The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-02-19
CAMDEN, SOUTH-CAROIINA, FEBRUARY 49, 1850.

shrieks of the he'll pless victims, and the hoarse
shouts of their brutal oppressors, struck their
listening ears
"Surely they will not molest us" said the
widow.
"It is the villainous Cunningham ejacu.
lated Gerold. "He spares neither age nor Sex.
You must fly get ready quick!'
"But whittier shall we fly {" asked Frances.
Edwin hesitated, but Frances, who had asked
the question, also answered it
eve can go to old Mother Wallods. They
will not think of disturbing her"
fright, right p' cried Edwin. Get ready as
quick as possible"
A few hasty preparations were made. All
the ready money and valuable porta bles were
soon collected, and the ladies mufAed in cloaks
and shawls. Emily sobbed violently, and ran
to and fro, scarcely knowing what she was do
ing. Frances was calm, and made her prepar-
ations huriedly, it is true, but Systematically
She then assisted her sister, who had as yet ac-
complished nothing. Gerrold buckled on his
sword and belted four pistols around him, but
would not cucumber himself with his over-coat
All then sailed from that room, so late the
abode of cheerfulness and comfort, into the
piercing cold of the dark and stormy night.
The house of old Mother Wallod,-an eccen-
trio but kind old woman, who lived alone --stood
in a valley about mile from Fairdale. Our
party arrived there i'll safety, and fearing to at
tract attention, they did not kindlea fire. The
ladies retired to rest on such beds and pallets
as the good old woman could furnish; but Ger
rold, despite the solicitations ofall, returnedto
watch the movements of the Tories.
When he came in sight of Mrs. Manley's
house, he perceived that the marauders had pos
session of it. He approached and listened.
He could hear their curses, "foul and deep"
over their disappointment in finding the family
had fled.
"a devils curses on the the rebels! Iwish,
Jake, we had come raight OH hefOre fire was
set to yon did old rebels house. 1t has scared
the birds from their nest
"Where do you s'pose they've gone, Ned"
asked his companion.
"Lct me consider-an old woman lives out
through the woods yondcr, about a mile. I'd
sooner b'lieve they'd gone there than any where
else. | wish the d--d rain hadn't conceive
could have tracked them"
"Well, let's 90 and see. They are worth a
search any how, if they arc only half as pretty
rs YOU make them out"
1t may readily be supposed that Gerrold was
determined to thwart their intentions, or perish
in the attempt. He could sec through 4 win
dow into the room where they stood, and was
reioiccd to perceive that the two speakers con-
stituted the company; and he rightly surmised
that they had left their party for short time,
tempted by the "booty and beauty" of Fardale.
al told YOU" said one of them, "that knew
of two fine birds, and now we'll have 'em.-
There aint another man in our troop that knows
anything about 'cm. l was raised close by
here"
"Well, come on, and let's look 'em up. If
You'll Jest find 'cm, YOU may have choice"
Gerroltps blood rushed like wildfire through
his veins He drew two pistols from his belt
and prepared to fire, but recollecting that the
other Tories, whose shouts he could distinctly
hear, might be attracted by the report, he put
them up, and drawing lis sword, cautiously re-
treated from the house. Arriving at place
suited to his purpose, he stationed himself behind
a large tree that stood on the side of the path
that led to old Mother Wallods.
The path was narrow and would not admit of
their riding abreast. He who had first suggest
ed the direction that the widow and her daugll-
tars had gone, rode first, land his companion fol-
lowed close behind.
awe must ride slowly, as the path rs dark
and marrow said the foremost, as they approach
cd the tree behind whose trunk Gerrold stood
concealed.
The wind still roarcd through the forest, but
many of the clouds had disappeared, and few
stars had vcntured to show themselves, giving a
very faint light, only sufficient to enable Ger
rold to perceive horses and riders us two black
moving masses.
The head OF the foremost horse was even with
the tree where Gerrold stood. AS quick rs
thought he seized the bride rein, and dealt Il
blow that brought the Tory to the ground. The
horse plunged and frightened the one in his
rear. The Observation-Disclosures cried for help,
but his comrade did not heed him. Gerrold
held the rein in his iron grasp, and wheeled the
horse upon his fallen rider just as he was en-
dcavorng to rise With one unerring blow up
on the back of the head he settled him forever
then sprang upon his horse, and gave chase
to Lis flying companion.
Tie Tory had long start, bnt his horse was
not SO fleet rs the one on which Gcrrold was
mounted, and every moment lcsscncd the dis
tancc between them. The Tory turned, as he
fled, and fired pistol, not so much with tn
hope Of killing his pursucr, us attracting the at
.o,t;,,, oF hic romr,drs The shot paSSeu harm