The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-12-24
From GrohOm's Magazine.
MARION'S OATH.
A Tale Of the Revolution.
TcoNTINuED
CHAPTER III.
By CHAs. J. PETERSON.

CONTINUED.
asH CHAPTER III.
And there was Rrming in hot haste.
BYRON.
Ths,HAr meanEhile went on with ncreas
ed fefocity. The tide of battle, which at frs
ran in Marion's favor, had now turned, anr
the enemies were everywhere in tbs ascen
dant. The army of Greene was in Nortl
Carolina. occupied in watching CORVALLIS
Lord RAwdon held Camden with strong
force, All the other important posts were II
the hands of the British. Marion, for the
first time disheartened, talked of retiring be
hind the mountains. Armed bodies Of Tories
in themeantime, xaYersed the country, plum
dsring at will, and banging, without even the
form of trial, these Of their unfortunate
prisoners they had found in arms.
- Mr.. Mowbray had long contemplated rising
in favor of his country again, and no tint
seemed to him so proper as the present, wher
all others we're becoming disheartened Hi'
daughter he knew to be ip safety with hel
aunt, who had always maintained a strc
neutrality; so there was nothing to withhold
him longer from his purpose. He bad ac-
.cordngly secretly cxerted himself to raise a
troop among the young men of his neiGhbor-
hood, and his recruiting had been attended
with such success, that their rising onl wal
ted the removal OF large body of armed To
ries who had lately infested the vicinity. On
the first signal from Mr.. Mowbray, they
were to rendezvous at the Hall.
Mowbrsy Hall was one of those fine old
mansions, a few of which lingcr i'll South
Carolina, fast fading monuments of the de-
parting splendors of her old provincial nobil-
ity. The building stood at the head of a
long avenue of trees, and was large double
house, with an immense hall in the centre
The outhouses had suffered considerable
since the war began, and many of the fields
lay bare and uncultivated; but the mansion
itself was still in remarkably fine state Of
preservation, and the architectural boast oi
the surrounding country.
1t was a fine, clear morning when Mr.
Mowbray stood on the steps of his house, to
welcome the recruits who, in obedience to
hislong expected signal were on that day to
repair to the rendezvous. His feelings, as
one stout yeoman after another rode up,
were those of exultaton, dashed little per-
haps with regret for having ever despared
of his country.
"Hnw fortunate that Capt Ball, with his
Tories, has moved up the river" said his
lieutenant, who stood beside him. "We
shall have time to discipline our men, and
rally greater number to our ranks. Our
twenty tall fellows, though brave enough,
could scarcely make head against his hun
dred troopers. We have good week be-
fore us"
Every true; and we have assurances OF
nearly thirty more, provided we display our
banner. Three days Of quiet is all | ask
Then, hope, we shall bo able to give a
good account of ourselves even if Balls To-
ries return" said Mr.. Mowbray.
"If we are gone when he comes back, my
dear sir, he will wreak his vengeance, fear,
on our homes" said the other, with some.
thing ofa sigh,
- hope you do not think of drawing back"
eplied Mr.. Mowbray. "Tn this cause man
lust be willing to sacrifice father and mo.
Her, house and land, good repute, and all
else he holds dear in the world. God helE
ms" .Hs.
II am with you till death" said the lieu.
tSaaat, thinking at that moment how much
more his superior had to lose than himself
and affected by such heroic and self sacrif'
cling patriotism. ''@
! AT this instant horseman was seen gal.
lcping furiously down the avenue, and as he
came onward he waved his cap as if desirous
to call their attention to something in the
road which he had left. Mr. Mowbrsy look
ed In that direction, but clump Of woodland
shut out the highway from sight; however,
q sitter moments delay. the voice of one Of
the recruits called his attention to what
seemed cloud of dust rising above the tree
tops. Almost at the same instant mum
Der Of troopers appeared ct tho head Of the
avenue. The approaching horseman had
now reached the lswn. H
"We are betrayed" he cried, almost ex-
hausted. "BallSs Tories are behind, and
have chased me for two miles, TO arms
~ ArnasP' Asa s at 81
a@lsns fN8 8nHfE @ &NE