Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-07-01

| dismounting, they entered it sword i'm hand
and searched every place where he could pos
sibly have been concealed. But their searcl
was fruitlcss. Rumph was far on his wa,
towards home, before those who were so ca
gerly thirsting for his blood could satisf,
themselves that he was not there. IrritateS
| by the escape of The prey which they were 9,
confident they had in their grasp, while on,
part of the tories returned to the wagons, ant
after taking such of the horses as could b,
servicabe to them, they stripped the wagon:
of every thing they could carry away, anC
| burnt them to ashes with the remaining par
of their freight. They worried poor House
lighter, until he was ready to die with fear
and left him.
Captain Rumph reached home abou. sun
set, with Il determination to give his pursu-
ers a chance ola fight, with less odds on one
side: and he Immediately set about collect
ing together the scattered members of his
corps. This was soon accomplished-and
they, about twenty-five in number, were rea-
dy to set out in pursuit of the tories by day.
light the next morning.
This party had proceeded Tor several hours
ON their way, and had nearly reached the
spot where the wagons of their leader had
been burned the day before, and which was
the scene OF his perilous escape, when they
were informed that the tories, not far below,
were feeding their horses near the road, and
were wholly unprepared for an attack. The
patriots were extremely anxious to be led to
the charge. Just before their eyes We're the
evidences OF the wanton destruction of prop
erty by the tories, and their memories could
rapidly supply nulnberless instances of their
horrld barbarity rtpine and murder. They
proceeded at quickened pace along the
road, and soon their enemies appeared in the
situation in which they had been described,
with their horses caelessly feeding with their
saddles on, their bridle-bits out of their
mouths, and their rilers 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 tour hundred yards, and
at once prepared for fight They soon caught
their horses and bridled them, and in an in
slant were mounted and flying in every d.
rection. "Save who cam was the word
Captain Rumph and his troopers dashed down
upon them, and as the tories scattered, every
one for himself, 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 of
fcer in command of the tories, to be singled
out by 1t. Wannamaker, of Capt. Rumph's
troop. Wannamaker was a man of singular
holiness and true devil-may-care sort of spir-
it. He was fine horseman, and on this oc-
casion was uncommonly well mounted. In
this respect, however, he was not superior to
Parker for after chase Of two miles, Wan
namaker had gained but little, if any, upon
Parker; but unfortunately for the latter, after
keeping well ahead for that distance, and
xvh 10 10 IL
gaining upon him, his horse carried him I'M
der STOPPING tree, which struck him vio-
lent blow upon the left shoulder as lie rode
under it, and knocked him nearly off, and i'm
his struggle to recover himself his saddle
turned and got under the belly of his horse.
In that situation he rode some distance at an
evident disadvantage, and Wannamaker be-
gan to gain upon him. Parkers horse, how
ever, broke the girth and the saddle fell, so
that Parker was able for while to keep
Wannamaker at a safe distance. But it
soon became apparent, to Parker's dismay,
that his horses wind was failing from being
ridden without a saddle. In vain he whip
ped and spurred his jaded horse. Wanna
maker was shortening the distance between
them at every leap. Parker beheld him near
ly within pistol shot; and, frightened be-
You'd measure, he took off his hat and beat
hio HOiSt OIi TIE SUES WIFI IL W tCCtieIdte
his speed. 1t succeeded for moment, but
the tagged horse had done his utmost. Wan
namailer was just behind, and called out to
him, with presented pistol
parker, halt for | will kill you.''
Parker needed not, but continued with re-
newed violence his blows with his hat
Wannamaker approached nearer and called
to him again; but still he rode on. Wanna
maker called to him again, the third time and
offered him quarter but the unhappy man,
knowing that he had no right to expect that
mercy which he had never given, halted
not.
'.Halt Parker" said Wannamaker, 'Ihave
told you the last time"
Parker rode on. Wannamaker, fearing
something might occur to incline the chances
against him, approached the doomed man
within halt horses length and fired. Par
ker rode erect for moment; but his hold
soon relaXed-he fell backwards on his horse
rolled heavily off and expired.
Southern CabiHef.
BOOK UUMBUG.