The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-08-21

AAoyNOSN ouPPOi'eA " u SHi1' ~" VI
each side, was placed.
Music 10 the front!' shouted Suggs; and
the order was promptly obeyed.
Company! Marchn
'Dub-dub-a-dub-a-dub,' went uncle Billy
Allen inclining dangerously from the per-
pendicular, in order 10 support properly, a
non. existent drum!
'Phee- zee phee-fee,' whislled Mr.. Nolls, as
his fingers played rapidly upon the holes of
his imaginary fife!
And the company marched, as it was or
dered. Suggs of course, headed the array,
walking backwards in order to inspect IFS
movements; while Snipes with his bayonet
walked alongside and kept a sharp eye on
the prisoner. Thus they marched slowly a
round the enclosure, and returned TO the spot
from whence they started. 'Halt! Form a
round ring round the drum! ordered the
Captain, pointing 10 the barrel.
The s~volIantares' arranged themselves so
as 10 describe o texactly a m athematical cir
Gle, but a figure Slightly approximating there
to, with the Captain, Lieutenant Snipes, and
the widow, in the centre.
'Betsey IIaycock,' said Captain Suggs,
you're fotcht up here accordin' 10 the rege-
%lations of drumhead court martial, for infrin-
GIN on the rules of war, by crossin of the
lines agin' orders, and that too, when the
fort was onder martial law. Eff you've got
anythin' 10 say aginh avin' your life tux, less
hear it,
Poor Mrs. Haycock became livid; her eyes
dilated, and all her features assumed that
sudden sharpness which mortal terror so of
ten produces. Trembling in all her joints,
and pallid lips, she gasped,
Mercy! mercy! Captain Suggs! For Gods
sake don't kill me--oh don't eff you please!
[ only went for my t~obacker-for the love of
the Lord, don't murder me! Have mercy
I'll never--no never--as long
cit amt me- said the Captain, interrupting
her; 't aint me that's agwine 10 kill you; IFS
the Rules of War. The rules of war is
mighty strict-aint they, Lieutenant nipes %
sPowerfm strict!' said Snipes.
you've 'fessed the crime,' continued
Suggs, 'and eff me and the Lieutenant want
ed TO let you off ever so bad, the rules OF war
would lay US liable efwe waste. But come,
Lieutenant Snipes,' he added, addressing that
person, the prisoner has made her acknow
ledgment; take you pen and ink, and let's
90 and see what's TO be done about it,
The Lieutenant took up his writing mater
ials, and the couple retired 10 a corner of the
fence, where they seated themselves upon
the ground. Directly Snipes was seen to
write; and then he picked up his pen and ink
again, and they returned.
sWhat--what--wbat's il? choakingIy in
quired the widow, as they re-assumed their
positions at the barrel.
Read out the Judgment said Suggs, with
immense solemnity.
Snipes read what he had written in the
fence corner as follows:
sWhereas Betsey Haycock were brought
up aforc us, bein' charged with infringin' the
rules of war by %crossin' of the ines agin' or
ders, and Fort Suggs bein' under martial law
at the time, and likewise acknowledged she
was giIty. Therefore we have tried her ac-
cordin' 10 said rules of war, and condemns her
10 be bagonetted TO deth in one hour from
this time, witness our hands and seals
A ~paleness more CHASTITY than that ofdeath
came over the widows face as she heard the
sentence. Falling TO the earth, she grovel-
led at the feet of Captain Suggs.
Save -pity--help! for Gods sake!
VII uOu l ALL IC OdPiuih OuSSos -OCS ~
me, Mr.. Snipes. Oh, you won't--T know
you won't murder me! You're jest in fun!
amt you? You couldn't have the heart TO
kill a poor woman creeter like me!--and then
she added in a hoarse whisper--'Pl humble
myself to you Captain Suggs! I'll get down
on my very knees, and kiss your shoe! Don't
take my life away with that she didn't
finish the sentence, but shuddered all over,
as she thought of Snipes' rusty bayonet.
ooh Jimminny Crimminny! what a cussed
old foolr exclaimed a voice from the fence
corner, outside, which was instantly recog-
missed as belonging 10 Yellow-legs-'he dar-
sent no more kill you, IAN he dar fight an In
LUMP
The widow looked up, but took no comfort
from the words. Captain Suggs, highly in
dignant, seized a large stone and projected
it with Titan-like force, at the dirt-eater; but
it struck the fence. Yellow-legs, not al arm
ed, turned his back to Suggs, and made a ges-
ture expressive ofthe highest degree ofcon-.
tempt, and then bounded off. F..
sLewtenant, prepar' for execution said the
Captain as he returned 10 the barrel.
Mrs. Haycock renewed her lamentations
and entreaties.
q WISH said Suggs, in a fit of mental alb
straction, but soliloquizing aloud; thar was
some way TO save her. But if | was to lei
her off with a fine. / might be layin' myself
liable 10 be tried for my own liie.'
ooh yes, Captain Suggs, III pay any fine
you'll put on NELL give up all the money
I've got, if you'll jest let me oa-do now,
dear Captain
'I1ey? What? Have | been talking out
loudg inquired Suggs, starting with a discon-