The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-07-15

! other, and another, until the very trees
seemed gifted with utterance, TO peal
the signal notes of death.
Al the sight OF the first signal light.
the drum beat to arms. and the soldiers
hurried to their appropriate places, in the
utmost CONSERVATION. Many cheek
was blanched then, that never bl. nched
before, and "the chilled blood ID
| slowly back to its fountain" in II.
bosom that never before had bea
| fear.
There is something peculiarly start
ling and terrible in the Indian war
whoop at any time, but here every cir
cumstancc conspircd to render it more so.
The wild and rugged character Of the
scenery, now rendered more stril1ingly
uncouth by the unsteady flicker Of the
camp fires which threw their pale and
ghostly light upon the huge trunks of
the aged pines, which rose in spectre
like grandeur around-the insignia of
the Indians birthright-while far in the
distance, flashed those dreadful lights,
which betolencd the Indians revenge,
and around were lurking the crafty and
daring foes of the white men.
1t was moment Of awful suspense :;
the men grasped their arms more tight
ly, and drew their breath hard, as if they
expected each one would be the last.
The sentinels, meanwhile, retained
their posts, although they were raw mil
tia, who had never before known the
duties, or the dangers of warfare-a
striking illustration of the influence that
sense of duty exerts upon the mind of
man.
Scarcely, however, had the last rece-
ding echoes of the war-whoop died away
in the distance, before the clear notes of
the commander were heard-he seemed
in the general CONSERVATION, TO partake
of his full share, and addressed the SEN
tinels: who needed other encouragement,
with, Look out there, you Id ras.
Gals, or you will all be in hell in less
than ten minutes; the Indians will
have them scalps of yours, before you
know what you are about"
Then turning about, he bawled out,
where's Lieut. Calhart? ?"
"He's officer of the guard, tonight"
said soldier near him.
"D-n It, know that said the
choleric Major.
"Where is he ?"
"Yondcr he stands"
The Major now approached young
man of a tall and manly form, graceful
figure and Martial appearance, who
was standing at the left of his company,
with his righ, hand resting on his sword
hilt, and the other hanging lstlessly at
his side. He seemed rather spectator
Of the scenes enacting around him,
than an actor in them, for he did not ma
nifest any of the anxiety depicted on the
countenances of his commanders.
We'll, Lieutenant" said his COM
mander, bustling up to him, "I'm afraid
we'll all be in h-ll in less than ten
minutes"
every likely" was the laconic an
swer
"Now, want you to take four men,
and patrol all round the camp, and see
where the Indians are"
The Lieutenant started Mt so novel
'~AAN ""H S50Aouo q oSotl1luotiu3 Jul Solu uOtu-
lng-his captain interposed.
Major, that is strange order; It
will do no good, and only risk the mems
lives to no purpose-fos if the Sentinels
don't kill them, the Indians will"
"Pll 60 Captain," said the Lieuten-
! ant. IL came here to do my duty and
I'll do it."
1t was with some difficulty he could
induce the mea to accompany him, but
the example of brave man has more
influence than the greatest hopes of re-
ward, in such an enterprise as this
and the example was not wanting in
the present instance. Besides, there
was not so much danger in obeying this
command, as might at first be imagined.
The sentries would be afraid to hail
at so great distance from the camp,
lest they should discover their wherea-
bout: and thus set themselves up as a
mark for the bullets Of. the Indians.
And on the Othor hond Tho Ird;aoe