror. where Rumph
was. He pointed 10 the pond, and they rode up
to the place where the horse was tied, and when
they saw his clothes, and other signs Of Rumph's
having taken to the pond, they surrounded it on
every side, and dismounting they entered it
sword In hand, and searched every place where
he could possibly have been concealed But
their search was fruitless Rumph was far on
his way towards home, before those who were
so eagerly thirsling for his blood could SATISFY
themselves that he was not there. Irrtated by
the escape OF the prey which they were so conf
dent they had In their grasp, while one part OF
the Torres returned to the wagons, and after ta
king such OF the horses as could be <erviceabe
to them. they stripped the wagons of every thing
they could carry away. and burnt them to ashes
with the remaining part of their freight. They
worried poor Houselighter until he was ready
to die with fear and LEFT him.
Captain Rumph reached home about sunset,
with determnationto give his pursuers chance
Of fight, with less odds on one side; and he
Immediately sci about collecting together the
scattered members of his corps. This was soon
accomP mPIIshed-and they. about twenty five in
number, were ready 10 set off in pursuit Of the
Tories by day light the next morning.
This party had proceeded for several hours on
their way, and had nearly reached the spot
where the wagons of their leader had been burn
ed the day before, and which was the scene of
his perIous escape, when they were informed
that the Tories, not far below, feeding their
horses near the road, and were wholly unpre-
pared for an attack. The patriots were extreme
Iy anxious to be led TO the charge. Just before
their eyes were the evidences of the wanton de-
struction of property by the Tories. and their
memories could readily supply numberItss ln-
S ances OF their horrd harbarity, rapine and mur
der. They proceeded at quickened pace a.
long the road and soon their enemies appea red
in the situation in which they had been describ-
ed, with their horses cdreiessly feeding with
their saddles on, their bridle-bils out of their
mouths. and their riders lying about in groups
or sleeping apart from the rest on the ground
No surprise could have been more complete
The Tories discovered their opponents at the
distance OF three or four hundred yards. and at
once prepared for flight. They soon caught |
their horses and bridled them, and in an instant
were mounted and flying in every direction.-
Save who can." was The only word Captain
Rumph and his troopers dashed down upon them,
and as the Tories scattered, every one for HIM
self, the patriots were obliged to single out and
pursue, as they were nearly equal in number,
almost every one his man. Various were the |
results OF that flight and pursuit.
1t was the fortune Of Lieut. Parker, the officer |
in command of the Tories, 20 be singled out by |
Lieut.. Wannamaker, Of Capt. Rumph's troop. !
w
md true devil'may-care sort Of spirit He
fine horseman, and on this occasion was IN.
we'll mounted In this respect how
ever. he was not superior TO Parker; for after a
chase of nearly y two miles. Waunamaker had
gained but little, if any, upon Prrker-but un-
ortunately for the latter, after keeping well a.
head for that distance and while looking hack
o see if his enemy was gaining upon him. his
horse carried him under STOPPING tree, which |
struck him violent blow upon the left shoulder
IS he rode under it. and knocked him nearly of,
md in his struggle to recover himself his saddle
urned and got under the belly Of his horse. In
hat situation he rode some distance at an evi,
lent disadvantage, and Wannamaker brgan to
gain upon him. Pdrker's horse, however. broke |
he girth and the saddle fell. so that Parker was
able for Il while to keep Wannamaker at safe
distance. But it soon became apparent, to Par
ker's great diSmay. that his horse'S wink was
aiing from being ridden without a saddle. In
vain he whipped and spurred his jaded horse
was shortening the distance be-
ween them at every leap. Parker brheld him
nearly within pistol shot; and. rightened bey
he took off his hat and beat his horse
On the sides with it to accelerate his speed LII
succeeded for moment. but the tagged horse
had done his utmost. Wannamaker was just
behind, and called out to him. with presented